Dr. Richard Nygren directs research on the development of robust technology for fusion energy. His resume includes over 100 journal publications, work in national and international advisory groups and volunteer efforts in science education in New Mexico. He earned a BS from MIT and PhD in Materials Science from Northwestern University.

Dr. Nygren’s department performs research in Sandia’s Plasma Materials Test Facility using powerful electron beams to simulate the heat loads in a fusion reactor on targets that can be cooled using a nuclear-grade high-temperature high-pressure water cooling loop or helium or liquid metal. The Fusion Technology Department leads the US effort and coordinates the world’s activity to design components that will receive high heat loads in ITER. ITER, sited in France, is a multi-national project to build the world’s first fusion engineering reactor. Dr. Nygren also serves on various national and international groups that deal with the development of fusion energy. In the fall of 2009, he gave invited oral presentations titled, “Making Tungsten Work” at the 14th International Conference on Fusion Reactor Materials in Sapporo, Japan and “Divertor Development for DEMO” at the 9th International Symposium on Fusion Nuclear Technology in Dalian, China.

As part of his continuing interest in science education, Dr. Nygren serves on the Advisory Council on Math and Science Education for the State of New Mexico Public Education Department. He also serves on the boards of the New Mexico Partnership for Math and Science Education, Albuquerque Public Schools Math Science Technology Partnership, and the New Mexico Academy of Science (also a past president).