Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes ofwebsite accessibility

Michigan State University opens facility to study nuclear science


Caption and photo courtesy of Michigan State University: "The FRIB cryogenic plant operates nonstop to liquefy helium. The state-of-the-art plant is one of the largest and most energy-efficient helium liquefaction plants. It supplies liquid-helium refrigeration at 4.5 kelvin (K) to superconducting magnets and 2 K to the FRIB linear accelerator, making FRIB the first heavy-ion linear accelerator to operate at 2 K."
Caption and photo courtesy of Michigan State University: "The FRIB cryogenic plant operates nonstop to liquefy helium. The state-of-the-art plant is one of the largest and most energy-efficient helium liquefaction plants. It supplies liquid-helium refrigeration at 4.5 kelvin (K) to superconducting magnets and 2 K to the FRIB linear accelerator, making FRIB the first heavy-ion linear accelerator to operate at 2 K."
Facebook Share IconTwitter Share IconEmail Share Icon

An investment by the State of Michigan and the federal government 13 years in the making is officially a reality on Michigan State University's campus, as the $730 million Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) opens with the goal of studying and exploring all forms of nuclear matter.

After competing against other states and fighting through years of political red tape, university officials say East Lansing is now home to the world's most powerful heavy-ion accelerator. Researchers say they hope the accelerator will allow them to create and work with isotopes that have never before been seen on earth.

“This is how it’s supposed to work in government. Right?" said U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-8th District, at an event celebrating the opening on Monday. "We’re supposed to be able to hear the demand signal from our amazing research institutions, coordinate with the local community, with East Lansing and Lansing, and then advocate on a bipartisan basis.”

Bipartisan members of Michigan's Congressional delegation, including Slotkin, U.S. Reps. Brenda Lawrence, D-14th District, Tim Walberg, R-7th District, and U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D) and Gary Peters (D), joined Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm to cut the ribbon on a project they say is a victory for Michigan.

“The experiments and research conducted at FRIB could lead to discoveries and breakthroughs and innovations that could happen at few other places on the whole planet," Whitmer said. "This is so exciting. The effort will ensure that Michigan is the epicenter of high-tech research, innovation, and job growth.”

Scientists and university officials say they hope research coming out of FRIB can boost national security, refine America's energy independence through the use of nuclear power, and even find cures to cancer.

“There’s already great examples for prostate cancer, for example," said Samuel L. Stanley, Jr., Michigan State University President. "We can develop tracers that will hone to the cancer. At the same time it shows you where the cancer is, it’ll also kill the cancer as well.”

University officials say researchers at the top of their fields will fight to use FRIB, but Michigan State students will also get the chance to learn in the facility.

Down the road in Lansing, more state lawmakers are mulling expanding beyond Michigan's three nuclear power stations. HB 6019 , sponsored by Republican Rep. Graham Filler and a group of bipartisan legislators, would commission a feasibility study be conducted on building nuclear energy in Michigan.

Granholm, the former governor of Michigan, emphasized the need nationwide to invest in nuclear power.

“We cannot walk away from our nuclear energy. Nuclear energy is zero-carbon emitting, base low power. We want to see more of it,” said Granholm.

Follow political reporter Rachel Louise Just on Twitter and Facebook. Send tips to rjust@sbgtv.com.

Loading ...