WBIR interviewed Dr. Howard Hall, Director of the INS, for a story on the new Radiochemistry Center of Excellence:
“A new grant for the University of Tennessee will launch a new radiochemistry research lab aimed at improving global security through investigations, education, and inspiration.
The National Nuclear Security Administration will give $1.2 million a year to the new Radiochemistry Center of Excellence.
Radiochemistry is the science of using chemical probes to understand nuclear processes and vice versa. It’s important in nuclear forensics, for example finding clues and answers if some bad guys got their hands on a nuclear bomb and blew it up.
It will also help research in a shrinking scientific field by inspiring more students.
“We hope to have established a continuing center of research at the University of Tennessee. This grant will allow us to improve our facilities, add some equipment, support a number of our grad students over the next five years. And hopefully those grad students will also go forth and work in the field,” said Howard Hall with the UT department of nuclear engineering.
The center will also team with several research labs including ORNL to give grad students a chance to work in the industry.
Source: http://downtown.wbir.com/news/news/617692-grant-will-launch-new-ut-radiochemistry-research-lab