The nation’s largest science and research facility, the Australian Synchrotron, will again open its doors to the public, this time on November 27 to showcase the significant contribution the facility makes to science, innovation and industry.

Head of Science, Professor Andrew Peele, said the Australian Synchrotron Open Day will provide visitors with an exciting opportunity to see science up close.

“Visitors will have the chance to speak to our scientists on all manner of topics from climate change and IVF, to the development of new micro devices and importantly better understand the role science plays in our daily lives,” said Professor Peele.

The Australian Synchrotron, one of the world’s leading science and research facilities, provides researchers with access to cutting edge X- ray and infra-red techniques with a wide range of applications in fundamental science and industrial research.
Synchrotron technology is now considered an essential component in the development of many knowledge-intensive industries, including biotechnology and nanotechnology, as well as more traditional industries such as pharmaceuticals, mining and telecommunications.

Work undertaken at the facility is shedding new light on a range of important subjects including the treatment of cancer, food security, the development of new electronic devices, the sequestering of CO2 emissions, the creation of advanced technologies to power our transport systems and stem cell therapy.

In the past year alone, the Australian Synchrotron has contributed to the publication of over 200 papers in areas ranging from immunology and nanotechnology to forensics and mineral exploration and over 750 papers since opening its doors in 2007. Its work has also been instrumental in the lodging of 15 new patent applications.

Professor Peele said a secondary but no less important objective of the Australian Synchrotron Open Day was in highlighting the value of science as a career.

“In many respects Australia’s ability to compete on the world stage in science and across industry, is dependent on our success in attracting new minds to this important field,” said Professor Peele.

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