Jean Paul Allain, Assistant Professor in the School of Nuclear Engineering has been selected to receive funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) as part of the Department of Energy Office of Science new Early Career Research Program.

Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced that 69 scientists from across the nation will receive up to $85 million in funding as part of this program. There were 1,750 applicants from universities and national laboratories for these awards. Each university award will be at least $150,000 per year for five years to support salary and other research expenses.

Dr. Allain’s research for this award is, “Harnessing Nanotechnology for Fusion Plasma-Material Interface Research in an in-situ Particle-Surface Interaction Facility" and involves harnessing nanotechnology concepts to bring about new materials for use in nuclear fusion generators. The research is multidisciplinary and includes nuclear engineering, materials science and nanotechnology.