Nicholas Richter

R&D Associate at Oak Ridge National Laboratory

United States

About

I am currently a postdoctoral research associate at Oak Ridge National Lab in the Alloy Behavior and Design Group studying sustainable Aluminum alloy design and Aluminum alloy conductors. My expertise lies in microscopy, mechanical testing and physical metallurgy of Aluminum alloys. I have completed my PhD in Materials Science at Purdue University studying nanotwinned Aluminum. I also have experience with magnetron sputtering and additive manufacturing of Al alloys and various materials. Extensive electron microscopy skills relating to microstructure, texture and chemistry analysis in addition to in-situ mechanical testing at the micro- and nano-scales.

Experience

  • Oak Ridge National Laboratory (On-site)
    • R&D Associate
      Mar 2026 - Present · 4 mos

    • Postdoctoral Research Associate
      Oct 2023 - Mar 2026 · 2 yrs 6 mos

      I am currently a postdoctoral research associate at Oak Ridge National Lab in the Alloy Behavior and Design Group studying sustainable Aluminum alloy design and conductive Aluminum alloys. My expertise lies in microscopy and mechanical testing of Aluminum and other metallic materials. I have completed my PhD in Materials Science at Purdue University studying nanotwinned Aluminum.

  • Graduate Research Assistant at Purdue University
    Aug 2018 - May 2023 · 4 yrs 10 mos

    Explored metallurgy and microstructure of nanotwinned Al alloys, focusing on in depth mechanical testing and microscopy techniques.

  • Metallurgical Intern at Nucor Steel Decatur Llc
    May 2017 - Aug 2017 · 4 mos

    Performed microstructural and artificial feature analysis using a scanning electron microscope on line pipe steel. Additionally helped with the processing and operation of at the Ladle Metallurgical Furnace.

  • Undergraduate Research Assistant at Purdue University
    Aug 2016 - Apr 2017 · 9 mos

    Analyzed nucleation of whiskers in tin-based lead-free solders by electroplating tin onto copper. Tested the electroplated tin using blister mechanical testing and thermal cycling.

  • Undergraduate Research Assistant at ArcelorMittal and Purdue University
    Sep 2015 - Apr 2016 · 8 mos

    Created a user-interactive computational model using Python of the chemical and physical interactions within a blast furnace. Determined process variables from the steel making process, metallurgy and heat transfer