Materials chemistry for next-generation nuclear systems.
At the University of California - Irvine, the Finkeldei Group probes the chemistry of nuclear materials to enable advances in
clean energy technologies.
Advanced Fuel Development
We synthesize and analyze advanced fuel candidates to gain fundamental insights into grain boundary characteristics, fission gas transport, and material properties.
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Fusion & Space Systems
Utilizing a unique internal gelation process, we synthesize microspheres for a variety of applications, including materials for fusion and space applications.
Atomistic Modeling
We are developing machine learning interatomic potentials to enable highly-accurate simulations of nuclear materials under conditions relevant to reactor operation.
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Waste Management
We analyze the redox chemistry of spent fuel and barrier materials to predict behavior in repositories. Additionally, we synthesize complex oxides to structurally immobilize long lived actinides.
Group News
December 18, 2025
Max's proposal, "Development and Validation of a Neutron Transport Model for the UC Irvine TRIGA Mark I Nuclear Reactor," is awarded the UCI Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) 2025 Research Experience Fellowship! He will present his work in the Spring at the UCI Undergraduate Research Symposium.
Sarah hosts the "Nuclear Pathways: Opportunities & Careers at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory" event for UCI students to learn more about careers at LLNL. The visiting staff scientists from the national lab also presented Janae with the LLNL Physical and Life Sciences Directorate Award from the lab for her internship work investigating rapid uranium material synthesis using laser-based thermal decomposition! Congrats Janae!
December 5, 2025
Andrew's work as an intern during the summer of 2025 at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, "Fabrication and Evaluation of Large Alumina Crucibles by Vat Photopolymerization Additive Manufacturing for High-Temperature Actinide Chemistry," is published in Applied Sciences!
December 2, 2025