October 22, 2026
Grant: $1,000 in Fall 2023
Education level at the time of the grant: PhD student
Project Description:
My research project investigated orientation-dependent non-Schmid behavior in body-centered cubic (BCC) tantalum (Ta) at cryogenic temperatures, with the goal of improving the predictive accuracy of crystal plasticity and fracture models used in aerospace and defense applications. The project employed micropillar compression and microtensile testing on carefully selected Ta single-crystal orientations. Samples were fabricated using micro–electrical discharge machining (micro-EDM) and refined by focused ion beam (FIB) techniques. In situ deformation experiments were conducted inside a scanning electron microscope using a low-temperature nanoindenter system to quantify yield strength evolution, strain hardening, and asymmetrical plastic flow.
How did the grant process or the project itself influence you as a scientist/researcher?
The award was transformative for my development as an independent researcher. Writing the proposal sharpened my ability to clearly articulate novelty, feasibility, and broader impact within strict space constraints. The process strengthened my grant-writing skills and reinforced the importance of aligning experimental design with fundamental scientific questions.
What advice would you give to future applicants?
Start early and focus on clarity. Clearly identify the knowledge gap and explain why your approach is both novel and feasible within the requested budget. Reviewers appreciate concise proposals that directly connect the hypothesis, methodology, and expected outcomes. Be specific about how the funds will enable progress that would otherwise be delayed. Even a modest award can have a significant impact if well justified. Seek feedback from mentors and peers before submission, and ensure your proposal communicates excitement about the science.
Where are you now?
I am currently a PhD candidate in materials science and engineering at Iowa State University, where my research focuses on deformation, stored energy evolution, and failure mechanisms in BCC refractory metals. I continue to investigate non-Schmid plasticity in tantalum and related materials through collaborative efforts with national laboratories and federal research partners. Beyond research, I contribute to professional societies, and I serve as a teaching assistant for mechanical behavior of materials courses.
Students may apply for Sigma Xi research grants by March 15 and October 1 annually at www.sigmaxi.org/giar.