Speaker
Description
Several Caribbean researchers and students, including from Puerto Rico, have been conducting materials and biological research studies at synchrotron facilities around the world. However, no synchrotron facility exists in the Greater Caribbean Region. A few years ago, a group of international researchers created the Latin American International Synchrotron for Technology, Analysis and Development (LAMISTAD) project with the aim to construct a Greater Caribbean Light Source (GCLS). Several Puerto Rican researchers are participating in the GCLS/LAMISTAD Committee. After the loss of the Arecibo Observatory, Puerto Rico might be a suitable site for a Big Science project such as the establishment of a synchrotron light source on the island. The Puerto Rican Light Source (PULS) initiative was created among Puerto Rican scientists participating in the GCLS/LAMISTAD Committee. Initial discussions about this initiative have been conducted with the Puerto Rico Science, Technology, and Research Trust. A white paper proposing a viability study was prepared. Recently, we communicated with the office of the Puerto Rico’s Resident Commissioner in Washington, D. C. to make him aware of these initiatives. In this presentation the present status of the PULS initiative and possible next steps will be discussed.
