Old Engineering Hall - Van de Graaff Building

Van De Graaff Building

The Van de Graaff Building, also known as the Nuclear Physics Laboratory, is an annex built in 1964 behind and connected to Old Engineering Hall in order to house the world's first 3-stage Van de Graaff accelerator obtained by the University's Nuclear Physics Laboratory. The accelerator, which had numerous advantages over existing cyclotrons of the time, was financed with a $1.65 million grant from the National Science Foundation and a $1 million gift for the building construction obtained from the Sarah Mellon-Scaife foundation. The building construction and accelerator installation and operation were directed by Jim McGruer. The first beams from the accelerator were obtained in 1965. In November 2008, Pitt approved $6.1 million for upgrading labs and infrastructure in nanoscience research in the Van de Graaff Building. Work on the second floor and roof were completed in 2009. Work on the mid-campus backup generator, housed in 'the shoe' of the building (so called because it is a two story right angle projection from the freestanding end of the building) was completed in early 2010. Further renovations are planned utilizing funding obtained from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. A large, vibration isolated cleanroom is in progress on the first floor, while the entire third floor and most of the second are being completely redone internally. The physics department machine shop and one laboratory on the second floor are continuing operations during construction.

External signage refers to the building as "Nuclear Physics Laboratory", and rooms are labeled with and referred to by the "NPL" prefix by many university personnel and departments. Pitt's official campus maps, and several internal departments, still list the building as the 'Van de Graaff Building', which is often a source of confusion, both for visitors and internally.