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The federal government is planning to close one-of-a-kind scientific instruments at the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation’s synchrotron in Melbourne and Lucas Heights reactor in Sydney, dealing what scientists say is a major blow to net zero research efforts.

The synchrotron is often used for research on metal-organic frameworks, the wonder material invented in Melbourne that just two weeks ago won its inventor the Nobel Prize in chemistry.

“We spent all that money on the synchrotron – it’s like buying a new car and then deciding not to put petrol in it,” said Professor B

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