UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Stefano Terlizzi joined the Ken and Mary Alice Lindquist Department of Nuclear Engineering as the John and Jean M. Brennan Clean Energy Early Career Professor on July 22. In this Q&A, Terlizzi talks about his research background and interests, why he chose Penn State and more.
Q: What are your areas of research? What significance do these areas have for the average person, or what are some of the well-known applications of these research fields?
Terlizzi: My research focuses on developing novel computational methods to improve the speed and accuracy of nuclear reactor analysis. These methods enable the creation of high-fidelity models of advanced reactors, which can be applied to optimize reactor design. The increased fidelity allows for a deeper understanding of the underlying physics that governs advanced nuclear reactor systems. It also allows for the creation of digital twins — virtual models of real-world systems that can be used to simulate particular situations — for optimizing design and enhancing economic competitiveness. The cutting-edge analysis and optimization methods developed by my group are applicable to both standard nuclear reactors and for reactors intended for space exploration and colonization.
Q: What is your professional background leading up to joining Penn State?
Terlizzi: Before coming to Penn State, I spent three and a half years at Idaho National Laboratory (INL), first as a distinguished postdoctoral fellow and then as a staff scientist. While at INL, I led several projects focused on advanced reactor analysis and design. This included work on hydrogen migration in hydride-moderated microreactors, as well as developing new analysis tools for NASA and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).
I completed my doctorate at Georgia Tech in 2020, where my research focused on creating a novel method for faster and more robust coupled-neutronics and thermal-hydraulics calculations. Prior to moving to the U.S., I earned both my bachelor of science and master of science in energy and nuclear engineering from the Polytechnic University of Turin in Italy.
Q: What brought you to Penn State? What are you most looking forward to as you join the faculty in the Department of Nuclear Engineering?
Terlizzi: I was drawn to Penn State because the Ken and Mary Lindquist Department of Nuclear Engineering is one of the top-ranked programs in the country, with significant potential for growth due to its strong collaborations with national laboratories and industries active in the advanced nuclear reactor space. The department’s collaborative culture, fostered by an excellent balance of senior and junior faculty, provides a unique environment for pursuing innovative research and advancing the field. Additionally, Penn State ranks fourth nationally in the number of undergraduate nuclear engineering degrees awarded annually, reflecting its commitment to education and the next generation of nuclear engineers. I’m excited to contribute to this dynamic community and look forward to exploring new research opportunities and working closely with students and faculty alike.
Q: What are some of your ongoing projects or some upcoming projects that you are excited about?
Terlizzi: One of the projects I’m excited about is applying my expertise in fission reactors and computational methods to advance high-fidelity tools for nuclear reactor analysis and design. Specifically, I aim to leverage novel modeling techniques to minimize the cost of nuclear reactors and accelerate their deployment by using design optimization tools. By integrating economic and technical considerations from the early design stages, these tools can streamline the development process, ensuring that reactor designs are both economically viable and highly efficient, ultimately supporting broader adoption and commercialization of nuclear technologies.
Another area I’m enthusiastic about is exploring the potential transition from “micro-reactors” to “nano-reactors.” The goal is to determine how much we can reduce the size of a nuclear reactor for a given power output. To explore this, we will investigate fuel in the form of triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) lattices. These lattices consist of intertwined volume domains separated by a minimal surface, offering exceptional heat dissipation. TPMS structures have gained attention in various engineering fields, including heat exchangers and nuclear engineering, due to their topology-driven thermal properties. Because of their complex geometry, TPMS-based lattices can only be produced through additive manufacturing. While some preliminary studies have focused on characterizing TPMS unit cells, no research has yet analyzed a full reactor core using TPMS. My group’s research aims to fill this gap by exploring the feasibility of creating extremely compact reactors, leveraging the superior heat dissipation of TPMS structures.
Q: What is your research group (or lab)’s area of focus? Do you have research opportunities for graduate or undergraduate students?
Terlizzi: My research group focuses on several key areas. First, we develop computational methods for high-fidelity transient multiphysics analysis, enabling more accurate simulations of reactor behavior. Second, we implement these methods into highly scalable computational codes. We also analyze advanced reactor technologies for organizations like the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Nuclear Energy and the National Nuclear Security Administration. An emerging area of interest includes the verification and validation of Nuclear Energy Advanced Modeling and Simulation computational tools, with a focus on applying validated models to create digital twins of reactor systems for optimization and design purposes.
We have a variety of research opportunities for both graduate and undergraduate students who are interested in these topics and want to contribute to advancing nuclear reactor analysis and technology. Email me at sbt5572@psu.edu if you are interested in joining our group or if you are interested in collaborating with us.