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The University of Tennessee

Nuclear Engineering Department

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Undergraduate Program » What is Nuclear Engineering?


What is Nuclear Engineering?

Ayres Hall

The engineering discipline that focuses on the application of sub-atomic processes for the benefit of mankind. Some examples of such applications are listed below:

  • Production of electric power with essentially no air pollution

  • Processes for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases such as cancer

  • Activation analysis for identifying materials including environmental pollutants and contaminants

  • Radiography inspection of welds in bridges and boilers

  • Food preservation and sterilization of medical supplies

  • Radioisotope gauges for use in manufacturing processes

  • Nuclear measurement techniques for oil well logging and airport security

  • Radioactive tracer elements for use in medical research

  • Generation of radioisotope power for deep space exploration