Description
The Radiation Science and Engineering Laboratory at Georgia Tech was established to provide a wide variety of nuclear and accelerator-driven research and irradiation services tailored to the needs of faculty, staff, and external customers. The RSEL is an integral part of the Nuclear and Radiological and Medical Physics (NRE/MP) Programs at Georgia Tech.
Vision
The Georgia Tech Radiological Science and Engineering Laboratory (RSEL) will be a premier academic research, development, testing, and evaluation facility in nuclear and radiological engineering (NRE), medical physics (MP), and non-proliferation and nuclear safeguards related studies. Work in the RSEL will focus on sponsored research and support for external corporate entities and provide pathways to apply unique radiation services for product qualification, testing, and evaluation.
Mission
The RSEL will support all experimental aspects of research, development, testing, and evaluation of nuclear and medical instruments/materials as required for the betterment of mankind, serving organizations located in Atlanta, north Georgia, and throughout the nation.
Facilities
The RSEL houses the following state-of-the-art facilities:
- Varian Clinical Linear Accelerator (VCLA) Laboratory
- Southern Nuclear Radiation Physics Laboratory
- Neutron Reference Field Laboratory
- Neutron Generator Irradiation Facility
- High Dose Irradiation Capabilities
- General irradiation services and/or facility use for training, education, and research
Services
The RSEL will offer the following services:
- VCLA Laboratory
A new Clinac iX/Rapid Arc was installed by Varian Medical Systems, Inc, in this laboratory; together with its associated educational support system the treatment planning laboratory will be utilized to immediately to enhance and supplement the education of the on-campus and distance learning MP students, and educate and train others. For example, the VCLA Laboratory can be used by therapists (in metro, state, regionally, nationally), dosimetrists, other professionals (including distance learning), and provide facilities for state/regional “Quality Assurance Labs” and other opportunities requiring clinical-quality X-rays up to 18 MV and electron beam irradiations.
- Other Radiation Sources/Services Laboratory support
The high intensity neutron generator and radioisotopes in the RSEL will be utilized for research, development, and testing of detectors new detector development and assessments in gamma radiation fields, etc, for faculty and customers in the metro area, state, southeast region and the nation. Moreover, installation of high dose rate irradiators are planned for use in biotechnology applications, instrument sterilization, and high dose rate dosimetry tests and calibrations.
Strategic Partnerships
The VCLA Laboratory forges a strategic partnership between Georgia Tech, Emory University, the Winship Cancer Center and Varian Medical Systems, Inc.
