MORE INVESTMENT in an Incomparable National Resource: Science at the DOE-BES Light Sources

1. MORE INVESTMENTin an Incomparable National Resource: Science at the DOE-BES Light Sources Our Message: Support Proposed FY03 Budget The President’s FY03 budget request includes funding that will help the DOE light sources meet the needs of their growing user communities. As user organization chairs at the four light sources – each representing thousands of users – we urge you to at least support the President’s budget request for the science programs of the DOEand to consider increasing funding in future years. National Security, Innovation, New Jobs, Competitiveness: What are the “Light Sources” — and Why are they Vital to our Future? The Light Source Synchrotrons are some of the most sophisticated facilities ever conceived of by the human mind. Research into the radiation — “light” sources — produced by these facilities results in new knowledge about the very structure of matter and the universe itself. In practical terms, this research affects our understanding of materials science, physical and chemical sciences, geoscience, environmental science, life sciences, medicine, pharmaceuticals, nanotechnology and other scientific disciplines. This research, in turn, directly relates to U.S. industrial innovation, competitiveness, new jobs, and national security. Who Funds the Light Sources? We the taxpayers. This vital national investmentis managed by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science, through its Office of Basic Energy Sciences (BES). Among the BES laboratories are: The Advanced Light Source (ALS) (LL-UC Berkeley, CA) The Advanced Photon Source (APS) ( Argonne, IL) The National Synchrotron Light Source (NSLS) (Brookhaven, NY) The Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory (SSRL) (Stanford, CA) How do we Benefit from our Investment? The impact of Light Source research is overwhelming and applies to our daily lives in many ways. Consider recent events and how they are linked to Light Source research: Bioterrorism: Structure of anthrax toxin determined - can lead to targets for drug design. Environmental: Plume from WTC, decontamination of NY/NJ harbor. Nanotechnology: Stronger & lighter materials, energy efficiency. Life Sciences: Structure of ribosome determined - fight against disease. Microelectronics: Flat panel displays, faster computers, Moore’s Law. Light Source Users Create the Backbone of the 21st Century Economy Over 6500 scientists from the U.S. (46 states) and abroad perform experiments at these facilities. These researchers come from universities, national laboratories and 156 corporations. They perform research on semiconductors, polymers, alloys, catalysts, structural biology, and pharmaceutical design. Hundreds of young researchers and students are building their careers in industry around the breakthrough advances in science and technology made possible by these facilities. The number of users at these four facilities has doubled in the last four years. However, federal funding for the facilities and for the scientists who carry out research there has increased only very modestly over the last 10 years. This must change … For additional information contact: Simon R. Bare (NSLS): srbare@uop.com, 847-391-3171; Paul Zschack (APS): zschack@anl.gov, 630-252-0860; Roger Falcone (ALS): rwf@physics.berkeley.edu, 510-642-8916; Corwin Booth (SSRL): chbooth@lbl.gov, 510-486-6079