Undergraduate Research - Berkeley Risk and Security Lab
- Organization: Berkeley Risk and Security Lab (BRSL)
- Relevant Skills: Structural Analysis, Materials Science, Reactor Systems, Multi-Sensor Integration, Failure Mode Analysis, Policy Research, Non-Proliferation
Background
At the Berkeley Risk and Security Lab, I conducted technical research at the intersection of engineering and international security policy. My work focused on two primary areas: (1) structural and materials analysis of naval reactor pressure vessels for non-proliferation assessments, and (2) evaluation of multi-sensor early-warning systems for counter-UAS applications. Both projects required rigorous technical analysis to inform policy recommendations for high-consequence defense and security environments.
Research Areas
Naval Reactor Pressure Vessel Analysis
Objective: Assess technical barriers to fissile material extraction from sealed naval reactors in the context of AUKUS trilateral security partnership and nuclear non-proliferation frameworks.
Technical Analysis:
- Stress & Failure Analysis:
- Applied pressurized thermal shock (PTS) analysis to reactor pressure vessel (RPV) walls under biaxial loading
- Evaluated thermal stress distributions and radiation embrittlement effects on material fracture toughness
- Assessed crack initiation mechanisms from shallow surface flaws in high-temperature, high-pressure environments
- Analyzed hydrogen-induced cracking (HIC) and hydrogen embrittlement (HE) in low-alloy manganese-molybdenum steel
- Material Selection & Properties:
- Evaluated ASTM A516 Grade 70 steel and HY-80/HY-100 high-strength alloys for pressure hull applications
- Analyzed weld joint microstructures (base metal, weld metal, heat-affected zones) and their impact on structural integrity
- Assessed corrosion resistance, neutron irradiation damage, and fatigue crack growth (FCG) behavior
- Compared properties of zirconium alloy (Zircaloy) fuel rod cladding under high-temperature shock loads
- Structural Load Path Analysis:
- Mapped load-bearing components across reactor assemblies, including RPV, biological shielding, and containment bulkheads
- Identified access constraints through multi-layer shielding: steel pressure hull (6-12" thick), lead gamma shielding, polyethylene neutron absorbers
- Evaluated cutting technologies for RPV dismantlement: plasma arc cutting, contact arc metal cutting (CAMC), abrasive water jet (AWSJ)
- Analyzed trade-offs in cutting speed, secondary waste generation, underwater operability, and precision control
- Reactor Design & Configuration:
- Analyzed pressurized water reactor (PWR) primary and secondary circuit layouts for naval applications
- Evaluated passive vs. active cooling system architectures and their implications for material extraction scenarios
- Assessed natural circulation designs (S5G, S8G prototypes) for reduced mechanical complexity and acoustic signature
- Examined fuel assembly geometry, control rod configurations, and spatial constraints within cylindrical reactor compartments
Policy Implications: Research findings informed assessments of IAEA safeguards loopholes under INFCIRC/153 Comprehensive Safeguards Agreements. Analysis highlighted technical barriers to covert fissile material diversion from sealed naval reactors, contributing to U.S.-Australian non-proliferation policy discussions.
Multi-Sensor Early Warning & Counter-UAS Systems
Objective: Evaluate hardware interoperability, system reliability, and operational constraints of integrated early-warning systems deployed in Ukraine conflict for counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) applications.
Systems Analysis:
- Sensor Integration & Interoperability:
- Analyzed Ukraine's DELTA battlefield management system for multi-domain C3I (command, control, communications, intelligence) integration
- Evaluated cross-domain data fusion from acoustic reconnaissance, radar, electro-optical (EO), and SATCOM sources
- Assessed cloud-based ecosystem architecture enabling coordination of 100+ unmanned platforms (air, land, sea domains)
- Examined NATO interoperability standards validation during CWIX 2024 and REPMUS 2025 exercises
- Hardware Performance & Constraints:
- Evaluated acoustic detection systems (Sky Fortress) for low-altitude drone tracking via noise signature analysis
- Analyzed Danish C-UAS jamming/radar systems deployed to Ukraine for cost-effectiveness vs. drone proliferation threats
- Assessed latency constraints in real-time threat tracking and handoff between sensors during salvo attacks (large-scale coordinated drone swarms)
- Examined power requirements and environmental exposure limits for mobile C-UAS deployments in contested environments
- Failure Modes & Reliability:
- Analyzed single-point failure risks in centralized vs. decentralized sensor architectures
- Evaluated vulnerability to Russian cyberattacks and electronic warfare countermeasures
- Assessed degradation in civilian responsiveness to air raid alerts over time (8-15% additional casualties from alert fatigue)
- Examined localized alert systems (neighborhood-based sirens) vs. regional sweeping alerts for operational disruption minimization
- AI Integration & Commercial Technology:
- Analyzed Palantir AI-driven data analytics platforms for battlefield decision-making acceleration
- Evaluated ethical, legal, and strategic concerns of rapid AI adoption in military operations
- Assessed governance gaps where Ukrainian combat-tested systems operate beyond existing regulatory frameworks
Operational Insights: Research identified key lessons for NATO force modernization: layered air defense systems, rapid adaptability in sensor deployment, and balance between automation and manual intervention. Analysis emphasized importance of system resilience under electronic attack and sustainment of civilian compliance with early-warning protocols.
Outcome
- Delivered comprehensive technical assessments informing U.S. and allied non-proliferation policy frameworks
- Identified critical material properties and structural constraints governing access to naval reactor cores
- Evaluated trade-offs in cutting technologies for high-consequence dismantlement operations
- Provided actionable insights on multi-sensor system reliability and failure modes for contested environments
- Contributed to NATO interoperability standards development through analysis of Ukraine battlefield management systems