The team that developed the Maia x-ray microprobe detector and imaging system used on the x-ray fluorescence microscopy (XFM) beamline at the AS has been honoured with a 2012 Research Achievement Medal from CSIRO. The award was announced in October 2012.

The Maia system is used for trace element imaging across numerous fields, particularly the geological, medical, environmental and biological sciences.

AS head of science Andrew Peele said the Maia detector was a fine example of collaboration between institutions such as CSIRO and AS researchers. He said the collaboration had “resulted in a system that enables researchers to obtain wonderful high definition images that are scientifically important – and help demonstrate the impact of research in a very accessible way”.

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Led by CSIRO’s Chris Ryan and Robin Kirkham, both of whom are frequent visitors to the Australian Synchrotron, and Pete Siddons at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) in New York, the Maia development team includes David Paterson, Martin de Jonge, Daryl Howard and Simon James from the XFM beamline.

The CSIRO Medal for Research Achievement recognises exceptional research by CSIRO scientists or teams. It is awarded to research that has made significant scientific or technological advances of national, international or commercial importance, and has contributed positively to Australian industry and society.

Photo above: Maia team members suited up for the CSIRO award ceremony (L-R): Gareth Moorhead (CSIRO, MCN), Paul Dunn (CSIRO), Simon James (AS), Chris Ryan (CSIRO), Roshan Dodanwela (CSIRO), Robin Kirkham (CSIRO), Martin de Jonge (AS) and Peter Davey (CSIRO). Photo: Mike McWilliams, CSIRO