Jeonnam Province and Sweden's MAX IV Laboratory Agree to Collaborate on Synchrotron Radiation Research

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] Jeonnam Province has decided to cooperate with Sweden's MAX-IV Laboratory, which operates the world's first 4th generation circular synchrotron radiation accelerator, to discover next-generation synchrotron accelerator linkage projects and conduct basic science research.

According to Jeonnam Province on the 14th, Governor Kim Young-rok, who is on a European tour, visited the MAX-IV Laboratory (Director Ian McNulty) located in Lund, Sweden, and signed an MOU the day before.

The MAX-IV Laboratory, jointly operated by Lund University, Sweden's top university, and the Swedish National Research Council, established the synchrotron accelerator in 2016. Currently, 250 people work solely on accelerator operation, and the number of users reaches 2,000 annually.

Moreover, within one year of establishing the 4th generation circular synchrotron radiation accelerator, it has achieved many results in various fields, including identifying the main cause of Alzheimer's disease. Among the 16 beamlines currently in operation, the Energy Materials (HIPPIE) and Nano (NANO) fields are the most utilized.

The province expects this to greatly contribute to Jeonnam's plan to create a world-class industry-academia-research cluster by linking the 4th generation circular synchrotron radiation accelerator with Korea Electric Power Corporation University (KEPCO University), scheduled to open in 2022.

The 4th generation circular synchrotron radiation accelerator is used across all industrial fields, including basic science research in physics, chemistry, and biology, as well as bio-pharmaceuticals, secondary batteries, new materials, and power semiconductors development.

Especially this year, the Ministry of Science and ICT is conducting a site selection process worth 1 trillion won for the 4th generation circular synchrotron radiation accelerator targeting local governments, intensifying the competition among local governments more than ever.

The province has been promoting a feasibility study for the accelerator construction since November last year and is working together with Korea Electric Power Corporation and 11 universities in Gwangju and Jeonnam to attract the facility.

Governor Kim has been actively advancing efforts to attract the synchrotron accelerator by visiting the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute and the Ministry of Science and ICT at the end of last year, strengthening cooperation with Honam regional metropolitan government heads, members of the National Assembly, and others.

During his visit to the MAX-IV Laboratory, Governor Kim asked Director Ian McNulty detailed questions about the utilization and achievements of the synchrotron accelerator and the most important considerations for attracting the accelerator.

Governor Kim said, “If Jeonnam attracts the next-generation synchrotron accelerator in the future, we must actively cooperate in various fields such as basic science, energy materials, and biomedicine,” adding, “We will definitely attract the next-generation synchrotron accelerator to Jeonnam and develop Jeonnam as a center of the new energy industry together with KEPCO University.”

Meanwhile, Governor Kim plans to visit Esbjerg Port in Denmark, which ships 80% of Europe's offshore wind power facilities, and hold talks with Dennis Jul Pedersen, the port authority chief.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.