Dr. Nguyen is a Senior R&D Staff at the Energy Systems Development Group, Fuel Cycle Science and Technology Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory. He is an accomplished leader and researcher with extensive experience in thermal-fluid dynamics, advanced instrumentation, and computational modeling for advanced nuclear reactors and energy systems. Proven ability to lead multi-disciplinary technical projects, secure competitive funding and mentor emerging scientists and students. Over the course of his career at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Texas A&M University, and other prestigious institutions, Dr. Nguyen has successfully contributed to advancing technical knowledge, delivering actionable insights, fostering talent, and producing solutions for high-priority energy challenges.
He has extensive experience in the development and application of advanced instrumentation and innovative measurement techniques, such as:
High-speed thermography, shadowgraphy and Schlieren imaging,
Ultrasound imaging, optical fiber sensor, and optical sensors.
Dr. Nguyen also has a strong background in computational fluid dynamics modeling (RANS and LES) for investigating coupled fluid flow and heat transfer in single- and multiphase-flow applications, laminar to turbulent flows, in-compressible and compressible flows under normal and critical conditions. He has performed high-fidelity simulations for
Thermal-hydraulics studies of turbulent flows over complex geometries of nuclear reactor systems and components, such as fuel rod bundles, steam generators, randomly packed beds, and
Single- and multiphase heat & mass transfer of flow mixing within various energy systems, such as heat pump technologies, energy storage, and transport of aerosol in nonreactor nuclear facilities.
Hydrodynamics characterizations of turbulent flows around underwater vehicles.
Dr. Nguyen is also an expert in turbulent flow analysis via mode decomposition approach (POD, DMD), Validation and Verification, and Uncertainty Quantification.
