Nuclear fusion durability gets US breakthrough with first-ever hydrogen-uranium scan

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory researchers used white-light interferometry to repeatedly scan uranium in hydrogen and watch corrosion from the very start.

The method captured how uranium hydride forms, causing blisters to swell and rupture on the surface.

Because the scans are non-destructive, they reveal early-stage damage that is usually hard to study without altering the sample.

The findings could improve durability models for fusion systems, hydrogen storage, and nuclear fuel materials, including ITER-related applications.