Uploaded January 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory is a global multidisciplinary laboratory pioneering scientific and engineering breakthroughs. Established in the wake of the first self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction, Argonne has a legacy of innovation in nuclear energy that spans more than 80 years.
As the demand for clean, reliable energy grows, the U.S. faces increasing pressure to deploy next-generation nuclear reactors at scale. However, materials used in these advanced reactors must withstand extreme temperatures and radiation over long periods—conditions that can cause them to degrade in ways that are difficult to detect. Traditional testing methods often fall short in identifying early signs of failure without damaging the material. This creates a critical need for advanced, noninvasive techniques to assess material integrity before deployment.
In this video, you will learn how researchers in Argonne’s Nuclear Science and Engineering Division use Pulsed Infrared Thermography – a technique of nondestructive evaluation research conducted in the Thermal Imaging Laboratory – to assess the structural integrity of materials being considered for use in tomorrow’s advanced nuclear reactors. They detect how, where and when materials break down in harsh environments, such as inside nuclear reactors.
Nondestructive evaluation research at Argonne, which is funded by the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), helps the U.S. nuclear industry design and build energy power plants that will help the U.S. meet its growing energy needs.
Find out more about opportunities and developments related to nondestructive evaluation in Argonne's Nuclear Science and Engineering division ►► anl.gov/nse/nondestructive-evaluation-and-testing-facilities
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ABOUT ARGONNE
Argonne National Laboratory seeks solutions to pressing national problems in science and technology by conducting leading-edge basic and applied research in virtually every scientific discipline. Argonne is managed by UChicago Argonne, LLC for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science.
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States and is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, visit the Office of Science website.
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory is a global multidisciplinary laboratory pioneering scientific and engineering breakthroughs. Established in the wake of the first self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction, Argonne has a legacy of innovation in nuclear energy that spans more than 80 years.
As the demand for clean, reliable energy grows, the U.S. faces increasing pressure to deploy next-generation nuclear reactors at scale. However, materials used in these advanced reactors must withstand extreme temperatures and radiation over long periods—conditions that can cause them to degrade in ways that are difficult to detect. Traditional testing methods often fall short in identifying early signs of failure without damaging the material. This creates a critical need for advanced, noninvasive techniques to assess material integrity before deployment.
In this video, you will learn how researchers in Argonne’s Nuclear Science and Engineering Division use Pulsed Infrared Thermography – a technique of nondestructive evaluation research conducted in the Thermal Imaging Laboratory – to assess the structural integrity of materials being considered for use in tomorrow’s advanced nuclear reactors. They detect how, where and when materials break down in harsh environments, such as inside nuclear reactors.
Nondestructive evaluation research at Argonne, which is funded by the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), helps the U.S. nuclear industry design and build energy power plants that will help the U.S. meet its growing energy needs.
Find out more about opportunities and developments related to nondestructive evaluation in Argonne's Nuclear Science and Engineering division ►► anl.gov/nse/nondestructive-evaluation-and-testing-facilities
Still haven't subscribed to Argonne National Laboratory on YouTube? ►► bit.ly/2Vyzwvm
Join us on Facebook
bit.ly/ArgonneFacebook
Follow us on Twitter
bit.ly/ArgonneTwitter
We’re on Instagram!
bit.ly/ArgonneInstagram
Connect with us on LinkedIn
bit.ly/ArgonneLinkedIn
ABOUT ARGONNE
Argonne National Laboratory seeks solutions to pressing national problems in science and technology by conducting leading-edge basic and applied research in virtually every scientific discipline. Argonne is managed by UChicago Argonne, LLC for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science.
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States and is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, visit the Office of Science website.
