Deslonde de Boisblanc (1923-2009) was an inventive engineer from New Orleans who played a key role in nuclear reactor design, notably the Advanced Test Reactor at Idaho National Laboratory. Despite not having a Ph.D. or prior experience with nuclear reactors, his innovative clover-leaf design allows multiple experiments on various fuels and materials simultaneously at different power levels. This groundbreaking approach has left a lasting impact on nuclear research and continues to support diverse nuclear energy experiments today.
Deslonde de Boisblanc’s impact on Idaho National Laboratory and nuclear reactor designs is unquestionable. That impact is inspiring the next generation of nuclear scientists.
His son, Denis de Boisblanc, said Deslonde de Boisblanc’s talents and interests extended beyond nuclear engineering. “He was a well-read and cultured man who loved music, art, literature, languages and other cultures,” Denis de Boisblanc said. “He was also an accomplished classical pianist who played in the Idaho Falls Symphony as a cellist for years.”
“He was, at heart, truly an artist,” Denis de Boisblanc continued. “These artistic instincts manifested themselves in his design engineering.”
Nuclear engineering was not even a formal discipline back in the early 1950s, said INL Associate Laboratory Director Sean O’Kelly. “But, Deslonde de Boisblanc learned about nuclear energy and reactors on the job at one of the few places in the world where this research was occurring,” he said. “De Boisblanc took established and contemporary thinking about how reactors were supposed to be built and went in a different direction to meet a design requirement that could not be met with the old way of thinking about reactor design.”
O’Kelly was part of the committee that created the Deslonde de Boisblanc Distinguished Postdoctoral Appointment. It was named after him because “we are looking to the future of advanced reactors and designs that have never been built,” he said.
Deslonde de Boisblanc distinguished postdoctoral researchers
Deslonde de Boisblanc’s legacy continues to inspire. His passion for innovation and commitment to research live on through the work of those who carry his name forward. At INL, the Deslonde de Boisblanc distinguished postdoctoral researchers are advancing the boundaries of science, just as he did during his outstanding career. Here are two of those researchers and the groundbreaking work they are accomplishing at the lab:
Paul Ferney was born in France and is an Alsace native with a passion for physics. He pursued engineering at Centrale Marseille and specialized in nuclear engineering at Institut National des Sciences et Techniques Nucléaires. His internships at Polytechnique Montreal and the French Atomic Energy Commission honed his expertise in reactor and neutron physics. Disheartened by the lack of support for nuclear research in France, Ferney was spurred by John Wagner’s “Call to Action” in the American Nuclear Society’s Nuclear Newswire publication to obtain a distinguished postdoc position in 2023.
Ferney’s work integrates hands-on experiments with advanced simulations focused on neutron behavior in nuclear reactors. He’s developing a novel tool to align experimental neutron data with predictive computer models, enhancing the understanding of neutron distribution in reactor cores.
Committed to advancing nuclear energy as a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels, Ferney remains dedicated to research and technical innovation. He advises emerging researchers to develop the strongest possible expertise in their specific field, while remaining curious about what is happening in other areas.
“I didn’t change my objectives since writing to John Wagner after reading his article,” Ferney said. “I want to contribute to nuclear energy revival and development to replace fossil energy.”
Khaldoon Al-Dawood, born in Al-Ramtha, Jordan, was inspired by his parents to pursue science. After earning a bachelor’s degree in nuclear engineering from Jordan University of Science and Technology, he realized his passion for research and problem-solving, which led him to complete a master’s and doctorate at North Carolina State University.
Now a distinguished postdoctoral researcher at INL, Al-Dawood is driven by his passion for advanced nuclear technologies. His research focuses on the dual challenges of innovating reactor designs and improving their economic performance.
“It’s essential that developed technologies are convincing both to the public and investors,” he said.
Al-Dawood’s short-term goal is to improve the economic performance of advanced nuclear power plants, with a long-term vision of making nuclear power more cost-effective. He views his role at INL as a crucial step in advancing his research and career in nuclear power development.
“My passion is in the design of advanced nuclear technologies,” Al-Dawood said. “I think INL is the world leading organization in advancing nuclear power research since Deslonde’s time and this is why I chose to be here.”
