News Release Communique
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, July 15th, 2004
Canadian Light Source Gets Approval for Routine Operations
Canada’s synchrotron received a licence to commence routine operations from the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) on Wednesday, clearing the last regulatory hurdle before welcoming researchers to the $173.5 million U of S-owned national facility.
“We can now open the doors to experimenters from across the country and around the world,” says Bill Thomlinson, executive director of the Canadian Light Source (CLS). “As soon as the experimental facilities are ready, the users can come.”
The CLS is currently completing its first set of seven beamlines, the facilities that feed ultra-bright synchrotron light to experimental stations. The first call for proposals for research at the CLS will go out this fall, with the first experiments expected to be underway by early 2005.
“We are seeing the beginning of a new era for Canadian science,” says U of S vice president research Steven Franklin. “Our national synchrotron will be a catalyst for discovery and innovation that will be felt in the world of research as well as in our everyday lives. Congratulations to the CLS team for making it a reality.”
Before issuing the licence, the CNSC studied written submissions and oral presentations from both CLS and CNSC staff, and held a public hearing in Saskatoon in early June.
The commission was satisfied that operation of the synchrotron will conform to the demands of health and safety, environmental protection, security and international obligations. A record of proceedings, including reasons for the decision and transcripts of the hearing are available from the CNSC website at www.nuclearsafety.gc.ca.
Canadians will be invited to take a closer look at the country’s brightest light in October, when the CLS is hosting its grand opening celebrations. A full slate of events is planned for the entire month, including a gala evening, entertainment, public lectures on synchrotron science and light-related themes, and a public open house
The CLS, one of the country’s largest science projects in the last 30 years, will be used by researchers in industry, government and academia. One of the most advanced synchrotrons in the world, its light will be used to view chemical reactions and the molecular structure of materials, paving the way for new drugs, more powerful computer chips, better engine lubricants, more effective medical imaging, environmental monitoring and a host of other applications for science and industry. More information is available at www.lightsource.ca.
For more information, contact:
Bill Thomlinson
Executive Director
Canadian Light Source
(306) 657-3600
www.lightsource.ca
Michael Robin
U of S Research Communications
Tel: (306) 966-2427
michael.robin@usask.ca
www.usask.ca/research
Last modified: 2012-01-19 17:01:56