Key Research Area: National Security Engineering
Why UNLV?
UNLV is leading the way in developing innovative radiation technologies to enhance national security and prepare a next-generation workforce equipped to address critical regional and national security challenges.
Partnering with UNLV's College of Engineering offers access to cutting-edge national security research in areas like remote sensing, blast containment, shock mitigation, and smart grid security. Our strong collaborations with government and industry ensure impactful, real-world solutions to support innovations in this vital field.
National Security Engineering Expertise at UNLV
- Computational radiation transport
- Computer/microprocessor architecture
- Radiation detection methods
- Active neutron interrogation and nondestructive assay of materials
- Nuclear safeguards and nonproliferation
- Pulsed-ray radioscopy to detect nuclear materials
- Security and privacy in AI
- Radiation-hard electronics, optoelectronics, and imaging systems
- Structural dynamics, explosives, and impact analysis
- Computational simulation of highly dynamic events
Research Highlights
Developing a Diverse STEM Workforce to Advance National Security
The Nuclear Security Science and Technology Consortium (NSSTC), led by UNLV, is building a sustainable pipeline of STEM talent between Department of Energy sites and minority-serving institutions. The program develops the next-generation workforce to meet national security demands and strengthens critical science and engineering capabilities for the National Nuclear Security Administration’s mission. Students gain hands-on training and experience through research projects addressing key nuclear security challenges.
For more information, contact Alex Barzilov at alexander.barzilov@unlv.edu.
Advancing Nuclear Materials Research and Faculty Development
UNLV’s nuclear engineering program is expanding its research in nuclear materials engineering to address challenges in advanced fission and fusion reactor technologies. A faculty development initiative is driving the recruitment of world-class researchers to expand the university’s growing nuclear security portfolio. Key areas of focus include innovations in cladding and fuel materials for next-generation fission reactors and plasma-facing materials for fusion reactors.
For more information, contact Brendan O’Toole at brendan.otoole@unlv.edu.
"As a mechanical engineering student supported by UNLV's Nuclear Security Science and Technology Consortium, I’ve gained invaluable research experience. Collaborating with experts has expanded my knowledge in nuclear security. Through my internship at Nevada National Security Sites, I’ve built connections with peers at National Labs, improved my research and refined my career goals.”Charles Han, Class of 2025, Mechanical Engineering Ph.D. candidate
UNLV Faculty Engaged in National Security Research
To request this information in a PDF format, contact Mohamed Trabia at mohamed.trabia@unlv.edu.