Extraordinarily powerful light research gets government funding

April 21, 2003

http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_766720.html?menu=news.scienceanddiscovery.amazingscience

The next phase of major research project designed to produce very short pulses of light over a million, million times brighter than a household bulb has been given the go-ahead.

The Department of Trade and Industry has announced the £11.5 million plan is to go to the Daresbury Laboratory in Cheshire.

If constructed, its peak power would be roughly equivalent to that needed to light every home in London.

A spokesman for the Department said it would allow researchers to study molecules as they interact with cells and examine the spin of electrons.

This could play a part in the development of the next generation of computer memories, pharmaceuticals and catalysts.

Lord Sainsbury, Science and Innovation Minister, said that the project, known as 4GLS (4th generation light source) would provide scientists with a first-class facility to conduct vital experiments in many disciplines.

Louise Ellman, Labour MP for Liverpool, Riverside, who has been campaigning for this project to come to the region, said: "This is magnificent news for the region. It puts the North-West at the cutting edge of scientific research.

"This reinforces the North-West as a centre for scientific excellence. It is an example of what can be achieved when the region gets its act together."

Story filed: 14:24 Wednesday 2nd April 2003