PNNL

Developing the Next Generation of Nuclear Energy Materials

The Center for Innovation of Nuclear Energy Materials (CINEMa) at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory supports the nuclear industry through materials research that accelerates deployment of advanced fission and fusion reactors and sustains the safe operation of existing nuclear reactors.

Our multidisciplinary approach includes developing advanced fuels and structural materials; integrating applied cost-effective and scalable manufacturing techniques, such as solid phase processing; and accelerating the identification, design, fabrication, and testing of new materials for use in fission and fusion reactors.

These technical advancements are critical for the future of nuclear energy, ensuring that reactors operate safely and efficiently while meeting regulatory and licensing requirements. 

The research and development efforts led by CINEMa are driving the next generation of nuclear energy technology, for a more economical and reliable energy future.

Learn more about our research focus areas: Light-Water Reactor Materials, Advanced Reactor Materials, Integrated Nuclear Energy Materials Manufacturing, and Fusion Energy Sciences.

Understanding materials in extreme environments

The extreme environments within fission and fusion reactors lead to numerous material challenges resulting from harsh chemicals, high temperatures, static and cyclic stresses, and strong radiation fields. Understanding how materials perform in reactor-relevant environments is necessary to identify new materials and to qualify those materials and products for use. This includes increasing the understanding of and ability to predict the stability of interfaces and microstructures under extreme conditions, and then designing inherently resilient phases that can withstand these extremes.

Analyzing how materials already deployed in nuclear reactors perform over time will inform next‑generation materials development, establish inspection, repair, and replacement strategies, and support efficient reactor operations. 

Knowledge of manufacturing processes is essential to producing qualified materials and products that can withstand the intense conditions within fission and fusion reactors. The nuclear energy enterprise recognizes that the time frame from inception to deployment of new structural materials and fuels is too long. This impacts if and when a promising new material—with an associated manufacturing process—would ultimately be incorporated into a reactor design, potentially improving reactor safety and/or economics. The current material development process is also expensive due to the need for in-reactor irradiation and post-irradiation examination—often requiring multiple iterations between material identification and the component development.

One-stop shop for materials R&D

CINEMa’s approach to collaboration—combined with a broad capability suite of in-house equipment and expertise in moving research through the technology readiness levels—provide a one-stop shop for nuclear energy materials innovation and ultimate deployment. 

Connect with our team at cinema@pnnl.gov to explore partnership opportunities.