We Are Ames Laboratory: Powder Synthesis and Development Group

What is the research group’s name? Powder Synthesis and Development Group (PSDG), or “Powder Group” for short.

What research does the Powder Synthesis and Development Group do? The PSDG team advances the science of material synthesis through advanced powder metallurgy approaches. We have two gas atomizers and one rotating disk atomizer which are used to create metal powders of a nearly infinite number of alloy compositions. If we can melt it in a crucible, we can make powder from it! Our work enables both fundamental research into synthesis or characterization of new materials, as well as more targeted applied research and industrial R&D. Our team looks at all aspects of the powder production process including basic physics-based CFD modeling, gas-only flow/melt break up optimization, novel types of gas-based passivation reactions during atomization spray free-fall, alloy design and development, bulk sample synthesis and development of end use applications.

Why should people be interested in this group’s research? Who wouldn’t be interested in using supersonic gas jets to disintegrate molten metal streams at temperatures up to 1850 °C (3362 °F) into tiny droplets that cool into a metal powder? Hot molten alloys become cool powder-- the best!

Our group’s research has broad relevance across many industries and applications. Want to improve your powder production process to get higher yields of better quality metal powders? We do that! Want a high performance metal powder for your 3D printer that actually prints well? We do that! Want a strong magnet for your EV that doesn’t rely heavily on critical materials? We do that! Want a material that has high temperature strength and irradiation resistance for use in your nuclear power plant? We do that! Want to upgrade your country’s electrical power transmission grid with high efficiency cable, i.e., to Re-String America? We do that! Want Dave’s chili recipe that took second place at the Lab’s 2018 chili cook off? We won’t do that (but you can ask Wendy’s if they will share their recipe!), and we don’t encourage Trevor to enter tortilla soup into a chili cookoff – it’s not chili.

What is unique, interesting, or special about your team? Hawaiian shirts are a must-have for any conference opening reception. We are well known for them! Wearing Sriracha t-shirts all but guarantee success while pouring the “hot sauce” on an Atomization Day. Fiji Water is the official water of the group, sort of. Curry is the official hot-lunch dish. And group meetings start precisely at their scheduled times, occasionally.

Who is in charge around here? The GK (Grand Kahuna), of course: Iver ‘GK’ Anderson. Nic Argibay (nick-name pending) has also been leading the charge since Oct 2021.

Who's a part of the Powder Group team?

Full-time Staff