RIKEN SPring-8 Center

The S&T Diplomatic Circle Kansai recently visited the RIKEN SPring-8 Center in Hyogo, Japan, where they had the opportunity to meet with its Director, Dr. Tetsuya Ishikawa. The center is a multi-billion dollar research facility that houses the most powerful 8-GeV synchrotron, SPring8, and an X-ray free-electron laser (XFEL) facility, SACLA. The facility is one of over 30 industrial-scale synchrotron and XFEL facilities around the world, many of which use technologies originally developed by SPring-8.

The synergistic use of SACLA/SPring-8 and state-of-the-art technologies produces exceptional X-rays for researchers from universities, research institutes, and industries to conduct nano-world analysis in fields such as medicine and biology, environmental and geoscience, archeology and forensic science, and broad industry applications. Recent research results include the mechanism behind chlorophyll, the melting of diamonds, and the ultra-high-resolution examination of asteroid samples returned by JAXA's Hayabusa2 spacecraft.

During our visit, the S&T Diplomatic Circle Kansai was given a comprehensive overview of the facility by Director Ishikawa and Director Yasuaki Yutani, RIKEN International. We were given an impressive tour and warmly hosted by the RIKEN SPring-8 staff.

The visit was coordinated by Dr. Felix Moesner, S&TDC Chairman (Consulate of Switzerland, Swissnex in Japan), as well as Martin Eberts and Johannes Schweizer from the Consulate General of Germany. This insightful visit was very beneficial, allowing us to learn more about the cutting-edge research being conducted there and the impact it has on various fields.

The RIKEN SPring-8 dedication to research and innovation has made it a leader in the field of synchrotron and XFEL facilities. Its commitment to advancing knowledge and pushing the boundaries of what is possible has led to groundbreaking research and discoveries that have the potential to impact the world in numerous ways.

The S&T Diplomatic Circle Kansai's visit was a testament to the importance of collaboration and knowledge-sharing in the field of science and technology. By bringing together individuals from different backgrounds and areas of expertise, the potential for innovation and progress is limitless. RIKEN SPring-8 serves as an excellent example of what can be achieved when brilliant minds come together to tackle complex problems and uncover new knowledge.