Nicholas Sponsel

Nicholas is a Ph.D. candidate at NC State’s Department of Nuclear Engineering with a Bachelor of Science in Physics & Astrophysics from the University of North Dakota. His previous experience focused on space physics and observation at Martens Observatory and participation in UND’s rocketry team. As a graduate student, Nicholas investigates the physics of plasma/liquid interactions, with a particular interest in bubble dynamics for practical application. This included the use of plasma-bubbles for nitrogen fixation in agricultural outlooks (GRIP4PSI) and for potential means of material quantification in molten salt for GenIV reactors (NEUP). Nicholas is currently funded as a fellow of the Nuclear Energy University Program focused on the development and exploration of advanced nuclear science and technology.