About the SMRC

The Scintillation Materials Research Center (SMRC) is a unique multidisciplinary research facility formed by a collaboration of the University of Tennessee and CTI Molecular Imaging. Located in the College of Engineering, our mission is to discover and develop new scintillation materials which will provide the foundation for the next generation of gamma-ray, x-ray, and neutron detectors. New radiation detectors will have a major impact on future medical imaging systems, homeland security inspection and monitoring systems, neutron and high energy particle physics experiments, and remote exploration for new energy resources.

SMRC 2010 Annual Report The center combines the academic resources of the university with the scintillator research legacy of CTI to develop innovative materials for state-of-the-art radiation sensors and imaging systems. The center's research activities include the synthesis and characterization of new material compositions, fundamental investigation of scintillation mechanisms, development of novel crystal growth techniques, applications of nano-technology to ceramic scintillator fabrication, modification of existing optical materials for scintillator applications, mathematical modeling of materials and synthesis processes, optimization of existing scintillator crystals for specific applications, and advances in scintillating fiber technology.

The center draws upon the extensive high-technology resources of the Knoxville/Oak Ridge area and offers unique training and educational opportunities for students as well as providing a mechanism for collaborative research with industrial partners and academic research groups.

Contact Information

Scintillation Materials Research Center
Dr. Chuck Melcher, Director
301 Science and Engineering Research Facility
Phone: (865) 974-0254
Fax: (865) 974-4998
Email: SMRC@utk.edu

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