MAX IV management of the VR grant for accessibility to infrastructure

NanoSPAM (National Nodes for Sample Preparation and Microscopy) was a Swedish collaboration aimed at helping new users—both academic and industrial—access advanced microscopy and synchrotron techniques. The project connected regional sample preparation facilities with national infrastructures such as MAX IV and SciLifeLab.

A key outcome was the creation of an “Easy Access Route” (EAR), which offered first-time users free support with sample preparation, guidance in applying for beamtime, and help with initial measurements. The project also developed a coordinated workflow covering the full experimental chain—from sample preparation and transport to characterization and early data analysis.

NanoSPAM organised workshops and outreach activities to match user needs with appropriate techniques, and provided hands-on training through a national network of laboratories. Despite disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic, the project supported many first-time users and contributed to several scientific publications across diverse fields.

At MAX IV, NanoSPAM funded a specialised position in biological sample preparation, which has since become permanent and continues to support new user communities, particularly in X-ray microscopy.

PReSTO (Protein Structure Analysis Platform) is a national initiative coordinated by Linköping University that supports research in structural biology by providing access to advanced software and high-performance computing resources.

The platform integrates widely used tools such as CCP4 and Phenix and simplifies their installation and maintenance. It supports multiple experimental techniques—including X-ray crystallography, cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)—which are essential for determining the three-dimensional structures of biomolecules.

PReSTO builds on earlier collaborations between MAX IV and the National Supercomputer Centre and was expanded through funding from the Swedish Research Council. It is now part of Sweden’s national computing infrastructure (NAISS) and plays an important role in enabling data-driven life science research and collaboration between universities and large-scale research infrastructures.

The ForMAX Portal project aimed to facilitate access to synchrotron techniques for the paper and packaging industry. It provided targeted user support from experts with both methodological and materials-specific expertise.

The project was a collaboration between Chalmers University of Technology, KTH, Lund University, RISE, and MAX IV. During the project period, the ForMAX beamline was still under development, so MAX IV contributed primarily through its scientific staff.

The initiative enabled a number of industrial users to carry out synchrotron experiments in preparation for the commissioning of the ForMAX beamline, helping to build a future user community within the sector.

FragMAX is a platform for fragment-based drug discovery using X-ray crystallography at the BioMAX beamline at MAX IV. The project aimed to establish a complete, high-throughput workflow for identifying and developing drug candidates.

The platform integrates all key steps in fragment screening, including access to a curated fragment library, sample preparation methods (such as soaking and co-crystallization), and efficient data collection and analysis. Users can enter the workflow at different stages depending on their needs.

FragMAX has significantly increased the accessibility of advanced structural biology methods, particularly for small and medium-sized companies that lack in-house screening capabilities. The project was carried out in close collaboration with both academic and industrial partners.

Today, FragMAX is fully integrated into the MAX IV user programme, with more than 50 screening campaigns completed and dedicated staff supporting continued operation and development.

InfraLife (Infrastructure Access for Life Science) was a national collaboration aimed at increasing awareness, accessibility, and use of Sweden’s large-scale research infrastructures—primarily MAX IV, SciLifeLab, and ESS—within the life science sector.

The project brought together infrastructure providers and industry organisations (including SwedenBIO and Lif) to strengthen connections between research and application. Activities included outreach, training, and the development of communication materials.

A key outcome was the creation of an international two-week course in Integrated Structural Biology, combining visits to multiple infrastructures. InfraLife also produced a shared communication platform, including case studies and industry-focused content, and supported feasibility studies to stimulate new collaborations.

At MAX IV, the project was coordinated through the Industrial Relations Office, with contributions from scientific and communication staff. The project has provided valuable insights and recommendations for improving access to large-scale infrastructures.

This project focused on accelerating innovation in the metals and manufacturing sector by connecting industry with advanced research infrastructures such as MAX IV and ESS.

It brought together Lund University, Chalmers, and a broad range of industrial partners across sectors such as tooling, automotive, aerospace, and materials production. The goal was to apply advanced X-ray and neutron techniques to real industrial challenges and thereby bridge the gap between fundamental research and industrial application.

MAX IV contributed through access to beamlines such as MAXPEEM, NanoMAX, and Balder, as well as expertise covering the full experimental process—from design to data analysis. The project demonstrated the value of these techniques in areas such as brazing, coatings, additive manufacturing, and material ageing.

One notable example is work with Alfa Laval, where experiments at MAX IV provided new insights into high-temperature surface processes in stainless steel—results not achievable with conventional laboratory methods.