15 August 2010
One of the world’s leading science and research facilities, the Australian Synchrotron today announced its upcoming Open Day, saying the event would provide Australians with an unparalleled opportunity to understand the role it plays in science.
The Open Day set to occur on Sunday the 15 August 2010 in Melbourne will celebrate the importance and place of the Australian Synchrotron in national and international scientific research and development, whilst also promoting the vital part science plays in everyday life.
The Australian Synchrotron Open Day coincides with the launch of National Science week.
Acting Facility Director of the Australian Synchrotron, Dr George Borg said the AS Open Day will provide the public with a unique opportunity to see first-hand the workings of the Australian Synchrotron.
“The Australian Synchrotron’s advanced capabilities enable rapid real time analysis of chemical, mineral and biological samples under a range of experimental conditions at an atomic level,” said Dr Borg.
The synchrotron, a machine about the size of the MCG, is used by scientists to create highly intense light beams (ranging from infrared to hard X-rays), which are then used to perform experiments in areas as diverse as microbiology, nanotechnology and micro technology. Past experiments at the Australian Synchrotron and synchrotrons around the world have contributed to major developments from improving fuel efficiency to helping design drugs to stop the flu, to helping premature babies’ breathe.
Dr Borg said the objective of the Synchrotron Open Day was not only to showcase the facility’s capabilities, but to highlight the value of making a career in science.
“In many respects Australia’s ability to compete on the world stage in science, is dependent on our success in attracting new minds to this exciting field,” said Dr Borg.
What is a synchrotron?
A synchrotron light source is a machine that accelerates charged particles electrons to extremely high energies travelling at almost the speed of light. When high energy electrons are forced to travel in a circular orbit, they release extremely intense radiation – synchrotron light.
Synchrotron light has many useful properties and can be filtered and directed down ‘beamlines’ for use in a wide range of non-destructive, high-resolution, rapid, insitu, real-time imaging and analysis techniques. The Australian Synchrotron is an advanced third- generation 3GeV light source with a high quality, low emittance, stable electron beam that generates synchrotron light of high brilliance. The unique properties of synchrotron light mean that experimental results are far superior in accuracy, clarity, specificity and timeliness to those obtained using conventional laboratory equipment. Synchrotron techniques can generate images and provide elemental, structural and chemical information from diverse sample types ranging from biological to industrial materials.
For more information on the Australian Synchrotron and its August 15th Open Day please phone (03) 8540 4100.