Projects Great and Small

Well, we are approaching the end of Fall Term 2023 here at OSU, and I think we’ve made some excellent progress overall. We’ve researched many existing solutions for modeling the decay of irradiated materials, and ultimately we have chosen three models that we think will work best for our needs: Molecular Dynamics and Cluster Dynamics atomic scale simulations, and slightly larger scaled Object Kinetic Monte Carlo models that can simulate entire regions of atomic defects, vacancies and interstitial bulges.

Aside from researching the physics models we have chosen to use, our group has also been working on refining our Final Design Document. I am sad to report that our initial draft was rather lacking in many important areas. Most embarrassingly, many of us had actually missed the in-depth framework to use for the document, and our grade suffered accordingly. Thankfully, now that we are all actually aware of the template to use for our design document, we were able to fill out all of the required sections with all of the requested information.

On a personal note, I am very much looking forward to the winter break before classes pick up again in Winter Term 2024. My shift at work is from 6:00 AM to 2:30 PM PST, which means I have to wake up by 5:00 AM PST to prepare for my work day. It is tiring, but I do need to get paid, and my hours have the advantage of leaving me plenty of time for my schoolwork! When I’m not trying to do my classwork between calls, of course.

Aside from unwinding as much as my work schedule will allow, during the Winter break I plan on further researching the Molecular Dynamics simulations offered by LAMMPS, the leading research tool for Molecular Dynamics modeling. I also plan on further researching my own Molecular Dynamics simulation model design for my own enjoyment. On a more personal note, I am planning on visiting my mother in Creswell, and completing my Christmas shopping for a young foster girl via the Angel Tree program. Granted, as a college student, my funds are limited, but I always make sure to get something that the child will enjoy. This little girl wants educational toys, so I already have a number of ideas.

This will likely be my last blog post for the year. I look forward to seeing everyone in 2024!

Sean B. Higgins