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Andrew D. Iams (Fed)
Materials Research Engineer
Andrew D. Iams is a materials research engineer at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) within the Material Science and Engineering Division. Andrew uses a range of both experimental and computational techniques to investigate the thermodynamics and kinetics of phase transformations within materials. He possesses expertise in electron microscopy techniques, which he utilizes to investigate the microstructural characteristics of a range of materials (metals, ceramics, glasses, polymers) from the meso- to the atomic-scales. Prior to NIST, Andrew was a senior engineer at the Westinghouse Electric Company – Material Center of Excellence, where he led various materials and manufacturing projects for the commercial nuclear industry.
Google Scholar:
Current Projects:
Circular Steel Pathways: This work aims to support a more resilient and circular steel industry through fundamental materials research and development.
- Advancing Direct Reduction Technologies: This work supports the scientific foundation for direct reduction iron-making as an alternative to traditional blast furnace methods. By combining computational and experimental approaches, the phase transformations involved in converting iron ores to iron are investigated.
- Scrap Contamination: Recognizing the growing demand for scrap metal and the decline in its quality, this work focuses on understanding how impurities within scrap metal affect alloy performance, while seeking solutions to minimize deleterious impacts.
- NIST Workshop: Focused on addressing key challenges and identifying opportunities in strengthening the resilience and efficiency of the metal processing industry. Discussions centered on advancing technologies, optimizing resource use, and fostering a circular economy to secure a reliable and robust supply chain. More information can be found at the link below: https://www.nist.gov/news-events/events/2024/07/material-challenges-developing-sustainable-metal-processing
In-Space Manufacturing: This project is focused on utilizing in-space resources to produce feedstock materials for space manufacturing. The research combines experimental and theoretical work to explore fundamental extractive metallurgy processes capable of producing quality feedstocks in the harsh conditions of space. The goal is to develop methods for extracting and refining raw materials from extraterrestrial sources to create reliable feedstocks for manufacturing essential components in space, reducing reliance on Earth-based resources and supporting a circular model for the space economy.
Other research interests include:
- metals additive manufacturing
- welding and joining