Bio
Plasma Research Scientist Adrian Lopez has been with ORNL since 2020, involved with the R&D of electron and ion sources and the development of plasma diagnostic systems and techniques.
His research interests include plasma-based enrichment devices; plasma diagnostics; RF plasmas; high power microwave plasmas; electron sources; and ion beam transport.
Before joining ORNL, Adrian spent three years as a research physicist at the Air Force Research Laboratory, where he investigated the generation and characteristics of plasmas generated by high power microwave beams. Prior to that, he was a product engineer for the Lear Corp. for seven years, working on the design, testing and production of various electrical systems for hybrid and electric-drive vehicles.
Adrian holds a Bachelor of Science in Engineering degree in Aerospace Engineering, Master of Science in Engineering degree in Nuclear Engineering and a doctoral degree in Nuclear Engineering, all from the University of Michigan. He has a Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Wayne State University.
He holds a patent, Relay System Having Dual Relays Configured as Heat Sinks for One Another: US Patent 9,472,365, issued Oct 18, 2016.
Adrian enjoys volunteer work, especially mentoring students, which he has done through the AFRL Scholars program, Big Brothers Big Sisters and the U.S. Department of Energy's SULI program.