Matthew Sawyers

Matthew Sawyers

PhD Candidate

Email: mjsawye4@ncsu.edu

Matthew is a PhD Candidate in Nuclear Engineering under Dr. Robert Hayes.  His research focuses on the design of a new microreactor for military use, including primary and secondary plants, as well as a new core design fueled by commercially available low-enriched uranium.  Specifically, this research seeks to solve two problems: 1) mainstream development of microreactors is hindered by the lack of infrastructure to support production, shipping, and storage of HALEU fuel, currently required for most microreactor designs; and 2) military dependence (especially in forward-operating environments) on continuously functioning fossil fuel delivery trains endangers soldiers’ lives and risks endurance of remote bases in harsh environments.

Matthew joined the US Navy in 1997 and continues to serve on active duty.  He is currently working for Naval Reactors at Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory, supporting deployed nuclear propulsion plants on submarines and aircraft carriers.

Matthew graduated with a dual BS in Nuclear Engineering/Engineering Physics from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 2009, and projects fulfilling the requirements for his PhD at the end of the 2024/25 academic year.