China has recently completed upgrades to the Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility (SSRF), a pivotal scientific infrastructure designed to unlock the mysteries of the microscopic realm. The enhancements underwent national inspection and approval in Shanghai, marking a significant milestone in the facility's development.
The SSRF, resembling a nautilus when viewed from above, commenced operations on May 6, 2009, as China's first third-generation synchrotron light source. Its emitted light is exceptionally bright, surpassing ordinary X-rays by a trillion-fold. At experimental stations within the facility, synchrotron light illuminates various samples, allowing scientific instruments to record light-matter interactions. This facilitates profound insights into microscopic phenomena such as virus structures and material properties.
Initiated in November 2016 and finalized in July 2023, the SSRF upgrades encompass 16 advanced beamlines, experimental stations, auxiliary laboratories, user data centres, and support systems. Tai Renzhong, Vice President of the Shanghai Advanced Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, notes the addition of state-of-the-art facilities and an accelerator performance upgrade.
Presently, the upgraded SSRF boasts 34 beamlines and 46 experimental stations, significantly enhancing its research capabilities. Notably, these enhancements have supported diverse applications, from space instrument calibration to drug development and material analysis.
The SSRF's impact extends globally, attracting researchers from various disciplines and facilitating collaborations with institutions worldwide. Furthermore, the facility has contributed to over 11,000 research papers, including publications in esteemed journals like Science and Nature. Additionally, it has provided tailored services to numerous companies across sectors such as biopharmaceuticals and high-performance materials.
The SSRF's influence on technological advancement and industrial innovation is undeniable. With its broad application potential in energy catalysis, material synthesis, and drug discovery, the facility stands poised to drive industrial progress and nurture new productive forces.
