Bio
I have worked 20+ years at ORNL in specimen preparation and characterization of materials for the Corrosion Science Group and customers outside of group. Specimen preparation – polishing/sectioning and Keyence for furnace samples – TEM sample prep and TenuPol electropolishing – metallography mounting and polishing. Characterization of materials – SEM imaging, EDS Mapping/Line Profiles and EBSD analysis - particle analysis, oxide measurements, grain size measurements and porosity measurements. Responsible for training new users on the Hitachi 4800 and Tescan microscopes and upkeep of both microscopes/labs(LSM).
Professional Experience
- 2003-Present - UT-Battelle – Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN
Corrosion Science Group- ORNL- Materials Science & Technology Division - Master Technician – 2019-Present
Senior Technician – 2012-2019- Provide high-quality sample preparation and microstructural characterization (SEM, FIB, TEM, etc) support for the PI’s. Materials prepped for analyses included superconductors, silicon nitride, catalyst substrates, recuperators, corrosion tested alloys, membrane tube samples, spray coatings, powders, etc.
- Keyence measuring system – surface profiles of samples and training new users
- Electroplating samples with Copper for coating samples.
- Oxide scale and grain size measurements
- Operation of the Tenupol for electropolishing TEM samples
- Prepare new specimens for furnaces
- General upkeep of the lab
- Operation and Training for Tescan and Hitachi 4800 scanning electron microscopes
- 2002-2003 - MK Technologies, Knoxville, TN
Student - Lab Technician - ORNL- Metals & Ceramics Division- Photograph samples General laboratory upkeep.
- Sample preparation for Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Field Electron.
- Microscope (FIB).
- 2000-2002 - Senior Flexonics Pathway Division, Oak Ridge,TN
Estimator / Planner Provide cost estimate for manufacturing expansion joints- Work closely with Engineering Department to ensure accurate information is used to prepare estimates.
- Prepare purchase orders.
Awards
Physical Sciences Directorate Technician Award-Core Values Award for Integrity-June 2023
Education
- B.S., Industrial Technology, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN, 2009.
- Short course, Hitachi S4700 Scanning Electron Microscope, Hitachi, Oakland, CA, 2004.
- Associate of Applied Science Degree, General Technology, Pellissippi State Technical Community College, Knoxville, TN, 2002-2005.
- 40 hour course, Hazardous Waste Safety, Pellissippi State Technical Community College, Knoxville, TN , 1992-1995.
- Chemical Engineering Technology, Pellissippi State Technical Community College, Knoxville, TN , 1992-1995.
- Oliver Springs High School, 1992.
Professional Service
Provide sample preparation for testing and characterization (Keyence-SEM-EDS-EBSD).
Professional Affiliations
Support senior staff and research staff in Corrosion Group and outside of group.
Specialized Equipment
- Tescan SEM
- Zeiss Gemini SEM
- Hitachi S4800 SEM
- Hitachi S4700 SEM
- Hitachi S3400 SEM
- Struers TegraForce-5 / TegraPol-31 polishing system
- Keyence Measuring System
- TenuPol
- Leica software
- Gatan Precision Ion Mill
- Gatan Dimple Grinder
- Leica software
- Gatan Precision Ion Mill
- Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint
- Adobe Photoshop
- FovaPro
- Image J