MAJOR PUBLIC FACILITIES
(1)SPring-8(Super Photon ring-8 GeV) SPring-8, built on 140 hectares at Harima Science Garden City is a large synchrotron radiation facility capable of accelerating electrons with energy of up to 8 billion volts and utilizing the resulting radiated light. SPring-8 is an abbreviation for Super Photon ring-8. The 8 indicates the scale of 8 billion volts, or 8 GeV(giga-electron-volts). One electron volt is the energy an electron gains when accelerated by one volt in a vacuum. When a magnet is used to change the path of electrons that have been accelerated to near the speed of light, powerful rays of light are emitted. This light is called synchrotron radiation(SR). It allows study of the world at the atomic level and has many different applications. The capabilities of SPring-8 will far exceed previous facilities built for the study of SR. It is expected to make a valuable contribution to an increasing number of research fields. Due to the importance of SR to scientific research, researchers within and outside of Japan are working to develop high quality light sources with super-high luminosity and power of 6-8 GeV. The 8 GeV facility at Harima Science Garden City is one of the largest in the world. SPring-8 Web page		(2)Himeji Institute of Technology Himeji Institute of Technology is a prefectural university located in Himeji. It is made up of an Engineering Department, a Graduate Engineering Research Program and a Center for Basic Engineering Research Program, and a Center for Basic Engineering Research. As a core institution for academic research at the Nishi-Harima "Technopolis", it will play a major role in education and resarch. In April 1991,Himeji Institute of Technology opened its new Department of Science on the site of Harima Science Garden City. The Department is expected to help promote basic scientific research and expand its fields of research. Through research and development at the SPring-8 facility, the new Department of Science will also enhance the international character of Hyogo Prefecture and help it become a leader in science and technology in Japan. (3)Nishi-Harima Computer College Nishi-Harima Computer College opened in Harima Science Garden City in April,1991 as an institution for the training of technical personnel for data processing. The College has been established in keeping with policies of the Ministry of Labor and has received strong encouragement from the local community. With both public and private support, the College uses state-of-the-art computers, practical materials and a team of excellent instructors to train data procossing technicians. Graduates of the College will be able to actively participate in the creation of an advanced information society. (4)Center for Advanced Science & Technology HYOGO Center for Advanced Science & Technology HYOGO opened in 1993, to serve as liaison between colleges and other basic research institutions and industry. It is a center for information and technological exchange and facilitates training and company research and development. Along with Himeji Institute of Technology's Department of Science, Center for Advanced Science & Technology HYOGO plays a leading role in the creation of Harima Science Garden City.