Suraj Persaud (McMaster): tackling corrosion to extend the lifespan of nuclear infrastructure
Suraj Persaud, associate professor and UNENE Research Chair at McMaster, leads research to improve long-term performance of nuclear materials, collaborating with Canadian Nuclear Laboratories and US universities, and focusing on SMRs and molten-salt reactor corrosion challenges.
At McMaster, Suraj Persaud (UNENE Research Chair in Corrosion Control and Materials Performance) investigates corrosion in reactor systems and long-term waste containment. Working with Canadian Nuclear Laboratories, utilities and partners such as MIT and Penn State, his team employs atomic-scale microscopy (Canadian Centre for Electron Microscopy) to study radiation–corrosion interactions, hydrogen embrittlement and materials selection. Research spans high-temperature water environments (~300°C), strategies for life extension (targeting up to 100 years) and specific issues for SMRs and molten-salt reactors.