Research conducted at Michigan State University's National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory. Photo by Kurt Stepnitz.

A plaque, signed by staff and students at MSU's National Superconducting Cycltron Laboratory, was unveiled at a June 12 ceremony at the lab. The event marked a major expansion of the NSCL and celebrated the coming of the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams. The plaque will hang in the NSCL's atrium. Photo by G.L. Kohuth.

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EAST LANSING, Mich. — A series of events this week will help Michigan State University dedicate a major expansion of its National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory and celebrate the coming of the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams.

At a ceremony held at NSCL from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. on Friday, June 12, officials from the National Science Foundation, the Department of Energy and MSU will give brief remarks and T. James Symons, director of the Nuclear Science Division for the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, will give a keynote address on rare isotope research. The event will be held in the new experimental high bay of NSCL.

Also part of the program will be a special musical production prepared by Kate McAlpine, the producer of the “Large Hadron Rap,” a YouTube viral sensation that combined particle physics, music and video. The new video is a nuclear rap video that introduces FRIB science.

At a luncheon from 12:15 p.m. to 2:05 p.m. at the MSU Kellogg Center, several elected officials will give remarks and Steve Koonin, DOE undersecretary for science, will give the keynote address on energy policy and the nation’s energy needs.

In addition, from 8:30 to 10 a.m. staff will provide tours of the NSCL for invited guests.

From 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 13, the NSCL will open its doors to the public for tours, hands-on science demonstrations, multimedia presentations and a chance to learn more about the FRIB project.

More information on FRIB is available at www.frib.msu.edu. Reporters interested in attending the June 12 events are asked to contact Geoff Koch to arrange for lunch.

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