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Quest
Living Light in UT's Zero-Energy House
Living Light, UT’s solar-powered home, is a marriage of past and present that serves as a model for the future.
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Quest
Learning Experience
KLASS Center research focuses on personalized solutions for learning disorders.
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Quest
Easy as Riding an E-Bike
Chris Cherry develops a healthy, green, and economical transportation solution—balanced on two wheels.
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Quest
Dissecting the Crusades
MacArthur Fellow and UT Professor Jay Rubenstein discusses the Crusades and modern conflict.
Research
We conduct research that matters.
As a premier, research-extensive institution, our students—undergraduate and graduate—delve further into subjects they may have only dreamed about.
UT’s partnership with Oak Ridge National Laboratory allows our students to work beside some of the world's renowned scientists in areas like electrical engineering, microbiology, polymer science, and ecology. Teams in architecture and engineering are working on innovations in zero-energy housing and other areas of ecologically sustainable design.
But our collaborations are in no way limited to science.
At the Marco Institute, faculty and students draw upon the center’s rich library resources to advance scholarship in medieval and Renaissance history, art, literature, and music. American history specialists curate the papers of presidents Andrew Jackson and James Polk. Center for Social Justice scholars are tackling the tough questions about health care disparities and immigration.
From improving mental health and education to economics and taxation efficiencies, our work impacts people, places, and industries throughout the world.
Research News
World Science: American head shapes have been changing, but why?
In a trend that can be identified going back to the mid-1800s, U.S. skulls have gotten bigger, taller and narrower as seen from the front, said Richard and Lee Jantz, forensic anthropologists at UT.
UT Professor Launches ‘Relationship Rx’ Project for Romantic Couples
We receive check-ups for our teeth, eyes, and even our cars—but not for something that is the foundation of most our lives: our romantic relationships. A study by Kristina Gordon, associate professor of psychology at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, seeks to determine if periodic check-ups can keep relationships strong and healthy for a lifetime by increasing intimacy, improving communication, and promoting greater acceptance of each partner, among other outcomes.
UT Professor Receives Funding for Nanoparticle Research
Mingjun Zhang, associate professor of mechanical, aerospace and biomedical engineering, has received more than $168,000 from the US Department of Defense to buy equipment to advance his nanoparticle research. Zhang is known for looking to nature for inspiration in addressing technical challenges.
News Sentinel: Reports highlight ‘diversity’ of homelessness
David Patterson, social work professor and director of the Knox Homeless Management Information System, partnered with the Knoxville-Knox County Homeless Coalition on a study about the ongoing challenges of homelessness in the area. The study, which was released this week, also highlights successes, including housing placement. The News Sentinel featured the work in this story.
Professor’s Work on NASA Dawn Spacecraft Reveals Secrets of Large Asteroid
Harry “Hap” McSween, Chancellor’s Professor and Distinguished Professor of Earth and Planetary Sciences, presented findings of a mission investigating the asteroid Vesta at a press conference held at NASA headquarters on Thursday. McSween is a co-investigator for the Dawn spacecraft mission, which has been circling Vesta since last July and is slated to stay until late August.
UT Receives $1.7 Million to Train Nuclear Leaders and Conduct Research
UT Knoxville is receiving more than $1.7 million from the US Department of Energy for scholarships, a fellowship, and research grants to train and educate the next generation of leaders in America’s nuclear industry. The awards are part of the Department of Energy’s Nuclear Energy University Program and Integrated University Program that will support research and development and student investment at forty-six colleges and universities.
QUEST Scholar of the Week
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Recognizing Catherine Higgs for the publication of her book Chocolate Islands: Cocoa, Slavery, and Colonial Africa.
Research Spotlight — Science Alliance
The UT-ORNL Science Alliance promotes new research ideas covering a broad range of scientific and engineering fields by building cross-disciplinary teams from UT and Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
Research Spotlight — Bredesen Center
The Bredesen Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Graduate Education brings together extensive and complementary resources at UT and Oak Ridge National Laboratory to increase science, technology, engineering, and mathematics research of national significance.