MEDIA RELEASE: MICRO FOCUS X-RAY SYSTEM LAUNCH (30 June 2011)
DATE: 30 JUNE 2011
Necsa is to launch a new powerful 225kV Micro-focus X-ray tomography system on 01 July 2011, which was obtained through National Research Fund - Research Infrastructure Support Programme (NRF-RISP) funding. This analytical instrument will be the first of its kind to be made available free of cost to South African post graduate students and researchers from academia and science councils to obtain high resolution 3 dimensional information of the interior of their samples in a non-destructive manner. The launch will highlight the capabilities, potential, strengths and weaknesses of this analytical system in context of other complementary X-ray and neutron imaging techniques already available at Necsa.
The micro-focus X-ray addition will introduce a new era in research with X-ray imaging for South African scientists as the instrument will provide a research platform from which competitive applications for beam time at advanced Synchrotron facilities abroad can be made. Although a few micro-focus X-ray instruments are in operation in South Africa, no beam time is readily available for free and general research. Scientists and students should thus find information sharing during the launch very stimulating and motivating.
Operating the instrument will be the responsibility of trained instrument scientists which will assist researchers in the scanning, interpretation and analysis of results. New fields of research can be explored by users while Necsa instrument scientists provide the technical assistance to allow for best experimental arrangements and optimal data analysis and renditioning.
The addition of the micro-focus X-ray instrument provides for great new research opportunities in a large number of research fields within the National System of Innovation. It places South African capabilities in this regard on par with international standards.
Please RSVP Ms Shaun Chetty Sukhdeo
Telephone: 012 305 5713
Email: shaun.chetty@necsa.co.za
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Chantal Janneker
Group Executive: Marketing and Communication
South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (Necsa)
Tel: +27 12 305 5750
Fax: +27 12 305 5751
Cell: +27 83 488 3850
E-mail: chantal.janneker@necsa.co.za
OR
Elliot Mulane
Manager: Communication & Media Liaison
South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (Necsa)
Tel: +27 12 305 5006
Fax: +27 12 305 5062
Cell: +27 78 803 5569
E-mail: elliot.mulane@necsa.co.za