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Carlo FiorinaView profile

Associate Professor

• Nuclear Reactor Analysis
• Scientific Computing
• Thermal-Hydraulics
• +8 more

Carlo Fiorina is an Associate Professor of Nuclear Engineering at Texas A&M University, affiliated with the Computational and Data Sciences Applied to National Security and Nuclear Engineering groups. His work focuses on high-fidelity numerical methods, advanced reactor design, and open-source software development for nuclear systems. Fiorina holds a Ph.D. in Energy and Nuclear Science from Politecnico di Milano, alongside M.S. and B.S. degrees in Nuclear and Electrical Engineering. Research Interests Fiorina's research spans thermal-hydraulics simulation, neutronics modeling, and uncertainty quantification for fusion and fission systems. He specializes in multiphysics coupling frameworks (e.g., GeN-Foam, MOOSE) and has pioneered dynamic mesh deformation techniques for fuel performance analysis. His work integrates machine learning for reduced-order modeling, accelerating simulations of complex phenomena like sodium boiling in fast reactors. Awards Early Career Reactor Physicist Award (American Nuclear Society, 2023) Most Cited Paper in Progress in Nuclear Energy (2016) Best Technical Paper in Progress in Nuclear Energy (2013) Research Contributions His publications emphasize reactor safety analysis (e.g., PCMI effects, NECTAR benchmarking) and fusion chamber dynamics. Fiorina has led collaborations on open-source tools like GeN-ROM for molten salt reactors and contributed to international initiatives like IAEA's fast reactor thermal-hydraulics studies. His recent work explores AI's role in nuclear engineering, including surrogate modeling for transient simulations. Labs/Teams Fiorina directs the Computational Nuclear Engineering Lab at Texas A&M, focusing on multiphysics software development and validation against experimental data from facilities like the CROCUS reactor.

Steven ZinkleView profile

Professor

• Materials Science
• Nuclear Materials
• Radiation Effects in Materials
• +3 more

Steven Zinkle is a Professor in the Materials Science and Engineering department at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, affiliated with the Tickle College of Engineering. His research focuses on advanced materials for extreme environments, particularly in nuclear and fusion energy applications. Key areas include radiation effects in metals, high-temperature ceramics, and materials for plasma-facing components. His work addresses challenges such as irradiation-induced microstructural evolution, thermal stability under extreme conditions, and material compatibility with hydrogen or corrosive environments. Notable contributions include studies on ferritic/martensitic steels, refractory alloys, and composites for fusion reactors. He has pioneered methodologies in electron microscopy for defect analysis and developed novel materials for neutron and ion irradiation environments. Recent projects involve correlative microscopy techniques (STEM/APT), ion-beam simulations, and additive manufacturing of high-performance alloys. Collaborations include international initiatives like the FRONTIER US-Japan joint effort on plasma-material interfaces. Despite extensive publications, no specific student advising or awarded honors are explicitly listed in the provided texts. His lab focuses on bridging computational modeling with experimental validation to accelerate materials qualification for next-generation reactors. Current efforts emphasize predictive pathways for radiation-tolerant materials and high-throughput screening of candidate alloys.

• Nuclear Materials Science
• Corrosion Science
• Materials Physics
• +3 more

Dr. Gareth Frank Stephens is a Postdoctoral Research Associate at Bangor University's School of Computer Science and Engineering, affiliated with the Nuclear Futures Institute. His research focuses on nuclear materials science, particularly the corrosion mechanisms of zirconium alloys in nuclear reactors, with an emphasis on lithium's role in material stability. He holds a PhD in Materials Physics from Aberystwyth University (2019) and completed his doctoral research at Bangor University, funded by Jacobs (now Amentum) and the Nuclear Energy Futures Centre for Doctoral Training (EPSRC). Education: MPhys Masters in Materials Physics, Aberystwyth University (2014–2019) PhD in Nuclear Materials Science, Bangor University (2024) Research Interests: Dr. Stephens investigates cladding materials for nuclear reactors, focusing on lithium accommodation in zirconium-based alloys and its impact on corrosion. His work combines experimental validation and computational modeling to understand defect chemistry and material behavior under extreme conditions. Key areas include nuclear fuel performance, high-temperature reactors, and space systems. Publications: His recent work includes studies on lithium stabilization in ZrO₂, kernel fuels for high-temperature reactors, and corrosion mechanisms in nuclear materials. Engagement & Projects: He actively participates in initiatives like the MUZIC-3 international collaboration on zirconium corrosion and the Nuclear Energy Futures CDT. He contributes to public outreach, such as the 'Girls In STEM Day' to inspire school students in science and engineering. Labs/Teams: Part of the Nuclear Futures Institute at Bangor University, collaborating with industry partners like Amentum and academic institutions globally.

Thomas Anthony HaynesView profile

Lecturer

• Nuclear Engineering
• Computational Mechanics
• Finite Element Analysis
• +13 more

Dr. Thomas Anthony Haynes is a Lecturer in Nuclear Engineering at the University of East Anglia, School of Engineering, Mathematics and Physics. He is actively involved in research, teaching, and leadership, including serving as Director of the Foundation Year and Disability Liaison Officer. His work is aligned with sustainable energy and nuclear safety, contributing to UN Sustainable Development Goals. Education: Doctor of Engineering, Finite Element Modelling of Nuclear Fuel Performance in Advanced Gas-Cooled Reactors, Imperial College London (2013–2018, awarded 2019) MSc in Nuclear Engineering, Imperial College London (2012–2013) PGCE in Secondary Education (2009–2010) BA in Natural Sciences (Physics), University of Cambridge (2006–2008) Dr. Haynes specializes in computational modelling of material failure in nuclear systems, with expertise in finite element analysis, peridynamics, and phase-field methods. His research focuses on stress development, swelling, creep, and oxidation in nuclear fuels and claddings under extreme conditions. Key applications include advanced gas-cooled reactors, accident-tolerant fuels, TRISO particles, and fusion reactor blankets. His recent publications emphasize peridynamic modelling of ceramic interfaces, zirconium oxidation, and residual stress in TRISO fuels. These works reflect a strong trend toward non-local computational mechanics and high-fidelity simulation of material degradation. His research is industrially driven, with collaborations at UKAEA, DESNZ, NNL, and EDF Energy. Scientific Awards and Honors: Chartered Engineer (CEng) Member of the Nuclear Institute (MNucI) Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) Dr. Haynes advises PhD students and leads externally funded projects such as 'Modelling of Residual Stresses of TRISO Fuel' and 'Modelling Small Punch Techniques for Fusion Applications'. He plays a key role in curriculum development and student support, particularly through the Foundation Year program. He also serves as an external examiner and visiting researcher at Imperial College London. He is affiliated with research groups and initiatives including the UK Association for Computational Mechanics and the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency’s Expert Group on Fuel Materials. His lab activities involve computational simulation and collaboration with experimental teams using techniques like FIB-DIC.

Joakim PagelsView profile

Associate Professor

• Aerosol Science
• Combustion Emissions
• Particle Emissions
• +3 more

Joakim Pagels is an Associate Professor at the Division of Ergonomics and Aerosol Technology within the Faculty of Engineering at Lund University. He serves as Coordinator for the LTH Profile Area: Aerosols and Principal Investigator at NanoLund: Centre for Nanoscience, with additional roles in profile areas covering The Energy Transition, Nanoscience, and Light/Materials research. Education: MSc in Engineering Physics from LTH (1999) PhD on combustion aerosols and measurement (2005) Postdoctoral studies at University of Minnesota (2006-2007) Research Interests: Pagels investigates health impacts of aerosol emissions from sustainable transport/energy systems and novel materials through interdisciplinary collaborations spanning transport designers, toxicologists, and climate modelers. His work focuses on workplace combustion emissions (fire-fighters, biomass), fuel cell exhaust, fire risks in sustainable materials, and black carbon analysis using real-time mass spectrometry techniques. This research directly supports UN Sustainable Development Goals for clean energy and climate action. Recent Research Trends: Current publications (2025) analyze particle emissions from transportation systems (disc brakes, high-speed trains, tyre/road wear) and biomass cookstoves, alongside health impacts of renewable diesel exhaust. The work emphasizes laboratory-to-real-world translation and addresses critical sustainability challenges in the green transition. Scientific Awards: No specific awards or fellowships were documented in the source material. Advising and Grants: Pagels has supervised 12 academic works including PhD theses, with 5 recent supervision activities. He leads 20 research projects funded by AFA-insurances, FORMAS, Swedish Transport Administration, and EU Horizon Europe, including aviation biofuel emissions studies (2025-2028) and workplace exposure research during the green transition (2024-2027). Laboratory: Research operations are centered at the Lund University Aerosol Laboratory, serving as the core facility for aerosol science within Lund's multi-disciplinary profile areas.

• Nuclear Engineering
• Reactor Physics
• Fuel Performance
• +2 more

Akifumi Yamaji is a Professor at Waseda University 's Faculty of Science and Engineering, with a distinguished career in nuclear engineering and reactor physics. His work focuses on severe accident analysis , fuel performance , and advanced reactor design , particularly for supercritical water-cooled reactors and fast breeder reactors . He leads projects using the Moving Particle Semi-implicit (MPS) method for simulating molten core behavior and debris interactions. Education: Ph.D. from the University of Tokyo's Department of Quantum Engineering and Systems Science. Awards: Waseda University Teaching Award (2020), Atomic Energy Society of Japan Thermal Hydraulics Division Award (2018), JNST Most Cited Article Award (2013), and AESJ Emerging Technology Award (2007). Research Interests span reactor physics, accident tolerant fuels, computational fluid dynamics, and molten corium behavior during severe accidents. His studies often integrate experimental validation with advanced numerical methods to improve reactor safety and performance. Key Article Trends show extensive use of the MPS method for simulating corium spreading , debris cooling , and fuel cladding performance . Topics include supercritical water reactors , FeCrAl-ODS alloy development , and Fukushima Daiichi accident progression modeling . Scientific Awards Waseda University Teaching Award (2020) Atomic Energy Society of Japan Thermal Hydraulics Division Award (2018) JNST Most Cited Article Award (2013) Atomic Energy Society of Japan Emerging Technology Award (2007) Professional Leadership includes chairing the Fukushima Daiichi Accident Investigation Subcommittee and serving on the American Nuclear Society Untermeyer Cisler Reactor Technology Medal committee. He contributes to Generation IV International Forum and OECD Nuclear Energy Agency projects.

• Materials Science
• Nuclear Engineering
• Metallurgy
• +5 more

Mattias Thuvander is an Assistant Professor at Chalmers University of Technology in the Department of Microstructural Physics. His research focuses on the relationship between material microstructure and properties, particularly under heat treatment and operational conditions, using advanced techniques like atom probe tomography (APT) and electron microscopy. He contributes to projects involving zirconium alloys for nuclear applications, steels, and thin-film solar cells. Research Interests: Materials microstructure, nuclear engineering, corrosion science, additive manufacturing, thin films, and phase separation analysis. Publications: 15 recent works from 2025 to 2024 highlight his expertise in APT, welds, hydrogen resilience, and irradiation effects on reactor components.

• Nuclear Materials
• Fracture Mechanics
• Hydrogen Embrittlement
• +2 more

Professor Mark Wenman is a Professor in Nuclear Materials at the Department of Materials, Faculty of Engineering, Imperial College London. He leads the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Nuclear Energy Futures and co-directs the Centre for Nuclear Engineering. His research focuses on nuclear engineering materials including fracture mechanisms, hydrogen embrittlement, irradiation damage, and multi-scale modeling of nuclear fuels and structural materials. His research interests span: Micromechanisms of fracture in nuclear materials Hydrogen embrittlement and corrosion mechanisms Irradiation damage in zirconium alloys and steels Multi-scale modeling from atomic to continuum scales Nuclear fuel performance and cladding integrity Professor Wenman's recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on computational materials science approaches to nuclear material degradation, including phase-field modeling of corrosion, discrete dislocation plasticity of hydride formation, and machine learning applications for materials characterization. His work consistently addresses fundamental mechanisms of material degradation in nuclear environments. He directs multiple research centers and consults for technical advisory groups including TAGSI, Core Materials Working Group, and the Fuels Working Group for the European Jules Horowitz reactor project.

Leo CarrilhoView profile

Adjunct Professor

• Nuclear Thermal-Hydraulics
• PWR Fuel Design
• Finite Element Analysis
• +1 more

Dr. Leo Carrilho is an Adjunct Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of South Carolina, specializing in nuclear fuel thermal-hydraulic modeling using FEA and CFD. His part-time role combines industry expertise with academic instruction. Research focuses on heat transfer enhancement in PWR fuel assemblies and nuclear component design.

Hyun KangView profile

Professor

• Nuclear Engineering
• Risk Assessment
• Safety-Critical Systems
• +3 more

Dr. Hyun Kang is a Professor in the Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Nuclear Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI). He leads the Nuclear Plant Reliability and Information lab and chairs the Nuclear Safety Review Board (since 2019) and the Human Factors and I&C division of the American Nuclear Society (2023-2024). Previously, he was an Associate Professor at KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology) and taught at Khalifa University in the UAE (2011-2012). His research focuses on risk assessment of safety-critical systems, intrinsically safe nuclear power designs, and advanced methods for probabilistic risk assessment (PRA), including dynamic frameworks and digital system reliability. Dr. Kang holds a Ph.D. in Nuclear Engineering from KAIST (1999) and has authored over 100 peer-reviewed journal articles and 200 conference presentations. Education: Ph.D. in Nuclear Engineering, KAIST, 1999 Research Interests: Innovations in risk assessment methodologies, nuclear safety systems, software reliability for digital instrumentation, accident tolerant fuels, and emergency procedure design. His work emphasizes integrating artificial intelligence, stochastic modeling, and system-level analysis for enhanced nuclear safety and decision-making. Key Contributions: Developed exhaustive testing frameworks for nuclear safety software, dynamic PRA-based risk quantification tools, and mitigation strategies for extended station blackout scenarios. His research bridges theoretical advancements (e.g., Markov decision processes) with practical applications in plant design and emergency response. Labs/Teams: Leads the Nuclear Plant Reliability and Information lab at RPI, focusing on interdisciplinary approaches to nuclear safety challenges.

• Nuclear Engineering
• Physics
• Scaling
• +1 more

Victor Manuel Martinez Quiroga is a Researcher at the Department of Physics, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC), affiliated with the Escola d'Enginyeria de Barcelona Est (EEBE). He holds a Doctorate in Nuclear Engineering and specializes in scaling methodologies, thermal hydraulics, and nuclear safety analysis. His work focuses on validating thermal-hydraulic codes (e.g., RELAP5, LOCUST) through integral experiments like PKL and OECD benchmarks. Key contributions include development of scaling tools (e.g., PVST) and hybrid modeling frameworks for reactor safety analysis. Research interests revolve around: Best Estimate Plus Uncertainty (BEPU) methodologies Loss-of-Coolant Accident (LOCA) analysis Small Modular Reactor (SMR) safety Multi-physics coupling in reactor transients Recent articles highlight advancements in scaling distortion analysis, code validation against experimental data (e.g., PKL-4 benchmark), and application of inverse methods for uncertainty quantification. Active collaborations include the OECD/ETHARINUS and OECD/ATLAS projects. He leads the UPC’s Advanced Nuclear Technologies Research Group (ANT), contributing to national and international nuclear safety initiatives.

Fei XuView profile

Professor

• Cognitive Development
• Language Acquisition
• Infant Cognition
• +8 more

Fei Xu is a Professor in the Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences at the University of California, Berkeley. Their research focuses on cognitive and language development, with particular emphasis on infant cognition, statistical inference, physical and psychological reasoning, word learning, number representations, social cognition, and concept acquisition. Research trends in their publications include interdisciplinary applications of machine learning to materials science (e.g., fuel cladding analysis, corrosion segmentation), ecological studies on biodiversity and tipping points, and foundational cognitive science topics such as probabilistic reasoning and vocabulary development in children. Fei Xu's lab, the Xu Lab, explores the intersection of psychology, philosophy, and computational methods. Notably, they have contributed to understanding how children and adults process statistical information in social contexts and learning environments.

• Theoretical Chemistry
• Heterogeneous Catalysis
• Electro-catalysis
• +5 more

Itai Panas is a Full Professor of Theoretical Chemistry at Chalmers University of Technology, affiliated with the Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology within the School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering. His research focuses on quantum chemical methods applied to heterogeneous catalysis, electro-catalysis, corrosion, cement chemistry, superconductors, and molecular crystals. He currently supervises three PhD students and has contributed to over 165 publications, including seminal work on high-temperature superconductivity and material degradation mechanisms. Notably, Panas was a Swedish Research Council Senior Researcher (1998–2004), recognizing his expertise in computational materials science. Research Interests: His work spans computational modeling of catalytic systems, oxidation kinetics of alloys, and electronic structure analysis of superconductors. Recent projects include investigating corrosion mechanisms in nickel-based alloys and developing predictive models for material behavior under extreme conditions. His methods bridge density functional theory and wavefunction-based approaches to enhance accuracy in intermolecular interactions. Awards & Recognition: - Swedish Research Council Senior Researcher (1998–2004) - Pioneering contributions to understanding superconductivity via quantum chemical frameworks Lab & Teams: He leads a research group focused on theoretical and computational chemistry, collaborating with experimentalists to validate models of material behavior. Key projects involve predicting superconductors through in silico methods and studying graphene-based nanomaterials for catalytic applications.

Ruben Gonzalez RodriguezView profile

Professor

• Tribology
• Surface Engineering
• Lubrication Science
• +4 more

Ruben Gonzalez Rodriguez is a Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering within the Faculty of Science and Technology at Bournemouth University. His academic credentials include a PhD in Mechanical Engineering - Tribology (2007) and a BEng (Hons) in Marine Engineering (2000) from the University of Oviedo, where he received honors for the best academic record in the Higher Nautical School and an excellence award for his PhD thesis. PhD in Mechanical Engineering - Tribology (2007) BEng (Hons) in Marine Engineering (2000) His research focuses on tribology, surface engineering, and lubrication science, with particular expertise in ionic liquids, nanoparticles, and coatings as lubricant additives. His work has significant applications in wind turbine gearboxes, marine engines, and electric vehicle transmissions. Recent publications demonstrate his continued active research in deep eutectic solvents, waste heat recovery systems, and electrical compatibility of lubricants for electrified transmissions. His research trends show a consistent focus on sustainable lubrication solutions, with increasing attention to applications in renewable energy systems and electrified transportation. Recent work emphasizes the environmental properties of lubricants and their compatibility with emerging technologies. Honours Award for the Best Academic Record in the Higher Nautical School of University of Oviedo Excellence award for the best Ph.D. Thesis in the Department of Mechanical and Civil Engineering of Oviedo University Professor Gonzalez Rodriguez has successfully supervised PhD students including Ángel del Reguero Huerta (researching functionalized nanoparticles as lubricant additives) and Raquel Monge García (focusing on wind turbine gearbox optimization). He has secured multiple research grants from Spanish government entities including the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness, Ministry of Science and Innovation, and the Principality of Asturias, totaling projects related to ionic liquids, wind turbine efficiency, laser cladding coatings, and marine engine applications. His research group appears to collaborate extensively with colleagues at University of Oviedo, particularly with Jose Viesca Rodriguez and A. Hernández Battez.

Elizabeth S. SoobyView profile

Associate Professor

• Nuclear Materials
• Thermodynamic Modeling
• Advanced Nuclear Fuels
• +5 more

Elizabeth S. Sooby, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the Margie and Bill Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design, University of Texas at San Antonio. She specializes in nuclear materials science and thermodynamic modeling, with a focus on advanced nuclear fuels and accident-tolerant fuel systems. Her research encompasses oxidation behavior, microstructural analysis, and neutron diffraction studies. Dr. Sooby's publications highlight expertise in uranium-based compounds, TRISO particles, molten salt reactors, and fuel-cladding interactions. Key themes include phase equilibrium modeling, high-temperature corrosion, and materials for next-generation nuclear technologies. Scientific Awards: G.T. Seaborg Postdoctoral Fellow (Los Alamos National Laboratory)