2018 | ANNUAL REPORT 33 When Katoh’s adviser moved to Kyoto University, Katoh decided to join him.The pair soon had a proposal accepted for the development of silicon carbide composites for high temperature energy applications. “One of the notable inventions from the project was the NITE silicon carbide composite,” Katoh said. “This invention produced a new class of silicon carbide composites at that time, and later led to inven- tion of the Fully Ceramic Microen- capsulated fuel for light water and advanced reactors.” In 2003, after years of involvement in U.S.-Japanese partnerships at both Pacific Northwest National Labora- tory and Oak Ridge National Labora- tory (ORNL), a collaborator at ORNL offered Katoh a job, and he accepted. Since then, he has served as primary investigator for numerous fission and fusion materials science projects, including development and characterization of ceramics, graphite, composites and other advanced materials for high temper- ature and severe environment appli- cations; neutron irradiation effects in metals, alloys and ceramics; and development of accident tolerant fuel materials and technologies for nuclear reactors. Over the course of his career, he has authored or co-authored nearly 400 journal articles. More recently, he’s started devel- oping new programs and gotten more involved with management. “I am hoping to contribute to making nuclear energy safer, more widely accepted, and utilized to its potential through helping develop advanced fuels and materials,” Katoh said.