Research interests 

Isabel is a postdoctoral researcher in the High Performance Materials Group within the Materials Science Division. She currently works on the development of flowable ultra-high temperature ceramic composite feedstock consolidation of near net shape components for application in extreme environments. She is experienced in the development of processing pathways for oxide and non-oxide ceramics via spray drying, gel-casting, spark plasma sintering, and near-net shaped hot pressing. At MIT, Isabel conducted research on the synthesis and characterization of shape memory ceramics with an emphasis on size effects and scalability. 

She is also a member of the LLPA board and focuses on initiatives that improve engagement within the postdoc community. 

Current position(s) 

Postdoctoral Researcher in the Materials Science Division; Lawrence Livermore Postdoc Association Board; Physical Life Sciences Postdoc Seminar Series Co-host 

Subject Matter Expertise  

Ultra-High Temperature Ceramics, Reinforced Bio Concrete and Cement, Feedstock Engineering, Advanced Manufacturing, Mechanical Properties, Shape Memory, Superelasticity 

Ph.D. Materials Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MA, 2021

B.S. Materials Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MA, 2016

Crystal, I. R.; Schuh, C. A. Grain size-effect on cracking accumulation in yttria-doped zirconia ceramics during cyclic martensitic transformations. Acta Matr. 2021. 209, 116789  

Crystal, I. R.; Lai, A.; Schuh, C. A. Cyclic martensitic transformations and damage evolution in shape memory zirconia: single crystals vs polycrystals. J. Am. Ceram. Soc. 2020. 103 (8), 4678-4690  

Ferry, S.; Ballinger, R. G.; Crystal, I. R.; Solis, D.; Black, B. Predicting stress corrosion cracking in the canisters of used nuclear fuel dry cask storage systems. Radwaste Solutions. 2014. 21 (1), 40-4

Patents 

King, G.; Cahill, J.; Crystal, I. R.; Du Frane, W. Flowable nanofiber composite materials and methods of making and using the same, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/441,161 Filed (2023) 

• Physical Life Sciences Outstanding Post Doc Award (2023) 

• PLS Postdoc Program Best Poster Award – 2nd Place (2023) 

• PLS Postdoc Program Spot Award, Going Above and Beyond (2022) 

• WCI 2022 Gold Award (2022) 

• Best Poster Award Nominee, MRS (2018) 

• Honorable Mention NSF GRFP (2016)