China has commenced construction on Phase II of its China Spallation Neutron Source (CSNS), a significant scientific facility often referred to as a “super microscope” for its ability to probe the microscopic structure of materials. The expansion aims to bolster scientific and technological innovation in the country.
The groundbreaking ceremony took place on Saturday in Dongguan City, Guangdong Province. The CSNS is China’s first research facility providing intense pulsed neutron beams for scientific exploration and is only the fourth such facility worldwide, following those in the United Kingdom, the United States, and Japan.
Enhancing Research Capabilities
The Phase II project includes the construction of 11 new neutron instruments, along with additional experimental terminals and laboratories. According to Wang Sheng, deputy director of the Institute of High Energy Physics under the Chinese Academy of Sciences and general director of the project, the proton beam power—a critical performance indicator—is expected to increase from 100 kilowatts to 500 kilowatts.
“Upon completion of Phase II, the source will generate more neutrons simultaneously,” Wang explained. “This enhancement will shorten experiment times, improve resolution, allow for the measurement of smaller samples, and enable the study of faster dynamic processes.”
The expansion is anticipated to take five years and nine months to complete. Once operational, the CSNS will significantly broaden its scope and capabilities, increasing the number of experiments and contributing to cutting-edge scientific research and economic development.
Phase I Achievements
Construction of CSNS Phase I began in September 2011 with an investment of 2.3 billion yuan (approximately $323 million) and became operational in August 2018. Over the past five years, the facility has supported over 1,500 experimental projects and attracted more than 6,000 registered users.
“Our experiments have spanned multiple fields, with about 30 percent focusing on energy materials such as lithium-ion batteries, shale materials, hydrogen storage materials, and combustible ice,” said Zhang Junrong, deputy director of the neutron science department at the Institute’s Dongguan research branch.
In the previous year alone, the CSNS operated for over 5,000 hours, underscoring its role as a pivotal platform for scientific inquiry.
Boosting Regional Innovation
The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area is rapidly becoming one of China’s most concentrated regions for major scientific and technological infrastructure. As the first national science and technology infrastructure in the area, the CSNS provides strong support for constructing a comprehensive national science center and an international innovation center.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
