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Exploring the possibilities of nuclear fuels.

The Nuclear Materials and Fuel Cycle Center (NMFC) is one of the key research laboratories of the Nuclear Engineering Program at Virginia Tech. The center is led by Dr. Jinsuo Zhang, an professor of the nuclear engineering program. Prof. Zhang joined the university in January, 2017, with the specific task of initiating research and education focusing on nuclear materials and fuel cycle technologies. Before Prof. Zhang joined the universtiy, he had been involved in material degradation studies and coolant technology for nuclear reactor systems and advanced nuclear fuel cycle technologies including pyroprocessing at Los Alamos National Laboratory since 2001.

Research Focus Areas:

Material Compatibility -- the key criteria for choosing the materials for the extreme environment in advanced reactors.
Nuclear Fuel Cycle -- one of the most important technologies to increasing nuclear power usage.
Nuclear Coolants -- the key materials to drive the reactors.
Fuel Materials -- the heart of the reactor.

Jinsuo Zhang, Ph.D.

Director, Nuclear Materials and Fuel Cycle Center