Reinforcing S&T Capacities of Two Emerging Research Centers for Natural and Industrial Pollutant Materials in Serbia and Slovenia

Final Report Summary - RESTCA-TERCE-NIPMSS (Reinforcing S&T Capacities of Two Emerging Research Centers for Natural and Industrial Pollutant Materials in Serbia and Slovenia)

Project context and objectives:

The major concept of the project RESTCA-TERCE-NIPMSS is based on the fact that the enlargement of European Research Area (ERA) is best to achieve by identification and strategic support of promising centers within the European Union (EU) peripheral regions. The project activities were aimed at reinforcing the overall scientific and technological (S&T) potential of two emerging research groups in Serbia and Slovenia, which are dealing with study of natural and industrial solid pollutants. The project idea focused on improving human potential and technological capacities of these institutions and on establishing strong partnerships both among the two and between them and an excellent research entity in Germany.

The Faculty of Mining and Geology, University of Belgrade (UB-FMG) is the only institution in Serbia which focuses on education and research in various fields of earth sciences. This school covers an enormous range of topics including the evolution of life, nature of planetary interiors, earth-surface processes and related risks, and the process-oriented study of minerals and industrial products. The S&T ambience in geological research and education in Serbia underwent severe erosion during the last two decades, starting from the end of the eighties. This was caused by the overall economic stagnation and destruction of the state infrastructure and collapse of the mining-oriented industry, as well as by more than a decade of scientific isolation of Serbia during the nineties. An additional negative impact was a 'brain drain' followed by a continuous negative selection. However, in spite of that, the Mineralogy-Crystallography and Petrology-Geochemistry Departments of the FMG have preserved their human and material resources which are needed for leadership within the given scientific discipline.

The project involved a critical reinforcement of the know-how and technical research potential of the Departments of Mineralogy-Crystallography and Petrology- Geochemistry of UB-FMG. The UB-FMG cultivates a synergy between basic earth science and environment-oriented disciplines. The reinforcement confirmed UB-FMG a national / regional research centre of excellence on matters related to the study of natural and industrial minerals, with special emphasis on solid pollutant materials. After this improvement of its research capacity, this academic and scientific centre is certainly more capable of responding in a better fashion to the special needs of the social and public community. The existence of such a research centre is of great importance for sustainable development of Serbia and West Balkan (WB) region.

The Department of Geochemistry and Environmental Geology of the Geological Survey of Slovenia is a leading research group in this country in matters of various geochemical studies, in particular of those related to environmental changes and anthropogenisation. This research entity can potentially play a very important role in networking within the EU regions of convergence because of very large experience in environmental studies in the region of former Yugoslavia. The secondment and twinning measures undertaken by this project fully promoted and exploited research and technological development (RTD) results of this scientific entity. In addition, these support actions moved GeoZS towards the European core of research. Simultaneously, this institution will be a strategic link for similar research centers of the adjacent regions to be more easily integrated into ERA.

The Institute of Mineralogy of the University of Frankfurt (GUF) provided through this project a critical excellence in human and material capacities which was mobilised in order to achieve the principal objectives of this proposal. As an excellent European research entity this institution helped to set-up strategic partnerships under which the targeted emerging centers in Serbia and Slovenia realised their full research potential during the whole duration of the project. In such a way, the participation of the GUF in the project essentially contributed to the overall European effort to better exploit research potential in less advanced but very perspective regions and thereby to improve economic and social cohesion within them.

The project follows the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) research priority related to environment, in particular to industrial waste. A vast majority of the industrial waste in Serbia and adjacent regions is related to mining activities and the investigation of such material is only possible if all the general geological, mineralogical, crystallographic and geochemical issues are fully understood. The GeoZS and especially UB-FMG belong to the region where critical pollution occurred during the last 15 years. This was mostly controlled by war, old technologies and insufficient protection measures. Therefore, this region essentially requires the existence of centers where natural and industrial pollutants can be appropriately analysed. This is important for sustainable development of this region and will help in many other aspects, such as health, better food production, introduction of new and pure technologies, etc. In this context, the scientific dimension of the project objectives is best seen through the fact that the project addresses very important scientific problems of this region. It is estimated that only in the waste dumps in Serbia there are around 700 millions of tons of flotation or other mining waste material and the situation is similar in adjacent regions. The problems of mining-originated industrial waste has been inadequately constrained from the scientific point of view, mostly:

(i) because of the fact that geologists (mineralogist, petrologists and geochemists) were not sufficiently involved in solving these problems; and
(ii) due to the overall lack of analytical facilities available.

Developing of a research center in Serbia and its strategic networking with a similar center in Slovenia is aimed at essentially increasing the scientific potential of the South European region with respect to study of solid state pollutants. For instance, in terms of mining industry waste, it is well known that this material is represented by chemically-complex assemblages of crystalline and amorphous solids and their detailed characterisation offers an extraordinary technical challenge. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy / energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM / EDS) are the two principal methods used to characterise solid phases and their contaminant associations in these wastes. Reinforcing the mentioned centers will make sure that important aspects of study of solid pollutants are systematically applied, such as:

a) to make an accurate mineralogical characterisation of the material in waste dumps in Serbia and adjacent regions;
b) to study primary (e.g. pyrite, gypsum, quartz, carbonates, chlorite, micas, etc.) and secondary / oxidation waste mineralogy in terms of crystal structure and chemical composition (e.g. Fe and Cu sulfates and hydroxy sulfates, Cu carbonates, Fe and Al oxyhydroxides, etc.);
c) to identify areas / samples where additional, high-precision techniques must be applied in order to determine contents of toxic elements which are present in low but important concentrations (Pb, Zn, Cd, As, etc);
d) to better understand the phenomena that govern the oxidation of the sulfides, which predominate among the minerals present in waste dumps (e.g. solution substitutions / adsorption processes which may significantly contribute to the intake of released metals into newly formed minerals);
e) to perform geochemical simulations of alteration / oxidation processes and other chemical modelling, which strongly depend on a proper identification of the solid phases present, etc.

The following main and specific measurable objectives were addressed by the RESTCA-TERCE-NIPMSS project:

1. Strengthening the international cooperation networking and partnership between the UB-FMG, GUF and GeoZS.
This included:

a) setting-up a brain-gain environment at the UB-FMG and GeoZS by transferring information and translating research experience from the cooperating EU center; and
b) increasing overall training abilities of the members of the wider research community in participating states using mobility activities. This was the axial objective of the project that comprised several milestones and deliverables.

2. Improving material research standards at the UB-FMG by renewal and upgrade of the facilities necessary for chemical characterisation of solid pollutant minerals and other natural and industrial solid-state products.
This encompassed:

a) purchasing a scanning electron microscope equipped with energy dispersive system (SEM-EDS), cathodoluminescence detector, sputter coating device and necessary mineral standards;
b) upgrading the existing XRD system;
c) optimising the existing laboratory infrastructure; and
d) configuring a laboratory network / centre for microanalysis of materials related to environmental pollution. This was the core objective of the project.

3. Promoting the GeoZS and UB-FMG to national and regional centers of excellence having a mandate to collaborate with government and industry on matters related to microanalytical studies of pollutant minerals and industrial solid state products, in particular on those related to geochemical characterisation of solid industrial waste. There was a set of measures aimed at exploiting earlier results of the targeted centres and direct project achievements as well as at spreading awareness of the general project idea and concept.

4. Establishing a basis for better networking among the institutions from the European region of convergence and Western Balkan, which have the same research interests.
This included dissemination of scientific information at the regional level and counterbalancing the processes of scientific disintegration and fragmentation within the WB region. Addressing of this objective established conditions for better response to further Framework Programme calls in these regions.

5. Promoting the ideas of the EU Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) forRTD in Serbia by inviting high-ranked scientist from EU centers of excellence, by organising lectures and workshops as well as by popularising the project scope, objectives and outcomes via various dissemination activities. The involvement of EU researchers was carried out in the frame of brain-gain (mobility) activities for which a large part of the budget was allocated.

6. Counterbalancing the effects of 'brain drain' in Serbia by restoring the contacts with PhD students and young researchers from Serbia who presently work in research centers worldwide.
This objective was addressed by:

a) opening two post-Doc positions at the UB-FMG during the project;
b) increasing and encouraging the outgoing mobility with enhanced participation of young people of the Serbian scientific community;
c) increasing the student interest for the study of earth sciences by offering improved curricula;
d) incorporating new courses about novel analytical techniques and their application.

This proposal directly addresses the research area peripheral to EU (i.e. region of convergence and WB region), which has a great potential but needs specific reinforcements to be appropriately integrated into ERA. Especially important are promising clusters of researchers having already been recognised as clusters of excellence within the given scientific community. Provided that they are strategically supported, these centers can achieve best results in enlarging and integrating ERA.

Project results:

Main scientific and technological results of the RESTCA-TERCE-NIPMSS project can be explained in terms of three most important set of activities:

1) renewal and upgrade of the necessary facilities at the UB-FMG;
2) reinforcement of international cooperation networking of GeoZS and UB-FMG; and
3) brain-gain activities at the education and research level.

Following the project structure, which is broken into five work packages (WPs) each comprising a definite assemblage of tasks, these activities were mainly addressed by WPs 1-3.

1) Renewal and upgrade of the necessary facilities at the UB-FMG

This set of activities resulted in improving scientific and technological material resources of the UB-FMG by supplying new and mobilising the existing material resources as well as by adjusting the general infrastructure within the immediate project area. The achieved progress provided an essential input to the UB-FMG in terms of material resources and represents the essential part for the whole project implementation. It is noteworthy that the facilities and technical standards at the UB-FMG, in general, have undergone a significant stagnation during the last two decades. Main results are:

1a) formation of a SEM-EDS laboratory; and
1b) upgrade of the existing XRD system.

1a) Formation of a SEM-EDS laboratory

This achievement included three subtasks:

i) purchase of a scanning electron microscope equipped with SEM-EDS and other accessories; and
ii) adjusting the existing infrastructure at the UB-FMG; and
iii) completion, installation and maintenance of the new and upgraded facilities and their incorporation into a laboratory system for microanalysis.

i) Purchase of a scanning electron microscope equipped with SEM-EDS and other accessories

The first task included purchase and supply of:

- A JSM-6610LV - a multi-purpose high performance, low vacuum analytical scanning electron microscope with a gun chamber with LaB6 filament and ion pump (10-5 Pa) as well as with a turbomolecular pump evacuation unit;
- Oxford INCA Energy 350 - a system for energy-dispersive microanalysis equipped with an analytical silicon drift detector;
- MINI CL - cathodoluminiscence detector 185 nm - 850 nm;
- BALTEC-SCD-005 - a sputter Au and C coating device;
- STANDARDS - a set of 30 sulphide / heavy metals standard blocks.

The supply of occurred in early June 2009 (month 14 of the project). For the procedure of expenditure, transport and supply subcontracting with the Institute for Nuclear Sciences Vina - Foreign Trade Office was necessary. All the equipment arrived safely except one box which one shock sensor was broken. After having been examined by specialists and in front of the representatives of the insurance company and after having agreed that no harms had been done, the protocol of stock reception was signed.

ii) Adjusting the existing infrastructure at the UB-FMG

Adjusting the existing infrastructure at the UB-FMG comprised necessary restructuring, adaptation and optimisation of the present working laboratory space at the site, and integrating the purchased system. It included the following activities:

i) necessary measurements of electromagnetic radiation and vibration parameters in the available rooms and deciding which is most suitable for the equipment installation;
ii) negotiation for necessary subcontracting and planning of the reconstruction;
iii) continuous supervising of the works done by subcontractor;
iv) final preparation for the instrument installation.

The following reconstruction works were successfully carried out:

i) splitting of the room; it was extremely important in order to physically separate the space for sample preparation and the instrument;
ii) re-installation of the electric system and change place of the water supply facilities;
iii) full insulation of the laboratory for providing low vibration and constant temperature;
iv) insulation of the floor for the same purpose.

iii) Completion, installation and maintenance of the new and upgraded facilities and their incorporation into a laboratory system for microanalysis

This task has been planned as a set off activities including:

a) complete installation of the SEM-EDS laboratory at fit-for-use level and its continuous maintenance;
b) upgrade of the associated laboratories; and
c) official incorporation of the SEM-EDS Laboratory into the Statute of the UB-FMG.

a) Complete installation and of the SEM-EDS Laboratory at fit-for-use level encompassed five working days of the supplier's specialists (SCAN, the costs included in the prize) and additional purchase of necessary laboratory items and consumables, such as desiccator and ultrasonic cleaner, argon bottle, high purity gas cylinder regulators and connector for hose, and air conditioner, cleaning substances, cloths, sponges, gloves, polishing paste, ladder, teapot, and petty desk accessories, glasses, erlenmeyers, funnels, filters, etc.

During the third project year, we succeeded to carry out around 100 working days. The use of the equipment was free of charge for the whole Serbian research area (non-profit projects only!) and this opportunity was used by more than 60 researchers from around 30 institutions in Serbia and West Balkan region. The widest possible range of materials was analyzed, from human skin to pristine ore minerals as well as from dried leaves to industrial metal alloys.

For ensuring a constant fit-for-use level some consumables, such as abrasives, CDs or other data carriers needed to be purchased. In addition to the consumables, we had to purchase an APC Smart-UPS item for stabilising the power supply in the SEM-EDS laboratory at the UB-FMG. During the period of more than 15 months of the constant laboratory work (ever since the installation of the laboratory), problems of sudden breaks in power supply occurred several times. This especially occurred during very cold and very hot weather conditions. For this purchase, an official permission from the Project Officer was obtained (see also below). The instrument was purchased and supplied on 2 March 2011.

b) Upgrade of accompanying laboratories necessary for sample preparation was aimed at gathering adequate support from the existing infrastructure.

The following line of activities was performed during the second project year:

i) Construction of a sample preparation chamber. This was completely designed and constructed by the UB-FMG staff and no extra costs were necessary.
ii) Service of the equipment in the laboratory for thin-sections. This task has been performed by specialists from the Geological Institute of Serbia and was financed by regular funds of the faculty.
iii) Purchase of small laboratory items and consumables, such as gloves and glass rods, glass plates for thin-sections, polishing paste, ladder, teapot, etc.

The following line of activities were performed during the first and, especially, second project year:

a) construction of a sample preparation chamber;
b) short service of the equipment in the laboratory for thin-sections; and
c) purchase of small laboratory items and consumables, such as gloves and glass rods, glass plates for thin-sections, polishing paste, ladder, teapot, etc.

The most important part of the activities in the last project year is the purchase and supply of an agate ball mill device (Retsch PM200). For this purchase, a written permission from the Project Officer Salvatore La Rosa has been obtained on 5 November 2010.

c) Official incorporation of the SEM-EDS laboratory into the Statute of the UB-FMG was organised in order to formally constitute the laboratory network within the Departments of Mineralogy, Crystallography, Petrology and Geochemistry.

These activities included an application form that was sent to the Scientific Council of the UB-FMG. The Scientific Council accepted the application and the Laboratory for Scanning Electron Microscopy is officially included into the existing laboratory network.
An application form that was sent to the Scientific Council of the UB-FMG during the second project year. The Scientific Council accepted the application and the Laboratory for Scanning Electron Microscopy is officially included into the existing laboratory network. The final approval was done by the Senate of the University of Belgrade on its 20th regular meeting on 13 April 2011 (see http://webserver.rcub.bg.ac.rs/sr/organ/6/157/Senat for further information).

1b) Upgrade of the existing XRD system

This task was of special interest for the Crystallography group of the UB-FMG. It was aimed at enabling a higher stability for routine work in the laboratory of Crystallography which will be a part of a laboratory network within the UB-FMG. The task comprised a purchase of an X-ray generator, a water cooling system and an X-ray tube housing for an upgrade of an existing diffractometer at the UB-FMG was started with the collecting the proposals. The process of collecting proposals started at the end of November 2008.

The purchased equipment arrived in July 2009. The representatives of UB-FMG members of Crystallographic laboratory undersigned the protocol of stock reception which included: a water chiller unit for X-ray tube cooling, new X-ray generator, a high voltage cable together with X-ray tube shield housing and shutter control box.

The purchased equipment arrived in July 2009. The upgrade of the diffractometer with the new equipment was commenced in September 2009. Service person from the Oxford Diffraction Ltd. (Mike Barclay), in the presence of representatives of UB-FMG members of Crystallographic laboratory, conducted the upgrade of the instrument that included.

Water and power installation in the laboratory was also upgraded in order to suitably put the instrument in the working condition. The upgrade procedure was finished in September 2009, and after additional adjustment the diffractometer was put in the working condition.

2) Reinforcement of international cooperation networking of GeoZS and UB-FMG

This objective generally focused on mobilising and reinforcing the human potential within the RESTCA-TERCE-NIPMSS area by strengthening international cooperation among the beneficiaries. In addition, it was also aimed at exploiting previous RTD results of the project beneficiaries, at first place GeoZS. There are three general results associated with this major project achievement:

2a) organisation of a short thematic workshop at GeoZS;
2b) organisation of a short thematic workshop at UB-FMG; and
2c) staff mobility used principally for international cooperation and networking.

2a) Organisation of a short thematic workshop at GeoZS

This result ensured that human resources of Geological Survey of Slovenia were appropriately mobilised primarily by exploiting its RTD results in the previous period. One of the main activities aimed at this objective was the short thematic workshop entitled 'Applied environmental geochemistry - Anthropogenic impact on human environment in the SE Europe'. The workshop was held from 6 to 9 October 2009 at GeoZS.

Organisation and running a workshop

During the previous project meetings, the project partners have organised the meeting and have discussed about most suitable time for the workshop, its title as well as to agree upon all the aspects about the program of lectures. Its purpose is providing a basis for further networking in the area of South East Europe and European countries by presenting achievements of previous projects and themes lead by the team of Geological Survey of Slovenia.

Workshop announcements

This sub-task comprised production of necessary informational material, such as posters, invitation letters, flyers, etc. The information about the course was available on the both sites, the official website of project RESTCA and the website of Geological Survey of Slovenia, respectively. Information about organisation has been provided to International Association of Hydrogeologists Slovenia Committee and its members from different geological and hydrogeological organisations, environmental agencies, institutes and private companies.

Workshop logistics

So many task had to be completed before the workshop begin, such as booking the accommodation for the foreigner lecturers and some participants, booking and preparing a room for lectures (conference hall at GeoZS), providing the equipment for teaching (computers, video-beam and overhead projectors, etc), preparing the promotion material for the event such as proceeding book, fliers, posters, notebooks, organising some refreshments for the breaks and other things.

Program and participants

During three days of workshop, 36 lecturers from 9 countries (Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Macedonia, Serbia and finally Slovenia) were presented their results in the modern approach of environmental geology and geochemistry based on professional experience. For the last day of workshop has been organised guide excursion of field trip in Velenje where are located a lignite mine and thermo power plant. The workshop has been attended by 55 participants from 20 institutions from seven European countries.

2b) Organisation of a short thematic workshop at UB-FMG

The thematic workshop entitled: 'Environmental problems related to active and abandoned mines in Southeastern Europe' was organised from 1 to 5 November 2010 at UB-FMG.

The workshop planning

Planning of the course was directed by idea to have three activities within the seminar:

(1) lectures;
(2) one day field trip to coal mine and ash deposit of Drmno; and
(3) opened meeting for all interested people who would like to participate to future common projects.

- Choice of lecturers.
The main aim of the seminar was to emphasis the main environmental problems related to mining activities not only in Serbia but in Southeastern Europe as well. The RESTCA team decided to invite experts from the surrounding countries following the fact that the countries from the same geographical region share the same environmental problems. Sixteen lecturers from seven countries responded and took participation in the seminar. Invited colleagues from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Monte Negro and Greece unfortunately were not able to come to Serbia and give lectures.

- Seminar venue
The seminar was held at the Ceremony Hall of the UB-FMG. The room was reserved more than one month before starting of the seminar.

- Coordination with students activities
The period planed for the seminar was directed not only by students obligations but also by their activities connected with their own projects which are dealing with environmental problems. The RESTCA team wanted to have a meeting simultaneously with opening an exhibition entitled XYXYX which was performed b a student group from UB-FMG.

- Organising one day field trip
One of the aims of the seminar was to visit one of Serbian environmental hot spots. The idea was to visit the coal open pit and ash deposit of Drmno, which is close to Belgrade. In the frame of this task, it was necessary to rent a bus, to get permission for visits, to find appropriate date for the trip.

The course announcements

As it was done before, the RESTCA-TERCE-NIPMSS team prepared again material necessary to spread out information about the seminar. The team produced posters, circular, invitation letters, all with the aim to announce the program of the seminar and the seminar itself. This time the target group was not only geologists and experts who are dealing with interaction of geology and environment, but also other experts such as chemisists, biologists, engineers of forestry, geographers. It was planned to have around 25 participants. The material was available at least than one month before the seminar started.

The seminar logistics

All logistical activities were done by the RESTCA-TERCE-NIPMSS team members starting from September. The main tasks were to agree with the lecturers about titles and content of the lectures, to book the room for lectures and to organise transportation for the field trip. Other activities were organising a reception at the airport, creation posters, circular, announcements, organising accommodation for the guests, meetings and social activities, to organise coffee breaks and refreshments etc.

The seminar executing

The whole seminar was divided into three parts:

I - Lectures
Lectures were given within four days of the seminar. Lectures were divided into few topics:

(a) general information about environment pollution;
(b) problems related to organic pollutants such as coal exploration and petroleum burning (the lecture of Dr D. Ivoti was an introduction to the field trip and localities that were visited during excursion);
(c) environmental problem in surrounding countries - Romania, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia, Croatia; and
(d) environmental problems in Serbia - the Bor district as a main hot spot in Serbia - the problem of the Bor area was elaborated from different points of view - from geological and geochemical to microbiological and remediation activities.

Special guest of the seminar was a student group who presented their project-exhibition entitled: 'Conscience for landfill should (better) be recycled'. The exhibition was opened on Monday at the corridor of the UB-FMG and lasted simultaneously with the seminar.

Programme

The seminar was opened by Dr Vladica Cvetkovi, project coordinator, who gave a short welcome note and a presentation about the idea of the RESTCA-TERCE-NIPMSS. Dr Kristina Ari, Scientific Secretary of the RESTCA project who guided the rest of the meeting. The program of the seminar was completely filled. Sixteen lecturers from seven countries had talks about important environmetal problems: Dr Stefan Weyer and Dr Marina Lazarov - both from the University of Hannover, Gemany, Dr Ladislav Palinka (University of Zagreb, Faculty of Sciences, Croatia), Dr Dragana ?Ivoti (UB - Faculty of Mining and Geology), Dr Branimir Jovanievi (UB - Faculty of Chemistry), Dr Mihaela Sima (Insitute of Geography, Romanian Academy of Science), Dr Radostina Atanassova (Geological Institute, Bulgarian Academy of Science), MSc. Toma Budkovi, Dr Mateja Gosar and MSc Jasminka Alijagi - all from Geological Survey of Slovenia, Dr David Alderton (University of London, Royal Holloway, United Kingdom), Dr Traje Stafilov (Ciril and Methodius University, Macedonia), Dr Anja Doen (Institute Vina, Serbia), MSc Boidar Oki (Geological Institute of Serbia, Serbia), MSc Lidija Oki (UB - Faculty of Biology), MSc Dragana Ranelovi (UB - Faculty of Forestry). The official language of the seminar was English, but two lecturers (MSc T. Budkovi and MSc B. Oki) gave their presentations in Serbian.

The educational structure of the participants was heterogeneous - from undergraduate, graduate and post-graduate students (BSc, MSc and PhD), then post-doctors, teachers and engineers to full professors and academicians. The seminar was followed by geologists, archaeologists, engineers of forestry, chemists, biologists as well as retired researchers and unemployed engineers.

Field trip

Field trip was guided by the Kostolac company. He and his collaborators shown us the main ash deposit of Drmno which is building at the moment according to European standards. Further information about ash itself were provided by Dr Aleksandra Rosi, a member of the RESTCA team. At the end of the field trip, the famous Roman archaeological site Viminacium was visited as well.

Round table meeting

The round-table meeting was organised on Thursday, at 14 h, after lectures. It was a transparent and available meeting to all interested researchers who had in their mind to work on common projects dealing with environmental problems and heavy pollutants in the region. The idea was to start with multidisciplinar and international project written in the frame of various funding schemes, such as NATO, COST, FP7, etc.

2c) Staff mobility used principally for international cooperation and networking

The existing international co-operation of the beneficiaries was reinforced and new contacts with EU research centers were established via a set of mobility activities. Staff mobility was generally organised by producing general plans for mobility activities for each Project year, which were approved by project management board. In addition to project resources, the existing pathways of cooperation and exchange programs were also used (e.g. bilateral projects, CEEPUS, etc.). The following set of mobility activities were realised during the whole duration of the Project (this list does not include the visits of staff members in order to participate or organise meetings presented as separate results of the project):

3) Brain-gain activities at the education and research level

This set of activities was generally aimed at gaining necessary theoretical and practical laboratory skills about up-to-date standards in microanalytical techniques, especially those used in geo-environmental studies as well as at training the staff and graduate and post-graduate students of the UB-FMG and GeoZS in routine work procedure of using the new equipment. This brain gain was designed to lead to critical reinforcing the research capability of the members of wider scientific and research community in the EU convergence and WB regions. There were the following results associated with this major project achievement:

3a) organisation of a short course on principles and applications of SEM-EDS systems at the UB-FMG;
3b) organisation of a course on other microanalytical techniques with particular emphasis on the application in environmental studies;
3c) a course in application of X-ray diffraction;
3d) offering two post-doc positions at the UB-FMG;
3e) the integration of the SEM-EDS course into curricula at the UB-FMG;
3f) staff mobility.

3a) Organisation of a short course on principles and applications of SEM-EDS systems at the UB-FMG

The course entitled 'Principles and application of SEM-EDS systems' was organised at the UB-FMG between 27 and 30 April 2009. It was led by members of Beneficiary 2 (GUF - University of Frankfurt): Dr Heidi Höfer, Dr Axel Gerdes and Dr Marina Lazarov. Apart of the GUF team members, Dr Dirk Frei from the Geological Survey of Denmark was invited to contribute to the short course by his lecture.

The course participants were familiarised with theoretical constraints, system capability, and general analytical procedure of the technique of scanning electron microscopy, energo-dispersive analytical technique and cathodoluminescence imaging systems. The presentations of Dr Heidi Hoefer, and partly those of Dr Marina Lazarov, covered basic principles of scanning electron microscope technique including SEM instrumentation, sample collection, preparation and limitations of the method, different types of sample imaging, and quantitative analyses and applications of an EDS system. Dr Marina Lazarov introduced the method of cathodoluminescence, which was further addressed more in detail by the presentation of Dr Axel Gerdes. Dr A. Gerdes gave a talk entitled 'Application of cathodoluminescence imaging in Earth sciences, using zircon as example'. Dr Dirk Frei gave a talk entitled 'Application of computer controlled scanning electron microscopy (CCSEM) in geosciences'. In addition to the scientific part, there was an important contribution given by BSc Slavko Iek, Director of the SCAN Company (Pridvor, Slovenia). This company is the supplier of the instrument which will be installed in the SEM-EDS laboratory at the UB-FMG. On this occasion BSc S. Iek gave short presentations entitled: 'JEOL JSM 6610LV and its possibilities' and 'OXFORD Xmax detectors and possibilities'.

The course in general has provided the scientific audience of Serbia with important training in making accurate in situ measurements of a large suite of elements in various minerals (silicates, carbonates, phosphates, oxides), and other materials ranging from silicate glasses to metals. Principles of data acquisition, calibration and quantification strategies were also presented. A wide area of application of this analytical technique including analyses of: pressed powder briquettes (e.g. rocks, soils, sediments, etc.), archaeological materials (glass beads, ceramics), plastics, metals (e.g. steel industry), semi-conductor materials, catalysts (e.g. zeolite) and biological material (tree rings, shells, teeth, bones, etc.) was addressed.

The course attended 64 participants. Many target groups had their representatives, such as UB-FMG, Faculty of Dentistry, Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, Faculty of Archaeology, Faculty of Chemistry, and Faculty of Forest Engineering (all from the University of Belgrade), Faculty of Technology (University of Novi Sad), Department for Environment Protection of the Educons University (Serbian private University), Geological Institute of Serbia, etc. Besides, there were three members of GeoZS team (Dr Robert Ajn, Dr Gorazd Ibert and MSc Jasminka Alijagi, two PhD students / young researchers from the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (Faculty of Agriculture and Faculty of Mining and Geology), and one PhD student from the University of Koice (Slovakia).

3b) Organisation of a course on other microanalytical techniques with particular emphasis on the application in environmental studies

The short course entitled 'Microanalytical techniques in applied earth science' was organised from 18 to 26 February 2010 at the University of Belgrade - Faculty of Mining and Geology (UB-FMG).

The course planning

Planning of the course was directed by few important activities that should be synchronised:

- the invited lecturers had various obligations beside the seminar;
- selection of appropriate room for lectures;
- coordination of students' obligations (exam period and start of new semester) and date of the seminar;
- incorporation a short practical course in the laboratory of SEM-EDS.

The course announcements

The RESTCA-TERCE-NIPMSS team prepared material necessary to spread out information about the seminar. The team produced posters, circular, invitation letters, all with the aim to announce the program of the seminar and the seminar itself. The target group was geologists and experts who are dealing with interaction of geology and environment. It was planned to have around 25 participants. The material was available more than one month before the seminar started. Special announcement was given for the practical course in the laboratory where it was emphasised that limited number of participants is planned.

The course logistics

All logistical activities were done by the RESTCA-TERCE-NIPMSS team members starting from January. The main tasks were to agree with the lecturers about titles and content of the lectures and to book the room for lectures (Lecture Hall at the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts). Other activities were organising a reception at the airport, creation posters, circular, announcements, organising accommodation for the guests, meetings and social activities etc.

The courses

As it was mentioned before, the whole seminar was divided into two parts:

I - Short practical course - held in the Laboratory of SEM-EDS at the UB-FMG
The course was given by Dr Heidi Höfer and Dr Axel Gerdes from GUF form 15 February to 19 February according to schedule given in the circular. Seven participants were firstly introduced to theoretical information about a SEM-EDS system and after that they analysed different material and use all devices that the SEM-EDS system has.

II - Theoretical part - held in the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts
Fourteen lecturers give lectures about different microanalytical techniques in applied earth science and environmental problems caused by mining activities. Around 25 to 30 participants were daily present in the lecture hall.

Lecturers and participants

The short practical course was led by Dr Heidi Hoefer and Dr Axel Gerdes who worked with seven participants in the Laboratory of SEM-EDS of the UB-FMG.

The theoretical course was opened by a project coordinator Dr Vladica Cvetkovi and Dr Kristina Ari, Scientific Secretary of the RESTCA project, guided the rest of the meeting. The lecturers of this short course were: Dr Axel Gerdes (Goethe Institute, University of Frankfurt, Germany), Dr Marina Lazarov (Goethe Institute, University of Frankfurt, Germany), Dr Robert Ajn (Geological Survey of Slovenia, Slovenia), MSc Jasminka Alijagi (Geological Survey of Slovenia, Slovenia), Dr David Alderton (University of London, Royal Holloway, United Kingdom), Dr Dirk Frei (GEUS, Denmark), Dr Stefan Weyer (Koeln University, Germany), Dr Mihaly Postfai (University of Pannonia, Hungary), Dr Traje Stafilov (Ciril and Methodius University, Macedonia), Dr Biljana Krbi (University of Novi Sad, Serbia), Dr Milica Kaanin-Grubin (EDUCONS University, Serbia), MSc Boidar Oki (Geological Institute of Serbia, Serbia), MSc Duan Koji, University of Belgrade, Serbia), Dr Aleksandar Paevski (University of Belgrade, Faculty of Mining and Geology).

The educational level of the participants was heterogeneous - from BSc to MSc and PhD students, post-doc researchers, professors, engineers, academicians. The course was followed by geologists, archaeologists, technologists, engineers of agriculture and forestry, chemists, as well as retired researchers and unemployed engineers. The course was evaluated by the participants and has got very good results.

3c) A course in application of X-ray diffraction

The course entitled 'X-ray diffraction and its application in the investigation of crystalline materials' was successfully organised from 31 May to 5 June 2010 at UB-FMG. The organisation of the course included the following activities:

The course planning

The course was organised in two parts. The first part was organised in UB-FMG Ceremony Hall. Basis and principles of X-ray diffraction on polycrystalline material were presented. The second part was organised in Ivanjica (a small town 250 km away from Belgrade) along with the annual conference of the Serbian Crystallographic Society. This second part was dedicated to applications of X-ray diffraction in investigation of polycrystalline material. In such a way, the course had a rather large audience and that was important primarily because the RESTCA-TERCE-NIPMSS project had an invaluable opportunity to directly promote itself in front of much wider scientific community than it was expected for this course. In addition, the occasion of having a meeting outside of Belgrade was used for organising a half-day field trip to Jarandol basin (on the way back to Belgrade).

The course announcements

The RESTCA-TERCE-NIPMSS team prepared material necessary to spread out information about the seminar. The team produced posters, circular, invitation letters, all with the aim to announce the program of the seminar and the seminar itself. The website was regularly updated and the information about the course was available at least two months before the start. Besides the UB-FMG team members have prepared many informal invitations to all the colleagues that were potentially interested. The target groups were chemists, physicists, geologists and all experts who are dealing with interaction of natural / technical sciences and environment. It was planned to have around 50 participants. The material was available more than one month before the seminar started. Special announcement was given for the practical course in the laboratory where it was emphasised that limited number of participants is planned. The application form was prepared electronically and the first deadline was 15 April later prolonged until 25 April 2010.

The course logistics

All logistical activities were done by the RESTCA-TERCE-NIPMSS team members starting from January 2010. The main tasks were to agree with the lecturers about titles and content of the lectures. However, there was a line of tasks which had to be completed before the start of the course, such as booking the accommodation for the lecturers and some participants (e.g. from Germany, Austria, Switzerland), booking the room for lectures, providing the equipment for presentations (computers, video-beam and projectors, etc), organising refreshments for the breaks, meetings, social activities, etc.

The course program and execution

The course entitled 'X-ray diffraction and its application in the investigation of crystalline materials' was organised from 31 May to 2 June 2010 at UB-FMG (first part) and from 3 to 5 June 2010 in Ivanjica (second part). The whole course was done according to the programme that was designed by the UB-FMG project team. It encompasses the tasks of direct conducting and undertaking the course itself, such as steering the schedule, maintenance of the lecturing equipment, accommodating slight changes in the program, organising an inquiry for evaluation, and so on.

The course was opened by Dr Vladica Cvetkovi, project coordinator, who gave a short welcome note and a fifteen minute presentation about the idea of the RESTCA-TERCE-NIPMSS. In addition, project coordinator gave a short introduction for each lecturer. The official language of the course was English.

The course participants

The course was attended by 57 participants from the following 17 different institutions from Serbia and abroad. The educational level of the participants was heterogeneous - from BSc to MSc and PhD students, post-doc researchers, professors, engineers. The course was followed by geologists, chemists, physicists, technologists, as well as retired researchers and unemployed engineers (see attachment for photos).

3d) Offering two post-doc positions at the UB-FMG

The advertisement for two post-doc positions was published on 27 February 2009 in a daily newspaper 'Politika'. The original advertisement has been immediately placed on the project website (please see http://www.rgf.bg.ac.rs/restca/scanned/advertisment.jpgUH online). The original deadline for applications was set on 20 April 2009. Two applications arrived before deadline and were officially taken into consideration. Only one application was successful because the other candidate was not a PhD holder at the time of application. In this context, only one post-Doc position was filled at the beginning of the second project year.

Accordingly, the first successful candidate was Dr Aleksandar Paevski (see http://www.rgf.bg.ac.rs/restca/team1.html online) and he made a two-year contract with the UB-FMG starting from 1 May 2009. The contract lasted until the end of the project (30 April 2011). The second position remained unfilled six months. The second advertisement was published on 6 November 2009 in the most distinguished Serbian daily newspaper 'Politika'. It was an advertisement for a young-researcher position and it attracted four candidates. The European Commission decided that the most successful candidate is Mr Predrag Vuli who was in the late stage of his PhD in Innsbruck, Austria. The contract with Predrag Vuli started on 1 December 2009 and lasted until the end of the project (30 April 2011).

3e) The integration of the SEM-EDS course into curricula at the UB-FMG

This task was originally scheduled for the third year and foreseen to be undertaken using a common procedure according to the existing regulation of the UB-FMG and Ministry of Education of the Republic of Serbia.

Aims and outcomes of the SEM-EDS course

Getting theoretical and practical knowledge of various possibilities and usage of scanning electron microscopy and X-ray microanalysis in geology and other sciences. It is expected that the students finishing this subject are able to work in a laboratory for scanning electron microscopy and to interpret the obtained results of X-ray microanalysis.

Official status of the course

The course is officially waiting the approval of the accreditation commission authorised by the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Serbia. The next accreditation process will be in 2012 and until that the course content will be included into existing courses: 'Methods of investigations of rocks and minerals', 'Instrumental mineralogy' and 'Analytical methods in geochemistry.'

3f) Staff mobility used for brain-gain and training activities

Activities designed to address this major objective were supported by a set of mobility activities. As for the previous major objective, staff mobility was generally organised by producing general plans for mobility activities for each project year, which were approved by the project management board. In addition to project resources, the existing pathways of cooperation and exchange programs were also used (e.g. bilateral projects, CEEPUS, etc.). A number of mobility activities could therefore be realised during the whole duration of the project.

Final Report Summary - RESTCA-TERCE-NIPMSS (Reinforcing S&T Capacities of Two Emerging Research Centers for Natural and Industrial Pollutant Materials in Serbia and Slovenia)

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