Materials Solutions to Secure the Nation’s Future
The Materials Science and Technology Division (MSTD) conducts basic and applied research and development to realize advanced materials and processes, improve our understanding of underlying physical mechanisms, and ultimately enable materials technologies underpinning transformative solutions to the nation’s energy and security challenges.
MSTD’s work aids the advancement of basic energy sciences and a variety of applied energy technologies that contribute to abundant and robust energy, including nuclear fusion and fission, fossil energy and beneficial reuse of waste products, space exploration, and national security.
The division’s scientific research focuses on materials science and engineering across four thrust areas.
Foundational and Quantum Materials Science
Materials science for emergent phenomena, such as quantum information materials, innovative functional materials, and novel materials functionality (Section Head Valentino Cooper)
Materials Processing Science and Engineering
Materials science for manufacturing innovation, such as physical metallurgy, next-generation alloys, ceramics and composites, and materials for advanced and convergent manufacturing (Section Head Soumya Nag)
Materials in Extremes
Materials for fusion, fission, and other extreme environments, such as radiation materials science, fusion and fission nuclear materials, and material interactions with coupled extremes (Interim Section Head Erik Herbert)
Materials Analysis and Interface Science
Materials theory and modeling, which includes computational discovery, quantum theory, microstructural evolutions modeling, and artificial intelligence/machine learning for materials science (Section Head Jason Gardner)
MSTD is a matrixed organization that contributes to programs across ORNL. MSTD is responsible for the operations of a number of core capabilities at ORNL. With its world-leading core expertise, MSTD staff support the missions of all eight of the lab’s science and technology directorates and two project offices.
In addition to work sponsored by the U.S. federal government, MSTD performs work for other strategic partners in private industry, non-profit organizations, and a select number of foreign government agencies of strategic alignment.
Furthermore, our staff is committed to enhancing science education and development of the future workforce, from those at the pre-college level to post-doctoral researchers. MSTD accomplishes this through a variety of internship opportunities, post-graduate positions and community outreach programs.
Division Director
Yutai Kato
Corporate Fellow
Program Manager, ORNL Fusion Materials
[email protected]
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September 23, 2026
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