Breakthroughs with Purpose

At UT, research doesn’t stay in the lab. It drives better health care, safer communities, smarter farms, stronger schools and more resilient infrastructure. From local breakthroughs to global impact, our discoveries solve real problems — and change lives.

Post-Doctoral Researcher Amine Benkechkache and student Lance Drouet conduct research in a class 100 clean room at the Mirco-Processing Research Facility housed within UT’s new Institute for Advanced Materials and Manufacturing located at Cherokee Farm on April 05, 2022. Photo by Steven Bridges/University of Tennessee

Current Initiatives, Lasting Impact

Throughout the UT System, researchers are leading major initiatives that tackle urgent challenges and create lasting change. These projects aren’t just shaping the future of science and policy, they’re delivering results that improve lives in Tennessee and around the world.

  • Energy and Innovation

    UT Knoxville researchers are driving the future of energy innovation, developing nuclear fusion materials that could one day power the world without carbon emissions. It’s research that supports national security, global sustainability and a healthier planet for generations to come.

  • Health and Healing

    UT researchers are improving lives through cancer-fighting therapies, expanding rural mental health and nursing access and advancing addiction recovery across Tennessee.

  • Agriculture and Food Systems

    Scientists are helping farmers increase yields, advancing poultry innovation and planting orchards to preserve native species and support rural economies.

  • Community Safety and Well-Being

    Criminal justice researchers at UT Chattanooga are reducing gun violence through data-driven strategies, while public service experts statewide support communities tackling the opioid crisis.

  • Education and Opportunity

    Scholars throughout the UT System are boosting literacy, advancing special education and equipping educators with research-driven strategies that help students thrive.

  • Economic Insight and Impact

    Economists and social scientists are using research to guide policy, combat drug abuse and help Ford’s Blue Oval City align development with community needs.

Innovation by the Numbers (FY2024)

  • 170
    invention disclosures

    New ideas formally reported by UT System researchers.

  • 36
    licenses

    Technologies licensed for real-world use.

  • 123
    U.S. patents filed

    New discoveries submitted for protection, with 20% granted as issued patents.

     

  • Explore how the UT Research Foundation supports innovation.

    Learn More

UT Research Foundation

The UT Research Foundation helps faculty and research teams move ideas from the lab to the marketplace, protecting intellectual property, supporting startups and licensing technologies that solve real-world problems. The foundation connects innovators with resources that amplify their impact across Tennessee and beyond.

UT researchers and their partners are doing cutting-edge research that strengthens the Tennessee economy and addresses the needs of Tennessee communities.

Deborah Crawford, UT Knoxville Vice Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Economic Development 
Deborah Crawford

Stories Behind the Breakthroughs

From improving cardiac care and reducing fire deaths to studying AI in agriculture and safeguarding Tennessee’s waterways, these stories show how UT research makes a real difference. 

Let’s Partner

At UT, every breakthrough is driven by purpose — and strengthened through partnership. Whether you’re a faculty member ready to collaborate or an external partner looking to make an impact, we invite you to connect.