Ferrell was selected for his invention of the photon scanning tunneling microscope. The microscope can obtain images of single atoms by scanning a tapered optical fiber probe with a nanometer-size tip within a few hundred nanometers of a sample surface.
He joined ORNL's research staff in 1978 and was named a group leader in 1980. He was selected to the distinguished research staff in 2002.
Ferrell received an R&D 100 Award in 1989 and an Inventors Hall of Fame Award and a Brussels World's Fair Technology Transfer Award in 1992.
Before joining ORNL, Ferrell was a professor of physics at Appalachian State University. He also has taught at Maryville (Tenn.) and Hiram(Ohio) colleges. He has been a professor of Physics at the University of Tennessee since 1980.
Ferrell earned a bachelor's degree in physics from Auburn University and a doctorate in physics from Clemson University.
He and his wife, Brenda, reside in Knoxville. They have two children, Laura and Brian.
ORNL is managed by UT-Battelle for the Department of Energy.