Affiliated Centers and Institutes



Center for Large-scale Scientific Simulations (CLASS)

Website: http://class.tamu.edu

One objective of the Center for Large-Scale Scientific Simulations (CLASS) is to advance the state of the art in large-scale scientific simulations. This means developing numerical methods and computational strategies that enable more efficient solutions of larger problems on the latest computer platforms. The second objective is to lead the development of educational programs whose participants will be exceptionally well qualified for careers in scientific simulation. CLASS is working toward this objective by bringing together key faculty members from several departments (including Mathematics, Computer Science, and Nuclear Engineering) and key national-lab practitioners to collaboratively design graduate programs that will provide the broad range of skills and knowledge that are needed by tomorrow's experts in scientific simulation.

CLASS Logo.
  • Contact Information:
    Dr. Jim Morel, Director
    337 Zachry Engineering Center,
    MS: 3133 TAMU
    College Station, TX 77843-3133
    Phone:(979)-845-6072

Space Engineering Research Center

Website: http://serc.tamu.edu

The Space Engineering Research Center (SERC) is the fusion of two NASA commercialization research centers at Texas A&M University: The Center for Space Power (CSP) and the Spacecraft Technology Center (STC). Our staff combines the skillset of engineers and researchers of both organizations. Over the years, we have worked on a variety of contracts with NASA, the DoD, Small and Large Space Companies. We also perform work with companies that are not in the Space field in projects that require innovative solutions. As an integrated research center at Texas A&M University, SERC can draw upon world class faculty in a variety of disciplines to assemble project teams to tackle difficult interdisciplinary problems.

Nuclear engineering students floating in zero gravity carry out two-phase flow experiments for NASA's Crew and Thermal Systems.
  • Contact Information:
    Charlie Hill, Director
    MS: 3118 TAMU,
    College Station, TX 77843-3118
    Phone: (979) 845-8768
    Fax: (979) 847-8857

Cyclotron Institute

Website: http://cyclotron.tamu.edu/

The Cyclotron Institute is a major accelerator facility, jointly funded by the State of Texas and the Department of Energy, that carries out a program of basic research and education in both nuclear physics and nuclear chemistry. This program includes experimental and theoretical work in nuclear structure, nuclear astrophysics, fundamental interactions, nuclear dynamics, and atomic physics. Recent upgrades will significantly extend the Institute's research capabilities as a stable beam facility with moderate rare ion beams. In addition, the Institute serves as one of the primary facilities in the country for the testing of space-bound microelectronic devices. Research is conducted on a wide variety of modern experimental equipment using accelerated ions from two cyclotrons - a newly refurbished K150 cyclotron and a superconducting K500 cyclotron.

Photo of the cyclotron.
  • Contact Information:
    Cyclotron Institute
    Texas A&M University
    MS #3366
    College Station TX 77843-3366
    Phone: 979-845-1411
    Fax: 979-845-1899

Institute for National Security Education and Research (INSER)

INSER develops and implements graduate-level education programs targeted at national security professionals. For example, it currently works with Texas A&M's Bush School of Government and Public Service to provide a Graduate Certificate program in National Security Affairs to selected employees from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. INSER also organizes and implements multidisciplinary research and development programs that are relevant to national security. Current programs include those targeted at Nuclear Nonproliferation; Scientific Simulation relevant to national security; and Homeland and International Security.

Photo of Bush School Students.
  • Contact Information:
    Dr. Marvin Adams, Director
    337 Zachry Engineering Center
    MS: 3473 TAMU
    Texas A&M University
    College Station, TX 77843
    Phone: 979-845-7092
    Fax: 979-845-7297

National Center for Electron Beam Food Research

Website: http://www.tamu.edu/ebeam

Researchers in the National Center for Electron Beam Food Research, which has been recently designated as a National Research Center, use high- and low-energy electron beams to reduce the number of bacteria and other pathogens in and on food and other materials. The work is primarily directed at spontaneous, food-borne illness but is also relevant to bioterrorism issues.

The facilities at the National Center for Electron Beam Food Research.
  • Contact Information:
    Suresh Pillai, Ph.D, Director
    National Center for Electron Beam Research
    400 Discovery Dr.
    College Station, TX 77845
    Phone: 979-458-1640

Nuclear Power Institute (NPI)

Website: http://nuclearpowerinstitute.org

The Nuclear Power Institute is a statewide partnership led by the Texas Engineering Experiment Station (TEES) and headquartered at Texas A&M University. The partnership includes universities, community colleges, the nuclear power industry, state agencies and local organizations. The objective of NPI is to develop the necessary workforce for the new nuclear power plants that will be developed in Texas and to sustain a vibrant new, clean industry in the State.

Nuclear Power enters the grid.
  • Contact Information:
    Dr. K.L. Peddicord, , Director
    304 Zachry Engineering Center
    MS: 3475 TAMU
    College Station, TX 77843-3475
    (979) 845-5828

Nuclear Security Science and Policy Institute (NSSPI)

Website: http://nsspi.tamu.edu

The Nuclear Security Science and Policy (NSSPI) Institute is a joint TEES/TAMU center housed in the Nuclear Engineering Department and in collaboration with the George Bush School of Government and Public Service. The mission of NSSPI is to work collaboratively with national laboratories and other partners to develop and apply science and technology to detect, prevent, and reverse the proliferation of nuclear and radiological weapons and guard against nuclear terrorism; educate the next generation of leaders in the field of nuclear security sciences; and to study the policy implications of deploying new technologies. NSSPI provides research, education, and support in the area of nuclear security especially with respect to the interface between policy and technology.

Detector from NSSPI labs.
  • Contact Information:
    Dr. William Charlton, Director
    336 Zachry Engineering Center
    MS: 3473 TAMU
    Texas A&M University
    College Station, TX 77843
    Phone: 979-845-7092
    Fax: 979-845-7297

Nuclear Science Center

Website: http://nsc.tamu.edu/.

This facility has a one-megawatt TRIGA swimming pool reactor that can be pulsed and a variety of other features including experimental laboratories, a large irradiation cell, beam ports, a thermal column and a pneumatic "rabbit" system. One of the best-equipped facilities of its type in the country, the facility is used in our laboratory courses as well as our research program.

Nuclear Science Center Photo.
  • Contact Information:
    Dr. Dan Reece, Director Nuclear Science Center
    Texas A&M University
    MS: 3575 TAMU
    College Station, TX 77845-3575
    Phone: 979-845-7551
    Email