NSRRC 30th Anniversary of First Light
Premier Chen Envisions NSRRC Boosting Taiwan with its Unique Scientific and Technological Strengths
2023/10/23
The National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center (NSRRC) commemorated the “30th Anniversary of First Light” on October 23rd. Premier Chien-Jen Chen of the Executive Yuan graced the occasion with his presence and delivered an address. He highlighted NSRRC's steady and solid progress over the past three decades, from the “Taiwan Light Source (TLS)” to the “Taiwan Photon Source (TPS),” making it Taiwan's largest R&D platform. Premier Chen envisions NSRRC as a key player in advancing Taiwan's industry, academia, and research through its unique scientific and technological strengths. He underscored the imperative for NSRRC to sustain its R&D momentum, thus laying a solid foundation for Taiwan’s science and technology sector.
NSRRC hosts over 2,000 researchers annually from 20 countries, totaling 12,000 visits to utilize its exceptional synchrotron radiation capabilities for research purposes. The successful establishment of the TPS experiment facilities boosts utilization. Premier Chen emphasized the vital roles of both TLS and TPS in material development, cancer detection, biomedicine, pharmaceuticals, and achieving net-zero carbon emissions. NSRRC's diverse contributions solidify its importance in Taiwan's scientific and technological progress.
In addition to Premier Chen, notable guests included Deputy Minister of the National Science and Technology Council, Minn-Tsong Lin; former President of Academia Sinica, Yuan-Tsehn Lee; and esteemed Academicians Luo-Chuang Lee, Maw-Kuen Wu, Lih-Juann Chen, Chien-Te Chen, and Yu Wang. Also present were the Directors of the Taiwan Space Agency, the National Center for High-Performance Computing, and the Taiwan Instrument Research Center: Jong-Shinn Wu, Chau-Lyan Chang, and Cheng-Tang Pan, respectively. These attendees witnessed the inception, growth, and flourishing of Taiwan's synchrotron radiation development.
In his speech, Academician Yuan Tseh Lee shared his extensive involvement as a member of the “Executive Yuan Synchrotron Radiation Research Center Advisory Committee” since 1983. Serving as Director on the NSRRC Board from 2003 onwards, he witnessed Taiwan's remarkable growth in synchrotron radiation research technology with assistance from scholars worldwide at the early stage. Today, Taiwan stands as a leading nation in science and technology, thanks to its robust scientific and technological strength. He expressed hope that NSRRC would persist as a “light source trailblazer,” illuminating both Taiwan and the global scientific community."
Deputy Minister Minn Tsong Lin pointed out that NSRRC was established four decades ago during Taiwan's economic transformation and the initial phases of the Hsinchu Science and Industrial Park. He credited the government's visionary investment and scholarly contributions for this achievement, underlining their crucial role in Taiwan's synchrotron technology advancements. Lin expressed satisfaction with NSRRC's impact on various fields, such as biomedicine, green energy, and semiconductors. He also expressed hope for ongoing collaboration to usher in a new era of brilliance in Taiwan's science and technology.
Chia-Hung Hsu, NSRRC Director, acknowledged the enduring support from the government for pushing the boundaries of synchrotron radiation technology. Over the course of three decades, collaboration between industry, academia, and global users led to innovative outcomes using both the TLS and TPS. Looking ahead, NSRRC reaffirms its commitment to advancing scientific research, aiming to maintain its leadership in innovation. The NSRRC remains steadfast in its mission, aspiring to diligently contribute to another fruitful 30 years of impactful work.
In 1983, the Executive Yuan Synchrotron Radiation Research Center's Advisory Committee was founded. By 1993, the TLS emitted its first beam, and in 2014, the TPS gained international recognition as one of the world's brightest light sources. NSRRC consistently developed cutting-edge research facilities, providing high-quality light sources, experimental facilities, and technical expertise. This comprehensive infrastructure significantly strengthens Taiwan's academic research, development, and industrial innovation while sharing synchrotron technology globally. Moreover, NSRRC actively nurtures engineering and research talents, playing a pivotal role in Taiwan's scientific and technological progress.
