Ricardo H. R. Castro

Nanocrystalline materials, nanomechanics, ceramics, sintering, thermodynamics, nuclear materials

Castro's research group seeks to understand nanoscale effects in ceramic materials and composites and how to optimally process these materials to control their nanoscale behavior. By using a combination of structural characterization techniques, including microcalorimetry and high-resolution electron microscopy, the Castro group has advanced processing techniques to create samples with unique mechanical properties and tolerance to irradiation-induced defects. Castro and his team are interested in understanding the thermal stability of nanostructures, which has led to a solid theoretical framework for the design of nanocrystalline ceramics well-suited for extreme-temperature applications.