Anthony Tom, a nuclear engineering sophomore, recently presented on fusion research at the 18th Annual TLSAMP (Tennessee Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation) Conference.
His presentation, titled “Atomistic Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Helium Implantation in Tungsten,” relates to a surface nanostructure called “fuzz” that forms on tungsten surfaces when exposed to helium plasmas.
Tom, who conducts this research under UT-ORNL Governor’s Chair Professor Brian Wirth, investigates how 16keV helium interacts with different tungsten surfaces and grain boundaries.
“I enjoyed that I was still able to contact and communicate with various schools across the state despite the event being virtual this year, although I’m excited for the event to return to an in-person event,” said Tom, who chose to study nuclear engineering because of his interest in carbon-free energy.
TLSAMP is a collaborative effort sustained by a coalition of six colleges and universities in Tennessee. The program’s goal is to increase the enrollment and graduation rate of underrepresented students (Hispanic, African-American, American-Indian, Alaskan Native, and Pacific Islander) in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
The hope is to also improve the quality of the learning environment for underrepresented science and engineering students at all schools, and ensure that a larger number of undergraduate students are prepared to enter graduate programs.