Bragg Institute to help ANSTO launch into 21st century

The Executive Director of ANSTO, Professor Helen Garnett, said the recent launch of the Bragg Institute celebrated the evolution of ANSTO over the past 50 years into a world leader in the application, research and development of nuclear-based science and other technologies.

Prof. Garnett said the Bragg Institute is an initiative that will place Australia at the forefront of research using neutrons, synchrotrons and x-rays. "The Bragg Institute will explore new vistas in neutron beam science. The Replacement Research Reactor, construction for which has just begun, is a response to external demand for ANSTO's nuclear products, its up-to-date technology and facilities," Prof. Garnett said.

"In the last 50 years much has evolved and developed, not only in the areas of technological advances and scientific discoveries but also in the fundamental rationale for the role and responsibilities of Australia's nuclear organisation."

ANSTO's work in neutron scattering and the use of x-rays has placed Australia at the forefront of research and application in this field. Further development of applications available will lead to increased partnerships with the business world, other research operations and international agencies. The applications are presently applied to a wide range of fields including plastics, minerals, welds, pharmaceutical products, electronic materials, biology, catalysts and magnets.

The Bragg Institute is named as a tribute to the father and son team of William and Lawrence Bragg, who were jointly awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1915 for their work in founding a new branch of science of great significance and importance — the analysis of crystal structure. Neutrons and x-rays are complementary tools, both at the forefront of understanding structure, and ANSTO staff frequently use both to solve complex problems. It is intended that through the Bragg Institute, extensive linkages will be forged between ANSTO and other national and international organisations — with joint staff and and project teams and shared students.

Item provided courtesy of ANSTO