Mumbai University unveiled the nation's first fully functional Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) facility for carbon dating, a major leap in research infrastructure in diverse scientific disciplines. The hi-tech facility, based at the Mumbai University Accelerator Centre (MUAC), will revolutionize archaeology, forensics, and environmental studies.
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Revolutionary Technology: The AMS facility is powered at a higher level, offering better results and reduced breakdown hazards than current machines in India.
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Wider Applications: Its application goes beyond archaeology to cover pharmacology, climate science, and environmental science, bridging the gaps between academia and industry.
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Historical Significance: The project brings to fruition a 50-year struggle to initiate advanced research in accelerator physics at Mumbai University.
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Cost Effectiveness: Indian scientists earlier used to send samples outside the country for analysis; this lab will save huge amounts of money and time involved in carbon dating.
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Accuracy and Accessibility: The AMS can date samples of up to 50,000 years with an accuracy of 100 years, making it an important tool for several scientific fields.
The facility was established at a total cost of around ₹20 crore, boosting India's research infrastructure considerably.
Source: Hindustan Times