Small science and big science entanglement: the advent of a new era of synchrotron light sources for chemical research—Chemistry at the Edge

Large facilities (big science) that provide advanced capabilities not available in researchers’ laboratories in universities and institutions have become increasingly indipensible to advance research and innovation. A synchrotron light source is one of such facilities crucial to chemical research. Herein, the entanglement of small science and big science in general is described with emphasis placed on the interplay of research in individuals’ laboratory (small science), and advanced tools at the synchrotron light source (big science) from the perspective of matching scientific problems with techniques at the synchrotron for solution, and the interaction of users with the staff and management of the facility (human activity). The discussion is focused on one phenomenon, X-ray absorption and related techniques, which are element specific and ideally suited for probing structure and bonding of materials and their functionality. I will describe why X-ray absorption spectroscopy is literally “Chemistry at the Edge”. The sociology of synchrotron research and its impact on science will also be presented. The evolution of synchrotron science and technology globally will be noted, especially the history of R&D of synchrotron research in Canada and the bright prospect for chemical research using future synchrotron light sources.