Exciton Science researchers ‘in sync’ with ANSTO | ARC Centre of Excellence in Exciton Science
Members of the Exciton Science Centre visit the Australian Synchrotron

Exciton Science researchers ‘in sync’ with ANSTO

16 Dec 2019

By Eliza Rokhsat

Whether it’s an artwork, agricultural product or medical imaging, the beamlines in the Australian Synchrotron (ANSTO) can reveal the secrets to improving life on earth, and have inspired students working within the ARC Centre of Excellence in Exciton Science (ACEx) to redouble their efforts in solving the energy and sustainability challenges posed by the 21st century.

The Committee for PhD students within ACEx organized a tour of ANSTO, a facility with a global reputation for promoting material science and improving their application across many fields.

For example, the MX beamlines characterize chemical and biological structures to enable numerous and varied research in macromolecular crystallography.

X-ray fluorescence microscopy (XFM) beamlines, meanwhile, have been used to detect the elements distribution for a wide variety of spectroscopic applications.

And the imaging and medical beamline (IMBL) advances research in medical imaging, with dynamic 3D X-ray imaging at a very high resolution used to discover the starting point of diseases and to destroy tumors.

Among the other applications of ANSTO has been to uncover the truth behind the mysterious demise of famous Australian racehorse Phar Lap, as well revealing the portrait hidden behind an Edgar Degas masterpiece.

Thanks to ACEx, which organised this field trip, Exciton Science Centre PhD students now know how the facilities at ANSTO could help them to elevate their research and positively impact the future of life on earth.