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CAES-Focus Areas

Nuclear Energy

It takes 19 trillion watts to power the planet each and every day, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. By 2050, that number could climb to 27 trillion watts. Our world is faced with the dual challenge of reducing carbon emissions while expanding access to resilient sources of power. To maximize nuclear energy’s contributions, CAES will play a pivotal role in addressing significant
needs in areas including simulation and visualization, advanced materials, microreactors and advanced nuclear systems, fuels and materials, and policy and public engagement.

Campus Lead

  • Brian Jaques headshot

    Dr. Brian Jaques

    Assistant Professor

    Dr. Brian J. Jaques is an Assistant Professor in the Micron School of Materials Science and Engineering. In addition, he is the director of the Boise State Advanced Materials Laboratory (AML) in Boise and the Boise State materials lead for the Center for Advanced Energy Studies (CAES) in Idaho Falls. His research interests are primarily related to materials for extreme environments, energy materials, and nuclear enabling technologies, including: nuclear fuel synthesis, sintering, and corrosion, gas-solid reaction kinetics, mechanochemistry, particle science/powder synthesis, sensor design, and mechanical behaviors of materials. Dr. Jaques is a licensed Professional Engineer in Metallurgy and Materials Science in the state of Idaho.

    Dr. Jaques holds a Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering and a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Boise State University. He is a Boise native who enjoys camping, fishing, and hunting in the great Idaho outdoors with his wife and children.

    Micron School of Materials Science and Engineering. Boise State University

    Dr. Brian J. Jaques is an Assistant Professor in the Micron School of Materials Science and Engineering. In addition, he is the director of the Boise State Advanced Materials Laboratory (AML) in Boise and the Boise State materials lead for the Center for Advanced Energy Studies (CAES) in Idaho Falls. His research interests are primarily related to materials for extreme environments, energy materials, and nuclear enabling technologies, including: nuclear fuel synthesis, sintering, and corrosion, gas-solid reaction kinetics, mechanochemistry, particle science/powder synthesis, sensor design, and mechanical behaviors of materials. Dr. Jaques is a licensed Professional Engineer in Metallurgy and Materials Science in the state of Idaho.

    Dr. Jaques holds a Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering and a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Boise State University. He is a Boise native who enjoys camping, fishing, and hunting in the great Idaho outdoors with his wife and children.