Predictive Discovery of Radiation-Resistant Tungsten Alloys for Extreme Fusion Environments
A multi-investigator effort led by Prof. Penghui Cao to discover tungsten alloys that withstand the radiation and thermal loads of fusion reactor environments. The lab contributes computational solid mechanics expertise to the predictive modeling of these materials.
Team Members
- Prof. Penghui Cao (lead PI, UCI)
Funding
- University of California Office of the President (UCOP), Nov 2025 – Oct 2028
Abstract
Plasma-facing components in fusion reactors must survive intense neutron irradiation and extreme heat loads, and tungsten alloys are the leading candidates for the task. This multi-campus University of California project establishes a hub for the predictive discovery and accelerated demonstration of durable, supply-resilient alloys for fusion reactors, combining multiscale modeling, machine learning, and advanced irradiation and performance testing. The Computational Solid Mechanics Lab participates as a co-investigator, contributing to the mechanics modeling of these materials.