Domestic superconducting electron accelerator was put into operation

The commissioning ceremony of TARLA Electron Accelerator (Phase 1) was held at Gölbaşı Campus of Ankara University.

In his speech here, Minister Kacır wished that the facility, which will allow Turkey to be among the four countries in the world with superconducting electron accelerator technology, with its Phase 1 20 meV beamline (em-ivi), domestic equipment and skills will be beneficial for the country and the nation.

Pointing out the importance of research infrastructures in improving the ability to produce and put knowledge into practice, as well as increasing R&D and innovation activities that will support high added value products and services, Kacır said that the research infrastructures of the The country's many areas, from health technologies to nanomaterials, from solar energy technologies to astrophysics and space observations, are among the country's science experts, who he says are the driving force in its fundamental development.

Stating that each research infrastructure is a center with effective R&D management capacity, carries out research in priority and critical areas for the country, and employs qualified R&D personnel, Kacır said, “These national research infrastructures have been established by them and will continue to be supported.” Public resources provide the technology our country needs.” “We closely monitor achievements in the development of information, technology and human resources under the coordination of our Commission on Research Infrastructures,” said.

2.3 billion lira allocation for research infrastructures

Kacır explained that since 2017, nearly 800 qualified R&D personnel have been working in the ten national research infrastructures whose qualifications have been recognized by the said commission, which will shed light on Turkey's bright future.

Stating that their research infrastructure carried out more than 360 projects and 549 publications with high impact factor last year, Kacır stated that more than 500 interns and project scientists participated in the studies carried out.

Pointing out that this situation shows the importance of research infrastructures in Turkey's science and technology-oriented development path, Kacır said:

“We will accelerate our work on commercializing the information produced in the coming period. We will continue to allocate public funds to the studies carried out in our research infrastructures. Since 2017, we have done this with the approval of our Commission.” A total of 2 billion 284 million lira in funding has been allocated for 2024. Of these research infrastructures “One of them is TARLA, which we opened today. TARLA, for which our state has allocated 35 million euros,” has so far provided our country with the ability to accelerate electrons through the use of superconductor acceleration technology.

“FIELD will pave the way for scientific studies”

Stating that the scientific studies carried out by TARLA explain the “nature of the smallest” and thus provide clues to the functioning of the “largest”, Kacır came to the following assessment:

“With its technological infrastructure and capabilities, such as producing electrons at the speed of light, TARLA will pave the way for research in applied fundamental science and engineering. The knowledge and skills we will gain in radiation management, particularly with the electron accelerator.” “Will meet our national needs in many priority areas such as health. It is important in the treatment of cancer patients.” The basis of the medical method known as “radiation therapy”, which is a first step, are “medical linac” systems, which are developed using accelerator technologies and allow radiation to be delivered with high precision into cancer-affected areas areas, will now become a national research institution that can design and produce domestic medical linear accelerators. The electron accelerator we put into operation with all its phases, particle physics, nuclear physics, biotechnology and nanotechnology, genetics, materials: “It will be research, training – and offer possible applications in many areas such as industry, measurement technology, environment, chemistry, medicine, mining, energy, defense, space and communications.”

Kacır said that with the commissioning of the Phase 1 Electron Accelerator, Turkey has crossed an important threshold in the development of its scientific capacities based on accelerator technologies and infrastructure for the development of future technologies.

“We will accelerate R&D studies”

Emphasizing that researchers within TARLA are currently carrying out 11 projects, 2 of which are supported by the European Union (EU) and 9 by TÜBİTAK, Kacır said that this is the case with SESAME, the first major international research center in Jordan first major international research center in the Middle East to house a synchrotron facility. He explained that in the project carried out by the Turkish Energy, Nuclear and Mining Research Agency (TENMAK), the entire production, installation and commissioning process of the Turkish X-ray line was carried out by TARLA.

Stating that they will continue to provide all the necessary support for the TARLA accelerator to be put into operation at full capacity, Kacır said, “We will accelerate the groundbreaking and original research and development studies carried out. With qualified projects undertaken with the public and private sectors and universities in many areas from energy calculations to security, publications and patents are provided.” “We will continue our work to provide with its characterization, laser, Environmental and biotechnology laboratories to contribute to Turkish science. “Self-sufficiency sustainable,” he said.

Minister Kacır emphasized that they will continue their determination to be a country that leads technology and not a follower of technology with new research infrastructures such as the center they opened today, in line with the vision of the National Technology Move , and said: “Our country continues to value science and scientific research at the highest levels and will be able to develop critical technologies at the national level. “We will further develop its competencies to offer competitive products and services in high-technology areas,” he said.

Kacır also said that scientists will continue to make a name for themselves in the scientific world with their groundbreaking and innovative works as long as the appropriate conditions and support are provided in Turkey.

Emphasizing that they implement every investment and project they have implemented to improve scientific research capacity in Turkey with this belief, Kacır concluded his speech with the following words:

“From now on we will continue our journey with the same faith and determination. We would like to express our gratitude to our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who has strongly supported and encouraged our science-based development work that brings everything together.” “Without his strong and solid will, Turkey would not have been able to achieve these century-old breakthroughs .”