Richard Karnesky
Materials Physics

Biography
I manage the Energy Nanomaterials department at Sandia/CA. In my work as an individual contributor, I studied hydrogen isotopes in metals. I am passionate about scientific outreach, having led a lecture-in-a-bar series called “Nerd Nite” and broadcasting a weekly science show on KALX (90.7 FM) called “Spectrum”. Prior to joining Sandia, my work at Northwestern University focused on aluminum alloys for high-temperature applications.
Education
- Ph.D., Materials Science & Engineering, Northwestern, “Mechanical Properties & Microstructure of Al-Sc with Rare-Earth Element or Al2O3 Additions” under D. Seidman and D. Dunand
- B.S., Engineering & Applied Science, Caltech under E. Ustundag
Research Interests
I have a passion for solving materials issues that impact national security. My department specializes in the synthesis and characterization of hydrogen-isotope storage materials and on characterization (including via extensive electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, nanoindentation, and X-ray diffraction). I am a subject matter expert in hydrogen kinetics (measured via permeation and thermal desorption), atom-probe tomography, and materials data management.
Awards
- Employee Recognition Award for W80–4 Model-Based Definition (MBD) Team (Sandia)
- Poster Award (Atom Probe Tomography and Microscopy, International Field Emission Society, Stuttgart)
- Winner of the John E. Hilliard Symposium for best thesis presentation (Northwestern University)
- Walter P. Murphy Graduate Fellowship (Northwestern University)
Publications
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Skelton, R., Zhou, X.W., Karnesky, R.A., & Karnesky, R.A. (2021). Molecular dynamics studies of lattice defect effects on tritium diffusion in zirconium. Journal of Nuclear Materials, 555. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnucmat.2021.153099 Publication ID: 78724
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Koplow, J., Smith, K., Jouravel, N., Buffleben, G., Sinha, A., Negrete, O., Barnett, T., Karnesky, R.A., & Karnesky, R.A. (2020). Supercritical CO2 sterilization of N95 Masks. https://doi.org/10.2172/1821584 Publication ID: 71222
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Zhou, X., Karnesky, R.A., Yang, N., Yee, J.K., & Yee, J.K. (2020). Kinetic Monte Carlo simulations of structural evolution during anneal of additively manufactured materials. Computational Materials Science, 179. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.commatsci.2020.109605 Publication ID: 58895
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Humphries, M., Cordaro, J., Karnesky, R.A., & Karnesky, R.A. (2020). Integration of the At-Risk Materials tools for hardware development at Sandia National Labs [Conference Poster]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1783618 Publication ID: 72889
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Drewien, C., Cordaro, J., Karnesky, R.A., & Karnesky, R.A. (2019). EMIT Consortium Meeting: Sandia Site Update [Presentation]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1646242 Publication ID: 66213
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Cordaro, J., Drewien, C., Karnesky, R.A., & Karnesky, R.A. (2019). Tracking and Analysis of At-Risk Materials at Sandia National Laboratories [Conference Poster]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1643120 Publication ID: 66163
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Wisoff, J., Buchenauer, D., Whaley, J., Karnesky, R.A., San Marchi, C., Kolasinski, R., & Kolasinski, R. (2019). Analysis Tool for Deuterium Permeability Studies [Presentation]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1645604 Publication ID: 69879
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Zhou, X., Foster, M.E., Sills, R.B., Karnesky, R.A., & Karnesky, R.A. (2019). Towards molecular dynamics studies of hydrogen effects in Fe-Cr-Ni stainless steels [Conference Poster]. Proceedings of the International Offshore and Polar Engineering Conference. https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?partnerID=HzOxMe3b&scp=85079773097&origin=inward Publication ID: 66154
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Zhou, X., Karnesky, R.A., Yang, N., Yee, J., Chavez, J., & Chavez, J. (2019). Kinetic Monte Carlo Simulations of Structural Evolution of Additively Manufactured Materials [Conference Poster]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1596526 Publication ID: 64529
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Zhou, X., Foster, M.E., Sills, R.B., Karnesky, R.A., & Karnesky, R.A. (2018). Development of Fe-Ni-Cr-H Interatomic Potential [Conference Poster]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1594306 Publication ID: 59375
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Drewien, C., Drewien, C., Karnesky, R.A., & Karnesky, R.A. (2018). EMIT Consortium Member Presentation October 2018 [Presentation]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1882367 Publication ID: 59572
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Zimmerman, J., Balch, D., Bartelt, N., Buchenauer, D., Catarineu, N., Cowgill, D., El Gabaly Marquez, F., Karnesky, R.A., Kolasinski, R., Medlin, D., Robinson, D., Ronevich, J., Sabisch, J., San Marchi, C., Sills, R.B., Smith, T., Sugar, J., Zhou, X., & Zhou, X. (2018). Materials and Hydrogen Isotope Science at Sandia’s California Laboratory [Conference Poster]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1592999 Publication ID: 59788
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Zhou, X., Foster, M.E., Sills, R.B., Karnesky, R.A., & Karnesky, R.A. (2018). Development of Fe-Ni-Cr-H Interatomic Potential [Conference Poster]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1560805 Publication ID: 64037
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Zhou, X., Sills, R.B., Foster, M.E., Karnesky, R.A., & Karnesky, R.A. (2018). Development of Fe-Ni-Cr-H Interatomic Potential [Conference Poster]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1560806 Publication ID: 64038
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Zhou, X., Sills, R.B., Foster, M.E., Karnesky, R.A., Jones, R.E., & Jones, R.E. (2018). Examples of Uncertainties of Molecular Dynamics Simulations [Conference Poster]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1515129 Publication ID: 62108
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Hattar, K., Barr, C., Bufford, D., Muntifering, B., Small, K., Koh, A., Karnesky, R.A., & Karnesky, R.A. (2018). Comparison of Hydrogen Introduction Techniques for in-situ TEM straining mechanisms [Conference Poster]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1503089 Publication ID: 61155
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Zhou, X., Sills, R.B., Foster, M.E., Karnesky, R.A., Allendorf, M., Stavila, V., Heo, T., Wood, B., Kang, S., & Kang, S. (2018). Status of Interatomic Potentials Models for Hydrogen Energy Applications [Conference Poster]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1498436 Publication ID: 60891
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Zhou, X., Sills, R.B., Ward, D.K., Foster, M.E., Karnesky, R.A., Stavila, V., Allendorf, M., Wood, B., Heo, T., Kang, S., & Kang, S. (2018). Errors of Molecular Dynamics Simulations and ?Accurate? Al-Cu-H and Mg-H Potentials [Conference Poster]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1575330 Publication ID: 60746
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Lu, W.-Y., Yang, N., Yee, J., Karnesky, R.A., & Karnesky, R.A. (2018). Mechanical properties of Additively Manufactured SS316L [Presentation]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1512060 Publication ID: 58546
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Zhou, X., Sills, R.B., Ward, D.K., Karnesky, R.A., & Karnesky, R.A. (2017). Atomistic Calculations of Dislocation Core Energies in Aluminum [Conference Poster]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1483216 Publication ID: 54329
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Drewien, C., Karnesky, R.A., & Karnesky, R.A. (2017). Granta MI and Materials at Risk (M@R) at Sandia National Laboratories [Presentation]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1478295 Publication ID: 53589
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Zhou, X., Sills, R.B., Karnesky, R.A., & Karnesky, R.A. (2017). Modeling Hydrogen Metal Interactions [Conference Poster]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1466494 Publication ID: 58122
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Zhou, X., Karnesky, R.A., Dingreville, R., & Dingreville, R. (2017). Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Radiation-Enhanced Permeation of Hydrogen Isotopes In Ni [Presentation]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1466493 Publication ID: 58121
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Yang, N., Karnesky, R.A., Yee, J., & Yee, J. (2017). Thermal stability of the 3-D AM 316LSS prototypes [Conference Poster]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1507643 Publication ID: 57454
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Karnesky, R.A., Chao, P., Buchenauer, D., & Buchenauer, D. (2017). Hydrogen Isotope Permeation and Trapping in Additively Manufactured Stainless Steel [Presentation]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1457965 Publication ID: 56261
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Zhou, X., Dingreville, R., Karnesky, R.A., & Karnesky, R.A. (2017). Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Radiation-Enhanced Permeation of Hydrogen Isotopes In Ni [Conference Poster]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1456378 Publication ID: 55546
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Zhou, X., Karnesky, R.A., Dingreville, R., & Dingreville, R. (2017). Molecular Dynamics Studies of Grain Boundary and Irradiation Effects on Hydrogen Diffusion in Nickel [Conference Poster]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1456325 Publication ID: 55468
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Drewien, C., Karnesky, R.A., Archuleta, K., & Archuleta, K. (2017). Identifying Materials at Risk [Conference Poster]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1426373 Publication ID: 55226
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Zhou, X.W., Sills, R.B., Ward, D.K., Karnesky, R.A., & Karnesky, R.A. (2017). Atomistic calculations of dislocation core energy in aluminium. Physical Review B, 95(5). https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.95.054112 Publication ID: 48735
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Zhou, X.W., Dingreville, R., Karnesky, R.A., & Karnesky, R.A. (2017). Molecular dynamics studies of irradiation effects on hydrogen isotope diffusion through nickel crystals and grain boundaries. Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, 20(1), pp. 520-534. https://doi.org/10.1039/C7CP06086F Publication ID: 58220
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Madison, J.D., Koepke, J.R., Karnesky, R.A., Kinnan, M., Baca, A., Scott, B., Gomez, S., Hirschfeld, D.A., & Hirschfeld, D.A. (2017). SANDIA NATIONAL LABORATORIES – MEMBER UPDATE – WINTER 2017 MDMC [Presentation]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1427984 Publication ID: 52872
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Karnesky, R.A., Chao, P., Buchenauer, D., & Buchenauer, D. (2017). Hydrogen isotope permeation and trapping in additively manufactured steels [Conference Poster]. American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Pressure Vessels and Piping Division (Publication) PVP. https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?partnerID=HzOxMe3b&scp=85034039460&origin=inward Publication ID: 52117
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Buchenauer, D., Karnesky, R.A., Fang, Z.Z., Ren, C., Oya, Y., Otsuka, T., Yamauchi, Y., Whaley, J., & Whaley, J. (2016). Gas-driven permeation of deuterium through tungsten and tungsten alloys. Fusion Engineering and Design, 109-111, pp. 104-108. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fusengdes.2016.03.045 Publication ID: 47102
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Dingreville, R., O’Brien, C., Foiles, S., Karnesky, R.A., Berbenni, S., & Berbenni, S. (2016). Hydrogen segregation to grain boundaries in nickel [Conference Poster]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1390458 Publication ID: 52093
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Karnesky, R.A., Medlin, D., Hattar, K., Bufford, D., Koh, A., Lawrence, S., Somerday, B., & Somerday, B. (2016). Multi-Resolution Characterization of Hydrogen-Assisted Intergranular Fracture of Ni-201 [Conference Poster]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1390735 Publication ID: 52131
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Karnesky, R.A., Chao, P., & Chao, P. (2016). Hydrogen Isotope Trapping in Al-Cu Binary Alloys and AA2219 [Conference Poster]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1390466 Publication ID: 52108
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Chao, P., Karnesky, R.A., & Karnesky, R.A. (2016). Hydrogen isotope trapping in Al-Cu binary alloys. Materials Science and Engineering: A, 658, pp. 422-428. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msea.2016.02.003 Publication ID: 46639
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Karnesky, R.A. (2016). Hydrogen isotope trapping in Al?Cu binary alloys [Presentation]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1346447 Publication ID: 48702
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Dingreville, R., Karnesky, R.A., Puel, G., Schmitt, J.-H., & Schmitt, J.-H. (2016). Synergies between computational modeling and experimental characterization of materials across length scales. Journal of Materials Science, 51(3), pp. 1176-1177. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-015-9551-6 Publication ID: 41738
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Karnesky, R.A., Buchenauer, D., & Buchenauer, D. (2016). Hydrogen Isotope Permeation Experiments in AM Steels [Presentation]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1345097 Publication ID: 48505
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Buchenauer, D., Karnesky, R.A., Kolasinski, R., Whaley, J., Donovan, D., Fang, Z., Ren, C., & Ren, C. (2016). Faciltiies Report for Sandia National Laboratories [Presentation]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1239354 Publication ID: 47974
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Karnesky, R.A., Friddle, R., Whaley, J., Smith, G., & Smith, G. (2015). Permeation of “Hydromer” Film: An Elastomeric Hydrogen-Capturing Biopolymer. https://doi.org/10.2172/1234933 Publication ID: 41995
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Buchenauer, D., Karnesky, R.A., Kolasinski, R., Whaley, J., Donovan, D., Fang, Z., Ren, C., Oya, Y., Chikada, T., Michibayashi, K., Otsuka, T., Yamauchi, Y., & Yamauchi, Y. (2015). PHENIX Research at SNL [Presentation]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1506753 Publication ID: 46319
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Ward, D.K., Zhou, X., Karnesky, R.A., Kolasinski, R., Foster, M.E., Thürmer, K., Chao, P., Epperly, E., Zimmerman, J., Wong, B., & Wong, B. (2015). Understanding H isotope adsorption and absorption of Al-alloys using modeling and experiments (LDRD: #165724). https://doi.org/10.2172/1222665 Publication ID: 45784
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Buchenauer, D., Karnesky, R.A., & Karnesky, R.A. (2015). Stainless Steel Permeability. https://doi.org/10.2172/1221706 Publication ID: 45623
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Buchenauer, D., Karnesky, R.A., Fang, Z., Ren, C., Oya, Y., Otsuka, T., Yamauchi, Y., Whaley, J., & Whaley, J. (2015). Gas-Driven Permeation of Deuterium Through Tungsten and Tungsten Alloys [Conference Poster]. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fusengdes.2016.03.045 Publication ID: 45491
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Karnesky, R.A. (2015). Exporting Data from Granta MI [Presentation]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1324587 Publication ID: 45432
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Buchenauer, D., Karnesky, R.A., Fang, Z., Ren, C., Oya, Y., Otsuka, T., Yamauchi, Y., Whaley, J., & Whaley, J. (2015). Gas-Driven Permeation of Deuterium Through Tungsten and Tungsten Alloys [Conference Poster]. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fusengdes.2016.03.045 Publication ID: 45389
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Chao, P., Karnesky, R.A., & Karnesky, R.A. (2015). Analysis of Hydrogen Trapping in Bulk Al-Cu with Thermal Desorption Spectroscopy [Presentation]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1340038 Publication ID: 44602
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O’Brien, C., Foiles, S., Karnesky, R.A., & Karnesky, R.A. (2015). Hydrogen Segregation to Vicinal Twin Boundaries in Nickel [Conference Poster]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1246857 Publication ID: 42441
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Karnesky, R.A., O’Brien, C., Foiles, S., Medlin, D., & Medlin, D. (2014). Hydrogen Isotope Trapping in Nickel as a Function of Grain Boundary Structure and Chemistry [Presentation]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1502655 Publication ID: 38402
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Buchenauer, D., Karnesky, R.A., Kolasinski, R., Whaley, J., Youchison, D.L., Shimada, M., B., M., & B., M. (2014). Permeation Experiments at SNL-CA [Presentation]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1241673 Publication ID: 38703
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Karnesky, R.A., Kolasinski, R., Donovan, D., Whaley, J., Youchison, D.L., & Youchison, D.L. (2014). Permeation Experiments at SNL-CA [Conference]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1126943 Publication ID: 36721
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Kolasinski, R., Whaley, J., Ward, D.K., Karnesky, R.A., San Marchi, C., & San Marchi, C. (2013). Atomic Geometry of Adsorbed Hydrogen on Structural Aluminum [Conference]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1067692 Publication ID: 32374
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Kolasinski, R., Buchenauer, D., Karnesky, R.A., Whaley, J., Donovan, D., Youchison, D.L., Cowgill, D., & Cowgill, D. (2012). Gas and plasma-driven permeation of hydrogen through fusion materials [Conference]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1061086 Publication ID: 30468
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Karnesky, R.A., Bartelt, N., & Bartelt, N. (2012). Imaging and quantification of hydrogen isotope trapping. https://doi.org/10.2172/1055931 Publication ID: 30465
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Karnesky, R.A., Bartelt, N., & Bartelt, N. (2012). Imaging and Quantification ofHydrogen Isotope Trapping [Conference]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1116441 Publication ID: 29894
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Kolasinski, R., Whaley, J., Karnesky, R.A., San Marchi, C., & San Marchi, C. (2012). Interactions between gaseous hydrogen and aluminum alloys [Conference]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1061159 Publication ID: 29732
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Karnesky, R.A., Yang, N., San Marchi, C., & San Marchi, C. (2012). Solute Distribution and Mechanical Properties of Ultra-Fine-Grained Al-Mg Alloys [Conference]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1117596 Publication ID: 27537
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San Marchi, C., Karnesky, R.A., Kolasinski, R., & Kolasinski, R. (2012). The role of hydrogen isotopes in deformation and fracture of aluminum alloys [Presentation]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1657409 Publication ID: 26880
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Karnesky, R.A. (2011). LDRD Annual Report 2012/152506: Imaging and Quantification of Hydrogen Isotope Trapping in Stainless Steels [Presentation]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1661546 Publication ID: 25098
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San Marchi, C., Jackson, H., Foulk, J.W., Karnesky, R.A., Somerday, B., & Somerday, B. (2011). hydrogen-assisted fracture of 12Cr-6Ni-9Mn stable austenitic stainless steel [Conference]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1118578 Publication ID: 25039
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Karnesky, R.A. (2011). Copy of Imaging and Quantification of Hydrogen Isotope Trapping in Stainless Steels [Presentation]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1688671 Publication ID: 24138
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Kolasinski, R., Donovan, D., Cowgill, D., Karnesky, R.A., Felter, T., Bartelt, N., Wampler, W., Watkins, J., Thürmer, K., & Thürmer, K. (2011). Overview of PMI at SNL-CA [Conference]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1106229 Publication ID: 23948
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Kolasinski, R., Whaley, J., Karnesky, R.A., San Marchi, C., & San Marchi, C. (2010). Characterization of the Ne-Al scattering potential using low energy ion scattering maps. Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research B. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1121592 Publication ID: 20627
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Kolasinski, R., Buchenauer, D., Cowgill, D., Karnesky, R.A., Whaley, J., Wampler, W., & Wampler, W. (2010). Plasma-materials interaction results at Sandia National Laboratories [Conference]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1022206 Publication ID: 19383
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Kolasinski, R., Whaley, J., Bartelt, N., Felter, T., Karnesky, R.A., Buchenauer, D., Causey, R.A., & Causey, R.A. (2009). Characterization of H adsorption on W(100) using low energy ion scattering [Conference]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1142031 Publication ID: 17016