Washington, D.C.  – Congressman Dale E. Kildee (D-MI) congratulated Michigan State University on its biggest win of the year. The University today was selected by the Department of Energy to design and establish the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) in East Lansing, MI. The facility will compose a vital part of the U.S. nuclear science portfolio, and research conducted there will be applicable in materials science, nuclear medicine, and nuclear stockpile stewardship. Last April, Kildee joined the Michigan delegation in writing to the Department of Energy urging them to include Michigan State in an open and fair application process.

“This presents the people of Michigan and the students and faculty of Michigan State University with yet another valued asset for the scientific community. The Facility for Rare Isotope Beams and the Cyclotron place MSU among the world-class institutions in nuclear sciences research,” said Kildee.

An international community of about 1,000 scientists and students will utilize the facility’s research opportunities. Projected funding for FRIB is estimated to be up to $550 million over ten years to design and construct the facility. Funding is subject to appropriations from Congress.

Examples of possible research areas include:

• Nuclear Structure – What is the nature of the nuclear force that binds protons and neutrons into stable nuclei and rare isotopes?
• Nuclear Astrophysics – What is the nature of neutron stars and dense nuclear matter? What is the origin of elements heavier than iron in the cosmos? What are the nuclear reactions that drive stars and stellar explosions?
• Tests of Fundamental Symmetries – Why is there now more matter than antimatter in the universe?

Michigan State University is also home to the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory. The Cyclotron is led by Professor C. Konrad Gelbke and supported by National Science Foundation. Dr. Gelbke will also lead the MSU team to establish the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams.

“From Michigan State’s physical sciences research to the University of Michigan’s automotive and manufacturing research and the Bioengineering Center and Karmanos Cancer Institute at Wayne State University, the state’s University Research Corridor is bringing national attention to Michigan as a hot spot for cutting edge university research,” said Kildee.