Opening Plenary

Nuclear Energy and Materials: Needs for the future

Nuclear energy has been substantially enabled by the presence of materials that can withstand the harsh temperature and radiation temperature environments associated with the production of nuclear power. As we look forward to the future role of nuclear energy, the deployment of higher temperature reactors, higher radiation environments associated with fast spectrum and fusion reactors, and waste forms for advanced reactors will require continued advances in materials research to address these opportunities and challenges. ARPA-E has funded some materials research and this talk will highlight future needs, as well as some previously funded efforts.