The Canadian Light Source – A new tool for industrial research

Abstract

As applied research moves into the 21st century, industry is discovering that traditional analytical techniques are not answering all of their questions. For example, new materials are being developed daily that may have significantly different properties but are chemical indistinguishable using current analysis techniques. It is important for industry to understand these differences and develop those unique properties into a new product. Therefore, today, industry is turning to new tools to shed light on old and new questions. The Canadian Light Source Inc. has assembled an industrial science team and business development office to make synchrotron-based techniques available to pay-for-service clients which range from academia to industry. Since 2000, the industrial science group has conducted approximately 60 projects with a majority coming from the environmental sector with marked increases in the life science sector. In the future, the demand for full client services at synchrotron sources will increase as facilities develop client-friendly access mechanisms.