New Nuclear Component Qualification Method Launching in 2023

Breakthrough QUICC technique uses ion beams to dramatically reduce testing time and costs for advanced reactor materials.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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The development of advanced nuclear reactors is receiving a significant boost with the introduction of a groundbreaking new method for qualifying materials used in reactor cores. Called Qualification under Ion irradiation of Core Components (QUICC), this technique utilizes ion beam irradiation to replicate the damage caused by years of neutron exposure in just days, dramatically reducing testing time and costs compared to traditional neutron irradiation testing.

Why it matters

The QUICC methodology is a crucial advancement for the nuclear industry, as it will enable faster innovation and deployment of emissions-free nuclear energy solutions, including those needed to power energy-intensive technologies like AI data centers. By significantly speeding up the materials qualification process, QUICC removes a major barrier to the development of advanced nuclear reactors.

The details

QUICC, spearheaded by researchers at the University of Michigan, uses ion beam irradiation in laboratory accelerators to replicate the displacement damage (measured in displacements per atom or dpa) and helium bubble formation that occurs in reactor cores. For fission reactors, this involves using two ion beams: a heavy ion beam to simulate the bulk of the displacement damage and a helium ion beam to create helium bubbles. The materials are also tested in a high-temperature, high-pressure water environment to mimic reactor core conditions. The QUICC methodology has also been adapted for fusion reactor environments, which require a 'triple beam' irradiation approach to simulate the unique combination of radiation damage, helium, and hydrogen.

  • The QUICC methodology is nearing industry-wide approval through ASTM International.
  • The QUICC method will be presented at a special event hosted by EPRI on March 10-11, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina, and at the 2026 TMS meeting in San Diego on March 17.

The players

University of Michigan

The lead institution behind the development of the QUICC methodology, with researchers from the university's nuclear engineering and radiological sciences department.

Gary Was

A professor emeritus of nuclear engineering and radiological sciences at the University of Michigan, who has played a key role in the development of the QUICC technique.

Pennsylvania State University

One of the collaborating institutions involved in the development of the QUICC methodology.

Oak Ridge National Laboratory

A collaborating institution that has contributed to the development of the QUICC technique.

University of Tennessee

A collaborating institution that has contributed to the development of the QUICC technique.

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What they’re saying

“The QUICC methodology, applied to two extremely different alloys, demonstrates that the critical changes to the materials under ion irradiation mimic those under reactor irradiation. The significance is that ion irradiation can be used to predict material behavior in reactors 1000 times faster than with test reactors and at one one-thousandth the cost.”

— Gary Was, Professor Emeritus of Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences, University of Michigan

What’s next

The University of Michigan is actively working with U-M Innovation Partnerships to develop license agreements and bring the QUICC technology to market. Testing is currently conducted at the Michigan Ion Beam Laboratory, with materials characterization performed at the Michigan Center for Materials Characterization.

The takeaway

The QUICC methodology represents a major breakthrough in the development of advanced nuclear reactors, as it will dramatically accelerate the materials qualification process and enable faster innovation in this crucial emissions-free energy technology.