Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock (
) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.
Andrew J Allen (Fed)
Physical Scientist, Materials Measurement Science Division
Research Interests
- X-ray and neutron scattering-based microstructure characterization to address technological barriers in advanced materials development, for example:
- Nanoparticle formation, assembly and interaction, for industrial, biomedical and environmental health applications (including RM development in collaboration with National Cancer Institute).
- Structure-property relationships in films, coatings and energy materials, including high-k dielectric films, thermal barrier coatings and solid oxide fuel cell materials.
- Fundamentals of cement hydration, including the effects of additives and environmental conditions on concrete used in the nation's infrastructure.
- In operando characterization of selective gas sorption phenomena in advanced sorbents and carbonation processes relevant to addressing the nation's needs for climate change.
-
X-ray and neutron studies of mesoscale equilibrium and non-equilibrium dynamics relevant to advanced materials processes, e.g., ceramics additive manufacturing and densification, or precipitation kinetics in additive manufactured alloys.
(Research Opportunity no. 50.64.31.B7417):
Control of microstructure, internal dynamics and chemistry is of primary importance in determining the performance and viability of solid oxide fuel cells, hydrogen fuel cells, carbon capture materials, and other systems that advance the hydrogen economy, promote US energy independence, or simply advance the Nation’s industry, e.g., through Additive Manufacturing. The relevant scale range for void and phase microstructure (e.g. interfacial morphology, sintering or annealing), as well as for chemical site reactivity (e.g., combustion, reforming, corrosion) extends from the micrometer down to the sub-nanometer scale regime. Our goal is to develop in operando measurement methods to quantify full three-dimensional void and phase microstructures and dynamics, including changes during service life and dependence on processing conditions. These issues apply, e.g., to the electrodes and electrolyte of a SOFC; to the interfaces between them; and to any separate fuel-reforming hydrogen storage, or carbon dioxide capture material, where the microstructure must be related to the reaction site kinetics and to changes in site reactivity during service life. This opportunity will address these interconnected issues by utilizing unique instrumentation, developed by NIST and its collaborators, and located at the Advanced Photon Source, the National Synchrotron Light Source II, and the NIST Center for Neutron Research. Opportunities exist for investigating novel energy materials and devices including batteries, solid oxide fuel cells, energy harvesting devices, photovoltaics, and additive manufactured components.
Awards
• Plenary Speaker, 18th International Conference on Small-Angle Scattering, Campinas, Brazil, 2022
• Editor-in-Chief of International Union of Crystallography (IUCr) Journals, 2018 - present
• Department of Commerce Silver Medal, Group Award, 2016
• Main Editor, Journal of Applied Crystallography, 2014-2018
• Plenary Speaker, 15th International Conference on Small-Angle Scattering, Sydney, Australia, 2012
• Department of Commerce Bronze Medal Award, 2009
• Department of Commerce Silver Medal, Group Award, 2008
• Best Paper Award, Journal of Thermal Spray Technology, Volume 14, 2005
• Co-Editor, Journal of Applied Crystallography, 2002-2014
• NIST Bronze Medal, Group Award, 1998
• Best Paper Award, International Thermal Spray Conference, France, 1998
• Advisory Editor, Journal of Physics: Condensed Matter, 1991-96
• Open Exhibition Scholarship, Oxford University, 1974-1977