Diamond’s first ever 3D printed vacuum vessel and sample environment. This state-of-the- art setup allows the smallest of protein microcrystals to be studied by X-ray diffraction. (Credit: Diamond Light Source)
Diamond’s iconic building, built in the shape it is to house the circular synchrotron. (Credit: Diamond Light Source)

Diamond celebrates Double Anniversary with planned Upgrade

Mar 24 2022

With 2022 marking 15 years of Diamond Light Source delivering innovative science to the worldwide science community and also 20 years since being set-up, the Harwell-based facility is celebrating its double anniversary by revealing plans for Diamond-II, which has recently been granted preliminary funding. This transformational upgrade will enable a huge expansion of UK science capabilities as it involves a coordinated programme of development combining a new machine, five new beamlines and a comprehensive series of upgrades that will transform Diamond’s ability to generate scientific knowledge and impact on 21st century global challenges. Additionally, it is also curating a special outdoor photographic exhibition made up of over 70 stunning scientific images selected from Diamond’s science archive taken over the past two decades.

“We are entering a new era of opportunity with the advent of fourth generation synchrotrons. Progress in accelerator technology means Diamond-II will offer the scientific community in academia and industry the opportunity to exploit much brighter photon beams and an increased coherence over a large energy range on all our beamlines and additional beamlines. It will help inspire the next generation of STEM professionals and create new opportunities for researchers in universities, research institutes and industry, ultimately having a lasting impact on our society and the economy,” comments Prof. Andrew Harrison, CEO of Diamond.

He adds that Diamond’s success owes a great debt of gratitude to the trust and commitment of its funding agencies the UK Research and Innovation’s STFC (Science Technology and Facilities Council) and the Wellcome Trust who have provided ongoing support and are fully behind Diamond-II.

The Anniversary Science Images exhibition will be open to the public as part of Oxfordshire’s annual ArtWeeks Festival from 14th-22nd May. Visitors will be able to view the images on sections of Diamond’s exterior perimeter fence surrounding its huge iconic ‘silver doughnut’ shaped building.

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