The Advanced Photon Source
a U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science User Facility

Profiles

  • Building: 401, B4180
  • Phone: 630/252-9841
  • Fax: 630/252-9729
  • On-Site Pager: 4-1523
  • Email: downey@aps.anl.gov
Current Position

Scientist 4 (Senior Scientist)

Background
  • 2012-13 Visiting Professor, Physics Department Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
  • 2000- Technical Staff Member, MST-8, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM
  • 1998-00 Post Doc, LANSCE 12, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM
  • 1993-98 Graduate Research/Teaching Assistant, The Pennsylvania State University
  • 1997 Lecturer, Physics 202, Electricity and Magnetism, The Pennsylvania State University
  • 1992 Intern – Prototype Division, GTE Sylvania, Warren, Pa, 16365
  • 1991 NSF-REU Undergraduate Research Assistant, Lehigh University, Bethlehem PA 18015
Honors
  • 2008 Japanese Society for the Promotion of Science Fellowship Award
  • 2004 Defense Programs Award of Excellence
  • 2001 Defense Programs Award of Excellence
  • 1994 Physics Departmental Graduate Teaching Award
  • 1993 Sigma Phi Sigma National Physics Honor Society
Activities
  • 2008-11 ORNL Neutron Scattering Science Review Committee
  • 2008-10 Los Alamos National Laboratory LDRD-ER Engineering Review Committee
  • 2007- Metallurgical Transactions A Review Board Member
  • 2004-07 Lujan Center Materials Proposal Advisory Committee member.
Interests

My career has been based on using diffraction to study structural and functional materials under conditions simulating use or processing. The SMARTS neutron diffractometer at the Lujan Center was built around this concept. I have used neutrons or x-rays to probe materials as appropriate. The materials range from aerospace materials (steel, magnesium, titanium), defense materials (uranium, beryllium), shape memory alloys (NiTi), to most recently nuclear energy materials.

Goals
  • As a user interested in nuclear energy materials I have experienced some degree of frustration in bringing radioactive materials into the APS. My first goal in this endeavor is to put myself into a position where I can possibly influence policy on the use of radioactive materials at the APS. Currently, the APS wastes much of its advantages (such as amazing signal/noise) by requirements on containment that, while they conform to the rules, are often not well considered.
  • Second, as both a frequent user of the APS (~5x per year) as well as a long time (10+ years) instrument scientist at a DOE funded facility, I believe I have a unique perspective that can help guide future developments at the APS with an eye strongly fixed on improving the user access and experience at the APS.