JOINT RESEARCH CENTRE - 1996 ANNUAL REPORT
Date: 1997-04-03
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: EU activity, EU policy, activity report, research body, technological change

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN  COMMUNITIES 

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Brussels,  03.04.1997 
COM(97)  137 final 

JOINT RESEARCH CENTRE 

1996 ANNUAL  REPORT 

(Presented by the Commission) 

FOREWORD 

Every  year  the  Commission  presents  an  Annual  Report  for  the  Joint  Research  Centre  (JRC), 
describing  the  entire  spectrum  of  JRC  activities  during  the  year  and  giving  information  on  the 
human  and financial  resources  which  have  been available for the execution  of the  work. 

The  Annual  Report,  accompanied  by  the  Observations  of the  Board  of  Governors,  of the  JRC,  is 
transmitted  by  the  Commission  to  the  Council,  the  European  Parliament  and  the  Economic  and 
Social  Committee. 

in  1996  and  is  issued  in  fulfilment  of  the  reporting 
The  present  report  covers  activities 
requirements  set  out  in  the  Council  decisions  on  the  JRC  specific  programmes  (1995-1998)  for 
the  EC  (European  Community)1  and  the  EAEC  (European  Atomic  Energy  Communities)2, 
respectively  and the  supplementary  High  Flux  Reactor  programme  1996-1999 for the  EAEC3. 

At  the  same  time  the  1996  Annual  Report  constitutes  a  contribution  to  the  reporting  on 
Community  RTD  (Research  and  Technological  Development)  activities  which  is  required  by 
Article  130P of the  EC  Treaty. 

JO.  I  361/114 3I.12.I994 
J.O. 1.361/132 31.12.1994 
JO.  1  172/23  11.7.1996 

JRC  Annual  Report  1996 

o> 

JOINT RESEARCH CENTRE 

1996 ANNUAL  REPORT 

Report of the Commission 

JRC  Annual  Report  1996 

THE JOINT RESEARCH CENTRE 

The  Joint  Research  Centre  exists  to serve  the  European  Union.  Its mission  is to  provide  the  European 
Union with  a scientific  and  technical  capability,  directly  attached  to the  Commission, contributing  to  the 
formulation  and  implementation  of  Union  policies.  The  JRC  is  the  "corporate  research  laboratory  of 
the  European  Commission. 
It  is  established  by  the  European  Commission  with  headquarters  in 
Brussels.  Five  separate  sites,  located  in  Belgium,  Germany,  Italy,  the  Netherlands  and  Spain,  house 
seven  different  institutes, each with  its own focus  of  expertise. 

These  institutes  are: 

IRMM 

The  Institute for  Reference  Materials  and  Measurements  GEEL  (B) 

ITU 

The  Institute for Transuranium  Elements 

KARLSRUHE  (D) 

1AM 

The  Institute for Advanced  Materials 

PETTEN  (NL) and  ISPRA  (I) 

ISIS 

The  Institute for  Systems,  Informatics  and  Safety 

ISPRA  (I) 

El 

The  Environment  Institute 

SAI 

The  Space  Applications  Institute 

ISPRA  (I) 

ISPRA  (I) 

IPTS 

The  Institute for  Prospective  Technological  Studies 

SEVILLE  (E) 

and  through  them  the  JRC  promotes  and  carries  out  customer-driven  research  of  the  highest  quality 
and  integrity  in support  of  Community  policies. 

is  an  integral  part  of  the  Community  research  and 

technological 
The  Joint  Research  Centre 
development  system  and, increasingly,  a driving force  in  European  R&D  in favour  of  both  industry  and 
consumers.  It  has  developed  over  the  years  special  skills,  unique  tools,  and  a  reliable,  neutral 
scientific  expertise  adapted  to  its  triple  mission:  carrying  out  the  specific  Community  research 
programmes,  decided  upon  by  the  Council  and  funded  by  the  European  Union  budget;  providing 
customer-driven  research  as  scientific  and technical  support  for  other  community  policies,  such  as  the 
environment,  agriculture  or  nuclear  safety;  and  engaging  itself  ever  more  successfully  in  competitive 
activities,  i.e.  participating  on  a  par  with  industry,  research  organisations  and  universities  of  the 
Member  States  or  associated  countries  in  Community  programmes,  including  shared-cost  actions 
under  the  Framework  Programmes,  or  providing  paid services  to private  and  public  customers. 

The  statutory  staff,  comprising  officials  and  temporary  agents  of  the  JRC,  was  1,746  at  the  end  of 
1996.  To this  number  one  must  add  186 scientists  who were  active  in the  Centre  and were  paid  by  the 
JRC  under  various  hosting  schemes.  A  further  200  scientists  and  trainees  worked  at  the  JRC  under 
other  arrangements. 

The  global  credits  committed  by the JRC  in  1996 were  around 273  Mioecu. 

This  Annual  Report  is intended to give a general overview  of JRC  activities  in  1996. 

Readers  may  find  more  details  in the  Annual  Reports  of  the  seven  institutes.  The  JRC  also  publishes 
numerous  scientific  reports,  presents  papers  to  conferences  and  in  scientific  journals,  and  organises 
workshops,  seminars  and conferences  to disseminate  its scientific  output. 

JRC  Annual  Report  1996 

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

OBSERVATIONS  OF THE  BOARD  OF  GOVERNORS 

HIGHLIGHTS  OF  1996 

1.  THE  JOINT  RESEARCH  CENTRE  IN  1996 

1.1  CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  SCIENCE  AND  TECHNOLOGY  ADVANCEMENT, 
EUROPEAN  INDUSTRY  AND  THE WELL-BEING  OF THE  EUROPEAN 
POPULATION 

1.2 COMPETITIVE  ACTIVITIES 

1.3 JRC  INFORMATION  DAYS, PUBLICATIONS, AND  CONFERENCES 

1.4 HUMAN  RESOURCES 

1.5  FINANCES 

2. ACTIVITIES  OF  THE JRC  INSTITUTES  IN  1996 

2.1 THE  INSTITUTE  FOR  REFERENCE  MATERIALS  AND  MEASUREMENTS 

2.2  THE  INSTITUTE  FOR  TRANSURANIUM  ELEMENTS 

2.3  THE  INSTITUTE  FOR  ADVANCED  MATERIALS 

2.4  THE  INSTITUTE  FOR  SYSTEMS,  INFORMATICS  AND  SAFETY 

2.5  THE  ENVIRONMENT  INSTITUTE 

2.6 THE  SPACE  APPLICATIONS  INSTITUTE 

2.7  THE  INSTITUTE  FOR  PROSPECTIVE  TECHNOLOGICAL  STUDIES 

Annex 

6 

8 

11 

11 

18 

20 

22 

24 

26 

26 

28 

31 

33 

38 

41 

43 

47 

JRC  Annual  Report  1996 

OBSERVATIONS BY THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS 
ON THE JRC ANNUAL REPORT 1996 

1996 - A Year of Successful Challenge for the JRC 

1.  1996 was a year of successful challenge for the JRC, due to its efforts to comply with the demands for 
more  customer  driven  research  and  competitivity  while  maintaining  its  Community  character.  These 
demands were put to the Centre by the Community  Institutions back in 1994, with implementation to be 
initiated in 1995.  A first progress report was requested by the Council and issued by the Commission in 
1996, covering  the  first  one  and  a  half years  of the  new  programme  period.  The  Board  assisted  the 
JRC in its preparation and accompanied  the report with an opinion.  This opinion  recorded  satisfaction 
with  progress  made  to  sustain  the  initiatives  taken,  while  commenting  also  on  room  for  further 
improvement.  The Board has been pleased to learn of the endorsement  this report  has received from 
the Council and the European Parliament. 

2.  The Annual  Report  1996  bears  witness  to these  sustained  developments.  Highlighted  activities  from 
the large JRC portfolio of ongoing projects amply illustrate how the Centre is contributing to the Union's 
objectives,  including  the  sustainable  growth  in  the  Member  States  and  its  service  to  the  European 
citizen.  The  numerous  network  arrangements  aim  at  ensuring  the  interaction  between  the  JRC's 
activities and those of industry, national research laboratories and universities. 

3.  The full  spectrum  of  competitive  activities  opened  up for  the  JRC  in  1995 was  a  new  challenge  and 
called  for  a  reorientation  of  the  Centre's  modes  of  operation.  The  results  of  the  first  year  were 
encouraging.  The  1996  Annual  Report  records  the  progress  made  and  illustrates  that  all  seven 
institutes  of the JRC  have engaged  themselves  in every facet of the  new opportunities  laid out for the 
JRC.  The  challenge  for  the  JRC  -  as  for  all  knowledge  producers  in  the  Community  -  is  how  to 
accelerate  the  rate  of  exploiting  the  knowledge  resource  for  the  benefit  of  European  industry  and 
citizens  - how to improve their economic  position and well-being.  The  record  shows that the JRC has 
responded  positively  to  this  challenge.  As  one  of  the  key  European  S&T  players  it  recognises  the 
responsibility  placed upon  it and will continue to respond  positively  to the trust  placed  in it by Member 
States in the 1994 Council Conclusions. 

Evaluations of the JRC 

4.  1996 again saw an evaluation of the JRC activities performed by outside experts in conformity with the 
Council decisions  on the JRC  specific  programmes  and carried out  upon consultation  with the Board. 
Visiting Groups were selected for each of the JRC institutes and Professor J.M. Rojo, former  Secretary 
of  State  for  Research  in  Spain,  provided  an  overall  evaluation  and  analysis  of  the  reports  from  the 
Visiting Groups which was discussed with the Board in December 1996. 

5.  The findings of these reports largely  confirm satisfactory  further  progress which has taken place in the 
JRC since the previous evaluations  in  1993-1994.  The many detailed  recommendations  will provide a 
stimulus  for  the way  forward.  Amongst  the  more  cHtiosI remarks  the  Board  agrees  that  there  is  still 
room  for  improvement  in  the  operation  of  the  Centre  and  notably  in  the  boundary  conditions  which 
govern - and Wmtt - Its acKvfties. 

Evolution of JRC Status 

6.  As foreseen, in 1996 the Commission decided to give the JRC the status of an autonomous  Directorate 
General  -  a welcome  step, which  in  the  repeatedly  stated  view  of  the  Board  should  be  followed  by 
further  moves  to  aNow  the  JRC  to  fully  achieve  the  change  in  working  methods  envisaged  by  the 
Council Conclusions of April  1994 and indeed, in order to wholly fulfil its mission.  To facilitate this , the 
possibility of endowing the JRC with legal personality has been considered. 

JRC Annual Report  1996 

Commercialisation of the JRC, Dissemination of Information 

7.  1996 called for new initiatives on the commercialisation of JRC activities and research results.  A closer 
attention  to  goals  and  performance  parameters  has  raised  the  awareness  of  these  essential  issues 
within  the  JRC  institutes  and  has  borne  fruit,  as  evidenced  by  the  1996 Annual  Report.  The  Board 
welcomes  the  fact  that  new  imaginative  initiatives  are  under  way,  including  pooling  of  commercial 
contracts and increasing awareness of the intellectual property.  Amongst those the Board has agreed 
to the initiation of a feasibility  study to be launched in early  1997 on creating a Technology  Park at the 
JRC Ispra site. 

8.  Meanwhile, the JRC  has  intensified  the  dissemination  of  information  on  its  activities  at  national level. 
As  a contribution  to this,  in  1996  Members  of the  Board together  with  the  JRC, again  arranged  for a 
series  of  presentations  of  the  JRC  throughout  the  Member  States,  gathering  representatives  from 
industry, national research and universities together with JRC representatives  in order to foster further 
collaboration with the Centre. 

High Flux Reactor 

9.  1996 brought  a Council  decision  on a supplementary  programme  for  the  High  Flux  Reactor  (HFR) at 
Petten  (NL)  for  the  period  1996-1999.  This  implied  a  complete  overhaul  of  the  management  of  the 
facility  and  an  intensive  drive  towards  a  more  direct  commercial  use  of  a  considerable  part  of  its 
capacity  with  the  ensuing  improvement  in  efficiency  and  economy,  as  already  planned  in  1995. 
Preliminary results give the basis for optimism. 

Towards the Fifth Framework Programme 

10.The  Board  has  noted  with  keen  interest  the  policy  documents  issued  by  the  Commission  in  1996 
towards the  Fifth  Framework  Programme for  Research  and Technological  Development  which  should 
begin in 1999 and the views on the JRC contained in these documents.  It has also noted discussions 
on these documents which have already taken place.  Further discussions on this will no doubt follow in 
early  1997.  The JRC may be called to face new challenges, but the Board is convinced that full benefit 
will be drawn from the contribution of the JRC to the major objectives of the European  Union. This will 
comprise  not only  its  ability  to act  as  a European wide  resource to  build efforts  around  infrastructural 
critical mass but also its ability to improve neutral and independent expertise at the European level. 

Staff Issues 

11 The  evaluation  reports  have  underlined  the  need for  changes  in present  procedures  concerning  staff 
management and notably for recruitment.  These views are fully shared by the Board.  The problem will 
become  even  more  acute  in  the  near  future  as  the  age  structure  of  JRC  staff  will  result  in  many 
vacancies, whose timely filling is of paramount importance for the future of the JRC.  Stimulated by the 
evaluation reports, the Board intends once again to address the issues concerning the staff policy and 
its implementation at the JRC. 

12.At senior  level, the Board has welcomed the appointment  of  Mr.  Hugh Richardson  to the new  post of 
Deputy Director General in 1996 and noted the progress of the four new Directors appointed in 1995.  It 
has  also  advised  the  Commission  on  the  appointment  of  Professor  Grasserbauer,  who  takes  up  his 
post  as  Director  of  IRMM  in  early  1997.  Mr.  H.  Allgeier,  the  first  Director  of  IPTS  in  Seville  was 
transferred by the Commission at the end of the year to another function within the Commission and is 
thanked for setting this Institute well under way. 

The  Board  congratulates  Mr.  Hans  Jorgen  Helms,  formerly  Director  of  Programmes,  who  retired  in 
1996 and who was nominated to the rank of Honorary  Director General in recognition of his dedication 
and continuous service to the Joint Research Centre. 

JRC Annual Report 1996 

Acknowlodgemonts 

^'^ I ho Board acknowledges Commissioner  Cresson's continued interest  in the JRC, as evidenced by the 
reports  from  her  visits  to  the  JRC  sites  during  the year.  The  Board  reiterates  its  appreciation  of the 
hard work  and  devotion  of  the  Director  General, his  senior  collaborators,  and  indeed  the  entire  JRC 
staff in addressing the challenges facing them. 

HIGHLIGHTS OF 1996 

The JRC scientific and technical work is mostly interdisciplinary and covers a large number of projects. 

The  following  few  examples  illustrate  differing  areas  of  activity  and  varied  funding  arrangements  for  the 
JRC work in 1996. 

The MARS project  {Monitoring Agriculture  wflfr  Remote Sensing) carried  out  by  the  JRC's  Space 
Applications  Institute  (SA!) provides constantly updated agrometeotologlcal information enabling accurate 
monitoring and extrapolation of crop development in Europe and beyond,  The approach is based on an 
agrometeorologlcal  model  drawing  on  weather  data  {rainfall,  temperature,  radiation  evaporation...)  and 
agronomic data (growth state, water content  biomass produced, grain weight, etc,},  The advantage of the 
system is that It provides  homogeneous  information In real time covering a wfdfc geographical area.  It is 
also  useful  as  an  early  warning  system  (e*g>  identification  of  of  abnormalities  in  crop  patterns  of 
development). 

In September  1996 the Council of the EU adopted the Directive on Integrated  Pollution  Prevention  and 
Control  (IPCC) which marks a new era in environmental legislation.  In contrast to the traditional approach 
of  setting  emission  standards  of general applicability, the  IPPC directive  integrates  the different  pollution 
media (e.g. air and water or land) and takes into account both the sensitivity  of the local environment and 
the technological  progress.  It covers large installations of the most polluting industrial sectors such as the 
chemical,  metal  and  energy  industries.  The  Best  Available  Techniques  (SAT)  in  these  sectors  will  be 
identified  by  the  'IPPC  Bureau'  through  a  process  involving  representatives  from  the  fifteen  Member 
States of  the Union and the relevant industrial and environmental organisations.  These  BAT documents 
will constitute the main reference once issuing local permits.  The IPPC Bureau is established at the JRC 
Institute  for  Prospective  Technological  Studies  (IPTS)  which  holds  responsibility for  technology  watch  at 
European  level. 
IPTS  has  acquired  significant  expertise  on  BAT studies  (an analysis  of  the  sectors  of 
ammonia and nitric acid has just been completed) and has won the contract to manage the IPPC Bureau. 
IPTS will promote  the exchange  of information end ensure neutrality in the process of finding consensus 
among all the concerned parties. 

BIOMEDICAL REFERENCE MA TERIAIS 

Biomedical Reference  Materials, which  are  needed for  the development  and  verification  of the accuracy 
and  correctness  ôf  diagnostic  test  kits  (e.g.  pregnancy,  hepatitis,  diabetes,  certain  cancers),  sre  now) 
| certified by the JRC (Institute for Reference? Mariais  and Measurements (1RMM)). 
! 
A"  en\-\  '  \<A  '  V- '.  ti'.  : Sniernatloru-! Federation  of  Clinical  Chemistry  (iFCC), signed in October  1996 by j 
\,  >iri  r!*i«<r 

r-nli|  CRF.3SON,  j.^rr-vide,.  for  reference  materials  produced  o\- ihc  hnsl;;  of  orojects 

I  <,(  ;  , o" 
s •  , -*,  -!*•.  c  shared ly  IFCC and tha Institute. 

-f  :  ,  srec  to  bo  tested  *r\0  ec-rtiflad by  ths> lnsitiU;t-:\  Revenue  -OiTi  L-.'>C-S O 

JRC Annual Report  1996 

The  Futomdav,  are  design  standards  adopted  by  the  European  construction  industry.  Eurocode 8 
specify  standards that buildings should adhere to if they are to withstand vibration, whether caused by 
road or  rail  traffic  or  even  by earthquakes.  The  standards  are checked by a  consortium of European 
laboratories using a  variety of methods including computational analysis ar& shaking fcfctes> The JRC 
(institute for Systems, Informatics and Safety (ISIS)) Is part of this consortium; its main contribution is the 
development  and  operation  of the  reaction wall facility  {unique  in Europe)  {Ewtoptmn  Laboratory for 
Structural Assessment ELSA) which utilises the pseudodynamlc test method to test fu8«sca!e structures. 
The validity of Eurocode 3 has been confirmed for bare frame reinforced concrete structures thanks to the 
testing of 3-storey concrete frames  In the facility.  In addition, tie  code has been  modified to take into 
account infilling of the building frames with mw^fucferetmôlensls, 
ELSA Is also used to check methods for retrofitting In order to protect existing buildings, particularly those 
of great historic interest, from damage d^ejo vibration, 

Collaborative research on a commercial basis is carried out by the JRC (Institute for Advanced Materials 
(1AM))  in  the  area  of  materials  requirements  for  improved  design  and  operation  of  high temperature 
components tor power generation plants.  Evaluating the work carried outT Professor Regis of ENEL {the 
Italian electricity utility - the customer) recently wrote; 
"Ail the individual suborojects hâve carried out excellent expérimental investigations, according to the state 
of the art, some of  which have been anticipated in  specific papers.  The findings am generally in good 
agreement with  the  most  advanced conclusions reached by  large manufacturera or  wHh  the practices 
under testing by other utilities.  These résulte are highly valuable since inay would «flow extended scientific 
exchanges of information and know how with other international kbomtorksT  with other end users, with the 
Original Equipments Manufacturers (OEM} and  their  subsidiary companies m  charge  of  material and 
coating processing". 

The European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products {EMEA}, set up at Canary Wharf, London 
m 1995, relies for its drug approval and registration activities on the expertise of the JRC.  The European 
Technical  Office  for  Medicinal Products (ETOMEP) (a  brandsof  the  JRC's  Environment  Institute) 
develops  and  supports  the  technical  systems  needed  for  the  market  authorisation  procedures  and 
maintains  staff  in the EMA's  premises.  The help end  support provided  by the JRC have  been widely 
acknowledged by the Agency itself and the Member States. 

VAGABONDING FISSILE MATERIALS 

In cooperation with the Commission's Safeguards Directorate, Luxembourg, and following Member States' 
requests,  the  JRC  (Institute  for  Transuranium  Elements  {ITU}  has  analysed  further  confiscated fissile 
materials > 
The  diversity  and the  high accuracy  of the analyses  enable  a  "fingerprint' of  the seized  material to be 
obtained  This enables the previous history of the material to be understood and provides clues as to its 
origin with the aid of a data bank. 
The role of the JRC in this field, already recognised at the Essen Summit, has led to several prelects in the 
frame of the TACIS (Technical Assistance to the CIS Countries) and PHARE programmes {PHARE is the 
EU  programme  to  assist  Poland,  Hungary,  Armenia»  Bulgaria,  Slovenia,  Albania,  Estonia,  Latvia  and 
Lithuania). 
ITU  staff  also  frequently  appear  as  expert witnesses  In the courts  or  parliamentary  inquiry 
committees  of  Member  States  concerning  so-called  vagabonding  nuclear  materials.  The  Institute  is 
actively  involved  m the  work  of  the  P~8  International  Technical  Working  Croup  on  Illicit  Trafficking  of 
Nuclear Materials. 

JRC Annual Report  1996 

10 

COMPETITIVE ACTIVITIES, MARKETING 

In 1996, the JRC won a number of important  research contracts, such as the substantial PHARE contract 
on agricultural information systems, including satellite based applications of remote sensing for six PHARE 
countries. 

Work  for  outside  third  parties  progressed  and  new  customers  were  found  to  take  advantage  of  JRC 
scientific competence and experimental installations, some of which are unique In Europe. 

At  the  initiative  of  Commissioner  Edith  Cresson,  a  new  approach  to  the  marketing,  valorisation  and 
commercialisation  of  the  JRC  was  initiated;  the  Commission  decided  to  launch  a  feasibility  study  on 
creating a European technology park at the largest JRC siter Ispra, in northern Italy. The objectives are; to 
make fuller use of the competence and installations of the JRC, create synergy between the JRC, industry 
and other  research centres, promote the creation of innovative ftrms, in particular SMFs,  and encourage 
innovation in existing companies, 

Particular  measures  include  increased  attention  to  quality  management  The  first  certification,  by  an 
accredited  outside  body  of  the  implementation  of  quality  standards  was  made  during  the  year.  Clear 
definition  of performance  indicators  to be used by management  at all levels  was  given, while  new steps 
were  taken  to  extend  industry  and  other  user  involvement  through  User  Advisory  Groups  for  the  JRC 
institutes. Marketing efforts  have been focused with the aid of clearly defined marketing plans for the JRC 
as a whole and each Institute. 

ORGANISATIONAL MEASURES,  STAFF POLICY 

The  1995-1998  guidelines  for  the  JRC  called  for  flexible  and  dynamic  operation  of  the  Centre  and 
underlined the need to ensure a gradual transition and an adaptation of existing rules and regulations. The 
Commission  decided  to  establish  the  JRC  as  an  autonomous  Directorate  General  in January,  1996 and 
reorganised  the  lepra  Site  by  merging  two  of  its  institutes,  1ST and  ISEI,  into  the  Institute  for  Systems, 
Informatics  and  Safety  (ISIS),  thereby  strengthening  JRC  research  on  technological  risk  evaluation  and 
safety issues. 

1996 saw the implementation of the Commission's  policy for all Commission research s a il  The concept of 
a  25%  contingent  of  short  term  staff  has  already  added  flexibility  and enabled  the  constant  renewal  of 
scientific competence. 

HIGH FLUX REACTOR AT PETTEN 

In  June  1996,  the  Council  approved  a  new  supplementary  EURATOM  programme  for  the  High  Flux 
Reactor  (HFR)  at  Petten  (NL), covering the period  1996-1999. The new  programme, in which  Germany, 
France and the Netherlands take part, has Involved a complete overhaul of the management of the facility 
and  an  intensive  drive  towards  a  more  direct  commercial  use  of  a  considerable  part  of  its  capacity, 
involving  the  production  of  radio-isotopes for  medical  use.  In  1996 an estimated  7 million patients were 
diagnosed or treated using radio-isotopes produced at Petten. 

JRC Annual Report 1996 

11 

1. THE JOINT RESEARCH CENTRE IN 1996 

1.1 

CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  SCIENCE  AND TECHNOLOGY  ADVANCEMENT, 
EUROPEAN  INDUSTRY  AND THE WELL-BEING  OF THE  EUROPEAN  POPULATION 

The JRC  research  activities  contribute  to several  lines of the  Community  Framework  Programmes  through 
the JRC  specific  programmes  1995-1998: 

•The  Industrial  Technologies  and  Materials  Technologies  programme  was  carried  out  by  the  Institute  for 
Advanced  Materials  (IAM)  and  encompassed  research  projects  on  advanced  materials,  on  surface 
the 
engineering,  on  new  ecofriendly  materials  and  on  non-destructive  evaluation 
inspection  of  industrial  structural  components. 

techniques 

for 

•The  Measurements 

and  Testing  programme  encompassed 

reference 
measurements  and  materials  -  carried  out  by  the  Institute  for  Reference  Materials  and  Measurements 
(IRMM)  -  and  on  the  assessment  of  the  reliability  of  structures,  carried  out  by  the  Institute  for  Systems, 
Informatics  and  Safety  (ISIS). 

research  projects  on 

•The  Environment  and  Climate  programme  consisted  of:  research  projects  on  atmosphere,  soil,  water 
and  waste  pollution,  executed  by  the  Environment  Institute  (El);  the  setting  up  of  the  Centre  for  Earth 
Observation  (CEO),  a  decentralised  European  data  management  and  information  system;  applications 
of  remote  sensing  techniques,  carried  out  by  the  Space  Applications  Institute  (SAI);  and  industrial 
hazards  studies  carried  out  by the  Institute for  Systems,  Informatics  and Safety  (ISIS). 

•The  Non-Nuclear  Energy  programme  consisted  of  research  projects  related  to  materials  for  clean 
technologies  and  to  the  standardisation  of  photovoltaic  devices  -  carried  out  by  the  Institute  for 
Advanced  Materials  (IAM). 

•The  Targeted  Socio-Economic  Research 

the  Science  and  Technology 
Observatory  function  and  prospective  work  carried  out  by  the  Institute  for  Prospective  Technological 
Studies  (IPTS).  The  essential  role  of  the  Institute  is  to  harvest  the  available  contributions  from  experts, 
consultants,  research  organisations  and  institutes  in  Member  States,  and  when  possible  in  third 
countries,  in order  to analyse,  process  and  integrate  them  impartially  and  in depth  and, more  importantly, 
to distil clear  trends  or  needs for  action  in a usable form for  decision  makers. 

programme 

included 

•The  Nuclear  Fission  Safety  programme  encompassed  a  number  of  research  activities  ranging  from 
studies  on  reactor  safety  -  carried  out  by  the  Institute for  Systems,  Informatics  and  Safety  (ISIS)  and  the 
Institute for  Advanced  Materials  (IAM)  -  to research  activities  on nuclear  safeguards  and fissile  materials 
management,  executed  by  the  Institute  for  Systems,  Informatics  and  Safety  (ISIS)  and  the  Institute  for 
Transuranium  Elements  (ITU).  ITU carried out  research  on the safety  of nuclear  fuels  and  actinides. 

•The  Controlled  Thermonuclear  Fusion  programme  (Technology  and  Safety)  was  carried  out  by  the 

Institute  for  Systems,  Informatics  and  Safety  (ISIS) and the  Institute for Advanced  Materials  (IAM). 

This  research  is executed  in the  seven  JRC  Institutes  as  shown  in Table  1 and  it amounted  to  68% of  the 
JRC  programme  activities  in  1996. 

JRC  Annual  Report  1996 

FRAMEWORK  PROGRAMME  LINES 

IRMM 

ITU 

IAM 

L 

ISIS 

El 

SAI 

IPTS 

12 

Table 1 - JRC Research Activities 

X 

X 

Industrial  T e c h n o l o g i es  a nd  Materials  Technologies 

Advanced  Materials  and  Standards  for  Industrial  Innovation 

Surface  Engin,  for  Improved  Properties  and  for  New  Industrial 

Applications 

Recycling  and  Materials  Eco-Technology 

Non-Destructive  Evaluation,  Testing  and  Inspection  of  Industrial 

Structural  Components 

Measurements  a nd  Testing 

Prenormative  Research  in  Support  of  Construction  Norms  and 

Standards,  including  Seismic  Design  Codes  (Eurocodes) 

Car  Safety 

Reference  Materials 

Reference  Measurements 

Environment  a nd  Climate 

•  Global  Change 

Centre  for  Earth  Observation  (CEO) 

Atmospheric  Processes  over  European  Regions 

Remote  Sensing  for  Terrestrial  Biosphere  (Land  Degradation  in 

the  Mediterranean  Region,  Forest  Monitoring) 

Remote  Sensing  for  Marine  Biosphere  (North  Atlantic  Ocean, 

Mediterranean  Sea) 

Advanced  Earth  Observation  Techniques 

(Environment  and 

Road  Conditions  Monitoring  and  Land  Mine  Detection) 

• 

Environmental 

Quality 

Techniques  &  Equipment  for  Environmental  Quality  Monitoring 

• 

Innovative  Environmental 

Technologies 

Industrial  Reliability  (Experimental  Activities) 

High  Performance  Information  Tech. for  Environm.  Protection 

Natural  Hazards  /  Seismic  Research 

Natural  Hazards  /  Flooding,  Droughts 

Non-Nuclear  Energy 

Photovoltaic  Energy  and  Electricity  Storage 

Materials  for  Clean  Technologies 

Targeted  S o c i o - E c o n o m ic  Research 

Technology  Watch  /  Technology-Employment-Competitiveness 

Nuclear  Safety  a nd  Safeguards 

•  Reactor  Safety 

European  Networks  on  Component  Ageing,  Inspect.  Techn.  & 

Struct.  Integrity 

Severe  Accidents  including  Probabilistic  Studies 

• 

Fuel  Cycle  Safety 

Basic  Actinide  Research 

Safety  of  Nuclear  Fuels 

Mitigation  of  Long-lived  Actinides  and  Fission  Products 

Spent  Fuel  Characterisation  in  view  of  Long-Term  Storage 

• 

Safeguards  and  Fissile  Materials 

Management 

Safeguards  R&D 

Controlled  Thermonuclear  F u s i on 

Fluid  Separation  and  Structural  Analysis 

Fusion  Materials 

Remote  Handling 

Tritium-Materials  Interaction 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

JRC Annual Report 1996 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

13 

Pari  Two  of  this  document  provides  a  more  detailed  description  of  these  research  activities  in  1996, 
institute  by  institute.  However,  some  significant  results  have  been  highlighted  in this  chapter:  they  illustrate 
how  research  has  enabled  the  JRC  to  contribute  to  the  advancement  of  science  and  technology  for  the 
benefit  of  European  industry  and the well-being of the  European  population. 

A  new  co-operation  agreement  signed  by  Commissioner  Edith  Cresson,  between  the  Institute  for 
Reference  Materials  and  Measurements  (IRMM)  and  the  International  Federation  of  Clinical  Chemistry 
(IFCC).  will  enable  the  IRMM  to  push  forward  its  work  on  good  quality  health  care,  by  developing 
biomedical  certified  reference  materials  (CRMs).  These  are  increasingly  important  instruments  for  the 
promotion  of  human  health:  they  increase  the  reliability  and  accuracy  of  diagnosis  in  the  laboratory,  thus 
significantly  reducing  the  risk  of diagnostic  errors, and they  improve  the quality  of  patient  treatment. 

Under  the  agreement,  laboratories  and  scientists  around  the  world  will  be  involved  in  providing  reference 
materials  needed  by  industry  and clinical  laboratories. 

Certified  reference  materials  of  foodstuffs  are  also  prepared  at  IRMM  for  food  quality  control,  to  assist 
enforcement  of  European  legislation  on  food. 

The  Institute  for  Transuranium  Elements  (ITU)  is  intent  on  further  reducing  radiotoxicity  in  highly  active 
wastes  through  collaborative  work  carried  out  with  leading  national  laboratories  in the  area  of  mitigation  of 
long-lived  actinides  and fission  products. 

Fabrication  and  characterisation  of fuel  targets  for  irradiation  experiments  and  post-irradiation  examination 
to  compare  the  results  with  theoretical  predictions  was  another  major  task  of  ITU.  New  extraction 
processes  for  the effective  separation  of  long-lived  actinides  were also tested  under  realistic  conditions. 

The  ITU's  contribution  to  the  study  of  medical  applications  of  actinide  research  (treatment  techniques  for 
different  cancers)  was  enhanced.  Several  batches  of  225Actinium  -  213Bismuth  produced  by  ITU  using  new 
processes  were  delivered  to  the  Memorial  Sloan  Kettering  Cancer  Centre  in  New  York  for  use  in 
experimental treatments  on  patients. 

The  Institute  for  Advanced  Materials  (IAM)  developed  three  novel  activities  in  1996  of  potential  benefit 
to European  industry: 

•  The concept  of a new  pressure  vessel for  the petro-refinery  industry, designed  to avoid  hydrogen  attack 
of  the  vessel  walls  and  to  provide  increased  vessel  life,  enhanced  safety  for  workers,  and  decreased 
wall  thickness. 

•  A fibre tow transport  system for  continuous  coating of endless  fibres. 

•  A chemical  vapour  deposition  process  for  3-dimensional shaped  micro-structural  coatings. 

Benefitting  the  consumer,  a  method  for  monitoring  the  release  of  metals  in  the  food  processing  industry, 
using  a thin  layer  activation  technique  developed  at  Ispra's  cyclotron  will  be  applicable  in  particular  to  baby 
food  and  in the  pharmaceutical  industry. 
A  spin-off  from  the  cyclotron  activities  will  allow  development  of  new  diagnostics  and  therapeutics 
techniques  using  Positron  Emission  Tomography  (PET).  A  new  PET  project  was  launched  at  Ispra,  for  a 
European  network  hosting  research  medical  staff  from  all  over  Europe,  which  will  transfer  the  techniques 
to their  respective  home  institutions. 

At  the  Institute  for  Systems,  Informatics  and  Safety  (ISIS)  several  activities  focused  on  safety  for 
industry  and  the population,  particularly  nuclear  safety  and the  safeguarding  of  nuclear  materials,  industrial 

JRC  Annual  Report  1996 

14 

and  transport  safety,  the  seismic  protection  of  buildings  and  civil  engineering  works,  the  preservation  of 
cultural  heritage, and  architecture. 
As  for  nuclear  safety,  the  FARO  and  KROTOS  facilities  at  Ispra carried  out  experiments  leading  to a  better 
understanding  of  the  progression  of  severe  accidents  and  to  an  improvement  of  codes  used  to  analyse 
how  best  to mitigate  the  consequences. 
Progress  in  car  safety  was  fostered  by  the  design  and  development  of  a  new  precision  impact  testing 
method.  The  use  of  a  new  stress  wave  transducer  in  the  Large  Dynamic  Testing  Facility  (LDTF)  allows 
load, displacement  and energy  flow to be measured  in any  part of a vehicle  body,  so that  numerical  models 
of vehicles  can  be calibrated  and validated. 
The  facilities  of  the  European  Laboratory  for  Structural  Assessment  (ELSA)  continued  to  provide  a  unique 
test  bed  for  the  application  of  the  pseudodynamic  test  method  for  checking  the  seismic  resistance  of 
structures,  in  particular 
irregular  bridges.  The  method  confirmed  that  bridges  which  we  would  have 
expected  from  previous  tests  to  suffer  severe  damage,  remained  practically  intact.  It  is  expected  that  the 
concept  of  seismic  isolation  will  become  more  common,  both  for  the  construction  of  new  bridges  and  for 
the retrofitting  of existing  structures. 

The  Environment  Institute  (El)  is directly  contributing  to a better  quality  of life  with  its specific  research  in 
the  area  of  climate  and  the  environment.  Global  change  studies  encompass  Biogenic  Emission  in  the 
Mediterranean  Area  (BEMA  Project)  and the  role of aerosols  in climate  regulation. 
The  BEMA  project,  particularly  focused  on  tropospheric  ozone,  aims  at  understanding  the  role  of  the 
Mediterranean  vegetation  in atmospheric  chemistry  and ozone formation. 
El  also  focuses  on  the  study  of  natural  risks,  in  particular  in  aquatic  systems,  at  the  request  of  the 
Commission  and  the  Member  States:  the  study  of  "red  tides"  in  the  Mediterranean  Sea  (MITO  project), 
and  a  variety  of  water  management,  water  quality  and  recovery  projects  (e.g.  AMAL,  AQUACON, 
SALMON).  An  Environment  Water  Task  Force  was 
in  1996,  at  the  initiative  of  the 
Commission,  to  contribute  to  a  European  strategy  for  sustainable  management  and  rational  use  of  water; 
its  aim  is  to  make  European  enterprises  more  competitive  in  this  area  and  to  refocus  scientific  and 
technological  co-operation  on  priority  projects. 

established 

Human  health  was  also  the  concern  of  the  indoor  pollution  group,  whose  unique  facility  for  the  monitoring 
of  indoor  air  quality  (INDOORTRON)  is  being  used  for  exposure  studies,  measurements  of  pollutant 
emission  from  materials  and  equipment,  and for  the testing  of air  cleaning  devices. 

The  Space  Applications  Institute  (SAI)  concentrated  on  applications  of  remote  earth  observation, 
sensing  and  detection.  SAI's  institutional  research  on  environment  and  climate  embraced  the  terrestrial 
and  marine  biospheres,  the  lithosphère  and  the  atmosphere,  resulting  in a comprehensive  approach  to  the 
uses  of earth  observation. 
The  study  of  primary  production  in  the  ocean  can  benefit  from  satellite  derived  colour  data  in  identifying 
bio-geo-chemical  processes.  Applications  based  on  data  from  new  ocean  colour  sensors  are  now  being 
developed  for  the  study  of the  Mediterranean  basin. 
Among  other  activities,  a  new  natural  hazards  project  is  aimed  at  improving  existing  disaster  management 
practices,  specifically  in  the  cases  of  forest  fires, floods  and  droughts.  The  contribution  to  a  project  on  the 
remote  detection  of  antipersonnel  land  mines  is  being  continued.  The  measurement  of  surface  water 
storage  in networks  of drainage  ditches  is being  developed. 

Together,  SAI  and  ISIS  continued  to  provide  support  for  the  Centre  for  Earth  Observation  (CEO)  project 
whose  objective  is to promote  the  use of satellite-based  earth  observation  data. 

Contributions  to  the  CEO  project  focused  mainly  on  its  design  and  implementation  phase, with  work  on  all 
four  CEO  components:  User  and Applications  Support,  Enabling  Services,  Monitoring, and  Co-ordination. 

The  Institute  for  Prospective  Technological  Studies  (IPTS)  pursued  its  observation  of  all  relevant 
scientific  and  technological  events  and  trends  in  Europe,  and  its  following  of  technical  change  in  order  to 
get  a better  understanding  of the  links  between  technology,  the economy,  and  society. 

JRC  Annual  Report  1996 

15 

The  European  Science  and Technology  Observatory  (ESTO)  was  officially  established  in  1996, with the 
task of collecting and processing information. Responsibility  in these Technology Watch activities is shared 
with other  partners  at the  national  level. The  main themes  are: assessment  of  C02-related  technologies; 
technology  transfer  and  advanced  materials;  human  genome  analysis,  genetic  screening  and  gene 
therapy; multimedia information society. 
On the Technology,  Employment and Competitiveness theme, economic and social sustainability  is being 
studied,  with  a  special  focus  on  competitiveness,  employment  and  the  role  of  innovation  in  regional 
development and resources management. 

Support for Community Policies 

These  activities  falling  under  the  Community  Framework  Programmes  are  necessary  for  the  formulation 
and implementation  of Community  policies  and accounted  for  32% of the JRC's  programme  activities  in 
1996  and  were  related  to  the  following  Framework  Programme  lines:  Information Technologies, 
Environment and  Climate, Agriculture  and  Fisheries,  Targeted Socio-Economic Research and Nuclear 
Safety and Safeguards through the JRC specific programmes 1995-1998. 

The  support  activities  are  customer  driven,  in fulfillment  of  impartial  and  neutral  scientific  and  technical 
requirements  arising  from  EU  directives,  decisions  of  the  Commission  and  the  Council,  or  obligations 
stemming from the Euratom Treaty. The work executed in the JRC Institutes is illustrated in Table 2. 

JRC Annual Report  1996 

16 

Table  2 - JRC  Support  Activities 

Framework  Programme  Lines 

IRMM 

ITU 

IAM 

ISIS 

El 

SAI 

IPTS 

Information  Technologies 
Safety and Reliability of Systems 

Software systems 

High Performance Computing and Networks 

Environment  and  Climate 
European Reference Laboratory for Air Pollution (ERLAP) 

European Chemical Bureau (ECB) 

European Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods 
(ECVAM) 
Support to the European Environment Agency (EEA) 

Quality Control of Consumer Products (Consumer  Protection) 

X 

Alpine Observatory 

Industrial Reliability: Major Accidents Hazards Bureau 

Biotechnology  Safety 

Foodstuff  Analysis in Support of Industrial Policy 

European Technical Office for Medicinal Products (ETOMEP) 

Methodologies for UCLAF 

Agriculture  and  Fisheries 
Remote Sensing for Agriculture 

Animal  Identification 

European Office for Wine, Alcohol and Spirit Drinks 
(BEVABS) 
Reference Measurements and Materials for Quality Control of 
Foodstuffs 
Targeted  Socio-Economic  Research 
Prospective Technological Studies 

Nuclear  Fission  Safety 
European Networks on Component Ageing and Inspection 
Techniques 
Euratom Safeguards Support: General 

Euratom Safeguards Support: On-Site laboratories and 
ECSAM 
IAEA Safeguards  Support 

X 

X 

X 

In  1996, the three  main  lines  of JRC  support  activities  were: 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

1.  JRC  Support  for  the  Environmental  Policy,  which  accounted  for  43%  of  the  scientific  and  technical 
support  budget.  It  provided  DG  XI with  scientific  and  technical  assistance  for  the  implementation  of  the 
legislation  on  chemical  pollutants,  atmospheric  pollution, water  quality,  chemical  waste,  industrial  risks, 
and  nuclear  safety.  This  work  is  part  of  the  5th  EC  Action  Programme  in  the  field  of  the  environment, 
and  includes: 

•  The  European  Reference  Laboratory  for  Air  Pollution  (ERLAP),  which  was  particularly  active  in  the 
preparation  and  implementation  of  EC  Directives  on  ambient  air  quality,  with  emphasis  on  the  urban 
environment  and  industrial  emissions  and  the  harmonisation  of  measurements  in  the  EU  air  quality 
monitoring  networks. 

•  The  European  Chemicals  Bureau  (ECB),  which  is  now  handling  all  the  technical  and  scientific  tasks 
required  for  the  classification  and  labelling  of  dangerous  substances,  the  implementation  of  the 
notification  scheme  for  new  substances,  testing  methods  for  chemicals  and  export/import  control  of 
dangerous  substances. 

JRC  Annual  Report  1996 

17 

•  The  European  Centre  for  the Validation  of Alternative  Methods  (ECVAM), which  was  created  in  1991 to 
provide;  S/T  support  for  the  regulatory  work  of  the  Commission  on  various  chemicals  and  products.  In 
particular,  it  co-ordinates  efforts  to  promote  orderly  scientific  and  regulatory  acceptance  of  alternative 
methods  which  can  reduce,  refine,  or  replace  the  use  of  animals  in  laboratory  procedures.  Its  activities 
included  pre-validation  of  non-animal  test  protocols,  vaccine  potency  and  safety  testing,  and  integrated 
alternative  approaches  in toxicity  testing  studies. 

•  The  European  Technical  Office  for  Medicinal  Products  (ETOMEP).  This  office,  which  forms  part  of  a 
unit  at  El,  is  established  both  in  London,  at  the  European  Medicine  Evaluation  Agency,  and  in  Ispra,  at 
the  Environment  Institute.  It  is  dedicated  to  the  development  of  technical  systems  necessary  for  the 
implementation  of  European  Union  legislation  on  medicinal  products.  Its work  is of  direct  and  immediate 
use  to  the  European  Medicine  Evaluation  Agency,  the  Member  States,  and  pharmaceutical  regulatory 
bodies. 

•  Support  for  the  elaboration  of  methodologies  for  the  EU  antifraud  policy  (UCLAF),  via  the  effective 
development,  introduction  and  use of  new  information technologies  and data  and risk  analysis  methods. 

•  Support  services  related  to  the  Alpine  Observatory  (Alpine  Convention),  with  the  aim  of  producing 
and/or  collecting  data,  indicators  and  information  characterising  the  environmental  and  socio-economic 
status  of  the  Alpine  region.  These  data  will  be  useful  to  the  National  Communication  Centres,  for 
distribution  at  national level. 

•  The  Major  Accident  Hazards  Bureau,  which  supports  the  "Seveso"  Directive  on  industrial  hazards  by 
operating  the  Major  Accidents  Reporting  System  (MARS)  and  the  Community  Documentation  Centre 
on  Industrial  Risk.  End  users  include  all  the  actors  in the  legislative  and  regulatory  process  concerned 
with  plant  safety,  such  as  national  and local authorities,  industry  and safety  practitioners. 

•  The  JRC  also  provides  institutional  support  to  the  European  Environment  Agency  (EEA-Council 

Regulation  1210/90). 

2.  JRC  Support  for  the  Common  Agricultural  Policy  (DG  VI),  which  accounted  for  17%  of  the 
Scientific  and Technical  Support  budget. Work  is carried out  mainly  in the following  research  areas: 

•  Research  and  development  of  new  verification  methods  and  instruments  for  verification  for  improved 
animal  identification,  in  order  to  prevent  fraud.  An  identification  system  was  under  preparation, 
including  electronic  identifiers,  readers,  data  acquisition  systems,  control  strategy,  data  base  and  data 
transmission  techniques  with  headquarters  evaluation. 
The  technical  features  of  a  large  scale  pilot  project,  IDEA,  for  electronic  animal  tagging  with  passive 
transponders,  were  prepared.  The  tagging  of  one  million  animals  in  various  countries  of  the  EU  is 
contemplated. 

Quality  control  of  foodstuffs,  by  supplying  certified  reference  materials,  providing  suitable  analytical 
procedures,  and  supplying  and/or  coordinating 
for  evaluation  and 
improvement  of existing  methods  and development  of  new  methods  of analysis. 

intercomparisons 

laboratory 

•  Application  of  remote  sensing  to  agricultural  statistics,  with  the  aim  of  developing  and  demonstrating 
methodologies  which  can  integrate  remote  sensing  data  into  the  collection  of  statistics  for  the 
monitoring  of crop  acreage  and agricultural  production  in the  EC. 

•  Monitoring  and  control  of  the  Common  Agricultural  Policy:  research  and  development  of  new  remote 

sensing techniques  allowing  improved  monitoring and control of the Common  Agricultural  Policy. 

• 

Implementation  of  Community  wine  sector  legislation  through  the  operation  of  the  "European  Office  for 
Wine,  Alcohol  and  Spirit  Drinks"  (BEVABS).  The  work  focuses  on  the  control  of  adulteration  and  of  the 
origins  of  wine,  using  nuclear  magnetic  resonance  (NMR)  and  mass  spectrometry  (MS)  techniques, 

JRC  Annual  Report  1996 

18 

with  the  aim  of  setting  up  a  European  Union  Wine  Data  Bank.  Some  4000  EU  NMR  wine  data  have 
been  validated  to be stored  in the relevant data  bank. 

3.  JRC  Support  for  Nuclear  Safeguards  (Euratom  Safeguards  DG  XVII,  IAEA  Safeguards  support 

programme  DG  I) accounted  for  32% of the  scientific  and technical  support  budget. 

Most  of the work  undertaken  dealt with  the following  tasks: 

•  Training  of  inspectors,  harmonisation  of  in-service  nuclear  safeguards  inspection  practices,  providing 

state  of the art equipment  and  reference  analyses  of nuclear  materials  samples. 

•  Design  of  on-site  laboratories  for  safeguards  analysis  at  reprocessing  plants  such  as  Sellafield  and  La 
Hague;  routine  analysis  of  nuclear  materials  samples;  examination  of  the  purchase  and  testing  of 
major  equipment,  including  the construction  of two analytical  boxes, and the training of  analysts. 

•  Work  on  non-destructive  assay,  sealing  and  identification  techniques,  surveillance  techniques,  testing 

of safeguards  equipment,  data  information  treatment,  health  physics  and training. 

Other  Institutional  Scientific  and Technical  Support  activities deal with: 

•  Safety  and reliability  of  informatics  systems, for  DG III. 

•  Foodstuff  analysis  in support  of the  industrial  policy, for  DG III. 

•  Quality  control  of consumer  products  (consumer  protection), for  DG  XXIV. 

•  Techniques  for  inspecting  ageing nuclear  components,  in support of  DG XI and DG  XVII. 

1.2 

COMPETITIVE  ACTIVITIES 

In  the  past,  the  JRC  carried  out  research  on  a  competitive  contractual  basis  for  external  clients,  the  so-
called  "work  for  third  parties".  The  discussions  in  the  Council  and  the  European  Parliament  leading  to 
decisions  on  the  EC  Fourth  Framework  Programme  as  well  as  the  EURATOM  Framework  Programme 
emphasised  the  need  for  the  JRC  to thoroughly  reinforce  its  move  towards  a competitive  approach,  on  the 
basis  of  a  genuine  customer/contractor  relationship,  as  stated  in the  Council  Conclusions  of  April  1994  on 
the role of the  JRC. 

The  full  spectrum  of  competitive  activities,  as  given  in the  guidelines  of  the  Council  Conclusions,  were,  for 
1996: 

Under  the  Framework  Programmes: 

•  Participation  of the JRC  in Shared-Cost  Actions  : 

The  JRC,  in association  with  partners  in the  Member  States, submitted  proposals  in the  context  of  calls  for 
proposals  issued  by  the  Commission. 

•  Competitive  support  actions: 

"Shared Cost Actions" are specific  programmes under the Framework Programmes where accepted projects are 

financed  partly by the programme resources and partly by the own resources of the proposers. 

JRC  Annual  Report  1996 

19 

Scientific  and  technical  support  activities  requiring  a  competitive  approach,  where  the  JRC  responded  to 
requests  from  the  Commission's  other  Directorates  General.  These  activities  were  allocated  on  a 
competitive  basis  in the  context  of  invitations  to  tender. 

Outside  the  Framework  Programmes: 

•  Activities  under  contract: 

The conduct  of research  and  supply  of services  under  contract  to third parties, including  contracts  secured 
in the context  of the of  Member  States'  RTD  Programmes. 

•  Other  Community  Activities: 

JRC's  participation  in  Community  actions  (e.g.  PHARE,  TACIS,  co-operation  with  developing  countries, 
etc.) where  Community  funding  is obtained  in the context  of a competitive  approach. 

The  Council  conclusions  stated  that  the  shift  towards  competitive  activities  should  average  22% for  the  EC 
Framework  Programme  and  10%  for  the  EAEC  Framework  Programme  from  1995  to  1998,  and  that  this 
transition  should  be a gradual  and  progressive  process  over  the four year-period. Accordingly,  the  Council 
in  its  conclusions  invited  the  Commission  to  amend  its  internal  rules  as  needed  and  to  propose  to  the 
Council  all  necessary  decisions.  The  Commission  reported  during  1996  on  progress  to  the  Council  and 
European  Parliament  . A further  report  is foreseen  at the end of  1997. 

Participation  in  shared-cost  actions  continued  in  1996.  In  response  to  further  calls  for  proposals,  the  JRC 
and  its  partners  presented  210  proposals.  In  its  review  for  1996,  the  JRC  noted  fewer  calls  for  proposals 
than were  issued  in  1995 or at the end  of  1994. 
It  is  noteworthy  that  the  JRC,  associated  with  partners  in  shared-cost  actions,  has  made  applications,  and 
has  had  applications  accepted,  both  in  Framework  Programme  themes  corresponding  to  JRC  institutional 
activities,  and  in  other  themes,  e.g.  telematics,  advanced  communication  technologies  and  services,  or 
marine  sciences  and  technologies. 
This  illustrates  the  fact  that  the  JRC  is  now  a  fully  multi-disciplinary  research  centre,  which  can  develop 
scientific  disciplines  outside  the  prescribed  Framework  Programme  themes  and  can  be  successful  in  the 
competitive  arena. 

Competitive  activities  in support  of  Commission  services  continued, while  a part  of the  contracts  gained  by 
the JRC  in  1995 were  signed  in  1996  only  and work  started  later  in the year.  New  contracts  gained  in  1996 
amount  to  10,6 Mioecu  but, as for  last year,  signature  of a large  part of these  contracts  will  only  take  place 
in  1997. 
Examples  of  S/T  support  activities  where  the  JRC  successfully  bid  in  response  to  Commission  services 
calls for  tenders  can  be found  in the following  areas: 

Information  management  systems  and general  Information  Technologies  support  work; 

• 
•  Systems  support  to environmental  problems  as well as to non-nuclear  energies; 
•  Remote  sensing  applications  in support  to the  Common  Agriculture  Policy; 
•  Support  for  efforts  to transfer  technology  arising from  EC research. 

Outside  the  Framework  Programmes,  the  JRC  has  gained  contracts  in  other  actions  introduced  by  the 
Community,  namely  from the  PHARE  and TACIS  programmes. These  total some 4,2  Mioecu  and  include: 

•  A  major  PHARE  project  on  agricultural  information  systems,  including  applications  of  remote  sensing 
for  six  PHARE  countries.  Extensions  are foreseen  for  five  more  PHARE  countries,  and  the  project  may 
be extended  in following  years. 

COM(96) 436  final,  6.9.1996 

JRC  Annual  Report  1996 

20 

Alongside  these  new  types  of  activity,  the  JRC  continued  to  work  under  contract.  New  contracts  in  1996 
lolallod  13,6 Mioecu. Recent  contracts  being carried out  include: 

•  Continuing  work  for  the  US  Nuclear  Regulatory  Commission  on  a  major  experimental  installation  in 

Ispra. 

•  Establishment  in a  Member  State  region  of  a Centre  for  the  prevention  of  pollution  and  risks  associated 

with the  handling  and  transportation  of toxic  substances. 

•  Nuclear  instrument  development  for  a large  nuclear  industrial firm  in a Member  State. 
•  Development  of  numerical  methods  for  the  simulation  of  the  behaviour  of  concrete  structures  for  a 

national  electricity  utility. 

•  Development  of  ultrasonic  systems  for  monitoring  liquid  circuits  for  an  industrial  company  in  a  Member 

State. 

Table  3 - Competitive  Activities  (Mioecu) 

Inscribed  in  1995 accounts 

Inscribed  in  1996  accounts 

Shared-Cost  Actions 
Competitive  Support 
Competitive  Activities  outside  the  FWP 
Third  Party  work 
TOTAL 

= == 

[ 

3.9 
4^8 
1J3 
18j> 
28.5 

9.8 
10.6 
42 
13J> 
38.2 

| 

The  figures  are  apart  from  the  activities  related  to  the  HFR  reactor  at  Petten  (NL).  In  1995  a  particularly 
large  contract was  signed for  third  party work  in a Member  State  region over  a number  of years. 

HFR  Supplementary  Programme 

is  operated  by  the  Commission 

The  High  Flux  Reactor  (HFR)  at  Petten 
in  accordance  with  the 
Euratom/Netherlands  agreement  of  25  July  1961.  On  27  June  1996,  the  Council  adopted  a  four-year 
supplementary  research  programme  to  be  implemented  by  the  Joint  Research  Centre  for  the  European 
Atomic  Energy  Community  (1996-1999)  concerning  the  operation  of  the  High  Flux  Reactor  (HFR)  at 
Petten.  Under  previous  supplementary  programmes,  the  activities  of  the  HFR  were  essentially 
the 
outcome  of  co-operation  between  two  partners,  Germany  and  the  Netherlands.  The  new  supplementary 
programme  introduced  two  major  changes.  On  the  one  hand,  the  co-operation  was  enlarged  to  include 
France,  which  decided  to  support  the  HFR.  On  the  other  hand,  besides  traditional  work  for  the  nuclear 
R&D  and  industry,  it was  decided  to dedicate  a  large  part  of  HFR  activities  to  medical  applications.  On  the 
basis  of  contractual  relationships,  the  reactor  will  be  a  major  contributor  to  the  production  of  medical 
radioisotopes  for  the  needs  of the  European  radio  pharmaceutical  industry.  Furthermore,  it was  planned  to 
use the  unique  possibilities  offered  by the  HFR  for  the treatment  of glioma, a highly  malignant  cancer  of the 
brain. 

1.3 

JRC  INFORMATION  DAYS, PUBLICATIONS, AND  CONFERENCES 

The  new  approach  to  JRC  activities  calls  for  closer  collaboration  with  industry,  research  centres  and 
universities  in  the  Member  States.  Therefore,  to  promote  better  awareness  of  the  JRC,  Information  Days 
were  organised  at  the  initiative  of  Members  of  the  Board  of  Governors  in  Dublin,  Ireland  and  Espoo, 
Finland  Similar  Information  Days  had  been  held  in  other  Member  States  in  previous  years.  JRC  staff 
presented  the  Centre  and, in  parallel, workshops  representing  the  Institutes  established  the  basis  for  new 
collaborations.  An  Information  Day  more  targeted  to  nuclear  applications  took  place  in  Stockholm, 
Sweden,  and  another  one  on  environmental  and  remote  sensing  activities  took  place  in  Reykjavik, 
Iceland.  Following  a  day  of  presentations  and  discussions  at  each  of  the  above  events,  the  JRC 
industry,  research  centres  and  universities.  These 
participants  had  meetings  and  contacts  with 

JRC  Annual  Report  1996 

21 

Information  Days  thus  supplemented  the  numerous  presentations  of the JRC  given to visitors  on the  sites, 
visits  made  to  national  laboratories,  presentations  of  the  JRC  at  specialised  fairs  and  exhibitions,  and 
distribution  of JRC  literature. 

The  JRC  offers  a  vast  array  of  publications  on  scientific  matters,  ranging  from  papers  and  articles 
published  in scientific  magazines, to conference  papers,  EUR  reports, reviews,  and  information  about  the 
JRC  posted on  INTERNET. 

In  1996  the  JRC  published  in  total  around  1,180  papers,  and  their  distribution  by  Institute  is  shown  in 
Table 4. 

The  detailed  list  of  JRC  publications  is  published  each  year  in  the  "Publications  Bulletin". The  last  issue, 
No.  16, published  in March  1996, lists  all publications  issued  in  1995. 

Table 4 - JRC  Publications  in  1996 

Institute 

EUR 
Reports 

Confer. 
Papers 

Articles 
Published 

Special 
publications 

General  Management 

Institute for  Reference 
Materials  and  Measurements 

Institute for  Transuranium 
Elements 

2 

2 

2 

-

87 

89 

Institute for Advanced  Materials 

15 

121 

Institute for  Systems,  Informatics 
and  Safety 

36 

177 

Environment  Institute 

36 

200 

Space Applications  Institute 

Institute for  Prospective 
Technological  Studies 

21 

33 

85 

6 

-

19 

42 

6 

34 

60 

29 

-

TOTAL 

147 

765 

190 

8 

-

-

11 

22 

15 

20 

9 

85 

Total 

10 

108 

133 

153 

269 

311 

155 

48 

1,187 

Most  of  these  publications  are available  upon  request from the  Public  Relations  Unit,  Ispra. 

In addition  to  publications,  the  above  mentioned  Bulletin  lists  all  patents  obtained  by  the  JRC. There  were 
9  patents  granted  in  1996. 

Each  year,  the  JRC  organises  a  number  of  conferences,  workshops  and  seminars  at  its  five  sites  in 
Europe.  In  1996  there  were  9  conferences,  138  international  workshops  and  meetings,  and  130  visits  to 

JRC  Annual  Report  1996 

22 

the various  sites. The resulting total of about  11,000 visitors  shows the constant  interest  of the scientific 
community in the contributions to research and development made by the JRC. 

1.4 

HUMAN RESOURCES 

The JRC's  statutory  staff  is  made  up  of officials  and  temporary  agents,  including  both  scientific-technical 
and administrative staff. 

By  the  end  of  December  1996,  the  statutory  staff  numbered  1,746  agents,  as  compared  with  1,786  in 
December  1995. Table 5 gives the distribution of statutory  staff  in  1996. Beside  normal mobility, a number 
of staff members retired in  1996, having reached the statutory age limit. Recruitment for replacements was 
in progress at the end of the year. 

Table 5 - Distribution of statutory staff as of December 1996 

Institute 

Staff 

Directorate General 

Programmes Directorate 

Resources Coordination - Scientific & Technical Support Ispra 

Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements 

Institute for Transuranium Elements 

Institute for Advanced Materials 

Institute for Systems, Informatics and Safety 

Environment  Institute 

Space Applications Institute 

Institute for Prospective Technological Studies 

JRC staff seconded to national bodies 

TOTAL 

JRC Annual Report  1996 

34 

8 

428 

181 

186 

267 

276 

222 

100 

35 

9 

1,746 

23 

In addition to statutory staff, 186 scientists were also active in the JRC under various hosting schemes: 

•  senior scientists hosted as visiting scientists; 
•  national experts seconded to the JRC by Member States, to participate in selected scientific work; 
•  post-doctoral scientists and post-graduate students trained through a programme of fellowships. 

Table 6 gives the distribution, by  Institute, of these scientists working at the JRC at the end of December 
1996. 

In  addition,  about  21  scientists  each  year  come  from  a  third  country,  assisted  by  a  grant  within  the 
framework of a Commission agreement with their countries or with the International Atomic Energy Agency 
(IAEA). 

Besides the above mentioned scientists, several senior scientists and about  183 trainees work at the JRC 
Institutes at no cost to the EU budget, in general for short periods of time. 

Table 6 - Visiting scientists, seconded experts, grantholders as of December 1996 

Institutes 

Visiting 
Scientists 

Seconded 
Experts 

Post-
Doctoral 
Scientists 

Post-
Graduate 
Students 

TOTAL 

Resources 
Coordination 
Institute for  Reference 
Materials  and 
Measurements 

Institute  for 
Transuranium  Elements 

Institute for  Advanced 
Materials 

Institute for  Systems, 
Informatics  and  Safety 

Environment  Institute 

Space  Applications 
Institute 

Institute lor  Prospective 
Technological  Studies 

-

1 

-

2 

4 

3 

2 

3 

TOTAL 

15 

-

1 

-

-

2 

1 

5 

-

9 

-

10 

7 

12 

11 

8 

9 

6 

63 

-

20 

6 

14 

11 

26 

15 

7 

99 

-

32 

13 

28 

28 

38 

31 

16 

186 

JRC Annual Report  1996 

1.5 

FINANCES 

24 

The budget (commitments credits) as implemented by the JRC in 1996, is given in Table 7. 

Table 7 -1996 Budget implementation in Mioecu (Commitment Credits) 

Institutional  activities 

Information and Comm. Technologies 
Industrial Technologies and Materials Technologies 
Measurements and Testing 
Environment and Climate 
Agriculture and Fisheries 
Non Nuclear Energy 
Targeted Socio-Economlc Research 

Subtotal  EC Specific  Programmes} 

Nuclear Safety and Safeguards 
Controlled Thermonuclear  Fusion 

, _ „ _ _ _„ 
Subtotal  EAEC Specific  Programmés] 

SCA EC Programmes 
SCA EAEC Programmes 

_ _„ 

Subtotal  SCA 
Total specific  Programmes  [ 

Competitive  Activities 

Participation to shared-cost actions (SCA) 
Competitive Scientific and Technical Support activities 
Participation to Community activities outside the FWP 
Work for third parties 

HFR Reactor 
HFR Completion of previous programmes 

Subtotal 

Subtotal  I 

TOTAL  | 

2.946 
21.534 
26.722 
74.451 
10.849 
3.838 
7.728 
148.068 
63.229 
10.310 
73.539 
3.013 
0.411 
3.424 
225.031 

4.011 
10.191 
1.879 
16.561 
32.642 
8.088 
6.262 
14.350 

272.023 

To these  commitment  credits  one  must  add  0.800  Mioecu  of  credits  carried  over  from  the  1995  Budget 
(related to completion of previous programmes). 

Total JRC committed financial resources amounted to 273 Mioecu: 

• 

• 

for the execution of the JRC  specific  programmes  (Research  and  Institutional  support  activities for the 
services of the Commission) 

for  the execution  of JRC  competitive  activities  within  the framework  of  the  EU budget  (participation  in 
shared-cost actions, competitive support activities for the services of the Commission, JRC participation 
in other Community activities, contributions from the Dutch and German governments for the operation 
of the HFR and from JRC customers for the execution of work at their request. 

JRC Annual Report  1996 

25 

The financial resources tor the specific programmes were provided by the JRC part of the General Budget 
for  the  European  Union  1996 and the contributions  from the  EEA (European  Economic  Area) countries: 
Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway for the EC programmes.  In addition, there is a contribution from 1996 
onwards to the EC programmes from Israel. 

JRC Annual Report 1996 

26 

2.  ACTIVITIES OF THE JRC INSTITUTES IN 1996 

2.1 

THE INSTITUTE FOR REFERENCE MATERIALS AND MEASUREMENTS (IRMM) 

The  IRMM  promotes  and  harmonises  the  use  of  European  standards,  reference  materials  and 
methodologies  at  the  European  level.  In  1996,  the  Institute  pursued  its  specific  programme  under  the 
heading  of  Measurements  and  Testing  and  contributed  to  the  Framework  Programme  line  "Industrial 
Technologies  and  Materials  Technologies".  IRMM consolidated  its  responsibility  for  managing  the  BCR's 
(Bureau Communautaire de Référence) reference materials. 

IRMM is also engaged in support activities for Community policies related to nuclear safeguards, the safety 
and quality control of consumer products, and reference measurements and materials for quality control of 
foodstuffs.  It provides  services  and reference  materials  to various  customers from the  European  Member 
States. 

A. Institutional Activities 

Institutional Research Activities 

As in the previous years, the measurement expertise and refined analytical techniques of the Institute have 
been applied to prepare, characterise  and certify  high quality  reference  materials  in both  the  nuclear  and 
non-nuclear fields, in order to establish  a co-ordinated  analytical  measurement  system at  European level. 
IRMM  is  now  responsible  for  storage,  stability  control,  distribution,  sales 
Within  this  framework, 
administration and recertification of BCR certified reference materials. 

BIOMEDICAL CBRTtFtEU REFERENCEMATERIALS 
A major route into the  field of reference materials has been opened with a  new co-operation  agreement 
between IRMM and the International Federation of CMcat  Chemistry (IFCC) for the production of certified 
reference  materials  of  biomedical  relevance.  This  agreement,  signed  by  Mme  Edith  Cresson,  the 
European  Commissioner  for  Science,  Research  and  Development  will  significantly  enhance  the 
Commission's role in  the  development of  biomedical certified reference materials.  These ere  crucia tor 
carrying out repidfy and reSebty accurate diagnoses in laboratories  - an essential starting point ioi  (,  -od 
Qi'atfty  Malth  care  By  significantly rariucmg the  risks  of  diagnostic errors,  certified mfemnce  n^  :- ••: 
s «tee ft'i- c*î.'< '/:y ofp&tis if treaimeri  -.vhih also hoping  to curb heafciQe-e co>y:s, 
\hder  v-e aiinemem  krboratorhs  -»:i? scientists around the  world wilt be iuvoîveû m providing  fv'^vtit--
T.v.teriafs  nçedeo*  by  njustry  and  zhniçai laboratories. They  win be produced  en  the  oasis c-:  C'~%-< 
propositi  by iFCC and tmir  validity will be certified by ifre IRMM. 

• V t. 

Research  on biological  and environmental  materials  was carried out with  the  isolation  and  stabilisation  of 
chloroplasts suitable for the bio-assay of pesticide traces in drinking water control. 
An  effort  was  made  to  increase  significantly  the  capabilities  for  production  of  reference  materials,  from 
powder  to  liquid  samples,  basically  with  the  aim  of  producing  certified  solutions  containing  dioxins  and 
furans. Analytical research was pursued on metallothionein characterisation  by electrochemistry  and liquid 
chromatography,  and  on  heavy  metal  traces  of  environmental  or  bio-medical  relevance,  with  the  aim  of 
producing new reference materials. 

The  neutron  activation  analysis  facility  set  up  in  collaboration  with  the  SCK/CEN  at  Mol  (B)  is  now 
operational for quality control during the preparation and certification of reference materials. 

The  IRMM continued  to  use  the  two  strong  neutron  sources  of  the  Institute  (LINAC  and  7  MV  Van  de 
Graaff) to perform neutron data measurements for applied purposes following the recommendations  of the 

JRC Annual Report 1996 

27 

OFCD NEA  Nuclear  Science  Committee,  in  particular  its  Working  Party  on  International  Evaluation  Co 
operation 

Work  related  to  nuclear  matters  included,  inter  alia,  the  supply  of  targets  for  neutron  cross-section 
measurements,  fission  fragment  studies  and  other  applications;  the  refurbishment  of  techniques  for 
electrodeposition  of  actinides  and  the  development  of  methods  for  high  yield  reduction  of  oxides  for  the 
preparation  of  stable  isotope  metal  targets.  The  measurement  of  neutron  total  and  absorption  cross 
sections for 99Tc and 237Np in the resonance region needed for waste transmutation  work  is being studied 
in close  collaboration  with  CEA  (Commissariat  à l'Energie  Atomique), Saclay  (F), the  investigation  of the 
Doppler  broadening of neutron  resonances with the laboratories  of CEA, Cadarache  (F) and  ILL  (Institute 
Laue-Langevin)  (F),  a  safety  parameter  important  for  the  calculation  of  the  temperature  coefficient  of 
reactivity of reactors. 

In response to a long-standing  request from the Joint  European  File  (JEF)  project,  the cross  sections for 
inelastic  scattering from  low-living  levels  of  molybdenum  isotopes  have been  measured. Other  important, 
accurate  measurements  were  performed  in  order  to  improve  the  set  of  nuclear  data  measurement 
standards.  The  neutron  total  cross  section  of  10B  and  the  fission  fragment  mass  yield  distribution  and 
fission  neutron  spectrum  of  252Cf  have  been  investigated.  Improved  methods  of  measuring  the 
235U(n,f)/H(n,n) cross section ratio are being developed. Also, as an extension of the LINAC facility, a new 
laboratory is being completed, to develop non-nuclear applications in the field of radiation physics. 

Institutional Support Activities 

IRMM's  support  activities  were  mainly  related  to  Nuclear  Safeguards  at  the  request  of  DG  I  (External 
Relations), for the International Atomic  Energy Agency  (IAEA) and DG XVII (Energy, Euratom  Safeguards 
Directorate).  But  numerous  non-nuclear  certified  reference  materials  were  also  prepared  for  other  DGs. 
The following activities highlight work carried out as institutional support to other Directorates General: 

Work  on dried  nitrate or  metallic  spike  material was  continued, to  improve  safety  at  large  processing 
plants, and  uranium  and  plutonium  isotopic  reference  materials  were  prepared  on  behalf  of  DG  I for 
IAEA. Low concentrations implied meticulous chemical work in IRMM's ultraclean chemical laboratory. 
IRMM  provided  DG  XVII  (Energy)  with  solutions  for  detector  calibration  needed  in  non-destructive 
assays of uranium and plutonium. 
Certified reference  materials of foodstuffs were prepared for DG III (Industry) and DG VI  (Agriculture), 
for  quality  control  to  assist  enforcement  of  European  legislation.  For  DG  VI,  new  activities  were 
initiated  on  selenium  speciation.  Cosmetics  analyses  and  a  product  safety  data  bank  were  under 
further development for DG XXIV (Consumer Policy). 

B. Competitive Activities 

Shared-Cost Actions deal with: 
• 

the  preparation  and  certification  of  a  set  of  organic  and  inorganic  reference  materials  for  the 
measurement of rare earth elements; 
the  preparation  and  certification  of  a  sludge  reference  material  for  the  measurement  of  poly-
chlorodibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDD) and polychloro-dibenzofurans  (PCDF) contaminations; 
the preparation and characterisation of catalytic converters with respect to platinum, rhenium, zirconium 
and cerium; 
the preparation of bronze reference materials for corrosion studies on bronze antiquities. 

• 

• 

• 

Competitive Support Activities 

A  contract  was  concluded  via  DG  XIII  (Telecommunications,  Information  Market  and  Exploitation  of 
Research)  with  an  SME  (Small  and  Medium  Enterprise)  aiming  at  the  validation  of  a  13C  isotopic 
measurement  method  which  can  be  applied  to  the  diagnosis  of  stomach  diseases  by  a  non-intrusive 
inexpensive technique based on the isotopic measurement of exhaled breath. 

JRC Annual Report 1996 

Research under Contract 

28 

IRMM services and reference materials are also available on a commercial basis. As IRMM now manages 
the  BCR's  reference  materials,  these  are  also  being  made  commercially  available  for  non-nuclear 
applications. 

TRACEA&IUTY AND ACCREDITATION 
IRMM signed  co-operation agreements  with  several  European  Standards Laboratories to  ensure that 
chemical measurements at these national standards institutes can be made traceable to the international 
standard (Si) system (with reference to the Avogadro Constant measurements at IRMM). 
in this context,  the European Co-operation for Accreditation of Laboratories (EAL) has requested the JRC 
to provide Reference Measurements through IRMM's International Measurement Evaluation  Programme 
(IMEP), This gives an idea of the true measurement abiïlties of interested laboratories,  by comparing their 
results on blind sampies against values which are traceable to  the  St system,  the internationally agreed 
system  of  Quantities  and  Units  under  the  convention  of  the  Metre* EAL  considered  the satisfactory 
performance of the IRMM programme as an asset in the accreditation of measurement laboratories. 
The international Measurement Evaluation Programme (IMEP) is arousing interest in a growing number of 
laboratories.  The most  recent  tMEP  round  on  trace  element  in  water  was  concluded. Comparative 
performance surveys for more than 300 laboratories worldwide were evaluated. 

The Regular  European  Interlaboratory  Measurement  Evaluation Programme (REIMEP), an external quality 
control exercise, recently  brought together 20 laboratories worldwide in round-robin tests on uranium oxide 
powder and two uranyl nitrate solutions. 

The  supply  of  nuclear  samples  to  external  customers,  in  particular  for  reactor  neutron  dosimetry,  was 
continued.  A  uranium  doped  glass  reference  material  for  fission  track  dating  of  geological  samples  was 
prepared. 

2.2 

THE INSTITUTE FOR TRANSURANIUM ELEMENTS (ITU) 

The safety  of actinides  in the  nuclear  fuel cycle continued to  be the  major  institutional  contribution  of the 
Institute  to  the  Framework  Programme  line  Nuclear  Fission  Safety.  Major  research  areas  were  basic 
actinide research, safety of nuclear fuels, mitigation of long-lived actinides, and spent fuel characterisation. 

ITU also provided scientific and technical support for Community policies in the area of nuclear safety and 
safeguards,  predominantly  related  to  the  implementation  of  on-site  laboratories  at  Sellafield  and  Cap  la 
Hague, but also related to nuclear safety in Eastern countries and the Russian Federation. In addition, ITU 
continued to carry out contractual work at the request of various customers. 

A. Institutional Activities 

Institutional Research Activities 

Basic actinide  research  is needed to elucidate the electronic  structure  of actinide  elements  and  point out 
their  interest  for  chemistry  and  solid-state  physics.  Important  results  have  been  obtained  in  the 
understanding  of  uranium-based  heavy-fermion  superconductors  doped  with  neptunium  and  plutonium. 
Other  themes  include  the  use  of  pressure  to  study  trends  in  structural  transitions  and  changes  in 
resistance at low temperature; the theory of light solid interactions; and the use of neutron and synchrotron 
experiments to complement the bulk-property  measurements. 

JRC Annual Report 1996 

29 

In the  area  of  safety  of  nuclear  fuel,  porosity  distribution  and  mechanical  properties  of  fuel  at  very  high 
bum-up were  measured  and evaluated. Structural  properties  of fuel with simulated  bum-ups of up to 200 
GWd/t  were  examined  and  compared  with  real  high  burn-up  fuel  to  better  understand  the  rim  effect 
formation  processes.  Oxidation  and  creep  measurements  on  SIMFUEL  were  carried  out,  and  radiation 
damage  studies  on  UO2 yielded for  the first  time  direct  visible  evidence  of  tracks  of fission  fragments  in 
this material. 
The fuel performance code TRANSURANUS was further amended with data from high burn-up fuel. A new 
sol-gel installation for the production of actinide-bearing fuels is undergoing final commissioning. 

These activities contribute to improving nuclear safety, particularly in phenomena which occur in light water 
reactor  fuel  rods for  extended  times  of operation. Fuel fabrication  technologies  are also  being improved. 
This  work  is  addressed  to  operators  of  nuclear  reactors  and  fuel  fabrication  plants,  and  national  and 
international authorities in charge of licensing and regulation. 

In the area of spent fuel characterisation, the investigation of the oxidation kinetics and corrosion effects of 
irradiated U02 and MOX fuel was prominent. Leaching tests on U02 and on fuel rod segments with pre-set 
defects were carried out. The chemical interaction of fuel and cladding was further  investigated. Extensive 
work to study the leaching of simulated high burn-up fuel was carried out, leading to an explanation for the 
fuel.  Non-destructive 
buffering  behaviour  of  molybdenum  on 
measurements,  based  on CdTe  detectors, were  performed  on  spent  fuel  under  hot  cell  conditions.  This 
work  is targeted to characterisation  of unprocessed  spent fuel and its behaviour  under  long term storage 
conditions, determination of its radiotoxic  potential, and investigation of leaching of this waste form under 
various  realistic  conditions.  These  activities  are  mainly  addressed  to  reactor  operators,  the  fuel  cycle 
industry and licensing authorities. 

the  oxidation  potential  of  spent 

Collaborative  work  with  leading  national  laboratories  takes  place  mainly  in the  area  of  mitigation  of  long-
lived  actinides  and  fission  products,  with  particular  emphasis  on  further  reduction  of  the  radiotoxicity  of 
highly active wastes. 

Another  major task of  ITU is the fabrication  and characterisation  of fuel targets for  irradiation  experiments 
and  post-irradiation  examination, the  results  being compared  with  theoretical  predictions.  New  extraction 
processes for the effective separation of long-lived actinides are tested under realistic conditions. 

A NEW MICRO X^RAY DIFFRACTION TECHNIQUE FOR THE CHARACTERISATION OF IRRADIATED 
FUELS 
New  methods  of  material  characterisation of  Irradiated fuels  am  required  for  the  investigation  of  the 
microstructural changes occurring in the  fuel at  very high bum-up,  A  microindentation study concerning 
the mechanical properties of  high burn-up fuel was realised In collaboration with the  nuclear industry,  in 
order  to  demonstrate that  the  fracture  toughness  of  the  dm  material increases  considerably with the 
accumulated bum*up, mainly as a consequence of the grain size reduction taking place in this region. A 
new  programme  for  the  characterisation  of  the  lattice  structure  variations  of  high  bum-up  fuel was 
launched,  and  a  new  micro-X-ray diffraction  system  for  powder  dlffractometry  was  developed  with a 
Qoliimation of the incident beam down to a dimension of 3X0.01  mm, allowing the acquisition of diffraction 
spectra of irradiated fuel samples at intervals as small as 20-30 micrometers in the radiai  direction.  With 
this system, the structurai characterisation of different nuclear and non-nuclear thin interface materials will 
also be possible, such as for instance those appearing in fight water reactor fuel under severe  accident 
conditions. 

In  1996,  a  new  fabrication  procedure  based  on  the  infiltration  of  radioactive  materials  (INRAM)  into 
matrices  was  developed,  tested  and  successfully  applied  to  the  fabrication  of  americium-containing 
incineration  targets,  within  the  EFTTRA  irradiation  programme  (Experimental  Feasibility  of  Targets  for 
Transmutation). 

JRC Annual Report  1996 

30 

The  initial  layout  of the minor  actinide  laboratory  was modified, and the purchase  of major  components 
initiated.  Actinides were  separated from irradiated fuel on  a 100 g scale, including a final separation step 
for  lanthanides.  Radiation  damage and basic  physical  property  studies were  performed  on different  inert 
matrices. 

In the area of safeguards  R & D, the Secondary  Ion Mass  Spectrometer  (SIMS) for the measurement of 
particles from swipe samples went into operation, and the first environmental samples were received and 
analysed. 

Institutional Support Activities 

In support of Community  policies  in the area of Nuclear  Safeguards and Fissile  Material  Management for 
DG XVII, major  progress was achieved towards the implementation of the on-site  laboratory  at Sellafield. 
Analytical  procedures and working procedures  in accordance with ISO  9001 were completed. Verification 
measurements on samples taken at Cap la Hague and Sellafield continued. 
Routine  analytical  measurements  on  samples  sent  to  the  Institute  continued  within  the framework  of 
ECSAM  (European  Commission's  Safeguards  Analytical  Measurements).  ITU also  continued  to receive 
and analyse seized nuclear  materials. A nuclear material data bank was set up, in close collaboration with 
the Bochvar  Institute in Moscow. 

Test  samples  with  extremely  low concentrations  of radionuclides  and samples  from  in-field  experiments 
from environmental monitoring were measured at the request of the IAEA and DG XVII. 

B. Competitive Activities 

Shared-Cost Actions 

One out of two proposals  submitted to the second  Nuclear  Fission Safety  Programme call for tender was 
accepted,  on the investigation  of corium  interactions  and thermochemistry.  The overall  objective  of the 
project  is to provide new data on key properties  and characteristics  of "prototypic  corium" which  may  be 
formed under severe reactor accident conditions inside or outside a reactor core. 

PIONEERING WORKONALPHA-RAOtQmMVNQTmRAPY 
When alpha-emitters are conjugated to tumour-seeking monoclonal antibodies, me  resulting product may 
become  a  powerful  cancer  therapeutic  too/.  Pioneering work  on  alpba+mdioimmunotharapy  for  the 
treatment of metastatic cancers was performed at iTU.  Three projects are being carried out: 

«  Production of mAc  through Irradiation of mR$  in a cyclotron using a proton beam. 

•  Use of  2t3&i and  *zsAc for kUling multiple myelomlc cancer cells present  in  human  bone  marrow,  in 
collaboration  with "Ecole  des  Mines'' and  INSERM (Institut National de  la Santé  et  de  la  Recherche 
Médicale) in Nantes. 

Cllnhal  trials done  on  patients  with acute  myelog&naous  leukemia in  the  Memorial  Shan  Ketienng 
Cancer Center  in  New  York, using  mBHmmunotherapy  The  results  of  the  first treatment  of  two 
patients confirm that the drug is behaving In the human body as predicted from the pra-ctinicat data. 

Research under  Contract 

As in previous years, the work carried out for various customers concerned post-irradiation examination of 
irradiated fuel, fabrication and characterisation of fuels for transmutation, and examination of high burn-up 
oxide and mixed oxide fuels. 

JRC Annual Report  1996 

31 

Other Competitive  Activities 

The following proposals were submitted to the TACIS/PHARE programmes: 

Assistance  to  Hungary,  the  Czech  Republic  and  Bulgaria,  for  fighting  illicit  trafficking  of  nuclear 
material. 

Co-operation  with  MINATOM  and  Gosatomnadzor  in  setting  up  analytical  facilities  in  the  Russian 
Federation for nuclear material accountancy and control. 

Co-operation with the Leningrad Nuclear Power Station to improve the safety of nuclear fuel. 

Co-operation  with  the  Czech  Republic  in  the  area  of  fuel  modelling  to  improve  the  safety  of  reactor 
operation. 

2.3 

THE INSTITUTE FOR ADVANCED MATERIALS (IAM) 

IAM  performs  research  on  advanced  materials.  The  research  activities  were  carried  out  within  the  four 
following Framework  Programme lines:  Industrial Technologies and Materials Technologies,  Non-Nuclear 
Energy,  Nuclear  Fission Safety, and Controlled Thermonuclear Fusion. 

IAM developped in 1996 some valuable contributions to science and technology, with the concept of a new 
pressure  vessel  for  the  petro-refinery  industry,  a  fibre  tow  transport  system  for  continuous  coating  of 
endless fibres, and a chemical vapour deposition process, all of them to the benefit of European industry. 
IAM  also  initiated  new  activities  on  the  development  of  new  production  techniques  for  medical 
radioisotopes, which will improve health care for European consumers. 

1996  was  also  the  first  year  of  the  new  HFR  (High  Flux  Reactor)  supplementary  programme  for  the 
European Atomic  Energy Community (1996-1999). Besides traditional work for nuclear  R&D and Industry, 
a large part of the  HFR's  activities  was  dedicated  to medical applications, through  research  on  materials 
under irradiation and on Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT), a new therapy for brain cancer tumours. 
The production of medical radioisotopes on a commercial basis will continue and increase. 

A. Institutional  Activities 

Institutional  Research  Activities 

The  Industrial Technologies  and Materials Technologies  programme  carried out at  IAM covers  four  main 
topics:  advanced  materials  and  standards  for  industrial  innovation,  surface  engineering  for  improved 
properties and for new industrial applications, recycling and materials eco-technology, and non-destructive 
evaluation, testing and inspection of industrial structural components. 

The  Non-Nuclear  Energy  programme  consists  of  two  main  research  lines:  photovoltaic  energy  and 
materials for clean technologies. The first  mainly  deals with standardisation  of photovoltaic  devices, while 
the second concentrates on new catalytic car exhaust systems. 

The  Nuclear Fission  Safety programme  includes  a  contribution  from  IAM  in  the  form  of  the  European 
Networks  on  component  ageing,  inspection  techniques  and  structural  integrity.  These  Networks  are 
particularly focused on the ageing of materials used in nuclear reactors. 

The  Controlled Thermonuclear Fusion programme  at  IAM is  mainly  carried  out within  three  activity  lines: 
fluid separation and structural analysis, fusion materials, and tritium-materials interaction. 

JRC Annual Report  1996 

32 

TRANSMUTATION STUDIES 
The first irradiation experiment at tha HFR on Technetium transmutation has been successful  terminated 
at a transmutation rate of approx,  6,6%.  The Irradiated experiment has been  investigated at the Fatten hot 
celts of the  EON (Energmndartoek  Cantrum  Nedertand), A  haw  sample  has  b$en prepared from the 
irradiated material for continuation of the  Irradiation  In a second  phase.  The irradiation  with  the second 
sample is in progress, and wHfbo pursued to a transmutation rate of 20%. 
Another irradiation  experiment  on  the  transmutation of  Atmricium in an  inert matrix has  been started 
successfully during the third quarter of 1$$$ at the High Flux Raactor (HFR). The test originates from the 
Nuclear Fission Safety  Programme of the European Commission, and is performed by the experimental 
Feasibility of T&rgats and TrawmMatiw  {EFFTRA)  gmtps* tat&ratorfes and institutes. The target sample 
consists  of  1t9  weight % AmOz 
Elements (ITU) by a novel technique which is subject & & paient  The imdtatidn  wilt fast for approx.  400 
full power days and yield an actinide bwnup of>38%< 

In m  inert matrix. It was produced  by  the  Institute of  Transuranium 

The relevance of  IAM research activities for industry can be illustrated by the following examples, for each 
of which a patent proposal has been issued. 

•  Firstly, the concept of a new pressure vessel for the petro-refinery  industry, designed to avoid hydrogen 
attack of the vessel walls. This concept has now reached the stage of a demonstration project (financed 
by DG XIII -  Telecommunications,  Information  Market  and  Exploitation  of  Research, in the framework 
of  the  valorisation  activity)  and  will  provide  increased  vessel  life,  enhanced  safety  for  workers,  and 
decreased wall thickness, as compared to current designs. 

•  The  second  example  is  a  fibre  tow  transport  system  for  continuous  coating  of  endless  fibres.  The 
innovative  fibre  tow  transport  system  simplifies  enormously  the fibre  processing  steps  involved  in the 
fabrication  of  ceramic  matrix  composites  by  performing,  in  a  single  stage,  cycling  and  recycling 
operations for sequential fibre treatment. 

•  The third example is a chemical vapour deposition process for the production of 3-dimensional shaped 
microstructural  coatings  for  functional  applications,  which  combine  resistance  to  wear  and  self-
lubrication, two  usually incompatible properties. 

Institutional Support Activities 

IAM provided  support  to  DG XI (Environment,  Nuclear  Safety and Civil Protection) through  the  European 
Networks  AMES  (Ageing  Materials  Evaluation  and  Studies),  ENIQ  (European  Network  for  inspection 
Validation, and NESC  (Network for  Evaluation  of Steel components); and to  DG XVII  (Energy) within the 
framework  of  Nuclear  Safety  and  Safeguards.  For  DG  XI, strong  assistance  was  given  to  the  working 
group on codes and standards and to action groups on inspection and manufacturing, fracture mechanics, 
and materials. For DG XVII, participation and support were provided to the forum ENDEF (European Non-
Destructive Evaluation Forum) and its interaction with Russian and Czech experts. 

THIN LAYER ACTIVATION ELECTROCHEMICAL  TE$T FACILITY 
A new experimental facility at IAM,  using the innovative Thin  Layer A" \Mion  (TLA} method, will make it 
possible to study metal surface degradation processes,  such as corrc 'Jen and wear  by using radiotracers. 
This  applies,  in particular  to  heavy  metal  release  due  to  corrost.i  in,  e.g>,  the  food  processing and 
pharmaceutical industries and to biomatmat applications  in life  sck;:$a  studies.  Very low cone mirations 
can be monitored In this way thanks to a gamma spectrometry facility. 

±é±t±u0jBMie*a£ 

JRC Annual Report 1996 

33 

1996 also saw the launching, at  IAM, of a new project dealing with Positron  Emission Tomography, which 
should  establish  a  European  Network;  this  Network  will  host  medical  staff  from  all over  Europe  at  Ispra, 
where new diagnostic and therapeutic techniques will be developed, which they can afterwards  transfer to 
their own home institutions. 

B. Competitive Activities 

Shared-Cost Actions 

IAM  participated  in  1996  in  proposals  for  Shared-Cost  Actions.  The  total  number  of  proposals  was 
comparable  to  last  year's  with,  however,  a  better  distributed  portfolio  across  the  different  shared-cost 
programmes.  This  reflects  the  new  structure  of  the  Institute,  in  particular  the  new  units  on  structural 
materials and tritium technology and energy system testing. 

Competitive Support for Community Policies 

Eight  proposals  to  the  Valorisation  Programme  of  DG  XIII  were  successful :  they  cover 
themes: 

the  following 

life sciences, with a project on medical image processing software; 

• 
•  materials science, with a project on crack detection by camera; 
•  structural integrity, with a project on improving the resistance of reservoirs to hydrogen attack; 
•  software development for corrosion test management; 
• 
tritium technology, with a project on tritium removal from water; 
•  composite processing technology, with a project on brake disks. 

Research under Contract 

New contracts  signed  in  1996 deal with  Personal  Computer  based high temperature  materials  data  base 
software, non-destructive evaluation techniques, coatings technologies, and corrosion studies on materials 
for power generation. 

Other Competitive Activities 

IAM continued to be involved in projects  related to TACIS and PHARE activities, at a level comparable to 
the previous year. Among these, one contract was signed with a major nuclear company to perform work 
on in-service inspection of primary circuit components. 

2.4 

THE INSTITUTE FOR SYSTEMS, INFORMATICS AND SAFETY (ISIS) 

ISIS  is  the  JRC's  centre  of  expertise  in  the  science  and  technology  of  safety  management,  the  multi-
disciplinary  analysis  of  industrial,  socio-technical  and  environmental  systems,  and  the  innovative 
application of information technology. 

It contributed  in 1996 to the Framework  Programme lines Environment  and Climate, Non-Nuclear  Energy, 
Nuclear  Fission  Safety,  Controlled  Thermonuclear  Fusion, and  Measurements  and Testing. Work  at  ISIS 
focused  on  several  fields,  including  nuclear  safety  and  safeguarding  of  nuclear  materials,  industrial  and 
transport  safety,  seismic  protection  of  buildings  and  civil  engineering  works,  natural  resource  and 
environmental  management,  support  to  antifraud  measures,  and  last  but  not  least,  the  preservation  of 
cultural heritage and architecture. 

In  addition,  ISIS  provided  scientific  and  technical  support  for  Community  policies  in  the  fields  of: 
safeguards,  for  DG  I 
(External  Relations)  and  DG  XVII  (Energy);  safety  and  licensing  issues  in  the 
nuclear,  chemical  and  biotechnology  industries,  for  DG  XI  (Environment,  Nuclear  Safety  and  Civil 

JRC Annual Report  1996 

34 

Protection);  information technology, for  DG  III  (Industry);  and  fraud  control, for  DG  VI  (Agriculture) 
particular, tagging for Identification of animals  and the Commission antifraud service (UCLAF). 

in 

A. Institutional Activities 

Institutional Research Activities 

ISIS  research  work  on  safeguards  prepared  to  meet  future  demands  from  inspectorates  and  plant 
operators: 

• 

In  the  field  of  non-destructive  techniques,  an  analytical  dead  time  correction  algorithm  for  passive 
neutron detection was developed, and a high efficiency  passive neutron counter was constructed, with 
a relatively low dead time. 

•  The TAME (Tank Measurement) facility  is now operational, and several tank calibration exercises have 

been conducted. 

•  The ultrasonic identification of seals is being investigated, especially for sealing containers of irradiated 

and non-irradiated fuel assemblies or powders in storage areas. 

•  The TEMPEST laboratory has been upgraded to meet increased requests for instrument testing. 

As to surveillance systems and mobile robotics technology, studies are being conducted on the use of 
laser range finders for real time localisation of a mobile robot. 

In the area of  nuclear  safety, experiments  were  aimed at better  understanding  the  progression  of severe 
accidents and at improving the codes used to analyse how best to mitigate the consequences. 
The  FARO  (Fuel  melting  and  Release  Oven)  and  KROTOS  facilities  at  Ispra  were  used  to  carry  out 
experiments  where  molten  mixtures  of  uranium  dioxide  and  zirconium  dioxide  are  dropped  into water  in 
order  to  observe  such  phenomena  as  mixing, jet  break-up,  quenching,  and  the  risk  of  explosion  with 
representative materials. 

The European  Laboratory  for Structural Assessment  (ELSA) continued to provide a unique test facility for 
applying  pseudodynamic  test  methods  in  order  to  check  the  seismic  resistance  of  structures,  especially 
bridges. 

AEROSOL TRANSPORT PHENOMENA 
At present, STORM (Simplified Tests on Resuspenslon Mechanisms) is the most représentative facility in 
Europe  tot  investigating  aerosol  transport phenomena  in  reactor  coolant  circuits.  Eight  tests  on  the 
deposition and resuspensbn of solid tin dioxide particles were successfully performed ir-19&&  The aim is 
to  simulate tha  transport  Of aarosol particles  through the  pipawork Of a  nuol^r 
reactor wider  reactor 
conditions. 
An unexpectad finding was the importance of the tharmophoresis m&ch&iîsm during déposition. 
International interest  was  demonstrated by  a  wide participation  at  the  two  meetings  of  t\& Scientific 
Committee and  by  the  agreement  of  fiva  partners  (ENEL4 Italy(  C$N,  Spain,  CtEMAT, Spain, Ris#, 
Denmark, andPSf, Swltzertand} to provide manpower for test preparation and analysis, 

A new precision impact testing method for improving car safety was designed  and developed: the use of a 
new stress wave transducer  in the Large Dynamic Testing  Facility  (LDTF) allows  load, displacement  and 
energy  flow  to  be  measured  in  any  part  of  a vehicle  body,  so that  numerical  models  of  vehicles  can be 
calibrated and validated. 

ISIS continued  to provide  support  for  Centre for  Earth Observation  (CEO)  projects  to promote the  use of 
satellite-based  earth observation data. Two systems, the European Wide Service  Exchange  (EWSE), and 
the G7-ENRM (Environmental and Natural Resources Monitoring) were designed and implemented. These 
systems  allow organisations  to publicize their  earth observations  on the  Internet without  having their own 
Web server. 

JRC Annual Report  1996 

Institutional Support Activities 

35 

ISIS offered  technical  support  to the  Euratom Safeguards  Inspectorate and provided  the technical  means 
whereby  DG  I (External  Relations)  supported  the  International  Atomic  Energy  Agency  (IAEA)  at Vienna. 
S/T  support  was  offered  to  the  Safeguards  Directorate  of  DG  XVII  (Energy)  for  the  implementation  of 
nuclear safeguards as required by the EURATOM Treaty. 

The most significant activities were the following: 

•  A remote monitoring link between  Ispra and Luxembourg through an ISDN (Integrated  Services Digital 

Network) connection, using commercial equipment. 

•  An  unattended  measurement  station  for  the  determination  of  235U  in  LWR  (Light  Water  Reactor)  fuel 

assemblies. 

•  The delivery of sealing bolts to be installed in a spent fuel storage pond. 
•  An important increase of the environmental testing of safeguards equipment. 
•  Extensive field tests on a new surveillance system of a Pu storage area based on heat flow meters. 
•  Training courses for EURATOM inspectors on non-destructive assay techniques and mass and volume 

measurements of liquids in large tanks. 

S/T  support  was  provided  to  IAEA  for  its  technical  activities  in  the  framework  of  the  Non-Proliferation 
Treaty  and  the  corresponding  Safeguards  Agreements  with  the  EC  Member  States.  The  activities  are 
mainly  oriented  to  the  development,  testing  or  adaptation  of  methods  and  instruments  and  to  inspector 
training: 

•  Environmental testing of safeguards equipment, under thermally, mechanically  and electromagnetically 

induced stresses. 

•  Several demonstrations  on sealing equipment  of  Pu02 transport  containers, sealing bolts for  spent fuel 

multielement bottles, and special transport and storage casks. 

• 

Instruments  and software  for  process  monitoring for  mass  and volume  determination  in large tanks of 
bulk handling facilities, tested by IAEA  in selected facilities. 

•  A spent fuel monitor, which is now being studied for the rapid verification of U or Pu in containers. 

•  Training  courses  for  IAEA  inspectors  on  mass/volume  determination  of  liquids  in  large  tanks  and the 

measurement of spent fuel, using a JRC-developed underwater gamma measurement system. 

ANIMAL mENtmCAflON 
| 
The antifraud policy of  DG  VI (Agriculture) Is increasingly based on  the technical verification by national  j 
and EC inspectors of the declarations maoe by farmers £ associations of the presence and movements of 
their livestock  and  their  alimentary products, New EC  regulations are being  defined in  these areas,  h  j 
particular for the electronic ictantiffcatfoh of cattle and sheep* 
\ 
The JRC is carrying out the first pilot project on the electronic Identification ofseveraf thousand of animais,  -
in  collaboration  with  eight  European  tabOr0lorie$ and  organisations.  tSt$  is  developing  technical . 
verification systems, for  the  testing of  equipment performance and  for  the  use  St evaluation of in-Held 
measurement  results.  The  electronic  identifiers,  hand-held  and  static  reading  devices  of  sev £••«?/ 
commercial companies have  been  extensively tested In the  TEMPEST laboratory according  to  a  mc-
defined protocol based on international standards. 
Moreover,  a  targe  scale  project  (called  IDEA)  on  the  electronic  identification  by  ear+tegs,  injectable 
transponders  or bolus-transponders of one million animais (sheep, goat$t cattle) in different EU countries 
has been presented to Member State authorities. The IDEA project Is expected to start In January  1997, 

JRC Annual Report 1996 

36 

Methods  and  instruments  for  the  in-field  verification  of  the  volume  and  density  of  alimentary  oil  were 
developed.  Field  tests  were  conducted  in  Southern  Italy  to  determine  the  performance  of  the  dip  tube 
technique and to evaluate its sensitivity to fraud scenarios. 

ISIS's  support  to  the  Safety  of  Nuclear  Installations  Unit,  DG  XI  (Environment,  Nuclear  Safety  and  Civil 
Protection)  involved  reviewing  technical  documents  submitted  to the  Nuclear  Regulators' Working Group 
and the Reactor Safety Group. Earthquake catalogues of areas from the former Soviet  Union and Eastern 
Bloc countries were added to the European Seismic Catalogue. 

The  Major  Accident  Hazards  Bureau  acts  on  behalf  of  DG  XI  to  implement  the  Seveso  Directive  on 
industrial  hazards  by  operating  the  Major  Accidents  Reporting  System  (MARS)  and  the  Community 
Documentation Centre on Industrial Risk. 

B. Competitive Activities 

Shared-Cost Actions 

ISIS  won  and  carried  out  40  shared-cost  action  projects,  including  19  additional  proposals  accepted  in 
1996, within  the  Nuclear  Fission  Safety,  Environment  and  Climate,  BRITE,  ESPRIT,  Copernicus, Joule, 
and INNOVATION programmes, including: 

• 

In  the  RESOLV  Project,  a  prototype  of  an  Environment  Sensor  for  Telepresence  (EST)  was 
implemented, together with the development of algorithms for three dimensional reconstruction. 
In the Investigation of Core Degradation Project, the swelling of irradiated fuel was modelled. 

• 
•  The LDTF facility  is being used to determine how a reactor pressure vessel can cope with fast impacts 

following an internal explosion. 

•  The  use  of  Shape  Memory  Alloys  as  a  strengthening  against  seismic  shocks  is  being  studied  in the 

ELSA laboratory and in the photonics laboratory. 

•  Expertise on human factors is being applied to aircraft maintenance and dispatch. 
•  Computational fluid dynamics tools are being further developed in collaboration with industrial partners. 

Competitive Support for Community Policies -  Participation in Other Community Programmes 

Work on fraud control included studies on behalf of the Commission's fraud control body, UCLAF. A report 
was  prepared  correlating  particular  incidences  of  fraud  with  country  profiles  and  monetary  impacts.  A 
feasibility study of an information system for UCLAF was also completed. 

ELSA obtained  a contract  from  DG  III (Industry), to  improve  Eurocode  8, the  new  European design code 
for  earthquake  resistant  structures.  This  required  tests  on  a full-scale  three-storey  composite  (steel  and 
concrete) structure, as well as on a three-storey  reinforced concrete frame with irregular  masonry  infills. A 
project on the multi-site application of virtual reality was also accepted. 

The European Commission, through the TACIS programme, is helping the Russian Federation in its effort 
to improve  its nuclear  material accountancy  and control. A major  project  is the creation of the Safeguards 
Methodological  and Training Centre (SMTC), at the  Institute of Physics and Power  Engineering  (IPPE) at 
Obninsk, to help implement new concepts of nuclear materials management. The JRC has been given the 
task of designing and implementing the new Centre, in cooperation with IPPE. 
to the 
The  Centre  will  train  plant  operators,  as  well  as  "domestic"  inspectors,  in  upgraded  approaches 
accounting and safeguarding of fissile materials. It will also be a very important forum and meeting point for 
plant operators and inspectors. The existing premises, already licensed for the use of nuclear materials (U, 
Pu), are now being equipped with instrumentation for hands-on training. The first Russian-JRC course was 
held in July  1998 at IPPE,  and two seminars were organised at ispra vor the training of future training staff. 

ISIS signed a contract  with DG X! to check oaioi^uons for nuclear reactor accident ssquencs^ submitted 
by a number of organisations 

JRC Annual Report  1996 

37 

Work  on  environmental  pressure  and  environmental  impact  was  done  for  DG  XI  (impact  studies  of 
installations for the treatment  and disposal of toxic and dangerous waste in the European  Union) and the 
European Environment Agency (EEA), (Environmental pressure indicator models). 

It is an important part of ISIS's mission to transfer technology developed at Ispra to industry. To do so, the 
institute  bids  for  funding  from  DG  XIII  (Telecommunications,  Information  Market  and  Exploitation  of 
Research). In 1996 the following ten spin-off projects were supported: 

Comparative testing of an opto-thermal device. 

Differential thermal and pressure monitoring. Thermal detection systems. 

Exploitation of the batch chemical reactor relief line simulator package RELIEF. 

Industrialisation of advanced adaptive wavelets and fractal compression techniques . 

Electronic  speckle  pattern  interferometry  (ESPI)  based  device  for  deformation  measurement  and 
mechanical characterisation of building materials. 

Interferometric fibre optic sensor for structural real time strain monitoring and damage detection. 

Exploitation of the STARS industrial reliability software. 

Implementation of a commercial generalised software control system for industrial robots. 

An interactive mobile surveillance system. 

A graphical user interface for the gas dispersion and combustion code REACFLOW. 

Research under Contract 

Three JRC  institutes (ISIS, SAI and El) are working together with 79 departments from the Universities of 
Catania,  Messina  and  Palermo  on  a  vast  regional  development  plan  for  Sicily.  Major  achievements 
included the use of optical inspection methods, three-dimensional structural analyses and tests in ELSA to 
understand how the Geraci Palace in Palermo can best be protected against earthquakes. 
New  projects  have  been  launched  on  behalf  of  the  Basilicata  region  and  the  Italian  Ministry  of  the 
Environment.  ISIS's  work  concentrated  mainly  on  water  resources,  cultural  heritage,  and  emergency 
management following the release of dangerous chemicals. 

Moreover, ISIS has received the following commercial contracts: 

•  A series of tests in ELSA  for the Italian association of precast concrete structures producers. 
•  Seismic tests in ELSA on a replica of the Sao Vicente de Fora monastery in Portugal. 
•  An IAEA order for 500 sealing bolts was completed. 
•  A study of a sealing system for a plutonium oxide transport container was carried out for PNC (Japan). 
•  A  plutonium  drum  monitoring  technique  has  been  licensed  by  ANTECH  (GB)  and  a  SuperPhonid 

uranium monitor by British Nuclear Fuels Limited. 

•  Studies of aircrew training and stress in air traffic control rooms. 
•  The  impact  characteristics  measurement  of  advanced  automotive  high  strength  steel  and  aluminium 

alloys using LDTF, under contract with the European suppliers. 

•  A license of the DYLAM-3 Code, developed by JRC-ISIS for dynamic reliability analysis, has been sold 

for the use of the Ship Research Institute of the Transport Ministry of Japan. 

JRC Annual Report 1996 

C. Exploratory  Research 

38 

A  levy  of  6% of the  institutional  budget  is used to finance  exploratory  research. Priority  was  given  to  12 
projects covering a wide range of subjects including non-linear time series analysis, brain-actuated control 
systems for the disabled, voice to text conversion, interactive  multimedia for teaching, symbolic  modeling 
of vehicles, regional flood vulnerability,  remote  measurement  of water  levels  in environmentally  sensitive 
areas,  innovative  accelerator  driven  nuclear  reactors,  modelling  particle  gas  flows,  smart  materials, 
seismic monitoring, and stress-wave release from fracturing rocks. 

2.5 

THE ENVIRONMENT INSTITUTE (El) 

The  Environment  Institute contributed to the  Framework  Programme  lines,  Environment  and Climate, and 
competitive  actions  addressing  other 
Life  Sciences  and  Technologies,  complemented  by  several 
programmes such as Nuclear Fission Safety, and Measurements and Testing. 
An  important  part  of  El  activities  was  a  direct  support  for  European  Union  sectoral  policies,  in  fields  as 
varied  as  environment,  radio-protection  and  agriculture,  with  a  particular  emphasis  on  food  and  drug 
consumer protection. 
The  Institute  Director  heads  the  Environment-Water  Task  Force  established  at  the  initiative  of  the 
Commission  and  intended  to  contribute  to  a  European  strategy  for  the  sustainable  management  and 
rational use of water. 

A. Institutional Activities 

The  balance  between  research  and  direct  support  activities  (30%  and  70%  respectively)  allows  the 
institute  to  provide  effective  support  while  maintaining  its  scientific  competence,  as  demonstrated  by  its 
international  research  programmes  such  as:  EUREKA/EUROTRAC,  which 
presence 
investigates  the  impact  of  human  activities  on  tropospheric  chemistry;  IGBP/IGAC  (International 
Geosphere  Biosphere  Programme/  International  Global  Atmospheric  Chemistry);  WMO/GAW  (World 
Meteorological Organisation/ Global Atmospheric Watch). 

in  various 

Institutional  Research  Activities 

Global Change studies deal with research linked to the composition of the atmosphere, the focus being on 
tropospheric ozone and the role of aerosols in climate regulation. 

AEROSOL AN0 cumm 
Atmospheric aerosols  are  believed  to  have  an  important effect  art the  Earth's  radiative balance. The 
aerosols and  ctimata project  aims  at  uhd&rmnding  both  m  key  chemical  and  physical processes 
governing  the  formation  of  atmospheric  aerosols,  and  the  rote  of  anthropogenic precursors  in  these 
processes, in  ordar  to  better  evaluate tha scale  of  radiative affects,  this  project  combines field work, 
laboratory studies  and  modelling activities, In  collaboration with  European  and  irttarmtionai  research 

Th.  study of the dynamics of sulfate cmosots, and the development of models simulating the evolution of 
the siTe distributions of these zerQsots on a global $caf$f is  the major aspect of the aerosols $nd climate 
project 
An  advanced  gtob.%1  transport  moditf  (TM2)  and  a  simplified  aerosol  dynamics  model  (M3) war* 
developed*  and  M3 was  implemented m  W&  An  importent first  step  towards assessing  the  effect of 
anthropogenic aerosols on  the  fadi&Pve  properties of  Clouds  on  a  global sc$t$  has been  achieved.  In 
addition, work has been initiated to descnoe the mixing of sulfate, black carbortT  desert dust and seasalt 
aerosols in TM2> 

JRC Annual Report 1996 

39 

The Biogenic Emission in the Mediterranean Area (BEMA) project (partially funded by the EC Environment 
& Climate  programme  1994-98) was developed  by  El  in collaboration with  17 European  laboratories.  Its 
main  goal  was  to  analyse  the  type  and  amount  of  emissions  from  Mediterranean  vegetation  and  to 
understand their role in atmospheric chemistry and ozone formation. In preparation for the second phase 
(1996-97), the objective of which is to scale up biogenic emissions to regional levels and to evaluate their 
ozone  forming  potential,  El  structured  its  work  at  three  levels:  the  parameterisation  of  vegetation 
emissions,  the  GIS-based  scaling  of  experimental  data,  the  chemical  modelling  of  the  ozone  forming 
potential of biogenic emissions. 

The  IGAC's Aerosol  Characterisation  Experiment  (ACE-2) project, a major  data acquisition  campaign by 
land stations, ships and aeroplanes, is due to take place in 1997. 
El plays an international co-ordinating role in both the BEMA and ACE-2 projects. 
The  novel  aspects  of  the  emission  process  at  the  leaf  and  canopy  levels  identified  during  the  1993-96 
campaigns  in Italy, France and Spain were: the variability  of biogenic emissions  (diurnal, seasonal, intra-
species, inter-species) and the resulting limitations on algorithms now used for scaling-up; the reactivity of 
emitted compounds, related sampling problems, and the determination of emission fluxes. 

.i^j^i'i^l'IftAiyiiWAijJitV^.BiBWHff 

EUROPEAN AUTO-OIL  STWY 
The  drat Buropoan Auto~Oit  study  w$$  oomptoteti  in  1 $86  within m$  Hmowork  of  a  co-operative 
programme between  the European Commission ( #6  tftt 00  Xl)t the European automobfb & off industries, 
and  the environment mfâufa  It was  <fa$f$n$d to idontlfy m  bast  tmmm 
to  introduoo  from the y&ar 
2000  onf  and to  détermine the  most  cost^eïïeciive means  of reaching alr<t\Mty  objectives  in &te year 
2010. Different predictive models,  based  on oxistmg air quality obfactiv&s and on the new WoM Health 
Organisation  air quality guidelines  for Burope, were  used  for estimating emission  reductions for urban 
pollutants in soven  repmentativa  cHM (Athens, Ootogm4  the Hagmo, London, Lyomt  Madrid and  man). 
Emissions are expected  to decline significantly as a result of measures  already agreed  in all seven  cities. 
Benzene  and carbon monoxide oormntmtiM*  wfflprob&bly b& kotow tercet values. For nfàoçon dioxide, 
however, the mom stringent target value may stilt be exceeded,  Forozorwf  a regional model was  used for 
a$$e$$in# th0 imp&ot ofpmrM 
precursors am predicted to be reduced  by #6 & 40 per cmt  over the period IQQùîo 2Qi& 

poHol&s on ooncon^atkm  *cro$& Bvrope. Mional  0mi$$ion* of ozone 

L 

'Vi<<i»'iffmiMV<muivrui;iN,^ 

For  aquatic  systems,  the  institute  was  particularly  active  in  the  study  of  the  "red  tides"  in  the 
Mediterranean  sea  (MITO  -  Microphyte  Toxins  project)  and  in  a  variety  of  water  management,  water 
quality  and  recovery  projects  such  as  AMAL  -  Advanced  Mobile  Analytical  Laboratory,  AQUACON  -
Analytical Quality Control and SALMON -  Satellite Remote Sensing for Lake Monitoring. 

Within  the  Life  Sciences  and  Technologies  programme,  research  was  carried  out  on  trace  metals  in 
human tissues (TERVIHT -  Trace-Element Reference Values in Human Tissues, TRACY -  a database on 
toxic metals in human tissues and fluids, and METOX -  Metal Toxicity in humans, projects). 

Institutional Support Activities 

The  Environment  Institute  was  involved  in  requests  from  DG XI (Environment,  Nuclear  Safety  and  Civil 
Protection),  for  the  preparation  and  implementation  of  directives  on  atmospheric  pollution, from  DG  III 
(Industry),  DG  VI  (Agriculture),  DG  XXI  (Customs  and  Indirect  Taxation),  and  DG  XXIV  (Consumer 
Policy).  These  activities  concerned  food  and  drug/consumer  protection,  control  of  fraud,  and  the 
harmonisation  of  chemical  and  microbiological  analytical  methods  concerning  food,  animal  feed, 
cosmetics, and chemicals. 

The European Office for Wine, Alcohol and Spirit  Drinks (BEVABS)  and a telematic and informatic center 
devoted  to  medicinal  products  -  ETOMEP  (European  Technical  Office  for  Medicinal  Products)  were 
especially  active  in  support  activities  for  the  European  Agency  for  the  Evaluation  of  Medicinal  Products 
(EMEA). 

JRC Annual Report 1996 

40 

El  carried  out  work  on  Radioactivity  Environmental  Monitoring  (REM),  established  after  the  Chernobyl 
accident.  REM, ERLAP  (European  Reference  Laboratory  for  Air  Pollution)  and  the  radioactivity  release 
early warning system ECURIE (European Community  Urgent Radiological  Information  Exchange) operate 
in  support  of  DG  XI.  ERLAP  organised,  in  October  1996,  a  workshop  on  Quality  Assurance  and 
Accreditation  in  the  field  of  air  quality,  with  the  participation  of  air  pollution  laboratories  in  the  Member 
States. 

The  principles  and  the  basic  rules  of  functioning  of  the  Alpine  observatory  were  approved  by  the 
Conference  of  the  Ministers  of  the  Environment  for  the  Alpine  Convention. The  JRC  is  the  coordination 
body  for  the  Alpine  observatory.  In  1996,  El  was  involved  in  a  series  of  pilot  projects,  such  as  an 
information system on alpine research, and the production of a set of socio-demographic indicators. 

In the  field  of  institutional  support  to  EC  policies,  the  largest  effort  concerns  chemicals,  for  DG  XI. The 
European  Chemicals  Bureau  (ECB)  has  five  working  groups  which  tackle  different  aspects  of  quality 
control,  risk  assessment,  and  testing  methods,  in  order  to  implement  EC  directives  on  dangerous 
substances, import export, and existing chemicals. 

An  important  activity  in  the  field  of  life  sciences  is  that  of  the  European  Centre  for  the  Validation  of 
Alternative  Test  Methods  (ECVAM),  which  aims  to  replace  or  reduce  the  use  of  animals  in  laboratory 
studies.  The  Centre  also  promotes  a  dialogue  between  legislators,  industries,  biomedical  scientists, 
consumer  organisations,  and  animal  welfare  groups,  for  the  development,  validation  and  international 
recognition  of alternative  test  methods. A  large  exercise  of validation  was  started  in  1996  on  alternative 
methods for testing skin corrosivity; it should be completed by mid 1997. 

B. Competitive Activities 

Shared-Cost Actions and other Competitive Activities 

The Food and Drug/Consumer  protection unit was active in the following shared-cost actions: 

•  Use  of  isotopic  techniques  for  food  analysis  [network  within  the  Measurements  and  Testing 

programme]. 

•  Reference materials for authenticity proof of food and beverages. 

•  Biomarker analysis (FAIR programme of DG XII). 

•  Validation  of  analytical  methods  of  determining  the  content  of  aflatoxins,  ochratoxin  and  patulin  in 

foodstuffs of vegetable origin. 

•  Development and intercomparison of improved methods for the determination of fat soluble vitamins in 

food by replacing hazardous organic solvents with supercritically cold carbon dioxide. 

Competitive  support  to  DG  III  (Industry),  on  the  evaluation  of  analytical  methods  used  to  assess 
compliance with foodstuffs  legislation on chocolate, honey, infant formulae, and intense sweeteners, and 
to DG XXI, for the detection of other cereals in glucose derived from maize, was also provided. 

Other Shared-Cost Actions awarded in 1996 within the Environment and Climate Programme were: 

•  The SALMON Project (Satellite Remote Sensing for Lake Monitoring); 

•  The EROS 21 Project on the interactions between the Danube, Dnestr and Dnjepr rivers and the north 

western Black Sea; 

JRC Annual Report 1996 

41 

•  The OMEX  Project, an integrated  study  of the physics, chemistry  and biology  of the continental  shelf, 

and the Cuu Long project on the Mekong delta; 

•  The  FAME  action  (Fate  and  activity  modelling  of  environmental  pollutants  using  structure-activity 

relationships). 

Other  important  income sources were competitive  El participation  in EC structural funds  projects, and the 
competitive  support  to  EMEA and the pharmaceutical  industry.  In the field of consumer  protection, the El 
provided competitive support in the field of food and drug analysis. 
The  El  also  carried  out  research  work  under  contract  for  the  pharmaceutical  industry  and  regional 
authorities. An important contract was signed with the Italian Ministry of Agriculture on forest degradation. 

2.6 

THE SPACE APPLICATIONS INSTITUTE (SAI) 

The Space Applications  Institute  (SAI)  is devoted to  research  and applications  development  using space 
systems. Formerly called the Institute for Remote Sensing Applications, SAI has expanded its applications 
base  beyond  earth  observation  to  include  satellite  telecommunications  and  navigation  systems  in  a 
synergy with remote sensing systems. 
Applications  development  has  continued  to  focus  on  the  framework  programme  line  Environment  and 
Climate, with  actions  such  as the  Centre  for  Earth  Observation  (CEO),  natural  resource  monitoring, and 
advanced techniques for earth observation. 
The  Institute  continued  to  provide  customer  DG  with  important  scientific  support  for  the  collection  of 
agricultural  statistics,  and  expanded  these  activities  to  neighbouring  countries  in  Eastern  Europe  where 
environmental impacts were also closely examined. 

A. Institutional Activities 

Institutional Research Activities 

The exploitation  of earth  observation  data for  the  mapping  of  land cover  and land degradation  in  Europe 
and in the world remained one of SAI's important R&D fields. 

SAI  continued  to  provide  support  for  the  Centre  for  Earth  Observation  (CEO),  the  overall  objectives  of 
which are to develop operational uses of earth observation data from space in support of customers and to 
stimulate  EO  service  providers  to  provide  customers  with  data  and  information  derived  from  the  data  to 
meet their  needs. Considerable  effort  has also been invested in several pilot  projects  such as agricultural 
production,  European  forestry,  monitoring  of  European  coastal  zones,  and  creation  of  an  atlas  of  major 
European urban areas, demonstrating the potential operational use of information derived from EO data. 

Other CEO initiatives focused on education and training, and on the determination of potential customers' 
information  requirements  in  areas  such  as  tourism,  civil  engineering,  insurance,  local  government,  and 
environmental protection. 

The  European  Goniometer  was  used to  study  the  angular  reflectance  of  vegetation:  several  hypotheses 
were tested, especially  in a series  of  experiments  simulating  conditions  typical  of  sub-arctic  landscapes. 
This  will  support  the  development  of  a new  algorithm  and  new  applications.  The  Geophysical  Processor 
has  been  further  improved.  Key  applications  are  the  measurement  of  forest  heights,  an  improved 
discrimination of land use areas and the monitoring of landslide areas. 

Applications  based  on data from  new ocean colour  sensors  are  now  being  developed  at the  institute. To 
promote the use of new sensors, a European initiative has been developed for European waters, and work 
on  sensor  calibration  and  validation  continues,  in  full  collaboration  with  international  and  national  space 
agencies. 

JRC Annual Report 1996 

42 

Significant  progress  was  made  in  the  analysis  of  soil  degradation  in  the  Mediterranean  region  through 
advanced  spectral  analysis.  Mapping  was  also  a  theme  for  the  FIRS  (Forest  Information  from  Remote 
Sensing)  project:  a new  initiative, where  advanced  methods for  data and  image analysis  were applied to 
the  study  of  urban  areas.  Portable  satellite  data  receiving  stations  were  used  in  Central  Africa  as  a 
contribution to atmospheric research programmes on global change. A first wall-to-wall high resolution map 
was  established, thanks  to  the  European  Remote  Sensing  Satellite  ERS-1,  for  the  entire  central  African 
tropical forest, where  perpetual  cloud  cover  makes  mapping from optical  satellite  data  nearly  impossible. 
Work within the Environment and Climate research programme also dealt with forest fires, both in terms of 
global change and in the context of natural hazards. 

An overriding  interest  in the quality  of human life -  which drives the SAI's  involvement  in hazards study  -
was also a major factor behind successful new work on the remote detection of antipersonnel land mines. 

A European  R&D programme was prepared  in support of the development  of information  and data fusion 
systems for humanitarian de-mining. 

THRBB* DIMENSIONAL APERTURE RADAR IMAGE OF A &MVCE  TRBB 
A  new method of  identifying at  a  distance-  various spades  of  confer  trees,  thanks to  detailed 3D radar 
images,  has  been  developed  in  1996  in  a  joint  endeavour  of  the  Buropean  Microwave Signature 
laboratory  (EM$L) at $Af, and the Canadian Centra for Remote Sensing (OCRS). This involves a huge 
number of measurements in the  BMSL, and comptex computer modelling to  generate from them a final 
image, This work wm contribute to the Unified Buropean forest  information System, by giving the scientific 
community a tool to critically assess forest models, 

Industrial applications  in the  European  Microwave  Signature  Laboratory  included work  with the  European 
automotive  industry.  Tests  on  3 different  realistic  road  asphalt  targets  under  dry, wet  and  icy  conditions 
showed considerable promise for the development of on-board "radar" systems for the car of the future. 

Institutional Support Activities 

The  MARS-STAT  activity  (Monitoring  of  Agriculture  with  Remote  Sensing)  provided  support  to  DG  VI 
(Agriculture),  EUROSTAT,  and  the  Member  States  in  the  implementation  of  the  regional  crop  acreage 
inventory  activity,  which  is  now  fully  operational  and  has  been  transferred  back  to  the  Member  States. 
Support  was  also  provided  to  DG  VI  in  the  form  of  rapid  estimates  of  1996  total  crop  acreage.  MARS-
STAT activities  now  include  production  forecasts  of  major  EU crops  for  all  Member  States,  including  the 
last  three  countries  to join  the  Union. A  prototype  system  for  monitoring  crop  production  in  Central  and 
Eastern  Europe  and  the  Maghreb  region  was  also  started.  Finally,  research  focused  on  the  use  of 
synthetic  aperture  radar  imagery  for  rapid  crop  production  estimates.  This  method  would  offer  many 
advantages because of the all-weather capabilities of radar. 

The MARS-CAP activity continued the remote sensing control of farmers' area declarations for aid. A cost-
efficiency  study  of  these  remote  sensing  controls  was  carried  out,  together  with  a  quality  control  of  the 
work contracted out by national administrations  to private companies. Technical  support  and advice were 
provided on the  implementation  and possible  improvements  of the  Integrated Agricultural  Control  System 
in the Member  States. This  activity  was carried out  in an almost  direct  interaction with the  Member  State 
administrations. 

SAI was  involved  in experiments  on the  use of  Global  Positioning  System  (GPS) for  parcel  area control. 
Support on the establishment, the updating and the possible redefinition of the vineyard and olive registers, 
in association with the  new  OCM (Organisation  Commune  du Marché), was  provided  to the  Commission 
and the Member States. 

JRC Annual Report 1996 

43 

Support  to  the  European  Environment  Agency  concentrated  on  developing  the  work  of  the  Land  Cover 
Topic Centre, in collaboration with various European organisations. 

B. Competitive Activities 

Shared-Cost Actions 

The Space Applications  Institute submitted  19 proposals in a range of thematic areas including Agriculture, 
Telematics, and Environment and Climate, and enjoyed an extremely  high rate of success, with  10 of the 
projects  being funded. 8 out of these  10 focus on the marine environment.  Projects  cover fish resources, 
biological  processes,  pollution  and  coastal  zone  studies,  and  the  geographical  foci  range  from  the 
Canaries to the Mediterranean, Baltic and Black Seas. 

Competitive Support for Community Policies 

SAI  responded  to  open  calls  for  tender  from  DGs.  Of  these,  DG  XIII  (Telecommunications,  Information 
Market  and  Exploitation  of  Research)  awarded  a contract  for  the dissemination  of  data  to the  European 
research community from SAI's European Microwave Signature Laboratory. DG XI (Environment,  Nuclear 
Safety  and  Civil  Protection)  awarded  a  contract  for  the  second  phase  of  the  operational  tropical  forest 
monitoring  project  started  in  1995.  This  work  will,  on  completion,  provide  an  earth  observation  based 
system  for  tropical  forest  mapping, for  the  management  of  diverse  tropical  forest  data  sets  and  for  the 
provision of an "alarm" system, pointing out areas of extreme deforestation. 

Research under Contract 

Nine  contracts  were  carried  out  in  1996 for  industrial,  governmental  and  research  organisations.  These 
were all small  pilot  projects, related directly  to the  Institute's  research  programme.  Examples  include  the 
use of EMSL by the automotive industry, and an extension of the remote sensing monitoring of agriculture 
project into non-European countries. 

Other Competitive Activities 

The  MERA  project  (MARS  and  Environmental  Related  Applications)  covering  the  12  PHARE  countries, 
entirely funded by  DG la (External Affairs), went  into full operation. The techniques  developed for  remote 
sensing  agricultural  production  monitoring  in  the  EU  were  transferred  to  neighbouring  East  European 
countries. There was  also a strong emphasis  on forest  resource  management  and environmental  impact 
assessment  in these countries. The SAI's technical management  role also included projects on the use of 
remote sensing for monitoring rice production  in Indonesia and for coastal zone management  in Thailand. 
In both cases, SAI provided  DG lb with specific technical  know-how which directly  supports  the customer 
DG's research and development programme. 

2.7 

THE INSTITUTE FOR PROSPECTIVE TECHNOLOGICAL STUDIES (IPTS) 

The  Institute  for  Prospective  Technological  Studies  was  created  to  observe  all  relevant,  significant  and 
outstanding scientific and technological events and trends in Europe, and to follow technological change in 
order to get a better understanding of the links between technology, the economy and society.  Its activities 
contributed to the Framework Programme line, Targeted Socio-Economic Research. 

The Institute moved from Ispra to Seville in 1994; an operational work programme was agreed in 1995 and 
the Institute was restructured into two operational units: 

Technology  Watch  (TW):  the  aim  of  the  TW  structure  is  to  detect,  at  an  early  stage,  scientific 
breakthroughs, events and trends that might lead to technological  innovation, and to alert  EU decision 

JRC Annual Report  1996 

44 

makers  to  their  implications  and  consequences,  especially  when  there  is  a  need  for  action  at  a 
European level. This unit co-ordinates the ESTO network. 

Technology,  Employment,  Competitiveness  (TEC): this unit deals with  economic  sustainability  issues 
in  relation  to  the  business  practices  of  firms  (competitiveness  focus);  economic  and  social 
sustainability  issues in relation to work/wealth distribution (employment focus); the role of innovation in 
regional development and management resources (regional focus). 

A. Institutional Activities 

Institutional Research Activities 

THE BUROPEAN SCIBNCBAW  TBGHNOLWY OBSERVATORY 
The European Science and Technology Observatory (BSTO) is a network of  15 European muMdlsciptmary 
organisations, whoso  main  task  is  to  mtargo  tik  Hnowtetigo base  on  which  Technology  Watch is 
operating;  it  has  an  Executive  GommHee*  chaired  by  IFTS,  which  oversees  the  animation  and 
management of the network-
The Institute also  provides  the  necessary  orientation in  the  various procedural  phases,  thus  giving  a 
European  dimension  to  the  results;  assists  in  tha  idantificatbn  of  the  main  fronds  governing  $/r 
developments and events; and ensures that  all findings am subsequently translated into strategic  terms 
and options to be presented in the most appropriate format to European decision makers. 
Tim ESTOls mission Is  to  collect and  to process information at  the  Buropean level  to  support decision 
making and  is  complemented by  specific-in-d&ptb  prospective analyses  aimed at  shedding fight on the 
interface between scientific and technical aspectst on the one hand, and the economy and society,  on the 
other 

The most important projects already accomplished or being undertaken are focused on the following fields: 

Technology Transfer and Advanced Materials; 
Nanotechnology:  Innovation potential and societal aspects; 
Human Genome Analysis, Genetic Screening and Gene Therapy; 
Monitoring and Evaluating selected water-related technologies (eg."Desalination Technology"); 
Employment (e.g., "Industrial Clusters, Networks and Districts for Employment"); 
Assessment of C02-  related technologies. 

The  Institute  provided  Science  and  Technology  background  information  to  the  Euro-Mediterranean 
Monitoring  Committee  (proposed  by  the  Council  and  established  in  the  framework  of  the  Barcelona 
Conference in November  1995), thus stimulating S/T co-operation in the Mediterranean region. 
This  work  has  been  undertaken  in  close  contact  with  the  Commission  services  responsible  for  the 
implementation of the relevant R&D programmes  (e.g., IMT, JOULE, BIOMED). 

In the field  of  regional  development,  the  Institute  produced  a comparative  study  of  several  regions  "The 
potentials of Science and Technology-Innovation for Regional Development". 

Institutional Support Activities 

A new agreement between IPTS and the Forward Studies Unit (FSU) of the Commission is now covering a 
variety  of  subjects  related  to  the  business  environment,  the  definition  of  sustainability,  the  problem  of 
accounting, and the global warming debate. 

Within the context of the work carried out for DG XVI (Regional Policies and Cohesion), the project "Water 
Management in the Mediterranean" examined not only the technological point of view, but also the various 
socio-economic,  cultural, environmental  and political factors  conditioning  both the need for water  and the 
appropriateness of particular water management tools in the Mediterranean basin countries. 

JRC Annual Report 1996 

45 

IPTS  supported  the  European  industrial  policy  under  DG  III  (Industry).  The  Institute's  competence  in 
technology  foresight-watch  contributed to identifying  key technological  trends  and to analysing the impact 
on industrial innovation in the following areas: 

Support to IRDAC (Industrial Research and Development Advisory Committee); 
Competitiveness and the organisational practices of firms (e.g., Agile enterprises); 
Systems  of  innovation  and  economic  webs  (e.g.,  cogeneration  technology;  Intellectual  Property 
Rights); 
Industrial technologies' forecasting; 
Employment and Technology: being competitive in Europe; 

In the context  of the  preparatory  phase for the implementation  of the  Integrated  Pollution  Prevention  and 
Control  (IPPC)  Directive, the  institute  had carried  out the first  pilot  project  on  Best Available  Techniques 
(BAT), following the IPPC rules. Winthin the same framework, IPTS made an offer to DG XI (Environment, 
Nuclear  Safety  and  Civil  Protection)  to  establish  a  Bureau  for  European  Integrated  Pollution  Prevention 
and Control, which will support the implementation of the Council Directive on this issue. 

Three  prospective  studies  were  developed  for  the  Scientific  and  Technological  Options  Assessment 
(STOA)  programme,  covering  common  fields  of  interest  such  as: "Information  society:  competitivity  and 
employment"; "The future of the car: individual mobility"; and "Trends in the pharmaceutical sector". 
Two  other  studies  on  Climate  Change  and  Recycling  were  completed  in  1996  for  the  Environment 
Committee. 
The  Institute  also  organised  a  hearing  for  the  European  Parliament  on  "Research  and  Sustainable 
development"  and  a  seminar  on  "European  research  in  the  perspective  of  the  XXIst  Century"  with  the 
intention of stimulating a debate on the orientations for the 5th Framework Programme. 

B. Competitive Activities 

Shared-Cost Actions 

The  IPTS  is  at  present  running  8  shared-cost  action  projects:  4  concerning  the  energy  sector,  3 
concentrating  on  different  environmental  issues,  and  one  developed  within  the  framework  of  regional 
development. 

All four energy projects were approved under the JOULE programme, and are focused on: 

Creation of a focal point of data on external costs of energy; 
Renewable energies from a regional perspective; 
Global  Energy,  Economy,  Policies  and  C02  Emission  Pathways  -  Energy-Economy-Environment 
quantitative analysis; 
Biomass studies. 

Two of the three environmental projects are in the field of sustainability: 
Green accounting: tools for assessing progress towards sustainable development. 
Technology's role in sustainable development. 

The third environmental project concerns: 
analysis  and  assessment  of  environmental  policy  instruments  for  the  implementation  of  efficient  ozone 
abatement strategies in the European context. 

Work under contract 

In the context of the development  of the European strategy for waste management,  IPTS has organised a 
review  of  various  options  for  recycling  plastics  packaging  waste,  under  a  contract  issued  by  the 
Association of Plastics Manufacturers in Europe (APME). 

JRC Annual Report  1996 

46 

The Institute has also concluded a project contracted with the Andalusian Energy Agency (SODEAN) on a 
"Technical-Juridical  European Forum on Renewable Energy". The project was devoted to the organisation 
of  a  conference  on  the  technical  and  legal  barriers  that  renewable  energies  encounter  upon  their 
penetration into the energy market. 

JRC Annual Report 1996 

47 

Annex 

GLOSSARY OF ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS 

BRITE 

CIEMAT 

ENEL 

ESPRIT 

Basic Research in Industrial Technologies for Europe 

Centra  de 
Tecnologicas, Madrid (E) 

Investigaciones  Energeticas  Medio-Ambientales  y 

Ente Nazionale per I'Energia Elettrica 

European  Strategic  Programme  for  Research  and  development  in 
Information Technologies 

GOZATOMNADZOR (GAN) 

Russian Authority for nuclear security 

IMT 

JOULE 

KROTOS 

MINATOM 

OECD-NEA 

PHARE 

PNC 

RESOLV 

SCK/CEN 

STARS 

TACIS 

Industrial Materials and Technology 

Joint Opportunities for Unconventional or Long-Term Energy Supply 

Small Scale Steam Explosion Facility 

Ministry of Atomic Energy 

Organisation  for  Economic  Cooperation  and  Development-Nuclear 
Energy Agency 

Poland-Hungary: Assistance for Economic  Restructuring 

Power Reactor and Nuclear Fuel Development  Corporation 

Recontruction using Scanned Laser and Video 

Studiecentrumm voor Kernenergie/Centre d'Etudes Nucléaires 
(Mol - Belgium) 

Software Tool for the Analysis of Reliability and Safety 

Technical  Assistance  to  the  Commonwealth  of  Independent  States 
and Georgia 

TEMPEST 

Thermal, Electromagnetic and Physical Equipment Stress Testing 

*-/£ 

ISSN 0254-1475 

COM(97) 137 final 

DOCUMENTS 

EN 

15  17  01 

Catalogue number  : CB-CO-97-127-EN-C 

ISBN 92-78-17593-5 

Office  for Official  Publications of the European Communities 

L-2985 Luxembourg