News Release Communique
Canadian Light Source Experts to Collaborate with Spanish Synchrotron Team
Experts from Canada and Spain will combine their knowledge and resources to help advance science and technology at the Canadian Light Source (CLS) synchrotron and Spain's Sincrotrón del Vallès.
Representatives of the CLS, the University of Saskatchewan and the Spanish synchrotron project recently signed a five-year memorandum of understanding to trade technical specifications, as well as scientific and engineering staff and know-how.
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Emil Hallin (CLS experimental facilities manager) shaking hands with Dr. Joan Bordas (director of the spanish light source). Gonzalo Leon is just behind them, and Ramon Pascual (chair of the executive commission for the spanish light source) is in the background. |
"Our teams complement each other's strengths very well," said CLS executive director Bill Thomlinson. "Spain's scientists offer valuable expertise in building and operating beamlines, while our own team offers experience with actually building and commissioning a synchrotron facility."
Spain, which is about to break ground for its synchrotron project this year, has developed expertise with synchrotron science and engineering through its ownership of two beamlines at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) in Grenoble, France.
The CLS, expected to start operations in spring 2004, is particularly interested in the Spanish advanced detection devices, used to capture experimental data, as well as their knowledge of insertion devices used to manipulate and focus the intense synchrotron light beam.
"We have a huge effort ahead of us this year to commission our beamlines and get them to the point where we can carry out scientific experiments," said Emil Hallin, CLS experimental facilities manager, who signed on behalf of the CLS at a ceremony on the Spanish island of Menorca. "We have a lot of highly skilled and talented people, but we need to augment this."
These extra hands will be provided by Spanish scientists who will provide their expert talents to the CLS while gaining experience in commissioning a synchrotron.
The MOU also outlines other potential areas for collaboration, including research efforts with scientific programs at both facilities; development of technical and scientific research and development programs; collaborations with local industry to provide synchrotron services or construction expertise; and educational opportunities including exchange of scientific expertise and trainees and applications for mutual access to the beamlines at both synchrotrons.
The Spanish synchrotron will be built at the University of Barcelona in the Vallès high technology development area. Coincidentally, the vendor that built the electromagnets for the CLS chose the University of Barcelona to test these critical components.
The Spanish facility is scheduled to come online in 2008. It joins other new synchrotron projects under way in Europe, including Synchrotron Soleil in France and Diamond Light Source in the United Kingdom.
The U of S-owned CLS is one of the largest science projects in the country and one of the most advanced synchrotrons in the world. The $173.4-million project is nearing the final stages of construction.
Synchrotron light -- millions of times brighter than sunlight -- is used to view chemical reactions and the micro-structure of materials, paving the way for new drugs, more powerful computer chips, better engine lubricants, more effective medical imaging and a host of other applications for science and industry.
CLS funding partners include the Canada Foundation for Innovation, the Canadian government (including Western Economic Diversification, Natural Resources Canada, the National Research Council, NSERC, and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research), Saskatchewan Industry and Resources, Ontario Innovation Trust, Alberta Innovation and Science, Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research, U of S, the City of Saskatoon, SaskPower, Boehringer Ingelheim, University of Western Ontario, and the University of Alberta. GlaxoSmithKline has also provided funding for a U of S chair in an area of synchrotron science.
For more Canadian Light Source information, pictures and graphics, visit: www.lightsource.ca
For more information or to arrange an interview, contact:
Emil Hallin
Canadian Light Source
(306) 657-3539
emil.hallin@lightsource.ca
www.usask.ca/research
Kathryn Warden
Research Communications Officer
Office of the Vice-President Research
(306) 966-2506
kathryn.warden@usask.ca
www.usask.ca/research
Last modified: 2012-01-19 17:01:54