Basic Support Institute and Korea University Collaborate on Multipurpose Synchrotron Accelerator Construction

Joint Research and Workforce Development through MOU Signing

[Asia Economy Reporter Cha Min-young] The Korea Basic Science Institute (KBSI) and Korea University have agreed to collaborate on building a multipurpose synchrotron accelerator, known as an "ultra-high-performance giant microscope."

On the 28th, KBSI and Korea University signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on "joint research and human resource development for the construction and utilization of advanced research equipment and large-scale research facilities" at Korea University's Sejong Campus. This agreement is the first since the Basic Science Institute was designated as the lead institution for the multipurpose synchrotron accelerator project in Ochang, Chungbuk, on the 19th.

The two institutions will jointly promote not only the shared use and construction of advanced research equipment and large-scale research facilities but also the discovery and execution of research topics through personnel exchanges related to accelerators, as well as the training and education of accelerator specialists. They aim to create synergy by activating mutual cooperation between the Basic Science Institute’s expertise in building large-scale research facilities and Korea University Sejong Campus, which operates the country’s only Department of Accelerator Science.

The multipurpose synchrotron accelerator, to be constructed by June 2027 with an investment of 1.0454 trillion KRW, is a device that accelerates electrons to near the speed of light to produce synchrotron radiation with brightness 10 billion times that of sunlight. As its nickname "ultra-high-performance giant microscope" suggests, it can observe phenomena occurring in the extremely small nanoscale world, making it widely used not only in new drug development but also in material and component industries such as semiconductors and displays.

Shin Hyung-sik, President of KBSI, stated, “Through this collaboration, practical cooperation in joint accelerator-related research and specialist training has been realized,” and added, “We expect this to be an important cornerstone for the successful construction of the world’s top-level multipurpose synchrotron accelerator.”