Anthony Nickens

Biography

Anthony Nickens is the Division Director of Idaho National Laboratory's Critical Minerals, Materials, Manufacturing, and Geothermal, Science and Technology Division. This division focuses on research in advanced critical materials recovery, bioenergy feedstock technologies, manufacturing, materials, geothermal energy, chemical analytics, and mechanical characterization.

Before his current role, Mr. Nickens served as the Department Manager of Idaho National Laboratory’s National Security Solutions Group (NSSG) within the Defense Systems division. The NSSG team provides technology solutions to various government customers, impacting national security in areas such as materials, energetics and pyrotechnics, vulnerability assessment, rapid prototyping, and modeling and simulations.

Prior to joining INL, Mr. Nickens was a Vice President at Ceramatec Inc. There, he led a team of scientists, engineers, and lab technicians in advanced energy-related research. He was also responsible for business development and forming collaborative technology alliances with Fortune 500 companies and government organizations, as well as managing domestic and international agreements.

Mr. Nickens' expertise includes program management of energy-related technologies such as fuel cells, fuel reformation, and advanced logistic systems at the Office of Naval Research. Additionally, he has experience in management and engineering with Naval Sea Systems Command, focusing on HM&E systems for submarines and surface ships. His work included developing novel air conditioning and refrigeration systems, environmentally friendly shipboard paints, new shipboard firefighting systems, shipboard and submarine environmental management systems, and advanced coatings. He recently retired as a Captain in the U.S. Navy Reserves, where he completed 7 Commanding Officer tours, including a Major Command overseeing over 1,500 sailors.

Mr. Nickens holds several master’s degrees: a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College, a Master of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of Florida, and a Master of Business Administration from the Florida Institute of Technology.  In addition, Mr. Nickens also has a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from N.C. State University.  Additionally, he is a graduate of the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business Executive Program