NSE is advancing the frontiers of materials science to meet the extreme demands of next-generation nuclear energy systems. Our faculty and students are investigating how materials respond and evolve under intense radiation, high temperatures, corrosive environments, and long-term mechanical stress—conditions that push the limits of conventional materials performance. The research spans fundamental studies of radiation damage and microstructural evolution, the development of novel alloys and ceramics, and multiscale modeling to predict behavior across time and length scales. From ensuring the long-term integrity of structural materials in fission and fusion reactors to designing robust barriers for nuclear waste isolation, NSE researchers are engineering solutions that will enable safer, more durable, and more efficient nuclear technologies.
