Nuclear Physics: Texas A&M Cyclotron Institute
Saving lives and protecting our nation through nuclear discoveriesThe institute is home to one of only five K500 or larger superconducting cyclotrons in the world and provides technical capabilities for applications in space science, materials science, analytical procedures, and nuclear medicine.
Visit Cyclotron Institute's Main Page
Overview
The fundamental research supported by the Office of Science’s Nuclear Physics (NP) program at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is critical for understanding the building blocks of energy that are used for a variety of national security and commercial applications. DOE’s NP program funds essential research at Texas A&M University, including the Texas A&M Cyclotron Institute (a DOE University Facility), which the DOE and the State of Texas jointly support.
To date, the institute has played a formative role in training generations of scientists in accelerator-based science and technology, and conducting its own internationally recognized research. The institute also provides technical capabilities for a wide variety of applications in space science, materials science, analytical procedures, and nuclear medicine.
Opportunity
From its unparalleled infrastructure and personnel to its proven track record of transformational research excellence, the Cyclotron Institute remains perfectly positioned as the bedrock underpinning multiple sectors critical to the success of our nation and its research, security, and defense while also helping to supply its future workforce needs in these areas and others that are crucial to global innovation and advancement. These projects include exploring the limits of nuclear stability, developing cutting-edge cancer treatments, and testing microchips for the Department of Defense, among many other endeavors. Funding for the NP program and the Cyclotron saves lives while supporting historic advancements for the U.S. in critical areas.
Worldwide Research
Institute staff constructed and currently operate a K150 cyclotron, a K500 superconducting cyclotron, and associated advanced ECR (electron cyclotron resonance) sources. Together, these provide a powerful arsenal of intermediate-energy ion beams for use in both fundamental and applied studies. A large complement of sophisticated state-of-the-art detectors and spectrometers provides the instrumentation necessary for modern research in nuclear structure, weak interactions, exotic nuclei, nuclear astrophysics, intermediate-energy reaction dynamics, nuclear thermodynamics, the nuclear equation of state, atomic physics, and applied nuclear science.
External Support
The Cyclotron Institute brings in significant support for operations through testing by companies and agencies (including SpaceX, Northrop Grumman, Lockheed-Martin, Texas Instruments, Renesas Electronics, and Honeywell) that use time on the cyclotron for their own research projects, accounting for more than $5 million annually in support of the infrastructure that helps to generate in excess of $18 million in overall external funding each year.
Impact
- The facility is one of five DOE-designated Centers of Excellence and is home to one of only five K500 or larger superconducting cyclotrons worldwide.
- Texas A&M’s Isotope Program is one of about 30 sites in the world where At-211 can be produced.
- Texas A&M has developed and used a new shipping approach to deliver two dozen shipments to MD Anderson for development of radiopharmaceuticals.
- Nearly 100 electronic components of SpaceX’s Crew Dragon capsule were tested at the Institute.
Programs
- Center for Excellence in Nuclear Training and University-Based Research (CENTAUR): Provides the research experience necessary to develop the next generation of leaders in stewardship science in the area of low-energy nuclear science in support of the workforce and research needs relevant to the NNSA mission.
- Horizon-Broadening Isotope Production Pipeline Opportunities (HIPPO): Exposes students to the different activities that are required to provide the nation with radioisotopes needed for science and other applications. We are committed to bringing a group of students to sites involved in research and production of isotopes across the country.
- Texas Research for Expanding Nuclear Development (TREND): Attracts students to exciting nuclear science research opportunities involving the resources of the Texas A&M University Cyclotron Institute and Texas A&M University. This program aims to help students construct their identity as scientists and give students the experience, skills and awareness of opportunities to pursue a career in nuclear science.
Michael J. Hardy
Deputy Chief Government Relations Officer and Director of Federal Relations- mjhardy@tamu.edu
- 979-845-0117
Decades of Making Nuclear History
The Texas A&M University Cyclotron Institute celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2018.
Stories of Impact
Texas A&M Researchers Go Nuclear On Cancer
Astatine-211 (At-211), one of a handful of promising alpha-emitting radioisotopes for cancer therapy, is produced in-house within the Texas A&M Cyclotron Institute via the institute’s K150 cyclotron with the support of the U.S. Department of Energy Isotope Program. At-211 has been described as the “perfect” or “goldilocks” isotope because of its potential ability to efficiently deliver radiation to kill cancer cells without leaving harmful secondary decay products in the body.
Read More About Texas A&M Cancer Research
Cyclotron Institute Celebrates 60 Years Of Nuclear Science History
What began in the 1960s in Aggieland with a staff of 14 teachers plus graduate assistants and an annual operating budget of approximately $1 million now accounts for a world-renowned nuclear science program involving more than 100 affiliated members — scientists, engineers, technicians, support staff, and graduate and undergraduate students.
Read More About the Cyclotron Institute
National Nuclear Security Administration Renews Texas A&M-Led Center Of Excellence Grant For $12.5 Million
A Texas A&M University-led consortium that has spent the past five years pursuing basic research in low-energy nuclear science has been awarded another five-year, $12.5 million Stewardship Science Academic Alliances (SSAA) Center of Excellence Program renewal grant from the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA) to continue its efforts in support of stewardship science.
Read More About the Center Of Excellence Grant