ESRF – European Synchrotron Radiation Facility

The ESRF – European Synchrotron Radiation Facility is a large-scale European scientific research infrastructure specializing in the production and use of extremely high-intensity synchrotron radiation to study the structure of matter at the atomic and molecular level.

Located in Grenoble, France, the ESRF is one of the most advanced synchrotron radiation sources in the world. It functions as an open infrastructure for researchers from around the world, providing access to cutting-edge analytical techniques for various fields of knowledge, including:

• Materials science
• Physics and chemistry
• Life and health sciences
• Cultural heritage
• Environmental sciences and geosciences
• Engineering and industrial innovation

Portugal has been a member state of the ESRF since 1998, joining this international consortium comprising 22 countries. The FCT monitors national representation on the organization's Board and supports the Portuguese scientific community in accessing the technical and scientific capabilities of the ESRF.

Thanks to its advanced technology, the ESRF allows phenomena to be observed at nanometric scales with great precision, contributing to significant advances in fundamental and applied science, from the development of new materials to the study of proteins and biological structures with medical implications.

Portugal's participation in the ESRF strengthens the country's integration into European research infrastructures of excellence, promoting the internationalization of science and the training of highly qualified human resources.