Ilyas Yilgor

Tagline:Postdoctoral Research Associate @ Idaho National Laboratory

Idaho Falls, ID, USA

personal photo of Ilyas Yilgor

About Me

I am a Postdoctoral Research Associate at Idaho National Laboratory (INL), specializing in heat pipes, nuclear thermal hydraulics, advanced reactor systems, and integrated energy systems. My work at INL includes conducting high-temperature heat pipe experiments, enhancing heat pipe modeling capabilites, and developing integral and separate effect tests for advanced reactor demonstrations.

Education

  • Doctor of Philosophy

    from: 2020, until: 2024

    Field of study:Mechanical EngineeringSchool:Rensselaer Polytechnic InstituteLocation:Troy, NY

    Description

    Thesis: Investigation of Transients Important for Heat Pipes in Microreactor Applications

  • Master of Engineering

    from: 2020, until: 2023

    Field of study:Nuclear EngineeringSchool:Rensselaer Polytechnic InstituteLocation:Troy, NY

    Description

    Project: Development of Thermal Power Dispatch Simulation Tools for BWR Flexible Plant Operation and Generation

  • Bachelor of Science

    from: 2016, until: 2020

    Field of study:Agricultural EngineeringSchool:Purdue UniversityLocation:West Lafayette, IN

Research Interests

  • Heat Pipes
  • Nuclear Thermal-Hydraulics
  • Microreactors
  • Generation IV Reactors
  • Thermal Energy Storage
  • Integrated Energy Systems

Publications

  • Gas-Gap Calorimeter Sizing and Rating Tools for Heat Pipe Experimentation

    ReportPublisher:Idaho National LaboratoryDate:2025
    Authors:
    Ilyas YilgorKatrina M SweetlandJeremy L HartvigsenZachary D SellersPiyush Sabharwall
  • Steam Generators: Thermal Hydraulic Measurements and Instrumentation

    ReportPublisher:Idaho National LaboratoryDate:2025
    Authors:
    Ilyas YilgorJonathan D GramsPiyush Sabharwall
  • Evaporator Temperature Transient Testing of a High-Performance Sodium Filled Heat Pipe

    Journal ArticleDate:2025
    Authors:
    Zachary D SellersIlyas YilgorJeremy HartvigsenPiyush Sabharwall
  • System design and analysis of thermal power dispatch systems for boiling water reactors

    Journal ArticlePublisher:Annals of Nuclear EnergyDate:2025
    Authors:
    Muiz Adekunle AgbajeIlyas YilgorVinicius Zanardo RodriguesXiaoxu DiaoCarol SmidtsAbhimanyu KapuriaDaniel ColeThomas UlrichTyler WestoverHuang Yehothers
    Description:

    Designs and simulates a 5% steam‑extraction thermal power dispatch system coupling a BWR to high‑temperature steam electrolysis, detailing steady and transient performance.

  • Transient Response of a Vertical Low-Temperature Heat Pipe

    Conference PaperPublisher:21st Topical Meeting on Nuc. Reactor Thermal Hydraulics (NURETH-21)Date:2025
    Authors:
    Ilyas YilgorSungbeen ParkShanbin Shi

Honors & Awards

  • Michael and Irene Podowski Graduate Student Award

    date: 2022-06-01

    Issuer:Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

  • Outstanding Student in Agricultural Engineering

    date: 2020-06-01

    Issuer:Purdue University

  • Fluid Power Vehicle Competition

    date: 2018-06-01

    Issuer:National Fluid Power Association

    Description:

    (3rd Place)

  • Alumni & Friends Scholarship

    date: 2018-06-01

    Issuer:Purdue University

Supervisions

  • SP

    Sungbeen Park

    Heat Pipe Experiments

    date: 2024 - present

    University: Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology .Department: Department of Nuclear and Quantum Engineering .

  • AS

    Alicja Stoppel

    Design of a Heat Pipe Microreactor Transportation System

    date: 2024 - present

    University: Purdue University .Department: School of Nuclear Engineering .

    Description:

    Supervised Alicja during her senior design project at Purdue and internship at INL

  • RW

    Rachel Wnuk

    Heat Pipe Experiments

    date: 2024 - 2024

    University: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute .Department: Department of Mechanical, Aerospace, and Nuclear Engineering .