Newswise — Chulalongkorn University and three leading Thai research institutions have renewed their collaboration on a major international neutrino experiment, strengthening Thailand’s participation in high-energy physics research.
Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Science, Suranaree University of Technology, the National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT), and the Synchrotron Light Research Institute (SLRI) signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on August 28 under the Thai–JUNO Consortium.
The agreement enables Thailand’s participation in the Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory (JUNO), an international scientific experiment in China aimed at studying neutrinos and addressing fundamental questions in particle physics.
Prof. Dr. Wilert Puriwat, President of Chulalongkorn University, said Chula remains committed to supporting research in high-energy physics, including the development of young researchers and stronger collaboration among research institutions.
“The collaboration among these four institutions is an important step in expanding Thailand’s research network and strengthening the country’s ecosystem for advanced scientific research,” Prof. Dr. Puriwat said.
“Together, we can generate new knowledge, develop scientific talent, and strengthen Thailand’s capabilities in high-energy physics.”
He also highlighted the potential for particle detection technologies developed through the research to be applied to areas such as disaster monitoring, creating practical applications beyond fundamental science.
The Thai–JUNO collaboration began in 2017 following Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn’s visit to the Institute of High Energy Physics (IHEP) in Beijing.
On April 7, 2017, Her Royal Highness presided over the signing of a collaboration agreement between JUNO (Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory) and three Thai institutions: Chulalongkorn University, Suranaree University of Technology, and NARIT.
The three institutions subsequently formalized the Thai–JUNO Consortium in June 2017, establishing a framework for Thailand’s long-term participation in the experiment.
Located more than 700 meters underground in Jiangmen, China, JUNO is designed to study neutrinos, fundamental particles with extremely small masses that rarely interact with matter and are therefore difficult to detect.
One of JUNO’s key scientific objectives is to determine the neutrino mass ordering and make precise measurements of parameters associated with neutrino oscillations.
The findings could contribute to a better understanding of the fundamental properties of matter and the evolution of the universe.
Thai researchers have already contributed to the development of JUNO infrastructure. Working with Chinese researchers, they designed and developed an Earth Magnetic Field Compensation System to reduce interference from Earth’s magnetic field and improve the performance of particle detectors.
The system has been installed and is now operating at the JUNO experimental site.
Thai researchers are also involved in international studies of supernova neutrinos and the search for new physics, research that could contribute to advances in particle physics and astrophysics.
The collaboration also provides Thai students and young researchers with the opportunity to work with international research teams and gain invaluable experience with advanced laboratories, equipment, and research technologies.
By participating in international scientific projects, students can develop expertise in science and engineering while building connections with researchers from around the world.
The partnership aims to support the development of a new generation of Thai researchers and engineers in advanced science and technology and strengthen the country’s research capacity over the long term.
The latest agreement also formally brings the Synchrotron Light Research Institute (SLRI) into the Thai–JUNO network.
SLRI contributes expertise in synchrotron technology and advanced engineering, expanding the technical capabilities available to the partnership and supporting closer collaboration between Thai and Chinese researchers.
The Thai–JUNO project is supported by the four participating institutions as well as research funding from the Program Management Unit for Competitiveness (PMUC), which focuses on developing highly skilled personnel in advanced science and technology.
Through continued research, international collaboration, and talent development, the Thai–JUNO partnership aims to strengthen Thailand’s contribution to global research in high-energy physics while building scientific and technological capacity at home.
Original release: https://www.chula.ac.th/en/news/424853/
