Ricardo Castro

Dr. 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.