The Division of Materials of Energy Interest MXE, addresses the prediction of the degradation phenomena of metallic materials in the nuclear fission and fusion industry in its beginnings and later in other types of energy production (solar, combined cycles) during the last 30 years . For this, it has techniques for microstructural characterization, surface analysis, determination of mechanical properties and corrosion / oxidation tests in different media. In addition to these experimental techniques, through collaborations with other CIEMAT units and other centers and universities, it works on the multiscale simulation of radiation damage. In particular, the strengths of the division can be summarized as:

• Microstructural analysis capacity and surface analysis by combining advanced microstructural techniques.

• Ability to evaluate the compatibility with different media (water, gas, liquid metals, molten salts) by exposing the materials under relevant operating conditions and their subsequent analysis through the use of different microstructural characterization techniques.

• Development of techniques for evaluating degradation using miniature specimens.

Currently, the CIEMAT DMXE maintains active 15 projects on the study of structural materials financed by H2020, both in the nuclear area (EURATOM) and energy (NMBP and LC-BAT), being the coordinator of 4 of them. In addition to participation in 2 projects financed by:

• The State Plan, in collaboration with CENIM, is worth highlighting its close collaboration with all European national nuclear laboratories such as the French CEA, UKAEA in England, HZDR and KIT in Germany, SCK-CEN in Belgium, in addition to the contacts with the industry Spanish nuclear and solar plants.

• Participation in different European (ISO) and American (ASTM) standardization committees.