NUCL 532 - Materials Science for Nuclear Energy Applications

3 credits (Hrs: 3 Lec.)

This course addresses the materials science and engineering principles governing the selection, performance, degradation, qualification, and lifetime management of materials used in nuclear energy systems. Emphasis is placed on materials employed in advanced nuclear reactors, Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), and associated fuel-cycle technologies, consistent with the mission and research priorities of the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Nuclear Energy (DOE-NE). Topics include structural alloys, nuclear fuels, cladding systems, coolants, moderators, control materials, and waste forms, with attention to the extreme service environments characteristic of nuclear systems, including high temperature, neutron irradiation, corrosive media, and mechanical stress. The course integrates materials fundamentals with system-level considerations such as safety, licensing, and deployment readiness. The course integrates fundamental materials science with system-level constraints, including safety, licensing, and deployment readiness. Students will critically evaluate current literature, develop mechanistic models of materials behavior under irradiation and extreme environments, and assess materials solutions in the context of real-world nuclear systems.

Prerequisite(s): Graduate standing or consent of instructor.