Mumbai University launches new carbon-dating accelerator today

The University of Mumbai is launching India's most advanced carbon-dating accelerator today. The facility, located at the Mumbai University Accelerator Centre (MUAC), will enhance research in several fields, such as archaeology, forensics, and environmental sciences. The new accelerator will provide better results than current machines in the country. Sunil Ojha, a scientist from the Inter-University Accelerator Centre (IUAC) in Delhi, praised its higher power and reduced chances of breakdowns. The MUAC aims to connect academia and industry and extends its use beyond just archaeology. The project started in 2020 but faced delays due to the Covid-19 lockdown. Once restrictions lifted, technical issues arose, prompting university officials to bring in experts to solve them. The accelerator was successfully operational by last year. Professor Mayank Vahia noted that before this facility, Indian researchers had to send samples abroad for carbon dating, which was costly and slow. This new machine will significantly improve the accuracy of dating in various scientific disciplines, helping researchers understand India's historic and prehistoric sites better. The total cost of setting up the accelerator was about ₹10-12 crore. The university also invested in creating a dry, dust-free environment for its operation. However, an additional ₹4-5 crore is needed for further equipment to conduct independent radiocarbon dating. The university has plans to secure funding for this investment.