XMAT: Extreme Materials Group

Next generation of nuclear reactors offer more economic, safer and proliferation resistant designs compared to current operating reactors. However, in most cases structural materials are the limiting factor. Our research interests center on advanced alloy development for nuclear applications, advanced manufacturing techniques, radiation damage in materials and structure- property relations. We have been working on the development and qualification of advanced ferritic FeCrAl alloys for accident tolerant fuel systems and Ni-based alloys for advanced reactor applications. In addition, we have been investigating both fundamental aspects such as phase stability and structure of the metal-oxide interface and engineering problems such as thin walled tube forming using advanced manufacturing techniques such as electrically assisted forming.