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INS Facilities

The INS has access to multiple cutting-edge facilities, including Zeanah Engineering Complex and the Science and Engineering Research Facility (SERF).

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Zeanah Engineering Complex (ZEC)

In 2021, the University of Tennessee unveiled the ZEC as the new home of the Department of Nuclear Engineering. This 228,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility provides an advanced environment for education, innovation, and interdisciplinary research.

Key features of ZEC include:

  • Modern, technology-rich classrooms

  • Flexible, adaptable laboratory space

  • Dedicated nuclear engineering research areas

  • A forensic clean room laboratory equipped with radiologically monitored inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for high-precision analytical work

The facility reflects UT’s commitment to supporting cutting-edge research in nuclear science and security while training the next generation of leaders in the field.

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Science and Engineering Research Facility (SERF)

The Science and Engineering Research Facility (SERF) at the University of Tennessee is the primary location for the Institute for Nuclear Security’s experimental research. This cutting-edge facility supports a range of nuclear security, radiochemistry, and advanced materials investigations across multiple academic disciplines.

Constructed to meet the rigorous demands of radiological research, SERF includes specialized laboratories developed for INS Director Dr. Howard Hall in 2012. These labs are equipped with scrubbed and nuclear-grade HEPA-filtered exhaust systems, providing the necessary infrastructure for safe, high-level radiochemical experimentation.

SERF Laboratory Features:

  • Radiologically monitored inert atmosphere glovebox laboratory

  • Laser experimentation lab

  • Multiple support labs for materials handling, sample preparation, and nuclear measurement

SERF 531/531A – High-Level Radiochemistry Lab Suite

This 600-square-foot wet lab suite supports some of INS’s most advanced radiochemical operations. It features:

  • Two radiological fume hoods equipped with:

    • Integral chemical scrubbers

    • Flanders bag-in/bag-out HEPA filter units

    • Continuous air monitoring for alpha, beta, and gamma radiation in exhaust streams

  • SERF 531A includes:

    • Toxic gas storage capabilities

    • A benchtop argon glovebox for small-scale radiochemical pre-processing and secure material storage

Together, these facilities allow for the safe and effective handling of nuclear materials, supporting the Institute’s mission to advance national and global nuclear security.