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Specific research programmes (EEC) to be implemented by the Joint Research Centre - Advanced materials -, 1992-1994

 
Part of the third Framework programme for Community activities in the field of research and technological development (1990 to 1994) under subactivity I.2.: "Industrial and materials technologies", the programme builds on the achievements of the previous JRC programme in the field while placing greater emphasis on improving the performance of existing materials through surface treatments and coating.

Research is oriented in particular towards the following areas, all of which have a strong prenormative dimension and represent important enabling technologies for a whole range of advanced industrial applications:
- Alloys and intermetallics;
- Ceramics and composites;
- Coatings and processing;
- Surface modification technology;
- New functional materials;
- Non-destructive and evaluation techniques for advanced materials and components;
- Information and data management.

Supported by the unique facilities of the JRC, the research is conducted in close contact with manufacturing and user industries and, furthermore, aims at contributing to wider European and international standardization efforts in the vast field of new materials.

The Advanced Coating Centre (ACC), a joint venture between the Netherlands Energy Research Foundation (ECN) and the JRC's Institute for Advanced Materials at Petten, began operation in 1991. It offers research facilities and expertise to industry for the development of coatings for severe environments. The installations of the Surface Modification Centre at Ispra have been improved and completed. The High Temperature Materials Databank (HTM-DB), also installed at Ispra, provides computerized information on materials properties and facilitates the exchange of data between collaborating parties in joint projects.
To help ensure that Community manufacturing industry has better access to a range of cost-effective, well- characterized advanced materials, and to provide a focal point for the exchange of information on prenormative research on advanced materials.
Five research areas:

- Materials for extreme performance environments:
To evaluate the performance and mechanisms of deterioration of materials in simulated industrial and emission environments and to contribute to physically based modelling with experimental verification to predict behaviour in service;
- Reliability and life extension:
Determination by experiment and modelling of the mechanical performance of advanced structural materials, and experimental validation of the models;
- Measurement and validation methodologies for materials and structures:
Development and improvement methods for the measurement, testing and detection of properties of metallic, ceramic and composite materials, including the validation of these methods as a prenormative input to the subsequent development, improvement or optimization of codes and standards by European standards institutions;
- Surface modification technology:
To develop surface engineering techniques for the improved performance of metals and ceramics, including the improvement of wear and corrosion resistant surfaces and coatings, the improvement of component fatigue life and the increased chemical sensitivity of surfaces for gas sensor applications;
- Materials information and data management:
To provide computerized information on materials properties as a service to materials processing, engineering and design, and to promote standardization of materials knowledge systems.
The Commission, assisted by the Board of Governors of the Joint Research Centre (JRC) and the Institute for Advanced Materials Advisory Committee, is responsible for carrying out the programme by means of the services of the JRC and in parallel with other relevant specific programmes of the third Framework programme (1990-1994).

The programme comprises research and technological development (RTD) projects and accompanying measures. The RTD projects are carried out in collaboration and in concert, whenever feasible, with national research bodies in the Member States, taking into account as far as possible regional development aspects of RTD activities and their potential socio-economic effects. Particular attention will be paid to associations with industry, notably with SMEs, in collaborative schemes around the projects.

The research is carried out largely at Petten and partly at Ispra by the JRC's Institute for Advanced Materials (IAM).

The Commission is authorized to negotiate international agreements with third country members of COST, in particular member countries of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and Central and Eastern European countries, with a view to associating them with the programme. However, no contracting body based outside the Community may benefit from the Community financing granted to the programme. Such a body shall contribute to the general administrative costs.

Research projects open to international cooperation shall include cooperation measures with international research laboratories and make provision for the exchange of researchers. Supplementary measures should allow cooperation with research laboratories and institutions located in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe.

The funds estimated as necessary for the execution of the programme amount to ECU 77.22 million, 6% of which may be used for exploratory research. A sum representing 1% of the JRC budget for 1992-1994 is reserved as a contribution from the JRC's specific programmes to the centralized action on dissemination and exploitation of results (VALUE II).

Knowledge gained through the realization of the projects will be disseminated by the programme itself as well as by the centralized action.

The Commission shall each year before 31 March present to the European Parliament, the Council and the Economic and Social Committee a report on the implementation of the programme, together with the observations of the Board of Governors. At the end of the programme an evaluation of the research shall be conducted by a group of independent external experts and a report on the evaluation, accompanied by the opinion of the Board of Governors, shall be forwarded to these same bodies.