Researchers at MSU's National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory have placed a bid for a $500 million federally funded exotic beam facility.

Acquiring the facility could enhance rare isotope research taking place at the university's cyclotron laboratory, or NSCL.

"We are the leading lab to do this research in the U.S. right now, but the international competition has sort of stepped up and is building the next generation of machines, which are much more powerful," laboratory Director Konrad Gelbke said. "Even though our equipment is world class, the accelerators are falling behind in their performance."

The facility, which scientists call the Isotope Science Facility, would replace cyclotron technology with a modern, superconducting linear accelerator. It accelerates particles flying in a straight line, Gelbke said. The idea has been in development for the past five years and discussions with the federal government regarding funding now can begin.

With the upgrade to the lab, researchers will be able to study how basic elements, such as hydrogen, oxygen and helium, are formed, Gelbke said.

Discussions among MSU, Argonne National Laboratory - located in Argonne, Ill. - and the federal government will happen in the coming weeks because Argonne also has plans to develop a similar facility.

"If there is only one, we would compete, but it makes a lot of sense if one thinks about this problem deeper to have MSU and Argonne operate and collaborate. Whether that is feasible depends a little bit on the details, which we need to work out," Gelbke said.

The project is beneficial for Michigan and the entire nation, said Bradley Sherrill, an MSU distinguished physics professor.

"It's important that the science moves forward," Sherrill said. "We'll need to take advantage of all the capabilities that we've already developed here at MSU so it will be important that we maintain facilities at MSU and here in Michigan."

In order to acquire support for federal funding, the researchers also must ask politicians for endorsements, Gelbke said.

"This is going well beyond our district - it's a Michigan issue, really," Gelbke said. "(The politicians) have all been very helpful, and they are very interested in the progress of the lab."

Sylvia Warner, spokeswoman for U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Brighton, said Rogers supports MSU's research and development efforts.

"Congressman Rogers believes MSU is one of our premier universities for research and development in the area of energy, and so he thinks we need to do anything possible to support their efforts," she said.

With better facilities located in Michigan, there will be a lot of new possibilities in the field - such as applications to new medical and industrial procedures, Sherrill said.

"With the new facilities we will be able to continue. The big change will come if we don't get new facilities - then we would have to go to other places in the world to use their facilities to do our research," Sherrill said.

Instead of competing, Gelbke said he had a strong interest in collaborating with the Argonne lab.

"We all come with the very best intentions to make this work," Gelbke said. "This would be a great benefit to the country, if the two labs would move forward with a common concept."

Sarah Harbison can be reached at harbiso9@msu.edu.