Diamond Light Source Snapshot
Vision for Diamond Light Source
Diamond is a world-leading centre for synchrotron science, driving and supporting science at UK universities and research institutes. As a cornerstone of a world-class site for scientific discovery and innovation at Harwell, Diamond is regarded as internationally excellent, enabling essential research and development for UK industry.
This vision is being achieved through the following strategic objectives:
1. To deliver internationally leading synchrotron research and innovation
- Provide a highly reliable, high-performance source of X-rays, ultraviolet and infrared light.
- Offer world leading beamlines and analytical tools.
- Provide exemplary technical and scientific support for experiments.
- Administer world leading data handling and analysis.
- Recruit and retain the best talent.
- Maintain world leading technology to underpin our science delivery.
2. To maximise the scientific, economic and societal impact of Diamond
- Attract and support the very best research groups in universities and institutes.
- Drive even stronger engagement and support for UK industry.
- Work in partnership with other organisations to help realise the full potential of the
Harwell Campus.
- Build stronger collaborations at European and international levels.
- Ensure the widest possible dissemination of Diamond’s scientific output.
3. To ensure the long-term sustainability of Diamond as a national facility
- Deliver value for money in all aspects of our operations.
- Engage effectively with stakeholders at all levels.
- Identify and access new income streams.
- Maintain operational infrastructure that is efficient and resilient.
- Ensure governance is fully transparent.
- Maintain health and safety at the forefront of operations.
4. To engage and inspire the general public through promoting science
- Strengthen educational activities for students at all levels.
- Put public engagement and communications at the heart of the facility.
- Champion the importance of STEM skills at all levels.
- Increase exploitation of opportunities to disseminate science at a global level.
- Ensure there is effective two-way communication at all levels of the organisation.
5. To continuously plan for Diamond’s technical and scientific future
- Ensure there is a clear planning cycle for delivery of activities.
- Adapt the operating model to changing requirements.
- Support the joint venture of the Harwell Campus.
Diamond is a world-leading centre for synchrotron science, driving and supporting science at UK universities and research institutes. As a cornerstone of a world-class site for scientific discovery and innovation at Harwell, Diamond is regarded as internationally excellent, enabling essential research and development for UK industry.
This vision is being achieved through the following strategic objectives:
1. To deliver internationally leading synchrotron research and innovation
- Provide a highly reliable, high-performance source of X-rays, ultraviolet and infrared light.
- Offer world leading beamlines and analytical tools.
- Provide exemplary technical and scientific support for experiments.
- Administer world leading data handling and analysis.
- Recruit and retain the best talent.
- Maintain world leading technology to underpin our science delivery.
2. To maximise the scientific, economic and societal impact of Diamond
- Attract and support the very best research groups in universities and institutes.
- Drive even stronger engagement and support for UK industry.
- Work in partnership with other organisations to help realise the full potential of the
Harwell Campus.
- Build stronger collaborations at European and international levels.
- Ensure the widest possible dissemination of Diamond’s scientific output.
3. To ensure the long-term sustainability of Diamond as a national facility
- Deliver value for money in all aspects of our operations.
- Engage effectively with stakeholders at all levels.
- Identify and access new income streams.
- Maintain operational infrastructure that is efficient and resilient.
- Ensure governance is fully transparent.
- Maintain health and safety at the forefront of operations.
4. To engage and inspire the general public through promoting science
- Strengthen educational activities for students at all levels.
- Put public engagement and communications at the heart of the facility.
- Champion the importance of STEM skills at all levels.
- Increase exploitation of opportunities to disseminate science at a global level.
- Ensure there is effective two-way communication at all levels of the organisation.
5. To continuously plan for Diamond’s technical and scientific future
- Ensure there is a clear planning cycle for delivery of activities.
- Adapt the operating model to changing requirements.
- Support the joint venture of the Harwell Campus.
Diamond Light Source is the UK’s national synchrotron science facility, located at the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus in Oxfordshire. By accelerating electrons to near light-speed, Diamond generates brilliant beams of light from infra-red to X-rays which are used for academic and industry research and development across a range of scientific disciplines including structural biology, physics, chemistry, materials science, engineering, earth and environmental sciences.
Diamond Light Source is the UK’s national synchrotron. It works like a giant microscope, harnessing the power of electrons to produce bright light that scientists can use to study anything from fossils to jet engines to viruses and vaccines.
The machine accelerates electrons to near light speeds so that they give off light 10 billion times brighter than the sun. These bright beams are then directed off into laboratories known as ‘beamlines’. Here, scientists use the light to study a vast range of subject matter, from new medicines and treatments for disease to innovative engineering and cutting-edge technology.
Whether it’s fragments of ancient paintings or unknown virus structures, at the synchrotron, scientists can study their samples using a machine that is 10,000 times more powerful than a traditional microscope.
Diamond is one of the most advanced scientific facilities in the world, and its pioneering capabilities are helping to keep the UK at the forefront of scientific research.
Diamond Light Source is a not-for-profit limited company funded as a joint venture between UK Research & Innovation (UKRI) and Wellcome Trust.
Diamond provides national science infrastructure that is free at the point of use. Primary facilities are the national Synchrotron along with Cryo electron microscopy at the Harwell Campus, all available to researchers through a competitive application process, provided that published results are in the public domain.
Over 14,000 researchers from across life and physical sciences both from academia and industry use Diamond to conduct experiments, assisted by approximately 700 staff.
Diamond Light Source is the UK’s national synchrotron. It works like a giant microscope, harnessing the power of electrons to produce bright light that scientists can use to study anything from fossils to jet engines to viruses and vaccines.
The machine accelerates electrons to near light speeds so that they give off light 10 billion times brighter than the sun. These bright beams are then directed off into laboratories known as ‘beamlines’. Here, scientists use the light to study a vast range of subject matter, from new medicines and treatments for disease to innovative engineering and cutting-edge technology.
Whether it’s fragments of ancient paintings or unknown virus structures, at the synchrotron, scientists can study their samples using a machine that is 10,000 times more powerful than a traditional microscope.
Diamond is one of the most advanced scientific facilities in the world, and its pioneering capabilities are helping to keep the UK at the forefront of scientific research.
Diamond Light Source is a not-for-profit limited company funded as a joint venture between UK Research & Innovation (UKRI) and Wellcome Trust.
Diamond provides national science infrastructure that is free at the point of use. Primary facilities are the national Synchrotron along with Cryo electron microscopy at the Harwell Campus, all available to researchers through a competitive application process, provided that published results are in the public domain.
Over 14,000 researchers from across life and physical sciences both from academia and industry use Diamond to conduct experiments, assisted by approximately 700 staff.
