The low-energy high-intensity heavy ion accelerator facility, or LEAF, is the world's first stand-alone heavy ion accelerator. It's capable of generating heavy ion beams several times more powerful than similar devices elsewhere.

Constructed by the Institute of Modern Physics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Lanzhou, Gansu province, LEAF officially began operations last week after 10 years of construction.

This facility is expected to help scientists explore the evolutionary history of cosmic elements. The techniques developed at the site could facilitate the synthesis of new elements beyond the current periodic table, and could help develop new materials for the nuclear industry, said Sun Liangting, a researcher at the institute and a member of the development team.

Shi Yudie contributed to this story.