GCRF - START: Synchrotron Techniques for African Research and Technology

START是一项利用同步加速器技术促进非洲研究和技术的建议。它将在非洲和英国的世界顶尖科学家之间建立伙伴关系，这些科学家专门研究两个科学领域；开发和表征新型能源材料（催化剂和光伏）和结构生物学（了解疾病和开发药物靶点）。START的研究方向将通过考虑当地环境以及与非洲各地的科学家、能源行业代表和相关非政府组织（NGO’s）的接触来确定。最重要的是，START不仅仅是开发新能源材料或结构生物学研究；同样重要的是培养这些重要研究领域的下一代研究人员和研究领导者。我们将通过非洲和英国机构之间的培训访问，在样品制造和高级表征方面进行合作。这将包括在钻石光源（英国国家同步加速器源）的实验时间，通过同行评审访问许多实验设施和技术，这是理解这些材料的主要支柱。这种伙伴关系的一个主要目标是加强和扩大非洲同步加速器研究人员的网络，在那里，利用这种设施的雄心正在迅速增长。通过减少化石燃料的燃烧和改善医疗保健，这种人才发展将使研究人员自己受益，也将使当地社区、整个社会和环境受益。在非洲发展可持续能源面临着独特的挑战；很大一部分离网消费者，能源设备在高温和粉尘环境中的退化，以及传统能源生产或储存系统装置的初始资本成本高。同样具有挑战性的是解决非洲大陆的卫生需求，在非洲，结核病和疟疾等疾病对整个社会产生负面影响。寻找和开发治疗方法的第一步是了解分子结构。因此，对于这两种研究，用于结构测定的同步辐射是科学进步的核心。至关重要的是，非洲各国必须扩大自己的能力，生产下一代适当的能源材料和开发有关疾病的治疗方法。《削减战略武器条约》的目标是通过在这两个领域建设非洲科学家的能力和能力来帮助这些发展。START团队的雄心是共同努力解决这两方面的研究，解决一些直接影响人们生活的最紧迫的问题。这一提议直接符合非洲国家的发展愿望，他们有一个明确的目标，即“将非洲从传统能源转变为现代能源，并确保所有非洲人都能获得清洁和负担得起的电力”和“制定/实施非洲制药业增长的战略”。此外，我们的愿望直接符合联合国可持续发展目标关于负担得起的清洁能源（目标7）和气候行动（目标13）以及目标3（良好健康和福祉）。《削减战略武器条约》将有助于在所有这些领域作出贡献，这些领域对许多进一步的可持续发展目标至关重要。

START is a proposal to utilise Synchrotron Techniques for African Research and Technology. It will build a partnership between world leading scientists in Africa and the UK who specialise in two strands of science; developing and characterising novel energy materials (catalysts and photovoltaics) and structural biology (understanding disease and developing drug targets). In START the research direction will be set by considering the local environment and through engagement with scientists, energy industry representatives and relevant non-governmental organisations (NGO's) across Africa.Most importantly, START is not only about developing new energy materials or structural biology research; equally important is training the next generation of researchers and research leaders in these important areas of study. We will work together in sample fabrication and advanced characterisation through training visits between African and UK institutes. This will include experimental time at Diamond Light Source (the UK national synchrotron source) through peer reviewed access to many of the experimental facilities and in techniques that are the mainstay of understanding these materials. A major ambition of this partnership is to strengthen and broaden the network of synchrotron researchers in Africa, where there is a burgeoning ambition to exploit such facilities. This talent development will benefit the researchers themselves but also the local communities, society in general and the environment, through the reduction of burning fossil fuels and improved healthcare.There are unique challenges to developing sustainable energy in Africa; the large fraction of off-grid consumers, the degradation of energy devices in an environment of heat and dust and the high initial capital costs for traditional installations of energy production or storage systems. Similarly challenging is addressing the health needs on the African continent, where diseases like tuberculosis and malaria negatively affect whole societies. The first step to finding and developing cures is to understand the molecular structure. Thus for both strands of research, synchrotron radiation for structure determination is at the core of scientific progress. It is critical that the countries in Africa expand their own capabilities to produce the next generation of appropriate energy materials and development of cures for relevant diseases. START aims to aid those developments through building the capacity and capability of African based scientists in both strands. The START team is driven by the ambition to work together to solve these two strands of research, addressing some of the most pressing problems that will directly impact on peoples lives. This proposal is directly in line with the development aspirations of the African Nations who have a stated ambition to 'transform Africa from traditional to modern sources of energy and ensure access of all Africans to clean and affordable electricity' and 'Develop/implement strategies for the growth of the pharmaceutical industry in Africa'. Our aspirations are furthermore directly in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals of Affordable and Clean Energy (Goal 7) and Climate Action (Goal 13) as well as Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-Being). START will help to contribute in all of these areas, which crucially underpin many of the further Sustainable Development Goals.