Ruchi Gakhar is a Research Scientist at Idaho National Laboratory (INL), where she leads and contributes to multidisciplinary research in molten salt chemistry, corrosion science, and high-temperature spectroscopy. She manages and collaborates on several Department of Energy-funded projects focused on advancing nuclear energy systems, including real-time monitoring technologies and corrosion-resistant materials for molten salt reactors.

With over 10 years of experience in materials science and nuclear chemistry, Dr. Gakhar possesses expertise in molten salt thermophysical properties, radiation-induced speciation, electrochemical analysis, and reactor safeguards. Her academic background includes a Ph.D. in Materials Science from the University of Nevada, Reno, an M.Tech. in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology from Panjab University, and an M.Sc. in Chemistry from Kurukshetra University. She has held research positions at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and the University of Nevada–Reno, where she worked on thermophysical characterization and photoelectrochemical systems.

Before joining INL, Dr. Gakhar served as a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where she led efforts in characterizing salt mixtures for advanced reactor designs. She has been recognized with the 2024 INL Mentor of the Year Award, the 2021 INL Early Career Exceptional Achievement Award, and the prestigious Russell L. Heath Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellowship. Her work includes over 50 peer-reviewed publications and two U.S. patents: one on high-temperature liquid sampling for nuclear materials and another on innovative molten salt corrosion-resistant materials for high-temperature nuclear applications.

Dr. Gakhar holds a Ph.D. in Materials Science from the University of Nevada, Reno. She has authored 50+ scientific publications, delivered 60+ invited and contributed talks, written 2 book chapters, and holds 2 U.S. patents.

Molten salt chemistry and thermophysical properties
High-temperature spectroscopy and electrochemistry
Corrosion science and materials for extreme environments
Nuclear fuel cycle and reactor safeguards
Radiation-induced speciation and kinetics