SPR

SPR is an acronym that can refer to several different terms depending on the field. The three most commonly encountered meanings are Surface plasmon resonance, Strategic Petroleum Reserve, and the Society for Psychical Research.

Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) is a label-free optical technique for monitoring biomolecular interactions in real time. It detects changes in the refractive index near a metal surface, usually a gold film, as molecules bind to the surface. The resulting sensorgram provides information about binding kinetics and affinities without the need for molecular labeling. Common configurations include evanescent-wave sensors based on Kretschmann geometry. SPR is widely used in biochemistry, pharmacology, and drug discovery to study interactions and screen potential therapies.

The Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) is a U.S. government stockpile of crude oil intended to provide emergency energy supplies during disruptions to oil markets. It was established in 1975 after oil crises and stores crude in underground salt caverns along the Gulf Coast, primarily in Louisiana and Texas, with a capacity of about 700 million barrels. Operations are managed by the Department of Energy. Releases require presidential authorization or statutory triggers and are used to help stabilize markets during emergencies and supply interruptions.

The Society for Psychical Research (SPR) is a United Kingdom organization founded in 1882 to study paranormal phenomena using cautious, evidence-based methods. It investigates topics such as ghosts, telepathy, and psychokinesis, publishing the Journal of the Society for Psychical Research and reports on investigations. While the society does not endorse all claims, it aims to apply rigorous inquiry and critical evaluation to phenomena that lie outside mainstream science.

In other contexts, SPR can refer to additional, less common terms; context determines the intended meaning.