The Neutron Activation Analysis Laboratories (NAAL) at the recently upgraded Berlin research reactor BER II Started routine operation in April 1994. In parallel, the cooperation under the Human Capital and Mobility scheme, Access to large-scale facilities, started its 3 years programme. Under the special conditions of the HCM programme, the lists of potential new users are only indicative and the final inclusion of projects is decided by local scientific committees. The first selection round for the inclusion of new EC groups to the HCM supported Berlin NAA project was held on March 26,.1994: The committee accepted the first four 'ready-to-start' projects of research groups in portugal, Spain and France. These projects will start experiments in summer 1994. The next selection round will be in autumn 94.
The aims for most of the intended and proposed cooperation projects are concentrated on trace element studies in life science and related fields: Biology, medicine, nutrition and environmental problems. The first Berlin NAA Workshop, held in March in parallel to the above mentioned selection round, resulted in fruitful interdisciplinary discussions on aims, problems and to be exspected results for the various intended projects.
The inclusion of well established groups from PECO countries to the Berlin NAA cooperation will further increase the scientific know-how of all groups concerned and promote the dissemination of knowledge. Several groups from romania, poland, and Slovenia, e.g., have shown interest in collaboration under PECO 94. The attached project description of the well established Slovenian group of Dr. B. Smodis is an example for those experiments that we want to include with high priority. The special experience of this group concerning the determination of Iodine in biological materials Will serve for an excellent complement to the experience of the groups involved in the HCM cooperation up to now.