The development of nuclear energy hinges on adopting materials with fundamentally new properties. This shift challenges the traditional comprehensive approach, which often stalls progress, according to Sergey Salikhov, First Vice-Chancellor of NUST MISIS, in an interview with SocialBites. The message emphasizes that real progress requires rethinking how materials are grown and processed rather than sticking to established methods that may limit qualitative leaps.
The core idea is that the most influential material properties are determined during solidification. By steering the growth of the solid phase, researchers can not only achieve the desired material quality but also create materials with a gradient of properties and internal reinforcement. A well-managed solidification process promises to lower production costs for metal products made by conventional methods by about 10 to 15 percent, making the economics of advanced materials more attractive for industrial adoption.
Furthermore, this approach could shorten the development timeline for new products by a significant margin and raise the effective use of available materials. By controlling how a material solidifies, it becomes possible to tailor performance characteristics from the inside out, enabling more durable components for energy systems and beyond.
When combined with additive manufacturing, the capabilities expand even further. Additive technologies, which build objects layer by layer, enable rapid prototyping and production of complex geometries that are difficult or impossible to achieve with traditional methods. In practice, additive methods can cut the time to move from concept to first full-scale product by a substantial portion and can dramatically decrease the cost of small-batch production. This combination of solidification control and additive fabrication opens a pathway from initial design exploration to practical, scalable energy solutions with fewer barriers and faster iteration cycles.
In Sunlight on the topic of unmanned technologies and promising energy systems, the focus remains on closing a persistent skills gap. Across the globe, engineers and technicians with expertise in advanced materials, solidification science, and additive manufacturing are in high demand. Industry leaders stress the need for bold investments in research, infrastructure, and education to accelerate the deployment of safer, more efficient energy technologies. SocialBites has reported on how these trends connect with the broader energy transition, underscoring the urgency of preparing today’s workforce for the factories and labs of tomorrow. The takeaway is clear: targeted advances in materials science, coupled with scalable production methods, can help deliver reliable, affordable energy while addressing the workforce shortage that affects many regions including North America.