Concerns are being raised by researchers in Australia regarding the plans devised by federal agencies to shut down two beamlines at the nation’s synchrotron, which generates high-energy light beams for a variety of experiments.
The beamlines under consideration for closure are the far-infrared/terahertz spectroscopy and infrared microscopy beamlines, according to Michael Jones, a research infrastructure expert in synchrotron science at the Queensland University of Technology in Australia.
These tools are termed ‘important and unique’ by Jones, who emphasizes that while many synchrotrons primarily handle x-rays, the Australian Synchrotron grants researchers the ability to explore different wavelengths including infrared and terahertz.
Jones expresses concern that such cuts would severely impact the facility. ‘When reductions like this occur, the team operating these beamlines will find positions at other beamlines around the globe and may never come back, leading to a loss of expertise,’ he explains.
‘It’s rather troubling that they have invested such significant funds into the infrastructure tied to the synchrotron, yet they are opting to eliminate two beamlines,’ remarks Brendan Abrahams, a chemist at the University of Melbourne, whose doctoral student has utilized one of those beamlines. ‘The work she performed could not have happened [without that beamline].’
As per Jones, the Australian federal government has imposed a 10% funding reduction for the authority governing the synchrotron. If this is evenly distributed across divisions, it necessitates a cut of approximately A$4 million (£2 million) annually for the synchrotron.
However, merely discontinuing the use of two beamlines will not achieve an annual saving of A$4 million, Jones asserts, indicating that further cuts may be forthcoming that have yet to be revealed. ‘It would be beneficial to have a clearer overview,’ he states. ‘Diminishing access to scientific facilities should be a last resort.’
An official from Australia’s Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) forwarded a written statement to Chemistry World, indicating that the organization has ‘suggested changes to its capabilities, instruments, activities, and staffing needs, among other actions’. The ANSTO representative, however, declined an interview, citing ongoing consultations regarding the proposed changes.
Jones theorizes that ANSTO prioritized the beamlines based on the volume of proposals received and publications generated directly as a result. Although ANSTO might have considered other internal factors, these have not been disclosed publicly, he notes.
‘The count of publications and the volume of proposals for a beamline isn’t necessarily a reliable indicator of the significance of the research conducted there,’ Jones mentions. ‘The beamlines remain oversubscribed, meaning they still receive more proposals than they can accommodate.’
Additionally, Jones points out that the Australian Synchrotron is currently in the process of expanding its total number of beamlines, supported by $110 million in funding, primarily from the country’s universities. Given that the initial contract spans five years, Jones is concerned that future reductions might also affect these newer beamlines.
Thus far, when tasks couldn’t be accomplished in Australia, the synchrotron supported researchers with grants to travel to beamlines around the world as long as the work aligned with Australia’s national interests.
However, under the newly proposed changes, this program may also be terminated, Jones warns. ‘Not only will the local community lose access to these two outstanding beamlines, but they will also lose the opportunity to access this technology elsewhere in a relatively affordable manner,’ he highlights. ‘It’s not like we’re in the UK and can simply travel to Europe for a beamline. Europe is 30 hours and $5000 away.’
A final determination regarding the future of the two beamlines is anticipated before the conclusion of November.