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Summary of Research Interests
My research interests lie in the area of the science and technology of
materials used in energy production. My studies have been mainly focused on the
development, degradation, and cleaning of materials used in the production of nuclear
energy and solar energy. I have performed extensive research on the chemical,
microstructural, mechanical, and thermal characteristics of deposits formed as a result of
accumulation of corrosion products in the primary and secondary circuits of nuclear power
plants and developed techniques for characterization of such deposits and their removal by
means of mechanical methods as well as by chemical dissolution. I have established an
advanced facility for deposit characterization and testing of deposit removal techniques
at The Catholic University of America which is among the most prominent facilities in this
area in the world. I combine my research at The Catholic University of America with
technical management at Dominion Engineering, Inc., a high technology firm in McLean, VA.
This has enabled me to generate resources for developing the laboratory facilities at The
Catholic University of America and to involve students and post-doctoral researchers in
advanced materials research. I am also active in the development of novel materials for
solar energy conversion systems and in studying the degradation of solar panels.
- Selected Publications:
"Examination and Characterization
of Steam Generator Sludge Deposits." Varrin, R.D.,
Jr.; Esposito, J.E.; Kerns, M.T.; Russell, T.W.F. ANS/ASME
Nucl. Ener. Conf., San Diego, CA, 1992.
"Removal of Scale from Steam
Generator Tubing with an In-Bundle Lancing System."
Varrin, R.D., Jr.; Babbitt, C.A. Corrosion/91, NACE
International, Houston, TX, 1991.
"Advances in CuInSe2
and CdTe Thin Film Solar Cells." Shafarman, W.N.;
Birkmire, R.W.; Fardig, D.A.; McCandless, B.E.; Mondal,
A.; Philips, J.E.; Varrin, R.D., Jr. Proc. 10th
Photovoltaic Adv. Res. Dev. (PVAR&D) Mtg.,
Lakewood, CO, 1991.
"Critical Process Issues in
Selenization." Verma, S.; Varrin, R.D., Jr.; Birkmire,
R.W.; Russell, T.W.F. Proc. 22nd IEEE Photovoltaic
Spec. Conf., Las Vegas, NV, 1991.
"Options for Fabrication and
Design of CuInSe2 Based Solar Cells."
Birkmire, R.W.; Shafarman, W.N.; Varrin, R.D., Jr. Proc.
21st IEEE Photovoltaic Spec. Conf., Kissimmee, FL,
1990.
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