Synchrotron radiation (SR) laboratories offer a wide variety of techniques that can be applied to the study of matter. The scientists making use of Synchrotron radiation come from many different fields ranging from physics and chemistry, to materials, environmental and life sciences. Synchrotron science is advancing rapidly. This includes the development of ‘4th-generation’ sources, significant upgrades to storage ring based sources and advances in optics and detectors. Remote access mechanisms are being established by most facilities, providing additional access opportunities. Facilities and users in developing countries could also benefit from these developments and many countries have already taken action in this direction. Since the SR facility can be used in many fields, it can foster inter-disciplinary research activities within as well as between countries. One of the fast growing applications of SR is in environmental science and engineering, and it would be appropriate and relevant to the IAEA mandates and needs of Member States, to formulate a CRP on application of SR focussing on two important areas, namely Materials and Environmental Sciences. This project is expected to build capabilities to use SR, to develop research programs in this area and finally lead to socio-economic development in the MS.
Optimization of Synchrotron X-ray Radiation based techniques for applications in Material sciences and environmental sciences.
Study the role of the crystallisation enhancer in building ceramics (conventional brick, earthenware or industrial ceramics, where the role of metal containing crystallisation enhancers is often determined empirically) using SR based techniques
Establishment of interdisciplinary research programs based on the use of SR for the development of new mining technologies that are environmentally sustainable.
Application of SR to optimize the preparation of conventional building materials such as cements and concrete
Establishment of synchrotron measurements, particularly XAS, as new and reliable tools for environmental monitoring.
Establishment of comprehensive interdisciplinary research programs based on the use of SR, that can span a complete range of processes including analysis of solid mine tailings, that have an implication on the food chain.
The CRP utilized SR and complimentary methodologies including ion beam analysis to provide improved characterization and better understanding of materials properties, and their interactions of environmental relevance, such as chemical speciation of a variety of elements in a wide spatial range. With this new information, advances in the following fields were obtained: Advanced understanding of metal bioavailability and its impact on the establishment of vegetation in contaminated sites; Increased awareness about potential toxic effects among population and governmental official sectors; Appraisal of human health hazards by toxic elements contained in agricultural products; Preventive conservation of artworks by increasing awareness of photo aging process and recommending to museum curators appropriate preventing measures such as lowering of ambient light levels for some paintings and more systematic use of transparent covers (glass covers or intact varnish layers).