The Diamond Light Source science facility in Harwell, Oxfordshire, has been granted £519 million in mostly government funding for a major overhaul over the next seven years.
Diamond Light Source houses the UK’s world-leading synchrotron device, a super-powerful electron microscope 10,000 times more powerful than a regular microscope.
The synchrotron is capable of accelerating protons to near lightspeeds, causing them to emit light 10 billion times greater than the sun in order to be studied.
“Our national synchrotron may fly under the radar as we go about our daily lives, but it has been crucial to some of the most defining discoveries in recent history - from kickstarting Covid drug development that allowed us to protect millions to advancing treatment for HIV,” said Michelle Donelan, the government secretary for science, innovation and technology.
She continued: “Our investment will ensure one of the most pioneering scientific facilities in the world continues to advance discoveries that transform our health and prosperity, while creating jobs, growing the UK economy and ensuring our country remains a scientific powerhouse.”
Researchers used the synchrotron housed at Diamond Light Source to analyse the atomic structure of the Covid-19 virus, which helped lead to a vaccine.
The synchrotron is used in sectors ranging from renewable energy to thermal energy-storage solutions.
“We have the largest life sciences sector in Europe, producing a Covid vaccine that saved six million lives - this pioneering piece of technology is a key part of that success,” said Gareth Davies, exchequer secretary and Conservative member for Grantham and Stamford.
“This is a sector that will continue to receive our backing - driving discovery, creating good jobs and helping grow the UK economy.”
The average UK taxpayer contributes approximately £2.45 toward government investment in the facility.
Approximately 85% of the latest funding round will come from the government, with the remaining contribution coming from The Wellcome Trust.