RECX is a national infrastructure for X-ray diffraction, scattering and imaging with lab nodes at the University in Oslo and the Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Trondheim.
About the project
A key rationale is to achieve two complementary modes of operation, both providing the research community with state-of-the-art X-ray facilities; one focusing on regular and advanced analysis based on cutting-edge commercial systems, a second focusing on flexible and modular set-ups to tailor a range of sophisticated experiments. The Centre holds national expertise to develop experimental methods at the scientific frontline. RECX will act as a scientific hub, fully accessible for users in universities, colleges, research institutes, industry and public sector. All these categories use existing facilities at UiO and NTNU. Their strong interest as expressed in received letters of intent, clearly demonstrate a genuine need and support for a national facility. The proposed instrumentation is selected as to match needs, as requested by disciplines, technologies and nationally prioritized thematic efforts.
RECX will cover broad interests of chemistry, physics, materials/nanoscience; and technologies like energy, environment, catalysis, processes, pharmacy, sensors and microsystems, medicine (diagnostics and therapy). Some 200 unique users are expected in the first year of full operation. RECX will act as a spearhead of X-ray based science in Norway. It will function as a test bench for detailed planning and preparation of experiments at international large scale facilities, in particular synchrotron laboratories, but also neutron sources and coming XFELs. The Centre will provide training of Master and PhDs students, post docs and staffs in diffraction, scattering and imaging techniques. The infrastructure will be accessible and provide services for all categories of external users. The proposal includes a Pilatus detector at SNBL at ESRF, for matching funding to what is on the table from the Swiss National Fund.
Objectives
Primary:
– Establish by 2014 a fully operational national resource centre within X-ray scattering, diffraction and imaging and provide access for broad user communities to high quality equipment and competence
– Maintain a very high scientific level to facilitate Norwegian use of existing and new generations of large scale facilities (synchrotrons, XFELs, neutron sources)
Secondary:
– Documented massive use of the infrastructure by MSc and PhD students (>60/year), post docs and researchers (>40/y), and scientific and innovation activity in terms of publications (>60/y), disclosures of inventions and patent applications (in sum 5-10/y).
– Consolidate collaboration with Switzerland at SNBL at ESRF via joint – – 50:50 funding of a detector upgrade at the Grenoble site
– Direct use of the RECS infrastructure by 4 universities/colleges, 3 research institutes and 8 Norwegian companies
– 200 unique users in first year of operation
– Establish RECX as meeting place for X-ray based research