Over 500 experts from across China gathered in the historic city of Lanzhou, Gansu Province, from Wednesday to Friday, to delve into the integrated use of two groundbreaking scientific facilities known as “super microscopes.” The Hefei Light Source (HLS) and the China Spallation Neutron Source (CSNS) are poised to revolutionize the way scientists probe the microstructures of materials, potentially unlocking new frontiers in various scientific fields.
The HLS, China’s first synchrotron light source, and the CSNS, the nation’s inaugural and the world’s fourth pulsed spallation neutron source, offer unique insights into the microscopic world. While the HLS utilizes X-rays, the CSNS employs neutrons to study the properties of matter. Together, they provide a more comprehensive understanding of material structures.
Wang Sheng, deputy director of the Institute of High Energy Physics (IHEP) at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, highlighted the synergy between the two facilities. “By integrating the capabilities of the HLS and CSNS, we can obtain complete structural information on materials,” Wang stated at the conference. “This collaboration opens up unprecedented opportunities for high-level scientific research.”
He noted that a significant overlap exists between the user groups of the two facilities, with over 95% of CSNS users also utilizing light sources like the HLS. Many research projects require data from both X-ray and neutron sources to fully understand complex materials.
The conference served as a platform for experts and users to exchange ideas and foster collaborations. Participants expressed optimism about leveraging the combined strengths of the HLS and CSNS to advance research in multidisciplinary fields, including material science, environmental studies, energy catalysis, life sciences, and engineering technology.
Experts at the event emphasized the importance of harnessing the complementary advantages of neutron scattering and synchrotron radiation technologies. “By promoting interdisciplinary integration, we can accelerate the development of high-tech industries and enhance academic cooperation,” one expert remarked.
Jointly organized by the University of Science and Technology of China and the IHEP, the conference underscored China’s commitment to scientific innovation and collaboration. The integrated use of these “super microscopes” is expected to have far-reaching impacts on both the scientific community and various industry sectors.
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Chinese experts explore integrated use of 'super microscopes'
cgtn.com
