# ANU and Michigan State University join forces to strengthen nuclear science research collaboration between Australia and the US

**Source**: https://www.anu.edu.au/news/all-news/anu-and-michigan-state-university-join-forces-to-strengthen-nuclear-science-research-collaboration
**Parent**: https://www.anu.edu.au/

20 Mar 2026

The Heavy Ion Accelerator Facility (HIAF) based at ANU. Photo: Jamie Kidston/ANU

The Australian National University (ANU) [Research School of Physics](https://physics.anu.edu.au/) and the [Heavy Ion Accelerators (HIA)](https://accelerators.org.au/) have strengthened their partnership with the [Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB)](https://frib.msu.edu/) at Michigan State University in the United States (US) through the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

The agreement formalises a long-standing collaboration supporting joint research, as well as academic, technical staff and student exchanges.

The partnership spans key areas including fission and quasifission research, nuclear structure and reactions with rare isotope beams, accelerator science, and space radiation.

Scientists at HIA and FRIB are currently working together to develop a new fission spectrometer at FRIB, enabling world-first mass–angle distribution measurements of fission and quasifission with rare isotope beams.

ANU staff and students are also leading the analysis of an experiment performed with the FRIB Decay Station Initiator last year.

The MoU will strengthen heavy ion accelerator infrastructure through sharing of expertise in accelerator physics and engineering, ensuring the ANU-based Heavy Ion Accelerator Facility (HIAF) —funded through the Australian Government’s [National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS)](https://www.education.gov.au/ncris)—remains world-class.

It will also deepen collaboration on the testing of spacecraft electronics and materials, supporting the growth of Australia’s space industry.

The MoU also paves the way for expanded industry engagement, particularly in space radiation effects testing, and strengthens future research and exchange opportunities between Australia and the US.

Read more about the world-class research conducted at the HIAF at [*ANU Reporter.*](https://reporter.anu.edu.au/all-stories/going-nuclear-for-nemo-how-anu-scientists-are-helping-save-the-great-barrier-reef)

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