（華盛頓報道）美國能源部（DOE）今天（2008年12月11日，星期四）宣布啟動建設新一代放射性同位素束流裝置（FRIB），用于推進對放射性同位素和宇宙演變的研究工作。同時宣布，由位于密歇根州東蘭辛市的密歇根州立大學(MSU)負責該裝置的設計和建造工作。初步估計，這種最先進的放射性同位素束流裝置将耗資約5.5億美元，并需要約10年時間來完成設計和建造。新裝置建成後，将為來自全世界的約1000所大學或科研機構的科研人員、博士後和研究生提供研究機會。
“能源部投資在MSU建設的放射性同位素裝置，将極大地擴展我們對核天體物理和核結構的認識理解。”核物理科學辦公室主任助理尤金•亨利(Eugene
Henry)說，“新一代裝置将使科學家們可以進一步研究為星體和恒星演變提供能量的核反應，研究原子核結構以及核子之間的相互作用，檢驗現有的關于核物質基本性質的理論，對未來核技術和核醫學的發展至關重要。”
未來在FRIB上進行的高束流強度的短壽命稀有（也即自然界不存在的）放射性同位素束流實驗，将推動解決核技術在材料科學、醫學和核武器儲備管理等領域應用的關鍵問題。
FRIB設計方案在美國能源部内部和其它獨立機構（如美國科學院國家研究理事會National Research Council of the
National Academy of
Sciences）經過了多次研究論證和評估。這些研究論證和《美國能源部、國家科學基金會(NSF)核科學咨詢委員會(NSAC)2007年長期發展規劃報告》一緻認為，新一代放射性同位素束流裝置是美國核科學研究整體布局的重要組成部分，對現有裝置進行補充，具有世界上其他裝置所無可比拟的競争力。因此，能源部今天宣布的這項決定，是繼1996年《NSAC長期發展規劃》第一次建議将建造下一代核結構和核天體物理研究裝置作為優先事項考慮以來，該裝置項目研究、分析和建議的最大進展。
按照2008年5月20日發布的《資金輔助公告》(Funding Opportunity Announcement,FOA)的規定，新一代裝置項目計劃書由來自全世界範圍内大學、國家實驗室和聯合機構的權威專家們組成的審查團進行價值審查。整個考核過程包括根據FOA規定的價值審查标準進行的嚴格評估，申請人的陳述報告，和審查團的實地考察。根據FOA給出的價值審查标準和項目保險因子，審查團認為密歇根州立大學提出的計劃書最優。該計劃書制定了詳細的項目預算，具備合理性和可行性，充分表明MSU可以在FOA規定的預算範圍内完成新一代裝置的建造。同時，MSU為設備的建造提供了直接經費支持。
目前，密歇根州立大學擁有由美國國家科學基金會NSF提供支持，由 C.Konrad Gelbke教授領導的超導回旋加速器國家實驗室。Gelbke教授将帶領MSU科研小組在密歇根州立大學校園内建立FRIB。在建設期間，原來的超導回旋加速器國家實驗室将繼續運行服務，努力推進尋找新的科學發現。
該項決議的達成得益于密歇根州立大學與國家環保局的談判順利完成。雙方根據國家環境保護法就選址問題達成一緻并簽訂合作協議。項目資金将按年度由國會審核和撥款。
更多關于FRIB的信息，請訪問網站：http://www.sc.doe.gov/np/program/FRIB.html.
（中文翻譯：beat365核物理與核技術國家重點實驗室 曹中鑫）
原文：NEWS MEDIA CONTACTS: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Bethany Shively, (202) 586-4940
Thursday, December 11, 2008
U.S. Department of Energy Selects Michigan State University
To Design and Establish Facility for Rare Isotope Beams
WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced today that
Michigan State University (MSU) in East Lansing, MI has been selected to design
and establish the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB), a cutting-edge
research facility to advance understanding of rare nuclear isotopes and the
evolution of the cosmos. The new facility-expected to take about a decade to
design and build and to cost an estimated $550 million-will provide research
opportunities for an international community of approximately 1000 university
and laboratory scientists, postdoctoral associates, and graduate students.
"The Department of Energy's new Facility for Rare Isotope Beams at Michigan
State University promises to vastly expand our understanding of nuclear
astrophysics and nuclear structure," said Acting Associate Director of the
Office of Science for Nuclear Physics Eugene Henry. "This capability will allow
physicists to study the nuclear reactions that power stars and stellar
explosions, explore the structure of the nuclei of atoms and the forces that
bind them together, test current theories about the fundamental nature of
matter, and play a role in developing new nuclear medicines and techniques."
The research conducted at FRIB will involve experimentation with intense
beams of rare isotopes-short-lived nuclei not normally found on earth-and is
expected to advance critical applications in the areas of materials science,
medicine, and stockpile stewardship.
The FRIB concept has undergone numerous studies and assessments within DOE
and by independent parties such as the National Research Council of the National
Academy of Sciences. These studies-in addition to the joint DOE/National Science
Foundation (NSF) Nuclear Science Advisory Committee (NSAC) 2007 Long Range
Plan-concluded that such a facility is a vital part of the U.S. nuclear science
portfolio, complements existing and planned international efforts, and will
provide capabilities unmatched elsewhere. Thus, the selection announced today is
the culmination of studies, analyses, and recommendations conducted since the
1996 NSAC Long Range Plan first recommended the development of a next generation
nuclear structure and astrophysics facility as a high priority.
The proposals received in response to the May 20, 2008, Funding Opportunity
Announcement (FOA) were subject to a merit review process conducted by a panel
of world-renowned experts from universities, national laboratories and federal
agencies. The appraisal included rigorous evaluation of the proposals based on
the merit review criteria described in the FOA, presentations by the applicants,
and visits by the merit review panel to each applicant's site. MSU's application
was judged to be superior based on the merit review criteria and the program
policy factor contained in the FOA, including provision of a proposed budget
that is reasonable and realistic, giving substantial confidence that MSU can
establish the FRIB within the cost limitations of the FOA.MSU also offered a
direct cost share to the project.
MSU currently hosts the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory (NSCL)
led by Professor C. Konrad Gelbke and supported by NSF. Dr.Gelbke will lead the
MSU team to establish FRIB on the MSU campus. The NSCL can continue operations
during construction, which will allow compelling scientific opportunities to be
pursued.
The selection is subject to the successful negotiation of a Cooperative
Agreement with MSU and a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review of the
proposed site. Funding is subject to annual appropriations by Congress. For more
information on FRIB, visit:
http://www.sc.doe.gov/np/program/FRIB.html.
