Women In Engineering: Brenda L. Garcia-Diaz
This profile series introduces leading materials scientists from around the world who happen to be females. Here we speak with Brenda L. Garcia-Diaz, manager, energy materials, at Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL).
What is your engineering background?
I studied chemical engineering at the University of Puerto Rico – Mayaguez. I did a co-op at Pharmacia Upjohn and a Research Experience for Undergraduates at the University of South Carolina (USC). My interest in environmental engineering led me to pursue a masters in that area and to work with the Army Corps of Engineers on electrochemical groundwater remediation. That experience in turn sparked an interest in electrochemical systems, which led to my Ph.D. in direct methanol fuel cells at USC.
What are you working on now?
I am the principal investigator (PI) on a Department of Energy (DOE) SunShot project to develop molten salt corrosion mitigation methods for third generation concentrating solar power systems. Another project that I serve as PI on is the development of a direct LiT electrolysis process for tritium recovery in fusion energy systems for the DOE Fusion Energy Program.
What has been your biggest technical challenge?
I think it was developing and testing the electrochemical fluorination process for reprocessing spent nuclear fuel, as high temperature molten salt electrochemistry was unfamiliar to me. I needed to learn about the field by reading a large number of papers to understand the work that had been done and propose improvements that are novel. I also needed to build a new team with expertise in different fields to implement the process. Our team was able to propose and patent a hybrid approach that combined the benefits of the two main processes in the literature. While this project was challenging, it developed a new area of expertise within SRNL and led to a variety of other projects utilizing molten salts.
What part of your job do you like most?
My favorite part of the job is managing a team and research group. In a national lab environment, it is impossible to do everything yourself on cutting-edge projects. It is also difficult to create and maintain teams that are highly functional. I find it personally rewarding when we get everyone on the same page and meet milestones and deliverables in the development of novel technologies.
Hobbies?
Spending time with friends, exercising, and cooking.
Last book read?
“The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho.
Do you know someone who should be featured in an upcoming Women in Engineering profile? Contact Vicki Burt at [email protected]
