John W. Farley

Dr. John W. Farley is a Professor in the Department of Physics at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). His research group focuses on the corrosion of steels by lead-bismuth eutectic (LBE), a coolant and spallation target material for nuclear waste transmutation systems. Supported by the Department of Energy's Advanced Fuel Cycle Initiative, he collaborates with researchers across chemistry, physics, and nuclear engineering disciplines.

• Department: Physics
• Key Collaborators: Allen L. Johnson, Daniel Koury, Brian Hosterman
• Research Funding: DOE Advanced Fuel Cycle Initiative

Research Interests

Dr. Farley's work investigates the unique corrosion mechanisms of stainless steels in LBE environments, which differ fundamentally from moisture-induced corrosion. His group employs advanced techniques like scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) to analyze oxide formation, grain boundary effects, and surface preparation impacts on material stability.

Key findings include the counterintuitive corrosion resistance of cold-rolled steel compared to annealed samples, and the critical role of surface treatments in preventing elemental leaching. Research applications extend to nuclear waste repositories, hydrogen production systems, and reactor coolant technology.

Student Contributions

• Daniel Koury (PhD 2008) - Bi-layer oxide growth mechanisms
• Brian Hosterman (PhD 2010) - Laser micro-Raman corrosion analysis
• Thao Trung Ho (MS 2009) - Sulfur-Iodine cycle material studies