Nanotechnology Now - Press Release: Canadian and Brazilian synchrotrons sign agreement

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Abstract:
Developing innovative, state-of-the-art synchrotron instrumentation is the purpose of an agreement signed today between the Canadian Light Source (CLS) and the Brazilian Association of Synchrotron Light Technology (ABTLuS), operator of the Brazilian Synchrotron Light Laboratory (LNLS). The agreement was signed at LNLS before Stockwell Day, Canada's Minister of International Trade.

Canadian and Brazilian synchrotrons sign agreement

CAMPINAS, BRAZIL | Posted on November 17th, 2008

"This memorandum of understanding is the first step to what will be a very productive relationship between the synchrotrons of Canada and Brazil," says Jeffrey Cutler, CLS Director of Industrial Science. "Both of our facilities have similar mandates to apply synchrotron tools and techniques to areas that benefit our countries' scientific and technological strengths".

"Synchrotrons have developed into one of the most valuable scientific tools for the investigation of new materials, biomedical samples, and biological and chemical processes," says José Antônio Brum, Director General of ABTLuS. "This agreement benefits both of our synchrotrons as well as the scientific communities of our two nations."

The agreement establishes a general framework for the two synchrotrons to collaborate on projects, develop common specialized knowledge and enable the exchange of staff and ideas. One of the first initiatives under the new agreement is already underway, with CLS and LNLS working together to design and build some of the components for use in X-ray diffraction facilities planned at the respective synchrotrons. At CLS, this work benefits the Brockhouse X-ray Diffraction facility. Currently in the design phase, the 'Brockhouse Sector' is a CDN $27.8 million project that is devoted to characterizing the structure of materials including advanced alloys and polymers, new kinds of batteries, food science and petroleum products. At LNLS, the collaboration helps to develop a high flux X-ray Diffraction beamline currently in the design phase. This new beamline is part of a R$12 million project funded by Research and Projects Financing (FINEP), and is dedicated to nanomaterials and materials science characterization.

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About Canadian Light Source, Inc.
The Canadian Light Source is Canada's national centre for synchrotron research. Located at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, CLS is a powerful tool for academic and industrial research in a wide variety of areas including environmental science, natural resources and energy, health and life sciences, and information and communications technology. CLS operations are funded by the Government of Canada, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), the National Research Council (NRC), the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Government of Saskatchewan and the University of Saskatchewan. For more information: www.lightsource.ca/media/quickfacts.php.

The Brazilian Synchrotron Light Laboratory is funded by the Brazilian Ministry of Science and Technology (MCT). There, scientists from all over the world find excellent conditions to perform research at an internationally competitive level. Located in Campinas, State of São Paulo, LNLS makes its facilities available to users as a means of fostering science and technology. The infrastructure available to researchers includes beamlines with experimental stations installed at the synchrotron light source, high-resolution electron microscopes, scanning probe microscopes and nuclear resonance spectrometers. For more information: www.lnls.br.

Canadian official visit to Brazil
Canada's Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, The Hon. Stockwell Day, traveled to São Paulo on his way to the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Ministerial Meeting in Lima, Peru. In Brazil, he attended the "International Conference on Biofuels: Biofuels as a driving force of sustainable development" on November 17. There he signed with the Brazilian Minister of Science and Technology, Sergio Machado Rezende, the Brazil-Canada Science, Technology and Innovation Agreement.

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Contacts:
Matthew Dalzell

306-657-3739
Cell: +1 (306) 227-0978

Adriana Lima
Head of Outreach
Brazilian Synchrotron Light Laboratory
Ph: + 55 (19) 3512-1250

Press Offices of the Canadian Diplomatic Missions in Brazil
Ph: +55 (11) 5509-4316

Or Ph: +55 (61) 3424-5429