Bio
Jonathan Chappell is an Irradiation Engineer in the Irradiation Engineering Group within the Nuclear Energy and Fuel Cycle Division at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, where he has worked since October 2021. His primary role is serving as a task lead for the design, fabrication, and approval of in-pile irradiation experiments conducted at the High Flux Isotope Reactor.
He has a strong background in materials testing, structural analysis, and thermal analysis. His experience includes the application of finite element analysis (FEA) for structural, thermal, vibration, and explosive blast modeling, including material nonlinearities. He has contributed to the analysis and design of a wide range of projects, including structural equipment, electronics and printed circuit boards (PCBs), and in-pile irradiation experiments. He is also experienced in performing engineering calculations to assess fatigue life, bolted joint strength, and weld stresses.
He earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering in 2015 and a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering in 2019 from Tennessee Technological University. His graduate research focused on the mechanical testing, characterization, and finite element modeling of electronic components and solder joints subjected to thermal cycling down to cryogenic temperatures