UK's Yates Receives NSF, DOE Grants for Work in Nuclear Physics, Nuclear Structure

LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 13, 2016) — Steven Yates, professor in the University of Kentucky Departments of Chemistry and Physics and Astronomy and director of the UK Accelerator Laboratory (UKAL), was recently awarded grants from the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Agency.

The three-year $880,000 NSF grant, which extends continuous NSF funding of work at UKAL to more than 50 years, will be focused on advancing fundamental understanding of the atomic nucleus. 

The nucleus, composed of protons and neutrons, is billions of times smaller than is visible with the human eye. Some nuclei are spherical in shape, while others are deformed in oblate (like a Frisbee) or prolate (like a football) shapes; the shape of the nucleus is unique for each isotope of each element. 

"Because we cannot take an ordinary photograph of the nucleus to investigate its shape and structure, other methods must be employed," Yates said.

With a particle accelerator and a nuclear reaction, neutrons are produced, which can scatter from the nucleus. In the process, the nucleus gains and subsequently releases energy that can be detected. This information is used to “develop a photo” of the nucleus and gain an understanding of how the neutrons and protons in the nucleus contribute to its properties.

Yates' three-year $690,000 grant from the Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Agency, under its Stewardship Science Academic Alliance, is in collaboration with researchers from the University of Dallas and the U.S. Naval Academy. With this grant, the team will measure the probabilities of neutron scattering from materials of interest in the design of advanced nuclear reactors and reactor fuels and to the nanoelectronics industry.

Education at the undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate levels is emphasized in all UKAL activities.

"Graduates of this research program will receive hands-on experience with particle accelerator operation, nuclear science instrumentation, radiation detection and data acquisition systems, and emerge as well-trained nuclear scientists who are capable of important contributions to our national needs," Yates said.

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MEDIA CONTACT: Whitney Harder, 859-323-2396, whitney.harder@uky.edu