MateriAlZ Seminar: Matthew Kerr
Friday, February 2, 2024 - 10:30 a.m. MST
Matthew Kerr
Sigma Deputy Division Leader
Los Alamos National Laboratory
"Materials Capability at Los Alamos National Laboratory"
Zoom link | Passcode: 627664
MateriAlZ Seminar website | YouTube | Twitter
Abstract
Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) has a mission that spans fundamental and applied research and development associated with nuclear deterrence, energy security and global security. To meet this mission, the laboratory has a robust materials capability that spans its 49 square mile campus and involves over 1,000 staff members engaged in materials science. This talk will provide a broad overview of materials science at LANL and discuss how that capability is organized, under our Materials for the Future Strategy, to meet national security mission needs. This strategy is dedicated to ensuring that the Laboratory has a capability for making novel materials with tailored properties and then predicting their behavior. The discussion will provide a few examples of current research involving development and qualification of new materials with an emphasis on manufacturing science and will conclude with comments regarding access points to collaborating with the staff as well as how to learn more about careers at the laboratory.
Bio
Matthew Kerr is the Sigma Deputy Division Leader at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) and has broad experience in delivering science-based solutions to meet nuclear technology materials needs. Sigma Division is a ~200,000 square foot below hazard category 3 nuclear facility that provides experimental hardware and conducts manufacturing science research for materials containing elements ranging from hydrogen to uranium. Over the last decade, Matthew has had progressive increases in responsibility from subject matter expert to leadership roles in operationally intensive research and development organizations across Department of Energy (DOE) and National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) laboratories (including the Naval Nuclear Laboratory and Idaho National Laboratory). His interest in nuclear reactor development goes back to his PhD work at Queen’s university. Prior to that, Matthew grew up in Arizona and received his BSE/MSE in the Materials Science and Engineering Department at Arizona State University.