The most modern synchrotron in Krakow. This is the road to the Nobel Prize! – Gazeta Wyborcza

Opened by rector of the Jagiellonian University prof. Assoc. med. Wojciech Nowak and director of the National Synchrotron Radiation “Solaris” prof. Assoc. Marek Stankiewicz and their partners from the lab MAX IV of the University of Lund in Sweden.

Cause of death of Ludwig van Beethoven’s

Working Monday-campus synchrotron is a device that generates electromagnetic radiation – from infrared to X-rays. Its properties allow you to look into the matter and carry out research that can not be done using other methods.

The availability of synchrotron radiation has led to a groundbreaking diagnostic methods in medicine and archeology. With its help They recognized, eg. The contents of ancient Egyptian cosmetics, as well as the materials used by the ancient Romans to build the aqueduct of Hadrian in Tunisia, so that when its renovation could be used in better ways.

The research synchrotron eager to use also pharmaceutical companies and forensic laboratories. This sensitive device can identify traces of poison. In this way, they explain the cause of death of Ludwig van Beethoven. Scientists have studied for its help six of Beethoven’s hair and found that he died of lead poisoning.

Access to synchrotron radiation has also contributed to discoveries for which he was awarded the Nobel Prize. One in Chemistry for his research on the structure and function of the ribosome.

Two twin centers

– I think that you will be able to apply for the creation of huge scientific pan-European structures. Scientists begin research here, where the effects of waiting a year or two or five. This is the way to the Nobel Prize – said the rector of the Jagiellonian University prof. Assoc. med. Wojciech Nowak.

In the world there are about 60 synchrotrons. – This unique designs and no two identical worldwide. Krakow and the Lund are twin. Also, this is what their uniqueness – said prof. Marek Stankiewicz, director of the Center Solaris.

The most modern synchrotron in Europe was built on the basis of an agreement between the Jagiellonian University and the University of Lund, under which created the twin centers of synchrotron radiation in Poland and Sweden.

Building an open synchrotron is the largest scientific investment Poland since 1972. when Maria was built nuclear reactor. The cost of building Synchrotron Radiation Facility “Solaris” was 50 million euros and was fully covered from EU funds. Currently, scientists are designing the best performance of his work. Research using synchrotron of Krakow will commence already in 2016.