Materials and Fuels Complex
Experiments, engineering, and demonstrations that drive the world’s nuclear energy forward.
Advancing Nuclear Energy with Purpose-Built Infrastructure
The Materials and Fuels Complex (MFC) combines upgraded and historical infrastructure to support DOE-NE’s nuclear energy mission with world-class facilities for testing, fabricating, and characterizing radioactive materials, including unique reactors, hot cell facilities, advanced characterization labs, and systems for fuel recycling and waste treatment.
Unique Nuclear Testing Facilities
MFC is a core U.S. nuclear energy research hub with 29 mission facilities, enabling the design, testing, and analysis of irradiated materials and fuels, and collaborating with universities, industry, and federal agencies to advance nuclear technology.
Cutting-Edge Nuclear Experimentation Research
Researchers at MFC are leading the charge to keep current commercial reactors performing and to create an even safer, less expensive and more reliable next generation of nuclear power plants.
Nuclear Pioneers Leading the Next Generation of Power
INL is leading the charge to keep our current commercial reactors performing and creating safer, less expensive and more reliable next generation nuclear power plants.
MFC Powers Nuclear Innovation
Idaho National Laboratory’s Materials and Fuels Complex is more than a collection of research facilities — it’s a hub for innovation, collaboration, and real-world impact. Beyond its core research areas, MFC supports a wide range of activities that advance nuclear energy, space exploration, national security, and industry partnerships. Explore the highlights below to see how MFC is shaping the future of nuclear science.
Powering the Future of Nuclear Research
MFC enables the full fuel development cycle—from design to testing—while supporting collaboration with universities, industry, and global partners.
From Fuel Concepts to Reality
MFC fabricates nearly any nuclear fuel type and securely stores materials used for research, training, and nonproliferation.
Revealing What Radiation Leaves Behind
After irradiation, MFC scientists use nondestructive and destructive methods to analyze fuel performance and safety.
Zooming In on Atomic-Level Damage
At the Irradiated Materials Characterization Laboratory (IMCL), researchers study irradiated materials at the nano and atomic scale to accelerate fuel development.
Reimagining Spent Fuel Storage
MFC treats used fuel to reduce enrichment and create waste forms suitable for disposal, supporting a closed fuel cycle.
Fueling Deep Space Missions
MFC assembles and tests radioisotope power systems that power spacecraft like Curiosity and New Horizons.
Testing Fuel Under Extreme Conditions
TREAT subjects fuels to accident-like conditions to evaluate safety and improve fuel designs.
Accelerating Innovation Through Test Beds
MFC supports GAIN by providing test beds for advanced reactor developers to demonstrate and refine new technologies.
INL News | Materials and Fuels Complex
Since its days as the National Reactor Testing Station, Idaho National Laboratory (INL) has focused on proving that what people think can’t be done is in fact possible. In the...
The future promises big advances in machine learning and artificial intelligence, and corporate America is once again eyeing nuclear energy. The interest reflects a growing awareness on Wall Street and...
There’s a 12-foot-deep pit in the floor of the Transient Reactor Test (TREAT) Facility at Idaho National Laboratory. Already home to a test reactor that puts up to 20 gigawatts...
There’s no way of knowing for sure, but there was probably no more reluctant a war hero than Sgt. David Bleak. A Medal of Honor recipient for heroism in the...
Among the impressive nuclear energy scientists at Idaho National Laboratory, Bill Phillips stands out as a particularly gifted molten salt researcher. His journey from intern to staff scientist was marked...
Work with the Materials and Fuels Complex
Join Idaho National Laboratory’s Materials and Fuels Complex (MFC), where our partnerships with industry and academia open doors to exciting career and internship opportunities, and our team thrives on collaborative, groundbreaking research.
Contact Information
MFC Communications Team
