Press briefing "Research Infrastructures Nurturing Materials Science.

CCLRC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Didcot, (Oxford, UK) March 2005

Held on 3 March at one of the world's most prestigious research centres, the CCLRC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, near Oxford, this press briefing is the first of a series of events focusing on European Research Infrastructures, and their essential role in a wide range of domains - from astronomy to nanotechnology, from biomedical research to the preservation of our cultural heritage.

This first press briefing was focused on the impact of RI's in the area of Materials science. Research in materials aims at developing better, stronger, more efficient materials for use in industrial systems, medical devices, home equipments - and just about everything which touches our daily life. This research helps strengthen Europe's industrial leadership in such key areas as nanotechnologies - and enhance the quality of life of EU citizens.

The press briefing included presentations by senior scientists and policy makers as well as extensive on site visits. It illustrated the promises and the challenges encountered, as teams of researchers from all across Europe push the limits of knowledge and develop innovative processes and products. The briefing outlined the role of EU research and the strategies needed to maximise the use of such infrastructures and also illustrated the exciting new developments brought about by the coming on stream of a new generation of world-leading European Research infrastructures.

• Agenda. (PDF)
• Presentation by Janez Potocnik, EU Commissioner for Science and Research: "Research Infrastructures as a pillar of FP7". (PDF)
• Presentation by John Wood, Chief Executive of CCLRC"European Research Infrastructures for the future". (PDF)
• Presentation of EU research projects on "Research Infrastructures in support of Materials science and technologies of tomorrow"
• "Neutrons and muons for non-destructive materials testing: Project NMI3" Robert McGreevy, CCLRC-RAL, UK. (PPT)
• "Lasers for materials science: Project LaserLab" Wolfgang Sandner, Max Born Institute, Berlin, Germany. (PDF)
• Synchrotron radiation to illuminate materials: Project IA-SFS" Massimo Altarelli, Sincrotrone Trieste SCpA, Trieste, Italy. (PDF)


• Presentation of opportunities offered by Research Infrastructures of Pan-European interest.
• "Maximising the use of European research infrastructures in the field of multi-functional materials: the FAME-NoE (Network of Excellence) Jean-Pierre Gaspard, University of Liege, Belgium. (PPT)
• "Joining forces in Europe: Nanomaterials and nanotechnology using synchrotron and neutron in an integrated way". Helmut Dosch, Max Planck Institute für Metallforschung, Stuttgart, Germany. (PPT)

A set of documents have also been prepared in order to provide some background information on the issues discussed during the event.

1. European Research Infrastructures (RI) in Action

What are Research Infrastructures, why are they needed and how the different type of activities funded by the European Commission are organised. (PDF)

2, 3. Research Infrastructures and Material Sciences

What is Material Sciences and why RI are crucial for research in this scientific domain. Examples of results are also described, based on the projects which will be presented during the event. (PDF)

4, 5 and 6. The Research Infrastructure Projects: NMI3, LaserLab-Europe, IA-SFS

NMI3: offering unique non-destructive instruments, this integrating project shows the importance of neutron scattering and muon spectroscopy for the study of the internal structure of materials. (PDF)

LaserLab: set-up to increase the contribution of lasers in materials related technologies. Applications relate to multidisciplinary fields, including materials science, health sciences, or bio-technology. (PDF)

IA-SFS: Synchrotron radiation offers new potential for materials characterisation and for in-situ investigations of microstructures. This project helps external users to access major synchrotron and free electron laser facilities, while boosting the performance of these facilities. (PDF)

7. EU Materials Research in Action: the FAME Network of Excellence

This network is focusing on smart nano-materials, which are at the heart of a whole range of new devices and processes. Fame is a practical example on how research infrastructures are key elements for the excellence of research in the field of materials. (PDF)

8. Research Infrastructures and Nano-Materials: Gennesys, Dynasync, NanoQuanta Cases

Three other cases were identified to illustrate the value of European research co-operation. The need to join forces and to integrate actions for the future of research in nanomaterials and nanotechnology using synchrotron and neutron installations are highlighted through the Gennesys example. (PDF)

9. The European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures (ESFRI)

ESFRI aims at supporting a coherent European approach to policy-making on research infrastructures. ESFRI is currently preparing a roadmap for new RIs of pan-European interest. (PDF)

10. The Survey of European Research Infrastructures

To complement the ESFRI work, comprehensive information about the current pattern of Research Infrastructures in Europe is essential. A first European survey was carried out, end 2004, resulting in feedback from 585 Research Infrastructures, of which 472 are reported to be of top-level relevance for the scientific community. For 274 of these, the total investment for construction was over 20 M€ and for 75 of these the number of scientists directly employed is more than 100. (PDF)