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SYNCHROTRON UPDATE – December 2002
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An electronic newsletter on the progress of the Australian Synchrotron Project

Please forward this email to anyone you think may be interested to receive it. Instructions for subscribing are at the end of the newsletter.

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SUMMARY OF THIS SYNCHROTRON UPDATE

1. Progress on design and construction
2. A workshop for potential synchrotron users, January 2003
3. Six rewarding uses for a synchrotron
4. New faces in the project team and advisory committees
5. Australian Synchrotron out and about
6. How to get more information about the Australian Synchrotron

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1. PROGRESS ON DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION
Seventy scientific, industry and government stakeholders attended the site launch on 2 October 2002 which marked the final series of site tests in preparation for construction next year. (Press release link: /whats_new/media_release_item.asp?id=13)

In early November, a Design Task Group of international physicists and synchrotron design experts, led by Technical Director Alan Jackson, was convened in San Francisco. The group confirmed the physics and configuration of the storage ring lattice and verified the feasibility of constructing the design. The next step in the design process is to develop the performance specifications of the storage ring components in accordance with the preferred procurement method for each item.

Registrations of interest for the design and construction of the synchrotron building and associated facilities will close on 11 December 2002. This pre-selection process will be completed later this month, with successful parties being invited to submit for tender early next year.

2. A WORKSHOP FOR POTENTIAL SYNCHROTRON USERS, JANUARY 2003
Registration is now open for “Australian Synchrotron: A Workshop for Potential Users”, to be held at the University of Melbourne from 29 - 31 January 2003. This workshop is a key part of the process of developing the first group of Australian Synchrotron beamlines to meet the needs of science and industry. It will bring together current synchrotron users, potential users of the Australian Synchrotron, and international and local experts in synchrotron design, operation and experimentation. The cost of registration is $55, $11 for post-graduate students.

Those seeking an overview of synchrotron research and the plans for the Australian Synchrotron will be primarily interested in the first day of the workshop. Days two and three will focus on technical discussions in relation to the development of beamline specifications. Thank you to those people who completed the expression of interest form to help us design the program for this event. The brochure and registration form are now available from: /whats_new/user_workshops.asp

3. SIX REWARDING USES FOR A SYNCHROTRON
The Federal Minister for Science, Peter McGauran, recently announced the following recipients of the Australian Synchrotron Research Program (ASRP) Research Fellowships:
* Barbara Etschmann, CSIRO – nuclear microprobe and synchrotron-based spectroscopy of inorganic materials and solutions, opening new opportunities in fields such as hydrothermal ore processing and mineral exploration
* Christopher Glover, Australian National University – determination of the connection between geometric and electronic structure in semi-conductor nanocrystals
* Joshua McKinnon, University of New England – optimising data collection strategies to refine synchrotron-based charge density analysis techniques
* Karen Siu, Monash University – studying brain tissue to reveal structural differences between malignant and non-malignant brain tumours and develop means of identifying different tumour types
* Chanh Tran, University of Melbourne – using X-ray interferometry to measure atomic form factors and vortex optics, informing the development of high resolution imaging techniques
* Kia Wallwork, ANSTO – investigation of pressure-induced phase transitions using powder X-ray and neutron diffraction techniques, including the study of oxides such as zeolites which are technologically important as ion conductors, catalysts and selective ion absorbers
(Press release link: http://www.ansto.gov.au/info/press/2002/asrp12nov.pdf)

4. NEW FACES IN THE PROJECT TEAM AND ADVISORY COMMITTEES
Alan Jackson joins the team in January 2003 as Technical Director, building on the work of Professor John Boldeman, Foundation Technical Director for the project. (Press release link: /whats_new/media_release_item.asp?id=15) Alan has recently been elected to Fellowship in the American Physical Society for his contribution to the development and construction of 3rd generation synchrotrons. Dr Stephen Milton from the Advanced Photon Source replaces Alan as Chair of the International Machine Advisory Committee for the Australian Synchrotron.

Associate Professor Jim Metson has been appointed to the National Scientific Advisory Committee to represent the New Zealand research community in the planning process. (Press release link: /whats_new/media_release_item.asp?id=14)

Dr Gerry Roe joined the team in September as Industry Adviser. His role is to increase awareness of the applications of synchrotron science and to support interactions with industry.

5. AUSTRALIAN SYNCHROTRON OUT AND ABOUT
The first phase of community consultation in the Monash area was completed in November. The program included a mailbox drop to 7000 residents and business, newspaper ads, community information sessions, and staffed displays at shopping centres and Monash University. There was overwhelming support for the Australian Synchrotron and the ongoing interest in the project is reflected in requests from local community groups and schools for speakers and information.

For science and industry audiences, a recent highlight was the two-day workshop “Australian Synchrotron: New Opportunities for Soil and Environmental Science”, which was held at the University of Melbourne. 120 participants witnessed some thought-provoking presentations from local and international speakers and some exciting new collaborative opportunities were identified.

Other recent public appearances for the Australian Synchrotron include the AusBiotech conference, an alumni convention, Developing Victoria Forum, ClubBio in Queensland, a science teachers conference, Monash Research Cluster for Biomedicine seminar, and the Royal Australian Chemical Institute (Victorian Branch) annual general meeting. Please contact us if you’d like a speaker or display material at your event, or if you’d like it included in our listing of synchrotron-related events, at: /whats_new/

Recent media coverage of the Australian Synchrotron has included a feature in The Physicist, a radio interview on Southern FM, a feature on the Nova: Science in the News website, and articles in Monash area local newspapers, Australian Financial Review, Herald Sun, and Trans-Tasman.

6. HOW TO GET MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE SYNCHROTRON
Electronically: Check out our website at www.synchrotron.vic.gov.au, then send any questions to contact.us@synchrotron.vic.gov.au. Recent updates to the site include a photo library, extensive additions to the glossary, and information about the workshop. The science users info section will shortly be revamped and expanded due to popular demand.

In print: Contact us if you’d like to receive a copy of our new brochure about the Australian Synchrotron.

In person: Contact us if you’re interested in having a speaker present to your organisation, school, or community group. Also watch out for us at scientific, industry and community events listed on our website.

The Australian Synchrotron Project is being administered by the Victorian Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development and delivery is being managed by Major Projects Victoria, Department of Infrastructure.

The current address and contact details are:

Australian Synchrotron Project
Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development
Level 18, 80 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Tel: (03) 9655 3315 (International: +61 3 9655 3315)
Fax: (03) 9655 8666 (International: +61 3 9655 8666)
E-mail: contact.us@synchrotron.vic.gov.au
Website: www.synchrotron.vic.gov.au

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