Mar. 22, 2007: A radiochemistry meeting was held at SCSU. All the key players in the SCSU radiochemistry program attended the meeting. As everything falls into position, our program is gaining momentum. Consequently, more communication and rearrangement is necessary. This meeting discussed the syllabus of the summer course at Clemson (EE&S 491) and the personnel arrangement for teaching the course EE&S 491. In addition, Dr. Lewis explained the successful methods of recruiting top students from high schools and from SCSU freshmen students. Dr. Chang discussed with Dr. Fjeld and Dr. DeVol about the possibilities of developing research projects for senior students at SCSU. Further information about this meeting can be obtained from the meeting minute.
Jan. 12, 2007: Dr. Lewis and Dr. Chang traveled to Clemson University and had a meeting with Dr. Fjeld at the Clemson Environmental Engineering and Sciences Department. The meeting was focused on developing the radiochemistry curriculum for the students at SCSU. Basic structure of the curriculum was established. SCSU will provide the students with fundamental lecture courses and preliminary lab courses, such as “Fundamental Nuclear Sciences”, “Introductory Radiochemistry” and “Radioisotope Lab”. During Sophomore and Junior summer time, the students will learn advanced lab courses and research courses in Clemson University.
The possibility of developing radiochemistry research projects at SCSU were discussed at the meeting as well.
Nov. 11, 2006: Mr. Doug Hirsh spent a whole day in the Radiation Lab and gave a training on the calibration of Perkin-Elmer Tri-Carb© 2900 Liquid Scintillation Analyzer. The instrument was in a good shape in running routing calibration and detection procedures. Dr. Z. Chang took the training.
Nov. 6 - Nov. 9, 2006: Dr. Z. Chang and Mr. Warren took the training of Genie 2000 software provide by Canberra at Aiken, SC. The training is about using Genie 2000 for obtaining gamma spectra and conducting energy and efficiency calibrations with simulation detectors. Other techniques including creating consequences and conducting quality control analysis were also fully discussed.
Winter, 2005: SCSU radiochemistry program was reported on ‘”Y-12 report” of DOE. The article is titled ‘Y-12 mentors future scientists’. It reported “Through the Mentor‑Protégé Program, Y-12 is helping South Carolina State University strengthen its science curricula. Currently, Ken Lewis of Engineering is on assignment to the school to set up a radiochemistry program. Lewis said that radiochemistry graduates are in “incredibly high demand” — not only at places like Y-12 but also in civilian industries like medical research, diagnosis and treatment; radiation protection; and nuclear power generation. Through the program with SCSU, Y-12 hopes to encourage bright students and make them fully aware of opportunities in the defense field.
During Lewis' first year of the assignment, he has garnered $1.3 million in NNSA funding that will be used for radiological equipment, student scholarships and faculty support. Lewis has also obtained $103,000 in state and federal grants to buy equipment.
The collaboration with SCSU began in September 2004 with the signing of an agreement between former President and General Manager Dennis Ruddy and SCSU President Andrew Hugine. Shortly afterward, Y-12 loaned nuclear detection instrumentation to the school for teaching purposes. This loan jump‑started what is now the Applied Radiation Sciences Laboratory, which will be used by nuclear engineering, radiochemistry and medical physics students.
In addition to Y-12, SCSU is collaborating with the Savannah River National Laboratory and Clemson University. Students will do hands‑on radiochemistry experiments at SRNL, and Clemson will offer additional courses. A pilot program that partners large and small schools to increase the number of minorities entering nuclear‑related fields is expected to expand, with SCSU as the model. (For more detail, go to Y-12 Report of DOE)
Dec. 10, 2004: Y-12 Loans Equipment to South Carolina State's Nuclear Engineering Program. The Nuclear Engineering program at South Carolina State University (SCSU) recently received an early holiday gift. Y-12 loaned a number of radiation detection devices to the latest addition to the mentor-protégé program of DOE.
The devices include a portable alpha-beta sample counter and associated electronics; two portable radiation survey "pancake" detectors; an ionization chamber dose rate instrument; and one of the large stand-in personnel contamination monitors, such as those used in certain areas of Y-12.
"The benefits of this relationship are great for us and for South Carolina State," said John Gertsen, manager of Y-12 Engineering and champion for SCSU. "What they learn from using this equipment in their research can be implemented here at Y-12. On the other side of that coin is the immense amount of data and expertise that the school can tap into here, which will help them create a top-notch program." (For more detail, go to Y-12 News of DOE)