Minister Tsung-Tsong Wu of the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) visited the Cold Neutron Triple-Axis Spectrometer (SIKA) at the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organization (ANSTO) on October 23. SIKA, operated by the National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center (NSRRC), is ideal for investigating the energy states of innovative materials, including the currently popular high-temperature superconductors, thermoelectric materials, and low-dimensional magnetic substances. The 2005 bilateral arrangement regarding neutron beam applications between Taiwan and Australia, stands as a model of scientific cooperation between the two countries. Under this arrangement, Taiwan provided funding for the construction of SIKA. After it was completed by National Central University team, the responsibility of the instrument's operation and maintenance was transferred and entrusted to the NSRRC, with the aim of promoting neutron sciences in Taiwan’s academic community.
The Australian Centre for Neutron Scattering (ACNS) and ANSTO's International Liaison Department warmly welcomed Minister Wu. Dr. Paolo Imperia, Acting Director of ACNS, and Dr. David Vittorio, General Manager of the OPAL Multipurpose Reactor Department, provided detailed overviews of their facilities. Later, Minister Wu was joined by Deputy Director Der-Hsin Wei of the NSRRC and members of the NSRRC Neutron Group for a tour of SIKA. During the visit, NSRRC colleagues offered a comprehensive introduction to SIKA, covering its developmental history, design features, operational capabilities, and maintenance protocols.
Following the SIKA visit, the delegation met with ANSTO's CEO Mr. Shaun Jenkinson and Neutron Science and Technology (NST) Group Executive Dr. Andrew Peele. Discussions centered on NSRRC-ANSTO collaboration models and potential Taiwanese-Australian industry partnerships. Minister Wu highlighted how this collaboration nurtures talent and fosters direct exchanges. He emphasized that this collaboration established a favorable precedent for future partnerships between Taiwan and Australia in the fields of science, technology, and industry.