Synchrotrons produce powerful beams of light – more than a million times brighter than the sun – that are used at individual experimental facilities to examine the molecular and atomic details of a wide range of materials. These advanced techniques are applied to research in many important areas including health and medical, food, environment, biotechnology, nanotechnology, energy, mining, agriculture, advanced materials, and cultural heritage.
The electron packets travel just under the speed of light – about 299,792 kilometres a second. When the electron packets travel in a curved path they generate intense broad spectrum light ranging from Infrared through to X-rays, which is channelled down long pipelines, known as beamlines, into a suite of scientific instruments where the intense beams of light reveal the innermost, microscopic secrets of materials.
When founded in 2007, the facility was given room to grow – space was reserved for extra beamlines to be added in the future, and Lycopodium has been part of a number of these expansion projects. On the latest BRIGHT build of six additional beamlines Lycopodium has been entrusted individually with all six. On this occasion, we extended our local knowledge to support Innospec AG, a German company, to assist with the engagement of local sub-contractors to support the installation of two new lead-lined shielding enclosures (known as BioSAX and ADS beamlines), and to support Innospec and ANSTO with site installation activity and safety management.
The BioSAX beamline enclosures have been radiation tested and handed over to ANSTO for the internal fit-out of utilities & scientific equipment whilst the ADS beamline is currently progressing with anticipated completion in Q3 2022.
