MAX IV Laboratory, Sweden’s large-scale research infrastructure and the world’s first 4th generation synchrotron is coming of age. A decade of growth from construction to Operations and 40 years since the founding of the laboratory’s predecessor, Max-lab. For the 10/40 Anniversary of MAX IV, there is much to celebrate for research, innovation and societal benefits to Sweden and the global community.
As one of only 50 lightsources worldwide, MAX IV stands as an invaluable tool to address major scientific questions at atomic scale and aid scientists to tackle challenges humanity faces in a changing world such as those outlined by international imperatives like the United Nations Development Goals and Grand Challenges frameworks.
Research areas at MAX IV vary widely. Among recent examples, scientists investigated crystalline hydrogen at NanoMAX beamline and found polymerization activity at extreme pressures, revealing how atoms arrange themselves in solid hydrogen, an important clue to the formation of metallic hydrogen. Studies at BioMAX beamline have looked at how to block replication of the SARS-CoV 2 virus to hinder its function. Another exciting study uncovered a new compound to inhibit an enzyme found in cancers using artificial intelligence and brilliant X-rays at BioMAX. The work offers a glimpse of how the combination is already accelerating biomedical research.
Since the inauguration in 2016, the MAX IV organisation has delivered exceptional support to our user communities and industrial partners seeking the ultrabright X-rays required to achieve successful results.
Today, MAX IV has 16 beamlines in operation, which are utilised by more than 2000 users per year. Scientific demand for the facility has remained strong despite difficult periods such as the Covid-19 pandemic and other global adverse events. Operational reviews by Vetenskapsrådet also show the stability of MAX IV Operations, both for the Accelerator systems and instrument reliability for users.
MAX IV offers the technologies and expertise to deliver scientific excellence for a changing world. Whether through cutting-edge R&D initiatives such as MAX 4U, new beamlines or service to our users, the organisation will continue to push the boundaries of research to deliver greater benefits to society.
