http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7231173.stm
"Light rays, 10 billion times brighter than the Sun, are being used to
probe the Tudor warship, the Mary Rose.
The research is taking place at the Diamond synchrotron, a beam-
generating machine that covers the area of five football pitches.
Scientists are using the facility in a bid to fine-tune the
conservation of the historic vessel's timbers. "
If you aren't familiar with the story of the Mary Rose, or for that
matter the Diamond project, they're both an interesting subject to
read up on.