America’s Premier Dedicated Proton
Testing Facility
ProNova Solutions is the trusted provider of dedicated proton radiation beam time at the Covenant Health Proton Center in Knoxville, TN — purpose-built for the space, aviation, and defense industries to qualify mission-critical hardware against the real radiation environment.
SC360 At a Glance
Hosted at the Covenant Health Proton Center — East Tennessee’s top-performing healthcare network and one of Forbes’ Best Large Employers
The sun ejects over a million tons of charged particles every second.
Galactic cosmic rays, solar particle events, and trapped radiation in the Van Allen belts relentlessly degrade flight hardware. We validate your designs against the real environment — with the highest-flux dedicated proton testing beamline in the country.
WHY PRONOVA
Purpose-Built for Your Mission
ProNova Solutions, LLC — established in 2011 — delivers innovative proton beam solutions from the Covenant Health Proton Center in Knoxville, TN. Our dedicated radiation testing facility provides unmatched capability, support, and security.
Dedicated Beamline — No Interruptions
Our physics team begins calibrating your beam one month before arrival. On-site, a dedicated accelerator operator and supervising physicist ensure your test runs smoothly from setup through teardown. We align with your goals, not just your schedule.
Unmatched Tester Support — Our Primary Strength
A 230 MeV isochronous cyclotron delivering a continuous-wave (CW) beam on a line used exclusively for radiation effects testing at the Covenant Health Proton Center. Your research is never paused for clinical treatments. 100% dedicated means 100% predictable scheduling.
Broadest Beam Parameters Available
Field sizes from 15 mm square to 40 cm diameter circle. Flux spanning five orders of magnitude — from <10>
Clinical-Grade QA & Dosimetry
Beam calibrations verified to your specifications before arrival. Post-test log files with second-by-second fluence and flux data from calibrated ion chambers. NIST-traceable dosimetry.
Cybersecurity & Compliance
MAAP certified through Space Systems Command (Modernized Approval and Authorization Process). DFARS 252.204-7012/7019/7020 and NIST SP 800-171 r2 compliance on track for October 2026 — protecting your controlled unclassified information (CUI) to DoD standards.
Flexible Scheduling, Higher Throughput
Weekdays 8 AM – 8 PM EST, weekends by request. Up to 12 hours/day with 100% uninterrupted beam. Energy changes in 5–10 minutes. Volume pricing at 50+ hours. More data per dollar.
Research partners in radiation effects testing choose ProNova as a testing partner for multiple reasons. The ProNova SC360 offers unique beam delivery features that meet diverse testing requirements, and the testing site is conveniently located within an operating proton center with a dedicated beamline for testing only. Our technical and operational support begins before customers arrive — ensuring accurate and timely testing execution — and extends on-site throughout the testing schedule. ProNova provides the space, aviation, and defense industries a testing environment that reveals outcomes impacting the reliability and success of mission-critical components used in national defense and commercial applications.
WHAT OUR CUSTOMERS SAY
Trusted by the Researchers Who Test the Hardest Targets
Real feedback from research partners doing proton SEE testing at ProNova.
We test and study radiation effects on semiconductors for both the commercial and government sectors. ProNova in Knoxville has become our go-to facility to test for proton SEE testing and research. Their dedicated experimenter cyclotron and radiation safety standards make this facility far more efficient, reliable, and safe than any other proton facility we’ve visited.
What sets ProNova apart is their responsiveness and flexibility. They're always willing to work with us, switch energies fast, and help with shielding whenever it's needed. Their operators are genuinely nice, sit right in the room with you, and questions are answered promptly. They make radiation testing easier.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
We were very pleased with the testing a few weeks back. The crew took great care of us, and we got the results that we needed. I can’t thank you enough for your flexibility in working with us.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Thank you for having us! Everything went smoothly, and I appreciate all of ProNova’s assistance with our test! We look forward to returning in the future for testing.
TESTING EXPERIENCE
We Support You Before, During, and After Testing
Other facilities hand you a beam. We hand you a partnership. Our technical and operational support is what brings users back year after year.
Before Arrival — Calibration
Our physics team reviews your User Beam Request Form and calibrates the beam to your exact specifications. All accelerator and beamline equipment is pre-tested so testing begins on time, on day one, with confidence.
On Arrival — Seamless Setup
Direct vault access with just a few meters to your data acquisition area. Short cable runs (50 ft is usually more than enough). Equipment ships directly to the Covenant Health campus.
During Testing — You’re in Control
Start or pause the beam from a Surface Tablet at your workstation. Set fluence setpoints for automatic beam stops. Monitor flux and fluence in real time. Accelerator operator on-site at all times; supervising physicist on-call.
After Testing — Complete Data Delivery
Detailed run logs from calibrated ion chambers — fluence and flux every second of every test run. Complete data packages delivered to your team. 5% Borated HDPE shielding and Panavise-type fixturing provided throughout.
🕒 Energy Changes in 5–10 Minutes
Minimize downtime between test configurations. Rapid energy switching without extended recalibration.
Dedicated Beamline — No Interruptions
Our physics team begins calibrating your beam one month before arrival. On-site, a dedicated accelerator operator and supervising physicist ensure your test runs smoothly from setup through teardown. We align with your goals, not just your schedule.
⚡ Isochronous Continuous-Wave Beam
The SC360’s Sumitomo P235 isochronous cyclotron delivers a true continuous-wave (CW) beam — the preferred beam structure for SEE testing per NASA/NEPP. No pulsed microstructure means clean, uniform dose delivery.
📝 MIL-STD-883 Test Procedure Support
The SC360’s Sumitomo P235 isochronous cyclotron delivers a true continuous-wave (CW) beam — the preferred beam structure for SEE testing per NASA/NEPP. No pulsed microstructure means clean, uniform dose delivery.
STANDARDS COMPLIANCE
NASA/NEPP Proton SEE Requirements
ProNova meets or exceeds every baseline requirement defined by the NASA Electronic Parts and Packaging Program (NEPP) for proton Single Event Effects testing.
| Parameter | NASA/NEPP Baseline | ProNova SC360 | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy Range | 125 – 200 MeV | 25 – 230 MeV | ✓ Exceeds |
| Proton Flux | 107 – 109 p/cm²/s | up to 109 p/cm²/s | ✓ Meets |
| Beam Area | ≥ 15 cm × 15 cm | up to 40 cm diameter | ✓ Exceeds |
| Uniformity | ≥ 80% | Tunable optics | ✓ Meets |
| Beam Structure | Cyclotron preferred | Isochronous cyclotron (CW beam) | ✓ Ideal |
| Access & Availability | Weekday preferred | Mon–Fri 8am–8pm + weekends · Dedicated cyclotron | ✓ Exceeds |
| Capacity | ~4,000 hrs/yr needed | 2,000 hrs/yr (50% of U.S. demand) | ✓ Critical |
SC360 BEAM PERFORMANCE
Beam Specifications
Diverse metrics to satisfy SEE, TID, and displacement damage testing objectives.
Testing standards supported by our facility: Our beam parameters are suitable for customers conducting MIL-STD-883 Test Method qualification, NASA/NEPP proton SEE testing, and JESD57-aligned characterization. While these compliance obligations belong to the testing team, our physics staff can advise on the relevant procedural sections and help configure test conditions to meet your method requirements.
TESTING FACILITY
The Covenant Health Proton Center
Our testing facility is located within the Covenant Health Proton Center — a state-of-the-art proton therapy and research campus in Knoxville, TN, owned and operated by Covenant Health, East Tennessee’s top-performing healthcare network.
Direct Vault Access
Open path from irradiation vault to data acquisition area. Just a few meters separation on the Covenant Health campus.
Short Cable Runs
Max ~60 ft, usually much shorter. 50-ft cable reaches work area to target. 3/4 in. door clearance.
Spacious Work Area
Dedicated control room, multiple monitors, ample space for DAQ equipment and test setups.
GETTING HERE
Easy to Reach, Easy to Work
Knoxville is one of the most accessible testing locations in the Southeast — with nonstop flights from 40+ cities and a short drive
from the airport to the facility.
McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS)
40+ nonstop destinations including Atlanta, Dallas, Chicago, Denver, DC, New York, Houston, Charlotte, Miami, and Orlando. Just 20 minutes to the Covenant Health Proton Center.
Interstate Access
At the junction of I-40 and I-75 — direct highway access from the entire eastern US. The facility is minutes from both interstates.
Hotels & Amenities
Dozens of hotels within 10 minutes of the facility. Downtown Knoxville offers restaurants, breweries, and the Great Smoky Mountains are 30 minutes away.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Facility rental fees for testing are charged by the hour and require a minimum of 8 hours daily. When requesting and confirming facility rental hours for testing, the setup and teardown hours need to be calculated and added to the facility rental hours. Price adjustments are available for 50 hours or more.
6450 Provision Cares Way
Knoxville, TN 37909
Covenant Health Proton Center
C/O ProNova Solutions Rad Effects
ATTN: Jewell Overton or Casey Corbridge
6450 Provision Cares Way
Knoxville, TN 37909
Cancellation notice of a confirmed reservation must be given at least 21 days prior to the start of the facility rental period. Details are based on payment terms and can be discussed with the Director of Support Services & Radiation Effects.
Distance from data acquisition to the vault is just a few meters. Maximum cable run is about 60 feet and usually much shorter.
Distance from data acquisition to the vault is just a few meters. Maximum cable run is about 60 feet and usually much shorter.
Maximum and minimum flux is determined through various means such as cyclotron intensity limits, beam transmission, and radiation safety. Learn more about our beam flux guidelines here.
Secure Your Beam Time
Ready to schedule? Have technical questions? Just click below — our team will respond within one business day.