Scientists help make case for RIA
and future of nuclear physics

WASHINGTON, D.C., May 13, 2005 -- Scientists from Arkansas State University were among those in Washington, D. C., this week to seek support from the state's Congressional delegation for the proposed Rare Isotope Accelerator (RIA) – the “next big thing” for research in nuclear physics.

They, and colleagues from other states, came to Washington, D.C., armed with a letter signed by more than 800 of their colleagues from around the world urging U.S. officials to provide a vibrant future for this critical field of science by building this billion dollar research facility.  They are members of the RIA Users Organization, which includes members throughout the country.

They met with Sen. Blanche Lincoln, Sen. Mark Pryor, and Rep. Marion Berry while in Washington.

Rep. Berry commented, “It’s imperative that the U.S. invest in the future by building research facilities such as RIA. It’s important not only for research in crucial areas such as medicine and national security, but to assure that our nation maintains its most critical natural resource -- the scientific and technical talent that is so vital to our future. The U.S. won World War II because we had the best nuclear physicists in the world at that time.  It is vital for us to stay at the forefront of this field of research."

Dr. Bao-An Li, a professor of physics at Arkansas State University, said that RIA would be a nuclear accelerator facility designed to study isotopes that decay in a very short time (“rare” isotopes).

“Discovering new scientific insights that could lead to breakthroughs in areas such as medical imaging or astrophysics is why I became a nuclear physicist,” he said. “RIA would bring awesome capabilities for us to study the nuclear structure of elements that present facilities just can’t do. It will generate excitement in the field and attract future scientists to nuclear physics.”

Nuclear research contributes to some of society’s most needed tools and treatments. It is the science chiefly responsible for MRIs, cancer radiation therapy and other medical diagnostics. One of every three hospitalized patients in the U.S. today undergoes a nuclear medicine procedure.

Nuclear techniques underlie much of airport security. Maintaining the nation’s nuclear weapons stockpile relies on understanding of nuclear science. Nuclear physics also contributes to environmental monitoring for pollutants, as well as advances in a broad array of materials.

At its core, nuclear physics research seeks answers to fundamental questions of how the universe and how the basic elements of our world came to be.

RIA was recommended as the highest priority for major new construction by the Nuclear Science Advisory Committee in its long-range plan published in 2002. The proposed facility is tied for third-highest priority out of the 28 listed in the Department of Energy’s outlook for new science facilities, published in 2003.

“This is a crucial time for the world of nuclear physics,” said Dr. Andrew Sustich, dean of the Graduate School at ASU. “RIA will yield exciting discoveries and retain U.S. world leadership in this important field.”

The letter signed by the scientists and students said, in part: “Continued leadership in science requires investment in new technologies and facilities. RIA will provide the basis to attract, educate and train the future generations of scientists, engineers, and technical professionals that are essential for the U.S. to take advantage of the renaissance in nuclear technology and its widespread applicability to medicine, national security, engineering, energy, materials research and the environment.”

Contact Information:

Dr. Bao-An Li, Dept. of Chemistry and Physics, 870-972-3086, bali@astate.edu

Dr. Andrew Sustich, Professor of Physics, Dean of the Graduate School and The Honors College, 870-972-3029, sustich@astate.edu

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