Nathan Capps
Dr. Nathan A. Capps is a senior staff scientist at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) in the Nuclear Energy and Fuel Cycle Division's Fuel Cladding and Core Internals Group. Dr. Capps's research seeks to transform and accelerate nuclear fuel development, qualification, and licensing by exploiting advanced modeling and simulation tools to identify high-impact fuel performance phenomena and address data gaps or uncertainties. Coupling this approach with in-situ data collection during targeted experimental testing is expected to greatly reduce the time required. In addition to his scientific achievements, Dr. Capps leads and supports strategic industry engagements to sustain and advance the existing light water reactor fleet by deploying accident-tolerant fuel with increased burnup. This has led to extensive experience working with private industry, nuclear reactor owners, national laboratories, and academia on multilateral projects aimed at addressing critical barriers to the safe and economical expansion of nuclear power. These engagements extend to supporting licensing efforts by serving as an independent consultant to the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (US NRC) and leading nuclear fuel vendor qualification plans. Dr. Capps's efforts have resulted in the development and application of licensing approaches to address gaps preventing burnup extension. These approaches have informed nuclear fuel vendor licensing methodologies and the confirmatory approaches of the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (US NRC). He holds numerous leadership roles within the US Department of Energy, Office of Nuclear Energy (DOE-NE), and serves as an expert consultant for the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Page Last Reviewed/Updated Monday, January 26, 2026
