Materials chemistry for next-generation nuclear systems.
At the University of California - Irvine, the Finkeldei Group probes the chemistry of nuclear materials to enable advances in
clean energy technologies.
Advanced Fuel Development
We synthesize and analyze advanced fuel candidates to gain fundamental insights into grain boundary characteristics, fission gas transport, and material properties.
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Fusion & Space Systems
Utilizing a unique internal gelation process, we synthesize microspheres for a variety of applications, including materials for fusion and space applications.
Atomistic Modeling
We are developing machine learning interatomic potentials to enable highly-accurate simulations of nuclear materials under conditions relevant to reactor operation.
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Waste Management
We analyze the redox chemistry of spent fuel and barrier materials to predict behavior in repositories. Additionally, we synthesize complex oxides to structurally immobilize long lived actinides.
Group News
Janae is awarded the G.T. Seaborg Institute Graduate Research Fellowship to conduct research this summer at Los Alamos National Laboratory! Congrats Janae!
March 14, 2026
February 5, 2026
Steven's paper with Max, "Corrosion of 316 Stainless Steel in Direct Contact with Zircaloy-4 in Repository Relevant Conditions" is accepted for publication in the Journal of Nuclear Materials! Congratulations on your first paper!!!!!!
Max's proposal, "Development and Validation of a Neutron Transport Model for the UC Irvine TRIGA Mark I Nuclear Reactor," is awarded the UCI Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) 2025 Research Experience Fellowship! He will present his work in the Spring at the UCI Undergraduate Research Symposium.
December 18, 2025