​​​​​Jacy K. Conrad

​​

Biography

2023-Present       Research Scientist, Idaho National Laboratory​

2020-2023            Russell L. Heath Distinguished Postdoctoral Research Associate, Idaho National Laboratory

2015-2020            Ph.D., Co-op Option, Physical Chemistry, University of Guelph, ON, CA

2015                      Certificate in Computing Sciences, Dalhousie University, NS​, CA

2011-2015            B.Sc., Combined Honours in Chemistry and Physics, Dalhousie University, NS, CA

Research

My research interests are in understanding how radiolytic processes result in the degradation of a variety of materials and solutions. I use different experimental techniques to determine the fundamental radiation-induced process that dictate the reactivity, solubility, speciation and complexation of chemical species in a given system​. Using these experimental inputs, I develop​ kinetic computer models to predict the behavior of chemical species under irradiation. In-depth knowledge of these processes is integral for evaluating the performance of materials involved in a nuclear fuel cycle, e.g., corrosion of nuclear reactor materials, extent of extraction in used nuclear fuel reprocessing systems, and partitioning of materials in nuclear waste storage.​

Recent Publicatons (h-index 4​, total publications: 14)

  1. Eidelpes, E., Jarrell, J.J., Sindelar, R.L., Lister, T.E., Horne, G.P., Parker-Quaife, E.H., Conrad, J. K., Pilgrim, C.D., Abboud, A.W., Winston, P.L., Smith, R.E., Randall, B.C., d’Entremont, A.L. (2023) Technical Basis for Extended Dry Storage of Aluminum-clad Spent Nuclear Fuel. Journal of Nuclear Materials, 577, 154299-154311. 
  2. Conrad, J. K., Arcis, H., Ferguson, J., Tremaine, P.R. (2023) Second Ionization Constant of Sulfuric Acid in H2O and D2O from 150 to 300 °C at p = 11.5 MPa Using Flow AC Conductivity. Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, 25, 1659-1676. 
  3. Conrad, J.K., Pu, X., Khanolkar, A., Copeland-Johnson, T.M., Pilgrim, C.D., Wilbanks, J.R., Parker-Quaife, E.H., and Horne, G.P. (2022) Radiolytic Gas Production from Aluminium Coupons (Alloy 1100 and 6061) in Helium Environments – Assessing the Extended Storage of Aluminium Clad Spent Nuclear Fuel. MDPI Materials, 15(20), 7317.
  4. Conrad, J.K., Isherwood, L.H., Baidak, A., Pilgrim, C.D., Whittaker, D., Orr, R.M., Pimblott, S.M., Mezyk, S.P., Horne, G.P. (2022) Gamma Radiation-Induced Degradation of Acetohydroxamic Acid (AHA) in Aqueous Nitrate and Nitric Acid Solutions Evaluated by Multiscale Modelling. ChemPhysChem. https://doi.org/10.1002/cphc.202200749
  5. Conrad, J. K. and Tremaine P.R. (2022) A Study of the Deuterium Isotope Effect on Zinc(II) Hydrolysis and Solubility Under Hydrothermal Conditions Using Density Functional Theory. Chemical Engineering Science, 254, 117596.
  6. Conrad, J.K., Pilgrim, C.D., Pimblott, S.M., Mezyk, S.P., Horne, G.P. (2022) Multiscale Modelling of the Radical-Induced Chemistry of Acetohydroxamic Acid in Aqueous Solution. RSC Advances, 12(46), 29757-29766.
  7. Conrad, J.K., Lisouskaya, A., Bartels, D.M. (2022) Pulse Radiolysis and Transient Absorption of Aqueous Cr(VI) Solutions up to 325 °C. ACS Omega, 7(43), 39071-39077.
  8. Conrad, J. K., Woods, M. E., and Horne, G. P. (2023) Radiolytic Evaluation of Select Sulfur Chlorides (S2Cl2 and SOCl2) for Advanced Low Temperature Chlorination of Zirconium-based Used Nuclear Fuel Cladding. Radiation Physics and Chemistry, 206, 110732-110739. 
  9. Umpleby, R. E., Conrad, J. K., Wilbanks, J. R., Schaller, K. D., Horne, G.P. (2023) Radiolytic Evaluation of Acetohydroxamic Acid (AHA) under Biphasic (n-dodecane and TBP/DEHBA/DEHiBA) Used Nuclear Fuel Reprocessing Conditions. Radiation Physics and Chemistry, 207, 110799.
  10. Fandiño, O.; Cox, J. S. ; McGregor, C., Conrad, J.; Liao, K.  &. Tremaine, P. R., Carbon Dioxide Contamination of Aqueous Morpholine Solutions and Effects on Secondary Coolant Chemistry Under CANDU Conditions. Nuclear Technology, 2021. DOI: 10.1080/00295450.2020.1862471.​

  11. Conrad, J.; Tremaine, P.R., Third dissociation constant of phosphoric acid in H2O and D2O from 75 to 300 oC at p = 20.4 MPa using Raman spectroscopy and a titanium-sapphire flow cell. Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, 2021. DOI: 10.1039/D06266A.

  12. Conrad, J.; Sasidharanpillai, S.; Tremaine, P.R., Second Dissociation Constant of Carbonic Acid in H2O and D2O from 150 to 325 °C at p = 21 MPa Using Raman Spectroscopy and a Sapphire-Windowed Flow Cell. Journal of Physical Chemistry B, 2020, 124 (13), 2600.​

  13. White, M.A.; Conrad, J.; Chen, R.; Romao, C.P.; de Farias Pereira, A.; Hill, I.G., Applications of ice-templated ceramics. International Journal of Applied Ceramic Technology, 2018, 15(5), 1075.

  14. White, M.A.; Conrad, J.; Ellis, S.N.; Chen, R., Investigations of ice-structuring agents in ice-templated ceramics. Journal of the American Ceramic Society, 2017, 100 (11), 5066.​