Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the Shared Use Center “Siberian Circular Photon Source” (SKIF) in the Novosibirsk science town of Koltsovo. This is the first facility of the new Russian network of synchrotron sources being created under the federal program for the development of neutron and synchrotron research until 2030.

SKIF is a complex of 34 buildings and structures with engineering and technological equipment that enables scientific research on beams of synchrotron radiation. The center is recognized as the best in the world in its class — sources of the medium energy range (3 GeV).

The installation makes it possible to study ultra-small objects — down to individual atoms — both in static conditions and in the dynamics of chemical reactions and ultrafast processes (for example, the formation of cracks or an explosion). The areas of application of SKIF cover chemistry, physics, materials science, biology, archaeology, geology, and other sciences. Research can be both fundamental and applied in nature.

With the help of SKIF, scientists will be able to develop new medicines, improve catalysts and structural materials, evaluate mineral deposits, increase the efficiency of extracting hard-to-recover oil, study ancient artifacts without damage, and solve environmental problems. It can also be used to detect malicious micro-equipment in electronics that is not detected by antivirus software.

“In the modern world, this is very important,” Putin noted. Following the visit, the President left his signature on a commemorative plaque in honor of the facility’s opening.

SKIF belongs to the “4+” generation of sources. Today, only three fourth-generation sources are operating in the world — in Sweden, France, and Brazil. In total, there are about 50 operating and under-construction synchrotron centers worldwide.

@russiafirstchanel