Team
Principal Investigator
Ph.D. Materials Science and Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH.
M.S. Materials Science and Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH.
M.S. Metallurgical Engineering, AGH University of Science and Technology, Krakow, Poland.
B.S. Metallurgical Engineering, AGH University of Science and Technology, Krakow, Poland.
https://mse.ncsu.edu/people/kaunocic/
She enjoys spending time with her family, skiing, running, and playing ice hockey
e-mail: kaunocic@ncsu.edu
LinkedIn.
Postdoctoral Fellows
Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL.
M.S. Mechanical Engineering, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL.
B.S. Federal University for Latin American Integration, Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil.
Research: High-Entropy Alloys (HEAs) offer unique opportunities for designing next-generation materials with exceptional thermal and chemical stability. This research explores:
– Oxidation behavior of HEAs at elevated temperatures
– Mechanisms of scale formation, growth, and spallation
– Influence of composition and microstructure on oxidation resistance
– Use of advanced techniques like TGA, SEM/EDS, and XRD for characterization
The goal is to uncover fundamental insights into how HEAs degrade—or resist degradation—under harsh environments, with applications in aerospace, energy, and nuclear systems.
He enjoys camping, kayaking, playing rugby, and immersing himself in video games .
LinkedIn.
Ph.D Students
Swaroop Saralkar
B.S. Mechanical Engineering,
Research: Ni-Based Alloys – Processing, Microstructure, and Environmental Performance
This research investigates Ni-based superalloys, including Inconel 718, Haynes 230, and Oxide Dispersion Strengthened (ODS) alloys, focusing on their performance in extreme environments. Key Areas of Focus:
– Effect of processing on oxidation behavior (Conventional vs. Additive Manufacturing (AM))
– High-Temperature Oxidation and Degradation:
Understanding how processing routes influence oxidation resistance, scale formation, and long-term stability in aggressive thermal environments (air, water vapor, combustion gases).
– Microstructural Characterization:
Using SEM, EDS, XRD, EBSD, TEM and operando gas reaction STEM to investigate phase stability, grain structure, precipitate evolution, and oxide scale morphology.
Applications:
This work supports materials design for gas turbines, aerospace engines, energy systems, and other components exposed to high temperatures and oxidative environments.
Undergraduate Students
B.S. student in Mechanical Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC.
Research: M247 (Ni-based) and GrCop-42 (Cu-based) are cutting-edge alloys used in aerospace and thermal systems. His research focuses on:
– Additive manufacturing of advanced metal alloys
– High-temperature oxidation testing in extreme environments
– Microstructure characterization using SEM, EDS, XRD, and more
– Understanding degradation mechanisms and long-term performance
This work supports the development of materials capable of withstanding the harshest service conditions — from turbine engines to space exploration systems.
He enjoys playing golf, cooking, and rooting for the Boston Red Sox.
Former members
Apolo Domingos – Undergraduate researcher, 2024
Tyler Rihm – Ph.D. student, Spring 2025