Randy Shurtz

Mechanical Engineer, Fire Science

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Mechanical Engineer, Fire Science

rshurtz@sandia.gov

(505) 284-6540

Biography

Randy has worked in the Fire Sciences and Technology Department at Sandia since 2016. His research interests include advancing understanding and predictive capabilities in areas relevant to fire safety, including thermal testing in fire scenarios and modeling of thermal runaway in lithium ion battery systems. His experience prior to Sandia includes five years in the gas turbine engine industry as well as graduate research in coal pyrolysis and gasification.

Education

  • Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Brigham Young University, 2011
  • B.S. in Chemical Engineering, Brigham Young University, 2006

Publications

  • Shi, G., Shurtz, R., Pickrell, G., Wang, A., Zhu, Y., & Zhu, Y. (2022). Point-by-point inscribed sapphire parallel fiber Bragg gratings in a fully multimode system for multiplexed high-temperature sensing. Optics Letters, 47(18). https://doi.org/10.1364/ol.471370 Publication ID: 80154
  • Brown, A., Shurtz, R., Takahashi, L., Coker, E., Hewson, J., Hobbs, M., & Hobbs, M. (2022). Tritium Fires: Simulation and Safety Assessment. https://doi.org/10.2172/1862102 Publication ID: 80615
  • Kurzawski, A., Shurtz, R., Hewson, J., & Hewson, J. (2021). LIM1TR: Lithium-ion Modeling with 1-D Thermal Runaway [Conference Presenation]. https://doi.org/10.2172/1892147 Publication ID: 76243
  • Kurzawski, A., Shurtz, R., & Shurtz, R. (2021). LIM1TR: Lithium-Ion Modeling with 1-D Thermal Runaway (V.1.0). https://doi.org/10.2172/1854741 Publication ID: 76045
  • Shurtz, R. (2021). A Lithium-Ion Battery Thermodynamic Web Calculator for Thermal Runaway Severity Assessments [Presentation]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1892438 Publication ID: 76263
  • Shurtz, R., Coker, E., Brown, A., Takahashi, L., & Takahashi, L. (2021). An experimental and modeling study of oxidation of hydrogen isotopes at trace concentrations [Conference Presenation]. https://doi.org/10.2172/1897363 Publication ID: 76515
  • Kurzawski, A., Shurtz, R., Hewson, J., Torres-Castro, L., Lamb, J., & Lamb, J. (2021). Battery failure propagation and mitigation: models to understand the problem and sensitivities [Presentation]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1884900 Publication ID: 75447
  • Lamb, J., Torres-Castro, L., Hewson, J., Shurtz, R., Preger, Y., & Preger, Y. (2021). Investigating the Role of Energy Density in Thermal Runaway of Lithium-Ion Batteries with Accelerating Rate Calorimetry. Journal of the Electrochemical Society, 168(6). https://doi.org/10.1149/1945-7111/ac0699 Publication ID: 78773
  • Hewson, J., Zhou, H., Parmananda, M., Shurtz, R., Mukherjee, P.P., & Mukherjee, P.P. (2021). From material properties to multiscale modeling to improve lithium-ion energy storage safety. MRS Bulletin, 46(5), pp. 402-409. https://doi.org/10.1557/s43577-021-00099-z Publication ID: 77969
  • Lamb, J., Shurtz, R., Torres-Castro, L., Hewson, J., Preger, Y., & Preger, Y. (2021). Evaluating the impact of energy density on thermal runaway [Conference Presenation]. https://doi.org/10.2172/1869553 Publication ID: 78554
  • Brown, A., Shurtz, R., Takahashi, L., Kesterson, M., Laurinat, J., & Laurinat, J. (2021). A Computational Scenario Based Assessment of Hydrogen Isotope (3H) Fire Safety [Conference Presenation]. https://doi.org/10.2172/1869555 Publication ID: 78556
  • Shurtz, R., Brown, A., Takahashi, L., Kesterson, M., Laurinat, J., & Laurinat, J. (2021). A Suite of Thermodynamic and Transport Properties for Computational Simulations with Hydrogen Isotopes [Conference Presenation]. https://doi.org/10.2172/1869389 Publication ID: 78519
  • Hewson, J., Kurzawski, A., Shurtz, R., Torres-Castro, L., Lamb, J., & Lamb, J. (2021). Modeling and analysis of battery safety [Conference Presenation]. https://doi.org/10.2172/1884102 Publication ID: 78197
  • Brown, A., Shurtz, R., Takahashi, L., Kesterson, M., Laurinat, J., & Laurinat, J. (2021). A Computational Scenario Based Assessment of Hydrogen Isotope (3H) Fire Safety [Conference Paper]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1862643 Publication ID: 77963
  • Shurtz, R., Brown, A., Takahashi, L., Kesterson, M., Laurinat, J., & Laurinat, J. (2021). A Suite of Thermodynamic and Transport Properties for Computational Simulations with Hydrogen Isotopes [Conference Paper]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1862629 Publication ID: 77946
  • Shurtz, R. (2021). Thermal Test Complex (TTC) at Sandia National Laboratories [Presentation]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1861968 Publication ID: 77908
  • Kurzawski, A., Hewson, J., Shurtz, R., Torres-Castro, L., Lamb, J., & Lamb, J. (2021). Battery failure propagation: models to understand the problem and sensitivities [Presentation]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1844058 Publication ID: 75389
  • Kurzawski, A., Torres-Castro, L., Shurtz, R., Lamb, J., Hewson, J., & Hewson, J. (2021). Predicting cell-to-cell failure propagation and limits of propagation in lithium-ion cell stacks. Proceedings of the Combustion Institute, 38(3), pp. 4737-4745. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proci.2020.06.270 Publication ID: 74838
  • Kurzawski, A., Torres-Castro, L., Shurtz, R., Lamb, J., Hewson, J., & Hewson, J. (2020). Predicting cell-to-cell failure propagation and limits of propagation in lithium-ion cell stacks [Conference Presenation]. https://doi.org/10.2172/1835977 Publication ID: 72211
  • Shurtz, R. (2020). A Thermodynamic Reassessment of Lithium-Ion Battery Cathode Calorimetry. Journal of the Electrochemical Society, 167(14). https://doi.org/10.1149/1945-7111/abc7b4 Publication ID: 71630
  • Kurzawski, A., Shurtz, R., Hewson, J., & Hewson, J. (2020). High-temperature kinetics of thermal runaway reactions [Conference Poster]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1822122 Publication ID: 74986
  • Hewson, J., Kurzawski, A., Shurtz, R., Torres-Castro, L., Lamb, J., & Lamb, J. (2020). Toward predicting trends in propagating failure and its mitigation for a lithium-ion cell stack [Conference Presenation]. https://doi.org/10.2172/1824733 Publication ID: 71104
  • Hewson, J., Kurzawski, A., Shurtz, R., Preger, Y., Torres-Castro, L., Lamb, J., & Lamb, J. (2020). Thermal Analysis to Mitigate Cascading Propagation of Lithium-ion Cell Stacks [Conference Poster]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1822652 Publication ID: 70996
  • Shurtz, R., Hewson, J., Kurzawski, A., Torres-Castro, L., & Torres-Castro, L. (2020). Material Science-Based Predictions of Single-Cell Thermal Failures [Conference Poster]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1822291 Publication ID: 70926
  • Shurtz, R., Torres-Castro, L., Kurzawski, A., Hewson, J., & Hewson, J. (2020). Predicting Thermal Responses for Actively Cooled Designs Following Thermal Runaway [Conference Poster]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1822289 Publication ID: 70924
  • Lamb, J., Torres-Castro, L., Preger, Y., Hewson, J., Shurtz, R., Langendorf, J., & Langendorf, J. (2020). Accelerating Rate Calorimetry of Large Format Cells [Conference Poster]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1822287 Publication ID: 70922
  • Shurtz, R., Hewson, J., & Hewson, J. (2020). Review – Materials Science Predictions of Thermal Runaway in Layered Metal-Oxide Cathodes: A Review of Thermodynamics. Journal of the Electrochemical Society, 167(9). https://doi.org/10.1149/1945-7111/ab8fd9 Publication ID: 73440
  • Shurtz, R., Kurzawski, A., Hewson, J., Preger, Y., Torres-Castro, L., Lamb, J., & Lamb, J. (2019). Evaluating Safety Characteristics of Lithium-Ion Battery Systems Through Cascading Thermal Runaway Experiments and Modeling [Conference Poster]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1643422 Publication ID: 66820
  • Shurtz, R., Hewson, J., & Hewson, J. (2019). Modeling Thermal Runaway of NMC(1:1:1) Cathodes in Non-Aqueous Electrolytes [Conference Poster]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1643605 Publication ID: 66515
  • Kurzawski, A., Shurtz, R., Torres-Castro, L., Lamb, J., Hewson, J., & Hewson, J. (2019). Predicting limits of cascading failure of thermal runaway in stacks of Li-ion pouch cells [Conference Poster]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1642902 Publication ID: 65639
  • Shurtz, R., Shurtz, R., Hewson, J., Hewson, J., & Hewson, J. (2019). Modeling Thermal Decomposition of Metal Oxide Cathodes in Non-Aqueous Electrolytes for Prediction of Thermal Runaway in Lithium-Ion Batteries [Conference Poster]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1642822 Publication ID: 65629
  • Shurtz, R., Hewson, J., & Hewson, J. (2019). Heat Release from Thermal Decomposition of Layered Metal Oxide Cathodes in Lithium-Ion Batteries [Conference Poster]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1668908 Publication ID: 65257
  • Hewson, J., Kurzawski, A., Shurtz, R., Preger, Y., Torres-Castro, L., Lamb, J., Ferreira, S., & Ferreira, S. (2019). Predicting and Mitigating Cascading Failure in Stacks of Lithium-Ion Cells [Conference Poster]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1668920 Publication ID: 65251
  • Shurtz, R., Hewson, J., & Hewson, J. (2019). Heat Release from Thermal Decomposition of Layered Metal Oxide Cathodes in Lithium-Ion Batteries [Conference Poster]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1642172 Publication ID: 65039
  • Kurzawski, A., Shurtz, R., Lamb, J., Torres-Castro, L., Hewson, J., & Hewson, J. (2019). Predicting Limits of Cascading Failure of Thermal Runaway in Stacks of Li-Ion Pouch Cells [Conference Poster]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1641959 Publication ID: 64828
  • Kurzawski, A., Shurtz, R., Torres-Castro, L., Lamb, J., Hewson, J., & Hewson, J. (2019). Predicting and Mitigating Cascading Failure of Thermal Runaway in Stacks of Li-Ion Pouch Cells [Conference Poster]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1641889 Publication ID: 64679
  • Hewson, J., Kurzawski, A., Shurtz, R., & Shurtz, R. (2019). Toward understanding and preventing cascading failure with computer modeling [Conference Poster]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1639941 Publication ID: 68398
  • Shurtz, R., Kurzawski, A., Torres-Castro, L., Preger, Y., Ferreira, S., & Ferreira, S. (2019). Approaches and Considerations for Thermal Abuse Studies of Lithium-Ion Batteries [Presentation]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1645316 Publication ID: 68808
  • Shurtz, R., Preger, Y., Torres-Castro, L., Lamb, J., Hewson, J., Ferreira, S., & Ferreira, S. (2019). From calorimetry measurements to furthering mechanistic understanding and control of thermal abuse in lithium-ion cells. Journal of the Electrochemical Society, 166(12), pp. A2498-A2502. https://doi.org/10.1149/2.0341912jes Publication ID: 69639
  • Shurtz, R., Engerer, J., Hewson, J., & Hewson, J. (2018). Predicting High-Temperature Decomposition of Lithiated Graphite: Part I. Review of Phenomena and a Comprehensive Model. Journal of the Electrochemical Society, 165(16). https://doi.org/10.1149/2.0541816jes Publication ID: 60471
  • Shurtz, R. (2018). Total Hemispherical Emissivity of Metals Applicable to Radiant Heat Testing. https://doi.org/10.2172/1483461 Publication ID: 60295
  • Shurtz, R., Hewson, J., & Hewson, J. (2018). Physics-Based Models for Thermal Runaway Heating Rates: Advanced Anode Models [Conference Poster]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1592297 Publication ID: 59055
  • Kurzawski, A., Shurtz, R., Hewson, J., & Hewson, J. (2018). Predicting and Preventing Cascading Thermal Runaway [Conference Poster]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1592301 Publication ID: 59059
  • Hewson, J., Shurtz, R., Kurzawski, A., & Kurzawski, A. (2018). Predictive modeling for energy-storage safety in abnormal thermal scenarios [Conference Poster]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1569114 Publication ID: 59229
  • Shurtz, R., Hewson, J., & Hewson, J. (2018). Modeling Thermochemical Sources for a Broader Range of Materials and Conditions [Conference Poster]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1513356 Publication ID: 62039
  • Ferreira, S., Barkholtz, H., Lamb, J., Torres-Castro, L., Hewson, J., Shurtz, R., & Shurtz, R. (2018). Battery Failure from a Materials Electrochemical and Thermal Modeling Perspective [Conference Poster]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1498232 Publication ID: 60874
  • Hewson, J., Shurtz, R., & Shurtz, R. (2017). Modeling the limits of thermal runaway in Li-ion packs and designing tests to measure those limits [Conference Poster]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1485043 Publication ID: 54533
  • Shurtz, R., Hewson, J., & Hewson, J. (2017). Modeling Cascading Failure of Thermal Runaway in Stacks of Li-Ion Pouch Cells with Variation in Cooling Attributes [Conference Poster]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1483127 Publication ID: 54267
  • Shurtz, R., Hewson, J., & Hewson, J. (2017). Modeling Chemical Heat Sources in Li-Ion Batteries for a Broader Range of Materials and Conditions [Conference Poster]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1483128 Publication ID: 54266
  • Hewson, J., Shurtz, R., & Shurtz, R. (2017). Predictive modeling for energy-storage safety in abnormal thermal scenarios [Conference Poster]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1478174 Publication ID: 53498
  • Shurtz, R., Hewson, J., Lamb, J., & Lamb, J. (2017). Modeling Ignition and Cascading Thermal Runaway Behavior in Lithium-Ion Battery Systems [Conference Poster]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1513576 Publication ID: 53376
  • Shurtz, R., Hewson, J., & Hewson, J. (2017). Materials Science-Based Thermochemical Decomposition Model for Lithium-Ion Battery Thermal Runaway [Conference Poster]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1509790 Publication ID: 53361
  • Ferreira, S., Barkholtz, H., Shurtz, R., Hewson, J., Chalamala, B.R., Lamb, J., & Lamb, J. (2017). Safety R&D in Stationary Storage Systems [Presentation]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1506209 Publication ID: 56993
  • Shurtz, R., Hewson, J., Shurtz, R., Shurtz, R., & Shurtz, R. (2017). Modeling Thermal Runaway in Li-ion Packs as a Function of Scale and Heat Source [Conference Poster]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1458135 Publication ID: 56611
  • Shurtz, R., Hewson, J., & Hewson, J. (2017). Modeling Thermochemical Sources for a Broader Range of Materials and Conditions [Conference Poster]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1458136 Publication ID: 56612
  • Hewson, J., Shurtz, R., & Shurtz, R. (2017). Modeling for understanding and preventing cascading thermal runaway in battery packs [Conference Poster]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1458264 Publication ID: 54977
  • Shurtz, R., Hewson, J., & Hewson, J. (2017). Modeling thermal runaway in Lithium-Ion packs as a function of scale and heat source [Conference Poster]. 10th U.S. National Combustion Meeting. https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?partnerID=HzOxMe3b&scp=85048991288&origin=inward Publication ID: 55126
  • Shurtz, R., Hewson, J., & Hewson, J. (2016). Modeling Thermochemical Sources for a Broader Range of Materials and Conditions [Conference Poster]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1414728 Publication ID: 48297
  • Shurtz, R., Hewson, J., & Hewson, J. (2016). Modeling Thermal Runaway in Li-ion Packs as a Function of Scale and Heat Source [Conference Poster]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1414727 Publication ID: 48296
  • Hewson, J., Shurtz, R., Ferreira, S., Lamb, J., Orendorff, C., Chalamala, B.R., & Chalamala, B.R. (2016). Modeling for understanding and preventing cascading thermal runaway in battery packs [Conference Poster]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1408353 Publication ID: 47507
  • Shurtz, R., Hewson, J., & Hewson, J. (2016). UNDERSTANDING THE LIMITS OF THERMAL RUNAWAY IN LITHIUM-ION BATTERY SYSTEMS [Conference Poster]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1395619 Publication ID: 52392
  • Shurtz, R., Hewson, J., & Hewson, J. (2016). UNDERSTANDING THE LIMITS OF THERMAL RUNAWAY IN LITHIUM-ION BATTERY SYSTEMS [Conference Poster]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1395618 Publication ID: 52391
  • Shurtz, R., Hewson, J., & Hewson, J. (2016). UNDERSTANDING THE LIMITS OF THERMAL RUNAWAY IN LITHIUM-ION BATTERY SYSTEMS [Conference Poster]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1375598 Publication ID: 51656
Showing 10 of 63 publications.