Capitol News

Laurent Bili, the ambassador of France to the United States, visited the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) at Michigan State University (MSU) on July 22. His visit marked the one-year anniversary of the establishment of the International Research Laboratory on Nuclear Physics and Astrophysics (IRL NPA), a collaboration between MSU and France's National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS).

"The establishment of the International Research Laboratory on Nuclear Physics and Astrophysics at FRIB last year was the beginning of an academic partnership to foster international relations to make a collective global impact," said MSU President Kevin M. Guskiewicz, Ph.D.

Ambassador Bili highlighted ongoing collaborative efforts between France and the U.S. in advancing scientific research. "Our countries, with their rich scientific traditions, shared values of innovation and dedication to excellence in research have long recognized that their combined efforts can achieve more than either could alone," he stated.

Interim Provost Thomas D. Jeitschko emphasized the importance of university research programs in fostering global innovation. "I believe there are many more opportunities to expand our scientific partnership and make a broader impact together with willing and collaborative partners like our French colleagues," he said.

Thomas Glasmacher, FRIB Laboratory Director, noted that international collaborations at IRL NPA are unlocking unprecedented discovery potential in nuclear physics and astrophysics. "This partnership allows us to tackle complex scientific and technical challenges while exchanging ideas and expertise among world-leading scientists," he remarked.

The collaboration between CNRS and MSU has been longstanding, particularly in nuclear physics research. Over 40 years of joint projects have yielded significant advancements such as developments in instrumentation like the General Electronics for TPCs (GET) system used internationally.

Recent collaborative research includes exploring dark matter decay in helium-6, improving instrumentation, modeling fundamental interactions, simulating nuclei formation processes, and testing fundamental symmetries of nature.

MSU's engagement with France extends beyond nuclear physics into various disciplines supported by active research grants. The university also participates in education abroad programs involving French institutions and hosts events like the Albertine Cinémathèque French Film Festival.

Antoine Petit, chairman and CEO of CNRS, praised IRL NPA’s first year as indicative of successful collaborative frameworks for scientific discovery. Jérôme Margueron, IRL NPA Director from CNRS, echoed this sentiment by highlighting technological gains through international cooperation.

Michigan State University has been a leader in nuclear science for over half a century. It operates FRIB as a user facility for the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science (DOE-SC), supporting discoveries about rare isotopes’ properties relevant to multiple fields including medicine and homeland security.