News Release Communique
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 22, 2004
Grand Opening of Canadian Light Source Ushers in New Era for Research
After five and a half years of construction and $174-million invested, Canadian science is set to go global with today's grand opening of the Canadian Light Source (CLS) synchrotron at the University of Saskatchewan.
"As one of the top `third-generation' synchrotrons in existence and a model for newer facilities, Canada joins 15 other countries who are using synchrotron science to investigate matter in a whole new light," said federal Finance Minister Ralph Goodale.
"We are confident the research conducted at the Canadian Light Source will have world-wide implications and Canadians will be the first to benefit from new discoveries in areas of human health, environmental technologies, and materials science. This project is a shining example of the Government of Canada's continuing investments in research and new technology to ensure Canadians can fully participate in the 21st century economy."
The U of S-owned national facility is one of Canada's largest science projects in a generation. The made-in-Saskatchewan design is one of the most efficient, compact and most advanced in the world.
"In its pursuit of excellence, the University of Saskatchewan has secured a Canadian flagship science facility and increased Saskatchewan's already high standing in the global research community," said Premier Lorne Calvert. "We aren't just opening a world-class synchrotron. We are launching opportunities in Saskatchewan that will lead to profound advances in science and technology for the benefit of all people."
"The CLS is an impressive example of the type of partnerships that are essential to ensure Canada's capacity to effectively compete internationally in important areas of research," said Dr. Eliot Phillipson, President and CEO of the Canada Foundation for Innovation.
The world's newest synchrotron is the product of an unprecedented level of co-operation among federal, provincial and municipal governments, universities across the country and industry.
"A national facility of this calibre is tremendous for our university and our research collaborators at 26 universities across Canada," says U of S President Peter MacKinnon. "We have a very large research capacity at U of S and that capacity has just taken a quantum leap forward. The opening of the CLS marks a new era of more intensive engagement for both our faculty and students."
The first call for proposals to do research at the CLS went out in September, with the first experiments expected to take place early in 2005. Six of the seven Phase I beamlines will be complete by the end of 2004, with the seventh coming on stream in the first quarter of 2005. A $44.5 million Phase II expansion will add five more beamlines, with the first scheduled for commissioning in 2007. There is room for more than 30 beamlines at the synchrotron.
"Today, we are celebrating the start of the research phase in the life of the CLS," says CLS Executive Director Bill Thomlinson. "I would like to congratulate our team here at the CLS. Due to their efforts, we are entering the global synchrotron community with a state-of-the-art research facility. I also want to applaud the vision of our partners in government, academia and industry. Your investments and support will pay dividends to Canadians for many years to come."
Saskatoon Mayor Donald Atchison said that the strong relationship fostered between the City of Saskatoon and the University of Saskatchewan is critical for mutual success.
"We view the City of Saskatoon's unprecedented $2.4 million involvement in science as an investment in our future -- the future of research and development, the future of economic development, and the future of job creation in our community," Atchison said.
Like the 40 or so other synchrotrons around the world, the CLS accelerates a stream of electrons. This hair-thin beam travels at nearly the speed of light around a ring-shaped vacuum chamber about as thick as a man's wrist. Powerful electromagnets built around this stainless steel pipe keep the electrons moving around the ring.
The electrons give off a brilliant flash of laser-like light every time they are forced to change direction. This synchrotron light is produced in all frequencies from infrared through visible light to X-rays. This light is guided through beamlines to end stations where scientists perform a wide range of experiments.
CLS funding partners include the Canada Foundation for Innovation, the Canadian government (including Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD), Natural Resources Canada, and the National Research Council), Saskatchewan Industry and Resources, Ontario Innovation Trust through the Ontario Synchrotron Consortium, the Government of Alberta through the Alberta Science and Research Authority, Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research, U of S, the City of Saskatoon, SaskPower, Boehringer Ingelheim, University of Western Ontario and University of Alberta. GlaxoSmithKline has also provided funding towards a U of S chair in an area of synchrotron science.
The total operating budget is $90 million over five years. This includes funding from Science and Engineering Research Canada (also known as NSERC), WD, the National Research Council, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, and the U of S. To support the development of an anticipated $5 million from commercial fee-for-service charges, WD and Saskatchewan Industry and Resources are also providing bridge funding.
For more information on Canada's synchrotron, including print-quality photographs, visit: www.lightsource.ca
For more information, visit www.lightsource.ca or contact:
Matthew Dalzell
Communications Coordinator
Canadian Light Source Inc
(306) 657-3739
matthew.dalzell@lightsource.ca
Last modified: 2012-01-19 17:01:54