Kæmpemikroskop vil udløse et industrieventyr

ESS is crossing borders

"Giant microscope will trigger an industry adventure worth billions". So reads the headline of today's issue of Børsen. And the praise only continues in the article. Let me quote: "The European Spallation Source will be the greatest industrial adventure in the history of Denmark."

I could not agree more – this is a project with an infinite amount of possibilities. The European Spallation Source, ESS, will be a world class research facility. It will be the most powerful neutron source ever for research in the scientific fields of physics, biology, health and engineering. And it will be a facility crossing borders of both countries and science.

ESS in the Øresund Region and in Europe

For obvious reasons the ESS project has high priority in both Denmark and Sweden. The project carries very wide and far-reaching perspectives for the scientific community in both countries. It will contribute to creating a world-class research environment in the region. And it will open many new opportunities for innovation in Danish and Swedish companies.

A research centre like ESS will act as a magnet, attracting the brightest researchers and students to both Sweden and Denmark. When the research facility is finished, it is expected to employ 400 permanent researchers and have a steady stream of between 2,000 and 5,000 visiting researchers every year. The data centre on the Danish side of the Øresund is expected to employ about 60 researchers and technicians.

All together – and put differently – the ESS project thereby underpins the ambition of the Øresund Region of becoming a new European power house – both in economic, scientific and cultural terms.

But ESS is not just a significant opportunity for Denmark and Sweden. ESS is a truly European project that presumes involvement from European partner countries and a wide number of research institutions all over Europe. ESS will open a whole new playing field within materials research – a field where the US and Asia have otherwise been dominant.

We know from existing facilities in Europe and the US that large research infrastructures are necessary to push the boundaries of science further ahead. And – just as important – large infrastructures are important tools in establishing profitable companies based on research results.

An open research centre

Colin Carlile, the director of ESS, will shortly explain the possibilities and opportunities offered by a neutron-based particle accelerator.

An accelerator, that makes it possible to get an accurate image of the material's structures – from single atoms to longer molecular biological structures. Or – you could say – an accelerator that opens up the opportunity to explore an otherwise hidden miniature world.

If it sounds amazing, it is because it is. As mentioned, ESS will be one of the world's most advanced research facilities. But it won't be the Fort Knox of the research world. And it won't be exclusive to Nobel Prize winning physicists. But of course they are more than welcome.

ESS will be an accessible research facility. Researchers from both universities and businesses will have access. And since the European Spallation Source will be a multi-disciplinary research laboratory centred on the world's most powerful neutron source the facility will provide many opportunities.

Allow me to name but a few: With ESS, it will be possible to study biological materials and molecules in their natural environment. As well as get precise images of how biological and chemical reactions occur.

It also creates new possibilities for the enzyme and protein research. This is a central research field for the Danish pharmaceutical industry and will make it easier and faster to test new medicine.

You are visionaries

There can be no doubt that the ESS project is a very ambitious project. An ambitious project that will provide wide-ranging and long-term perspectives for not only science, but also related industries.

I take it that your presence here today signifies your recognition of this potential. Because – the European Spallation Source is not just around the corner. It opens in 8 years and will be fully operational in 15 years. Still you are here today – ambitious, visionary and ready to get to work. Because, we do have a lot of work ahead of us.

We have succeeded in bringing ESS to Lund – now it is time to start preparing for its arrival. I believe your choice of being here today will prove to be a wise, long-term investment. I hope – no, I am certain that you will have a rewarding seminar.