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Argonne National Laboratory and Fermilab sign
collaborative agreement aimed at multi-billion-dollar project; Governor
Blagojevich proclaims Illinois Particle Accelerator Day
Chicago, IL, Apr. 21: Two U.S. Department of Energy laboratories, Argonne
National Laboratory and Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, signed a
Memorandum of Understanding today to enhance cooperation between the two
laboratories on R&D projects. This cooperation has the potential to increase the
possibility of siting the International Linear Collider (ILC), a proposed
international, multi-billion-dollar project, in the United States. Jack Lavin,
Director of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, signed
the MOU as witness for the State.
Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Dennis Hastert said, "I have always
been proud to have Fermilab in my Congressional District, and Fermilab and
Argonne are two of the premier research institutions in the world. You don't
have to understand every detail of what happens at these laboratories to know
that great ideas come from them. With this new agreement, the position of our
nation, and our state, can only be strengthened at the forefront of scientific
research. I'm excited to think about the great discoveries to come from these
two world-leading labs as they work together even more closely in the years
ahead."
Congresswoman Judy Biggert (R-IL-13), Chairman of the House Science Subcommittee
on Energy, which oversees the research and facilities at national laboratories
in the United States, said, "A formal partnership between Argonne and Fermi will
mean great things for Illinois and the nation. I am confident that this
relationship will help cement Illinois' leadership in the development and use of
accelerators for the advancement of science. Collaborative scientific discovery
at these two laboratories will help ensure America's continued economic and
scientific competitiveness for generations to come."
In recognition of the labs’ role as world leaders in accelerator technology,
Governor Rod R. Blagojevich issued a proclamation declaring the day as “Particle
Accelerator Day” in Illinois, which was read by IDCEO Director Lavin during the
signing ceremony at the James R. Thompson Center in Chicago.
"The State of Illinois is very fortunate to host two exceptional federal
research laboratories that are advancing scientific discoveries every day, and
we are excited to be a part of this unique collaboration between Argonne
National Laboratory and Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory," Governor
Blagojevich said. "Since the technology of particle accelerators will translate
into significant scientific and economic benefits for our state, I am happy to
declare today 'Particle Accelerator Day’ in Illinois and to encourage everyone
to learn more about the contributions of this incredible technology to the
world. We are committed to supporting the work of both of these federal labs,
and we look forward to helping leverage even larger investments for these
important facilities."
The U.S. Department of Energy has expressed its interest in the possibility of
hosting the ILC at Fermilab. Discoveries at the ILC promise to revolutionize our
understanding of the fundamental nature of the universe. Previous high-energy
physics projects have produced far-reaching applications and technologies, and
the development of ILC technologies will benefit Illinois.
“Accelerators – by their power and their precision – continue to shine a bright
light on the secrets of nature – from the complex make-up of materials, to
taking us back to conditions at the birth of the universe,” said Dr. Raymond L.
Orbach, Director of the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science, which funds
Argonne and Fermilab. “Certainly the greatest discoveries are still ahead of us.
The Department of Energy welcomes the recognition of the excellence of
accelerator research at Fermi and Argonne National laboratories and we look
forward to working closely with the State of Illinois as we ensure the strongest
possible future for both Fermilab and Argonne.”
Particle accelerators, used in medicine, industry, and scientific research, have
played a key role in the remarkable progress of science and technology in the
past and will play an even greater role in the future. Emerging accelerator
technologies will lead to the construction of unprecedented scientific
instruments for the advancement of fundamental research and the development of
new materials and methods. If sited in Illinois, these new accelerator complexes
will have immediate economic and scientific impact. The new technologies will
also find applications in business and industry, agriculture and medicine.
The Governor’s FY2007 Capital Budget request includes a $3-million grant
provision to fund the design of an Illinois Accelerator Research Center, to be
located at the Fermilab site in Batavia, which would further strengthen the case
of Fermilab as a possible host for the ILC project. The Illinois Accelerator
Research Center would offer a national and international focal point for
accelerator research and industrialization in Illinois. It will enhance the
technological sector of the state’s economy, while providing unique educational
opportunities for a new generation of engineers and scientists. The major
Illinois research institutions—the University of Illinois, Northern Illinois
University, Illinois Institute of Technology, the University of Chicago, and
Northwestern University—are all active participants in the Fermilab experimental
program.
“We are looking forward to building even stronger ties between Fermilab and
Argonne,” said Fermilab director Oddone. “These are the two closest national
labs geographically, and together they provide a very strong base for the
International Linear Collider.”
Argonne Director Robert Rosner said, “This collaboration of national
laboratories and universities is unparalleled in the realm of the international
science community. The expertise of these two great institutions positions
Illinois as a recognized leader in accelerator science.”
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