In Melbourne’s Clayton suburb, the Australian Synchrotron stands out with its large circular design. Its main purpose is to produce light used for scientific research. A synchrotron is a type of particle accelerator that moves electrons at very high speeds in vacuum chambers.
The process begins with an electron gun that generates electrons, which then enter a linear accelerator to gain energy, reaching near light speed. Next, the electrons go into the booster ring, completing over a million laps in just half a second, gaining energy with each lap. After that, the electrons move to the storage ring, where they bend direction using large magnets, releasing energy as light.
Dr. Emily Finch, who manages the microscopy beamlines, refers to the synchrotron as a “science donut.” The produced light is filtered and directed into beamlines, where researchers can use it for various studies. Dr. Helen Brand, science operations manager, encourages people to ask about research topics, highlighting the broad scope of studies conducted there.
The corridors of the facility are filled with posters showcasing various experiments. For example, one study revealed a hidden Degas painting, and a New Zealand team analyzed elements in spiny rock lobsters.
Currently, there are 14 active beamlines that mostly use x-ray light, each focusing on specific research questions. One beamline focuses on x-ray diffraction to understand molecular structures.
Ben Krinkel, a PhD student from the University of Auckland, is using the macromolecular x-ray crystallography beamline to study a possible cancer drug, testing nearly 100 crystal samples to determine how the drug works. His colleague, Shayhan Chunkath, is researching a tiny protein fragment with possible antibacterial effects and hopes to visualize its structure.
To ensure safety, researchers control the x-ray tests remotely from a distance, as x-rays can be hazardous. New Zealand researchers can access the synchrotron through the cooperation agreement established in 2017, allowing them to apply for research time and travel grants.
In the past year, there have been 113 visits by New Zealand teams to the synchrotron, showcasing a diverse range of research efforts. More details will follow next week. Reporting on this story was supported by the New Zealand Synchrotron Group Ltd.
