Top research team joins Daresbury institute

A WORLD-leading research establishment has joined the Cockcroft Institute, the UK’s international centre for Accelerator Science and Technology at Sci-Tech Daresbury, near Warrington.
The University of Strathclyde has become a full member of the institute.
Accelerator science and technology is vital in the search for solutions to the major challenges of the age, from clean energy and environmental clean-up, to industry and security, through to radiotherapy and other medical applications.
A joint venture between the Universities of Lancaster, Liverpool and Manchester and the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), the Cockcroft Institute delivers world class research and development in next generation accelerator science and technology.
It enables the UK to take a major role in innovating future tools for scientific discoveries and in the conception, design, construction and use of the world’s leading research accelerators for the future, providing real benefits to the UK in terms of economic and societal benefits.
Professor Peter Ratoff, director of the Cockcroft Institute said: “The University of Strathclyde has a long and impressive history of world leading accelerator technology and has worked collaboratively with the Cockcroft Institute as an associate member for a number of years. Now,
as a full member, this further cements our collaborative relationship and strengthens our long term plans for next generation accelerator technologies that advance the impact of our research in healthcare, security, manufacturing and energy.”
Professor Sir Jim McDonald, principal and vice-chancellor of the University of Strathclyde, said: “The Cockcroft Institute is at the forefront of innovative, impactful research into accelerator
technology, which has significant applications in health, energy and security.
“Here at Strathclyde, we have a long track record in basic and applied research in accelerator technology, with a focus on making large and costly devices more effective, affordable and far more compact. We are committed to seeking solutions to major global challenges.”
High profile projects underway at the Cockcroft Institute include a major ground breaking R&D programme in light sources at STFC’s Daresbury Laboratory, as well as upgrades to the Large Hadron Collider at CERN, and development of technology for Sweden’s European Spallation Source, which is currently under construction.