The NOMATEN Centre of Excellence is an independent scientific department within NCBJ. It was established through collaboration between NCBJ, CEA (France), and VTT (Finland), with the support of EU funds. Its objective is to conduct research and development on multifunctional materials for industrial and medical applications, which are of significant societal and economic importance. The Centre leverages the unique nuclear research infrastructure of its partners and draws on expertise from Poland and Europe. Its long-term strategy focuses on novel materials that are resistant to high-temperature, corrosion, and radiation, and can be used in industrial applications and novel radiopharmaceutical solutions. The work of CoE NOMATEN is carried out in five research groups.

The Functional Properties Group specializes in multiscale methods for measuring mechanical properties and their relationship to microstructure. They study materials like stainless steels, ODS and/or HEAs, and protective coatings based on Al2O3, zirconium, and nickel alloys. These materials are intended for use in next-generation nuclear power plants. Studies of austenitic steels and alumina coatings aim to understand the processes occurring in construction materials under exposure to radiation and high temperatures. Scientists employ ion sputtering as a substitute for neutron radiation. They use SEM microscopy with EDS and EBSD detectors, nanoindentation techniques, and XRD and Raman tests at temperatures up to 1000 °C, which are important for the operating conditions of new-generation nuclear reactors.

The Complexity in Functional Materials Group focuses on modeling materials for harsh environments. They study the physics of plasticity in complex alloys, including phenomena like the Portevin-Le Chatelier effect. Their research involves mechanical properties and the application of machine learning and data science to experimental and simulation-based data sets.

The Materials Characterization Group conducts advanced characterization of novel multifunctional materials at the atomic level using state-of-the-art equipment. Their focus is on studying the impact of high temperature, oxidizing atmospheres, and radiation on the structural properties of materials. They employ various techniques, such as SEM/FIB/EBSD/EDX tools, TEM analysis, and advanced and in-situ X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy.

The Materials Informatics, Structure, and Function Group pursues four major research avenues: modeling nanoindentation using advanced strategies and machine learning, developing machine learning interatomic potentials (MLIP) for multiscale modeling applications, materials design using machine learning methods (especially for alloying applications), and web app and software development for materials informatics purposes, targeted at materials science experimentalists.

The Novel Radiopharmaceuticals for Medical Purposes Group investigates methods of manufacturing radioisotopes and their integration into new medicines for use in diagnostics and therapy. The team works closely with the NCBJ Radioisotope Centre POLATOM.