The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science’s Fusion Energy Sciences program has awarded $1,080,811 to Purdue University nuclear engineering professor Ahmed Hassanein to develop advanced materials capable of withstanding the extreme conditions inside future nuclear fusion reactors, addressing one of the most significant engineering challenges to making fusion energy a commercial reality.

Ahmed Hassanein, the Paul L. Wattelet Distinguished Professor of Nuclear Engineering and director of the Center for Materials under Extreme Environment (CMUXE), has been selected to receive the 2026 IEEE Nuclear and Plasma Sciences Society (NPSS) Richard F. Shea Distinguished Member Award. The honor marks Hassanein’s fourth major international award and recognizes his decades of leadership, service and technical contributions to the fields of nuclear and plasma sciences.

Purdue nuclear engineering undergraduate student Charles Behrman has been named a Goldwater Scholar, a prestigious national award supporting students pursuing research careers in science and engineering.

A recap of the 2025-26 Purdue School of Nuclear Engineering Senior Design Projects, with student team members and project descriptions

Purdue NE's Rusi Taleyarkhan, has been inducted into the inaugural National Academy of Inventors Purdue Chapter, launched during the 2026 Startup and Technology Expo. He joins more than 70 faculty recognized for translating research into patented, real-world solutions.

Stylianos Chatzidakis, Ahmed Hassanein, Seungjin Kim, and Lefteri Tsoukalas named among the Purdue College of Engineering Outstanding Engineering Teachers – Spring 2026.

A Purdue-led research project, headed by NE's Xiaoyuan Lou, is investigating how 3D-printed stainless steel performs inside nuclear reactors. Funded by the DOE and supported by national lab facilities, the three-year study will examine how radiation, heat, and corrosion impact additively manufactured materials—advancing safety, reliability, and future deployment of advanced nuclear energy systems while training the next generation of nuclear engineers.

Purdue NE's Hitesh Bindra is leading a University initiative to strengthen the nuclear energy workforce through a new modular training curriculum focused on quality assurance, system integrity, and reactor safety. Supported by $3.2 million in combined funding, the project will deliver flexible, hands-on learning for students and professionals. The program aims to expand access to critical skills and prepare a new generation of engineers for evolving nuclear energy demands.

Purdue NE's Shripad Revankar has been appointed to lead the Nuclear Energy Pillar within Purdue Institute for Energy Innovation, positioning nuclear power at the center of interdisciplinary efforts to tackle evolving energy demands. With more than four decades of experience, he will guide research, industry partnerships, and workforce development to advance reliable, scalable energy solutions for emerging technologies and infrastructure, including data centers and advanced manufacturing.

A newly patented technology from Purdue NE's Allen Garner could reshape how electromagnetic systems are designed and deployed. Developed with a former doctoral student, the innovation simplifies radiofrequency signal generation by combining multiple functions into a single component. Backed by the Office of Naval Research, the work reduces system size and complexity while improving adaptability—opening new possibilities across defense, communications, automotive, and emerging biomedical applications.