David Hurley received a Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering from Johns Hopkins University and is currently a Laboratory Fellow at Idaho National Laboratory. Dr. Hurley has an extensive research background involving theoretical and experimental studies of laser-based characterization of materials. Since coming to INL, he has focused on characterizing material behavior in extreme environments. Dr. Hurley’s research background and expertise encompass elements of physics, mechanical engineering, and materials science. This middle ground between science and engineering has given him a unique perspective on many materials issues facing the nuclear industry. Connecting microstructure to mechanical properties of nuclear fuel provides an important example of this perspective. 

Characterization of mechanical and thermal properties of nuclear materials; Understanding the influence of irradiation microstructure on thermal transport in nuclear fuel; In situ monitoring of material properties in high temperature environments (e.g. thermal properties, corrosive film growth, recrystallization); Electronic and thermal properties of photovoltaic and thermoelectric materials; Ultrafast optical characterization of thin films and nanostructures;Theoretical and experimental study of laser ultrasonics