Cornell University’s state-of-the-art particle accelerator won’t face a loss of funding for the next few years at least. The National Science Foundation will spend $100 million to keep the synchrotron running.
Cornell’s High Energy Synchrotron Light Source, or CHESS, is one of only two of its kind in the United States. CHESS uses high intensity x-ray and radiation to test hypotheses in physics, biology, and chemistry.
The lab will now receive $100 million over the next five years.
Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) visited the CHESS lab earlier this week to announce the funding.
“People who work here can plan their research, not just for a year but for the next five to ten years without a sudden cut or down in support," says Schumer. "It means the federal government believes that Cornell, and the CHESS lab in particular, are worthy of substantial investment. And it means that the work done here is a national priority.”
Schumer says this type of research is necessary because it leads to new products and new jobs.
The laboratory has produced two Nobel Prizes in science and is working with the United States Air Force to study metal fatigue on planes.