MSE Seminar - Yutai Kato (Katoh)

“Materials Science and Technology Research at ORNL – from Fundamentals to Applications”

Abstract: The Materials Science and Technology Division (MSTD) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) conducts both basic and applied research to develop advanced materials and processes, deepen understanding of the underlying physical mechanisms, and enable materials technologies that support transformative solutions to the nation’s energy and security challenges. MSTD’s active research spans the full materials innovation spectrum—from theory and modeling to synthesis, processing, manufacturing, characterization, testing, and evaluation – including for applications in extreme environments. These efforts are supported by some of the nation’s most advanced laboratories, as well as ORNL’s world-leading user facilities and high-performance computing capabilities. Partnerships with academia play a vital role in advancing the frontiers of materials research and in preparing the next generation of scientists and engineers. This seminar will provide an overview of ongoing research in MSTD, highlight selected research topics, and discuss ORNL’s mechanisms for university collaboration and student engagement.

Speaker Bio: Yutai Kato (a.k.a. Katoh) is Director of the Materials Science and Technology Division and Corporate Fellow of Oak Ridge National Laboratory. He received Ph.D. in Materials Science from the University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan. Before arriving ORNL, he served as an Assistant Professor for the National Institute for Fusion Science then as Associate Professor for Kyoto University. His research interests range from the fundamental aspects of radiation effects in solids to processing and application of advanced materials and qualification of new materials for nuclear fusion and fission applications. He has published more than 300 peer-reviewed journal articles in materials science and engineering with more than 25,000 citations. He is Fellow of the American Ceramic Society and the American Nuclear Society.