Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES

Brussels, 29.07.1998
COM(1998) 483 final

##### **JOINT RESEARCH CENTRE**

#### **_1997 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.

The present report covers activities in 1997 and is issued in fulfilment of the reporting 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 EAEC [3] .

At the same time, the 1997 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.

1 OJL361/114 31.12.1994
2 OJL361/132 31.12.1994
3 OJ L 172/23 11.7.1996

_JRC Annual Report 1997_

**3-4**

**TABLE OF CONTENTS**

INTRODUCTION 5

THE JOINT RESEARCH CENTRE 6

OBSERVATIONS OF THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS 7

JRC HIGHLIGHTS OF 1997 9

1. THE JOINT RESEARCH CENTRE IN 1997 12

1.1 INSTITUTIONAL ACTIVITIES: JRC SPECIFIC RESEARCH PROGRAMMES

1.1.1 Institutional Research Activities

1.1.2 Institutional Scientific and Technical Support for Community Policies

1.2 COMPETITIVE ACTIVITIES 19

1.3 JRC INFORMATION DAYS, PUBLICATIONS, AND CONFERENCES 21

1.4 HUMAN RESOURCES 23

1.5 FINANCES 26

2. ACTIVITIES OF THE JRC INSTITUTES IN 1997 27

2.1 THE INSTITUTE FOR REFERENCE MATERIALS AND MEASUREMENTS 27

2.2 THE INSTITUTE FOR TRANSURANIUM ELEMENTS 30

2.3 THE INSTITUTE FOR ADVANCED MATERIALS 33

2.4 THE INSTITUTE FOR SYSTEMS, INFORMATICS AND SAFETY 35

2.5 THE ENVIRONMENT INSTITUTE 40

2.6 THE SPACE APPLICATIONS INSTITUTE 43

2.7 THE INSTITUTE FOR PROSPECTIVE TECHNOLOGICAL STUDIES 45

_JRC_ _Annua!_ _Report 1997_

**INTRODUCTION**

1997 was a year of evolution towards a more customer-driven approach in JRC institutional activities and
was characterized by several scientific achievements in various research fields. These achievements are
highlighted in the report. In particular, it should be mentioned that, for the first time, an innovative form of
radiotherapy was tested on patients suffering from a very aggressive type of brain cancer, and that
preliminary clinical trials have shown promising results in treating leukemia with alpha-immunotherapy.

During the year, the JRC continued its successful performance as a neutral organisation at the service of
the Commission within the frame of the objectives of the Council decisions on the JRC Specific
Programmes for the period 1994-1998. In addition, JRC contributed to the preparation of the 5th
Framework Programme with a proposal for the Centre's research in future years. In so doing, the Centre
undertook an overall analysis of the demand for S&T assistance from the different customer Directorates
General of the Commission. As a result of this analysis, a stronger emphasis is given to life sciences
topics related to consumer protection, anti-fraud, prospective technological studies, sustainable growth and
environment high on the Commission's agenda. The new orientation of the Centre is characterized by
greater emphasis on socio-economic activities, reflecting the general orientation to "Research at the
service of the individual and the citizen" given to future European Union's programmes.

A particular effort was also made to improve the image of the JRC through a more determined
communications policy. The visit in September of the Members of the European Parliament from the
Committee on Research Technological Development and Energy, allowed for the presentation of future
strategy and projects and to highlight the relevance of the Institutes scientific work to the European citizen.
Additional efforts were made to open the Centre, in a more user-friendly approach, to the scientific press in
order to render the JRC better known by the general public.

A new technology transfer initiative was also approved by the Commission in early 1998, departing from
earlier ideas for the creation of a technology park on the traditional model. Such a model was deemed not
appropriate for the JRC in view of the need to preserve the independence and neutrality associated with its
institutional role. Instead, an integrated set of flexible access mechanisms is foreseen through
collaborative agreements with users for the sharing of large installations, as well as a technology transfer
capital fund, a virtual technology park and training and education initiatives.

JRC developed diverse collaborations with other research organisations, both in Member States and in the
rest of the world, by participating in various networks to undertake different research and development
initiatives. Competitive activities, such as participation in shared cost actions and work for external clients,
continued to be obtained by JRC at a very significant pace, making the achievement of the four year
objectives to appear attainable by the end of the programme.

By capitalising on its multidisciplinarity, the JRC has maintained a high level of quality in its activities
together with a continuous thrust to achieve better overall performance; efforts continued to render the
internal organisation more flexible; these will be pursued and extended in 1998.

_JRC Annual Report 1997_

###### **`THE JOINT RESEARCH CENTRE`**

The Joint Research Centre is the European Union's scientific and technical research laboratory,
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 **ISPRA** (I)

**SAI** The Space Applications Institute **ISPRA** **(I)**

**IPTS** The Institute for Prospective Technological Studies **SEVILLE** (E)

The Joint Research Centre is an integral part of the Community research and technological development
system, and has developed over the years special skills and unique tools to provide neutral and Europewide expertise, in order to get a better understanding of the links between technology, the economy and
society. JRC aims to carry out the specific Community research programmes, decided upon by the
Council and funded by the European Union budget; provide customer-driven research as scientific and
technical support for other Community policies, such as those on the environment, agriculture or nuclear
safety; and engage 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, temporary and auxiliary agents, was 2 092 at the end of 1997.To
this number one must add 148 scientists who were active in the Centre and were paid by the JRC under
various hosting schemes.

The global financial appropriations committed by the JRC in 1997 were around 291,316 Mioecu.

This Annual Report is intended to give a general overview of JRC activities in 1997.

The seven Institutes of the JRC produce their own Annual Reports. Readers may find more details in
these Annual Reports. The JRC also publishes numerous scientific reports, presents papers to
conferences and in scientific journals, and organizes workshops, seminars and conferences to
disseminate its scientific output.

_JRC Annual Report 1997_

##### **`OBSERVATIONS BY THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS`** **`ON THE JRC ANNUAL REPORT 1997`**

The Board of Governors is pleased to note that the progress recorded in the 1996 Annual Report was
sustained and consolidated during 1997. In particular the progress recorded in fulfilment of the mission of
the JRC notably in support to EU Policies. The year saw a series of significant achievements which are
highlighted in the present report. Competitive activities too are now an integral part of the JRCs working life

- in particular together with its national partners the JRC has demonstrated success in obtaining contracts
for participation in the shared-cost action programmes.

**Exploitation of Knowledge**

The Board of Governors is pleased that the JRC is moving positively to use and develop its knowledge and
expertise for the benefit of the citizens of the European Union. The Board expects the JRC to continue to
adapt its reservoir of knowledge as a resource for relevant and commercial exploitation.

As highlighted in the report, the JRC is collaborating in the development of an innovative form of
radiotherapy which is now undergoing clinical trials, and which could hold out hope for thousands of brain
tumour sufferers. The JRC has also been involved in the development of an alpha emitting radioisotope
adapted to a new kind of immunotherapy against cancer which is now undergoing various clinical trials at
the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Centre in New York and in European hospitals.

**Technology Transfer**

On a broader front, the JRC is developing a coherent set of initiatives to stimulate technology transfer,
collaborative research and networking across Europe. An integrated set of mechanisms is being explored
which should allow flexible access to JRC facilities, results, intellectual property, expertise and know-how.
This is targeted at companies, large and small, research centres and individuals across Europe. The JRC
is also addressing how best to exploit the significant range of intellectual property ideas residing in its
various institutes.
The Board of Governors sees all of this as a continuous process of trying to create better linkages
between the JRC and its clientele in the Member States, and of creating networks and synergies of
relevant groupings for the benefit of European industry and its citizens. The Board intends to follow these
developments closely.

**Evolution of the JRC status**

In 1996 the Commission took a significant step when it decided to give the JRC the status of an
autonomous Directorate General, a step which was welcomed by the Board of Governors.

The Board has always strongly advocated giving the JRC the necessary freedom to play a fuller role and
realise its full potential. In 1997 the Board issued a favourable opinion on a draft proposal to endow the
JRC with legal personality. This move, properly executed, could help to enable the JRC to respond more
fully to the competitive environment in which it is increasingly expected to operate.

**Evaluations**

During 1997 the Board continued to assess and supervise the implementation of the recommendations
from the detailed and horizontal evaluations of the JRC activities carried out in late 1996 by Professor J. M.
Rojo and the Visiting Groups. During 1997, the institutes systematically implemented detailed plans
designed to give effect to these recommendations; for example addressing the spread of activities and
how better to focus and concentrate resources. This is to be welcomed.

**5** **[th]** **Framework** **Programme**

The Board of Governors noted with keen interest the Commission's Proposal for the 5 [th] Framework
Programme. The Board has followed and has participated in the ensuing discussions at various levels 

_JRC Annual Report 1997_

addressing the CERT (Committee on Research, Technological Development and Energy) of the European
Parliament, preparing a'submission to and addressing members of CREST (Scientific and Technical
Research Committee), and in developing its own thinking concerning _inter alia_ the compatibility of the
programme and the capacity of the Centre. It adopted an Opinion in October 1997 emphasising the JRC
mission on the basis of its neutrality, impartility and competencies necessary to underpin European
policies. The opinion further stated that the Institutional budget in the 5 [th] Framework Programme should be
similar in real terms to that of the 4 [th] Framework Programme and that a target for the competitive activities
should be in addition 15% of the institutional budget.

The Board believes that, as a result of solid progress made by the institutes over the past 5 years, the JRC
is in a much stronger position to contribute to achieving the aims of the 5 [th] Framework Programme.

**Staff**

The Board of Governors learned with regret that Director General Jean-Pierre Contzen would leave his
position from July 1997. The Board would like to place on record its debt to him for the excellent
contribution he made to building up the JRC and taking it into its new competitive role. The
responsibilities of Director General during the second half of 1997 fell on the Deputy Director General, Mr.
Hugh Richardson.

After the period covered by the present Annual Report, the Commission in January 1998 selected and
appointed Mr. Herbert Allgeier as Director General of the JRC. Mr. Allgeier is well familiar with the JRC
which he, in a previous period served as the first Director of the Institute for Prospective Technological
Studies in Seville.

**Acknowledgements**

The Board was pleased to have the opportunity in December 1997 of a detailed exchange of views with
Commissioner Cresson on a range of pertinent issues, including the future orientation of the JRC. The
Board looks forward to continuing a constructive dialogue with her in the future.

The Board would also like to thank all of the staff of the JRC for their services and for the way they are
responding to the new directions being charted out for the JRC.

_JRC Annual Report 1997_

**JRC HIGHLIGHTS OF 1997**

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

The following few selected examples of work from the JRC Institutes illustrate various areas of activity and
varied funding arrangements elaborated for JRC work in 1997.

_**THE BORON NEUTRON CAPTURE THERAPY**_ _**(BNCT):**_ _**EXPLORATION OF AN**_
_**INNOVATIVE TREATMENT FOR MALIGNANT BRAIN TUMOURS**_

_Approximately 15 000 Europeans are affected each year by_ _glioblastoma,_ _an extremely malignant type_ _of brain_
_tumour._ _Little progress_ _has_ _been made during_ _the last 40_ _years_ _in this_ _field,_ _and_ _the average survival time_ _of_
_patients has_ _not_ _changed_ _considerably,_ _due_ _to_ _the low effectiveness_ _of_ _conventional_ _treatments._ _An_ _innovative_
_form_ _of_ _radiotherapy_ _is_ _for the_ _first_ _time being tested_ _in_ _Europe_ _at_ _the HFR reactor in_ _the JRC_ _(Petten_ _- The_
_Netheriands)._ _Five patients have already been treated in_ _the_ _framework_ _of_ _clinical tests_ _that_ _began_ _in_ _October_
_1997._ _The boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT)_ _is_ _carried out shortly after the_ _patients_ _surgical operation_ _in_
_his/her own_ _country;_ _it_ _replaces conventional_ _radiotherapy._ _The principle_ _of_ _this_ _new_ _treatment_ _is to_ _destroy_
_only the cancerous_ _cells,_ _leaving healthy cells_ _unharmed._

_It should be noted that the development_ _of_ _this therapy_ _is only at_ _the stage_ _of_ _clinical_ _trials._ _The tests should_
_make_ _it_ _possible_ _to_ _determine_ _the_ _optimal level_ _of_ _irradiation_ _for_ _the brain_ _-_ _varying the_ _time,_ _the_ _dose,_ _and the_
_number_ _of_ _exposures to_ _the new_ _neutron_ _beam._ _It_ _is the first_ _multi-national clinical application_ _in_ _Europe,_
_where patients from_ _one_ _European country_ _are_ _treated_ _in_ _another country_ _by_ _physicians_ _from a_ _third_ _country._
_This_ _opens_ _the way to_ _organize clinical schemes_ _that_ _would_ _use_ _sophisticated_ _and unique_ _facilities_ _to treat_
_patients suffering from this aggressive type_ _of_ _brain_ _cancer._

_**ANTI-PERSONNEL MINE DETECTION SYSTEMS AND STRATEGIES**_

_The_ _**Space Applications Institute (SAI)**_ _is gaining_ _recognition_ _as a focal centre for mine_ _detection_ _and_
_identification._ _Its work_ _is_ _continuing_ _in_ _close collaboration with national groups from_ _EU_ _Member States_ _as_ _well_
_as_ _with_ _NGOs,_ _representatives from mine-infected_ _countries,_ _and mine clearance_ _teams._

_SAI set up an_ _outdoor_ _test_ _range_ _for_ _establishing standards_ _to_ _validate_ _the_ _performance_ _of_ _mine detection_
_sensors_ _(e.g._ _metal_ _detectors,_ _ground penetrating radars and thermal infra-red_ _sensors)._ _This «benchmarking»_
_action began_ _in_ _October 1997 with_ _a_ _workshop attended_ _by_ _the United Nations Department_ _for_ _Peace Keeping_
_Operations (UNDPKO),_ _non-govemmental_ _organisations,_ _mine clearance organisations, mine detector_
_producers_ _(SMEs),_ _national research_ _organisations,_ _universities,_ _and other_ _Commission services concerned_
_with mine_ _clearance._ _The facility has been used_ _by_ _various mine-detection_ _sensor_ _producers,_ _and in feasibility_
_studies_ _of_ _a multi-sensor system_ _for_ _anti-personnel mine detection_ _and_ _identification._ _The standards obtained_
_will be_ _applied_ _to_ _subsequent_ _SAI_ _tests,_ _as well as to mine_ _clearance projects supported_ _by the_ _European_
_Commission_ _in_ _mine-infected_ _countries._

_**NETWORK**_ _**LABORATORY**_ _**FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SAMPLING**_

_The discovery_ _of_ _the_ _secret_ _Iraqi nuclear weapons programme_ _has led to a_ _substantial strengthening_ _of_ _the_
_safeguards system_ _of_ _the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)_ _in_ _Vienna._ _It_ _became_ _evident,_ _that_ _it is_
_necessary to provide assurance that no undeclared nuclear activities are taking place_ _in_ _States having signed_
_the Non-Proliferation_ _Treaty._
_Ultra-sensitive environmental sampling techniques are one_ _of_ _the key new developments_ _to_ _help_ _to_ _detect the_
_presence_ _of_ _clandestine_ _activities._

_Following the agreement signed in_ _July_ _1997 between the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the_
_JRC, the_ _**Institute**_ _**for**_ _**Transuranium Elements (ITU)**_ _has_ _become_ _one of_ _the_ _network_ _laboratories_ _for the_
_analysis of_ _environmental_ _samples._ _In this way the Institute is actively_ _contributing_ _to the policy of the_
_European_ _Union to_ _support_ _and_ _strengthen_ _the_ _International Atomic Energy Agency's activities_ _in_ _nuclear_
_safeguards._ _The Institute_ _is also_ _closely collaborating with and providing similar support_ _to the_ _Commission's_
_Euratom Safeguards Directorate (ESD)_ _in the area of_ _High Performance Trace_ _Analysis_ _(HPTA)._ _ESD is_
_providing financial support for increased automation_ _of_ _measurement_ _technology._

_JHC_ _Annual_ _Keport_ 7yy/

**10**

_**TECHNOLOGY**_ _**TRANSFER,**_ _**INTELLECTUAL**_ _**PROPERTY**_ _**AND NETWORKING**_ _**AT**_ _**THE**_
_**JRC**_

_Developing_ _at_ _the JRC_ _a_ _coherent_ _set of_ _activities_ _to_ _stimulate technology_ _transfer,_ _collaborative research_ _an_
_networking across Europe should_ _be an_ _indispensable_ _and_ _desirable complement_ _to_ _institutional_ _activities._ _A_
_feasibility study was_ _thus carried out to_ _define_ _how this_ _potential can_ _best be_ _exploited,_ _taking_ _into_ _account,_
_however,_ _the need to preserve the institutional role_ _of_ _the JRC with_ _its_ _inherent neutrality and_ _subsidiarity._ _As_
_result,_ _an_ _integrated_ _set of_ _mechanisms_ _has been proposed for_ _flexible_ _access to JRC_ _facilities,_ _results,_
_intellectual_ _property,_ _expertise_ _and_ _know-how,_ _targeted_ _at_ _companies_ _big and_ _small,_ _research_ _centres an_
_individuals across_ _Europe._ _The_ _objective_ _is to_ _achieve results across Europe_ _and,_ _therefore,_ _to offer_ _flexib_
_options such_ _as_ _collaboration agreements_ _and_ _innovation-oriented_ _actions._ _All_ _components_ _aim at_ _facilitatin_
_access from_ _geographically_ _distant_ _locations without_ _having to invest in_ _premises_ _on the JRC_ _sites_ _t_ _The_
_proposed concept_ _is thus a radical_ _departure_ _from_ _traditional «technology_ _parks»,_ _which aim at_ _attracting_
_investment and include_ _a_ _high proportion_ _of property_ _development._
_A_ _particular_ _effort was made_ _in_ _1997 to increase the awareness_ _of_ _the JRC_ _staff_ _on intellectual property_ _issues_
_A_ _special leaflet explaining_ _the need to_ _protect inventions_ _and_ _the means_ _to do so has_ _been distributed_ _to all_
_staff._ _This_ _message_ _was amplified by a poster_ _«Patent_ _FIRST,_ _then_ _Publish»._ _Patent_ _coordinators_ _have_
_followed special training courses and have received access to specialised patent_ _databases._

_**ALPHA**_ **-** _**IMMUNOTHERAPY**_

_Alpha-immunotherapy is_ _a spin-off_ _activity_ _of_ _the Basic actinide research work carried out_ _at_ _the Institute for_

_Transuranium Elements_ _(ITU)._ _It has gained increasing interest and attention_ _as a_ _therapy for cancer_
_treatment._

_The unique expertise of the_ _**Institute**_ _**for**_ _**Transuranium Elements (ITU)**_ _in_ _the nuclear field allowed_ _it_ _to_
_prepare an alpha-emitting_ _radio-isotope,_ _Bismuth-213,_ _adapted to a new kind_ _of_ _immunotherapy against_

_cancer._ _A_ _by-product_ _of_ _nuclear energy and derived from nuclear_ _waste,_ _Bismuth-213_ _is_ _easier to handle than_
_other alpha-emitters and decays rapidly into_ _a_ _non-radioactive_ _substance._
_Early clinical trials carried_ _out at_ _the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in_ _New-York,_ _USA,_ _on_ _leukemi_
_patients showed_ _for_ _the_ _first_ _time that alpha-particle therapy could be feasible and appears_ _safe:_ _no_ _significan_

_uptake_ _of_ _the isotope was registered outside of the target areas_ _of_ _bone_ _marrow,_ _liver_ _and_ _spleen._
_Similar_ _studies_ _sponsored by the_ _European Commission_ _are being carried out at_ _Nantes,_ _France, and_
_Heidelberg,_ _Germany._ _The French research focuses_ _on an_ ex vivo _bone-marrow purging feasibility_ _study;_ _th_
_German_ _one,_ _on_ _the other_ _hand,_ _is_ _looking into_ _the_ _treatment_ _of_ _non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL) with_ in vitr
_tests._ _Bismuth-213_ _is being studied for cancers such as_ _leukemias_ _and lymphomas as well as for_
_micrometastatic_ _carcinomas._ _Alpha-particle therapy_ _is also_ _being investigated with_ _the first_ in vitro _tests for_
_prostate_ _cancer._ _ITU_ _is_ _already developing_ _an_ _additional production_ _of_ _Bismuth-213 in collaboration with_ _the_

_cyclotron department of the Forschungszentrum fur Technik und Umwelt in_ _Karlsruhe._

_**STANDARDS AND NORMS**_ _**IN**_ _**THE MATERIALS FIELD**_

_Standards and norms are_ _of_ _vital importance for_ _industry,_ _in_ _particular when reliability and quality are_ _at_ _stak_
_Pre-nonvative_ _work,_ _i.e. all_ _activities helping_ _in the_ _preparation_ _of_ _norms^_ _and_ _standards,_ _receives_ _specia_
_attention_ _at the_ _**Institute**_ _**for**_ _**Advanced Materials (1AM)**_ _where_ _such_ _activities_ _have been_ _undertaken_ _for_
_several years_ _in the_ _materials_ _field._ _To_ _date,_ _the results_ _obtained_ _at_ _1AM_ _have strongly_ _contributed_ _to the_
_development_ _of_ _standard_ _test_ _methods_ _for_ _mechanical performance_ _assessment,_ _for_ _new classes_ _of_ _material_
_(technical_ _ceramics,_ _composites),_ _for new test_ _methods (thermo-mechanical_ _fatigue,_ _damage_ _tolerance_ _o_
_ceramic_ _composites,_ _residual_ _stress),_ _as_ _well_ _as for_ _the improvement_ _of_ _existing_ _standards._ _1AM collaborate_
_closely with CEN (Comité Européen de_ _Normalisation),_ _VAMAS (Versailles project on Advanced Materials a_
_Standards) and ESIS (European Structural Integrity_ _Society)._

_JRC Annual Report 1997_

**11**

_**COLLABORATION ON IMPROVING**_ _**SAFETY AND**_ _**WASTE TREATMENT**_

To _support the safe economic production of energy, extensive studies on the interaction of neutrons with_
_matter and experiments were performed using the unique accelerators of the JRC at_ _IRMM._
_The collaboration with CEA (Commissariat à I' Energie Atomique), on data needed for waste transmutation_
_studies, was continued with the analysis of the measured cross sections_ _of_ _[99]_ _Tc._ _Measurements_ _of_ _[237]_ _Np_ _in the_
_resonance region have also been started. Similarly, in the context of a concerted action for the same_ _goaf,_
_resolution measurements of the inelastic scattering cross sections on_ _[ 208]_ _Pb_ _have been initiated. The_
_international collaboration on the Doppler broadening of neutron resonances, also with CEA, was continued_
_with measurements on_ _U0_ _3_ _,_ _Np0_ _2_ _and_ _Hg_ _2_ _Cl_ _2_ _._ _Measured_ _data for metallic U and_ _U0_ _2_ _were successfully_
_analysed with simple solid state model; these data are important for the calculation of the temperature_
_coefficient of reactivity, especially for high fuel bum-up._ ;

_**TRANSPORT SAFETY**_

_Industry worked closely_ _with ISIS_ _using the Large Dynamic Test Facility_ _(LDTF),_ _firstly to understand better the_
_behaviour of material at high strain rates (in order to calibrate computer codes that simulate crashes) and_
_secondly to test the crash resistance of new lightweight materials. This will help the industry meet European_
_crash-test standards with vehicles that weigh less and consume less. During 1997 new understanding was_
_reached on the behaviour of commonly used automotive steel. LDTF can now be used also for crash energy_
_absorption studies of train and helicopter components._

_**THE EUROPEAN INTEGRATED POLLUTION PREVENTION AND CONTROL BUREAU**_
_**(EIPPC)**_

_The European_ _Integrated_ _Pollution Prevention and Control (EIPPC) Bureau, was bom out of_ _the directive_ _of_ _the_
_same name, adopted by the Environment Council in September 1996. The directive aims at a high level of_
_overall environmental protection for which the objective is to set_ _out_ _high standards of practice, based on_ _"Best_
_Available Techniques"_ _(BAT),_ _and to reduce emissions and the impact of such emissions on the environment_
_as a whole._

_**The Institute for Prospective Technological Studies**_ _**(IPTS)**_ _operates the EIPPC bureau and is responsible_
_for formulating and distributing the BAT Reference Documents, organizing the exchange of information on the_
_achievement of these standards, and informing authorities of Member States of any developments and_
_changes in policy implementation. The Bureau is also establishing a dedicated electronic information_
_management system to facilitate immediate broadcasts._

_During 1997 the EIPPC's work programme has concentrated on the following four sectors: paper and pulp;_
_cement and lime; iron and steel; and cooling and vacuum systems._

_JRC Annual Report 1997_

**12**

##### **1. THE JOINT RESEARCH CENTRE IN 1997**

###### **1.1 INSTITUTIONAL ACTIVITIES**

**1.1.1 INSTITUTIONAL RESEARCH ACTIVITIES**

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 encompasses research projects on advanced materials, on surface
engineering, and on non-destructive evaluation techniques for the inspection of industrial structural
components.

- The _Measurements and Testing_ programme encompassed research projects on reference
measurements and materials - carried out by the Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements
(IRMM)  - and on the assessment of the reliability of buildings and civil engineering structures, carried
out by the Institute for Systems, Informatics and Safety (ISIS).

- The _Environment and Climate_ programme included: research projects on the atmosphere, soil, water,
and waste pollution, executed by the Environment Institute (El); the setting up of the Centre for Earth
Observation (CEO), a decentralized 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 standardization of photovoltaic devices - carried out by the Institute for
Advanced Materials (IAM).

- The _Targeted_ _Socio-Economic_ _Research_ programme included 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.

- 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 accounted for 65% of the

JRC programme activities in 1997.

_JRC Annual Report_ _1997_

**13**

**Table 1 - JRC Research Activities**

**FRAMEWORK PROGRAMME LINES**

**Industrial Technologies and Materials Technologies**

Advanced Materials and Standards for Industrial Innovation

Surface Engineering for Improved Properties and for New

Industrial Applications

Non-Destructive Evaluation, Testing and Inspection of Industrial

Structural Components

**Measurements and Testing**

Prenormative Research in Support of Construction Norms and

Standards, including Seismic Design Codes (Eurocodes)

Measurement and Testing for Car Safety

Reference Materials

Reference Measurements

**Environment and 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**_

High Performance Information Technologies for Environmental

Protection

Natural Hazards / Seismic Research

Integrated Environmental Assessment

Natural Hazards / Flooding, Droughts

**Non-Nuclear Energy**

Photovoltaic Energy and Electricity Storage

Materials for Clean Combustion Engines

**Targeted** **Socio-Economic** **Research**

Technology Watch / Technology-Employment-Competitiveness

**Nuclear Safety and Safeguards**

**•** _**Reactor Safety**_

European Networks on Component Ageing, Inspection

Techniques & Structural 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 Fusion**

Fluid Separation and Analysis

Fusion Materials

Remote Handling
Hydrogen Materials Interaction

**IRMM**

**X**

**X**

**ITU**

**X**

**X**

**X**

**X**

**X**

**IPTS**

**X**

**IAM**

**X**

**X**

**X**

**X**

**X**

**X**

**X**

**X**

**X**

**ISIS**

**X**

**X**

**X**

**X**

**X**

**X**

**X**

**X**

**X**

**SAI**

**X**

**X**

**X**

**X**

**X**

**El**

**X**

**X**

_JRC Annual Report 1997_

**14**

A more detailed description of these research activities in 1997, per institute, will be provided in Part Two
of this document. However, some significant results have been highlighted in this first 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.

The agreement concluded in 1996 between the **Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements**
**(IRMM)** and the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry (IFCC) for the preparation of Certified
Reference Materials (CRMs) has led to projects aimed at preparing bio-medical, environmental and public
health protection materials. Such CRMs are needed to achieve accuracy and world wide comparability in
clinical diagnostics of human diseases. The activity thus supports the improvement of health standards.

Certified reference materials of foodstuffs were prepared, to assist in the enforcement of European
legislation on quality control. The analysis of cosmetics and a data bank on product safety were further
developed.The production of CRMs of genetically modified organisms was a topic of particular interest.
Negotiations with industry have been concluded and the work has started. These CRMs will enable the
validation of analytical methods to be applied in the enforcement of the Regulation on Novel Food (EC
258/97).

IRMM focused also on quality health care with, as a new project, the validation of a 13C isotopic
measurement method applicable to the diagnosis of stomach disease by a non-invasive and inexpensive
technique. This technique will allow a substantially more cost-effective and less intrusive diagnosis of
internal diseases, avoiding the risk of Helicobacter Pylori infection, a major cause for ulcers and stomach

cancer.

Following the agreement signed in July 1997 between the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and
the **Institute for Transuranium Elements (ITU),** the Institute is now part of the network of laboratories
dealing with the analysis of environmental samples. In this way the Institute is actively contributing to the
European Union's policy to support and strengthen the International Atomic Energy Agency's activities in
nuclear safeguards. The Institute is also closely collaborating with, and providing similar support to, the
Commission's Euratom Safeguards Directorate (ESD) in the area of high performance trace analysis
(HPTA). Ultra-sensitive environmental sampling techniques are part of the key new developments to help
to detect the presence of clandestine activities.

In the field of basic actinide research, the work focused particularly on elucidating the electronic structure
of those actinide elements and compounds which attract increasing interest, due to their peculiar chemical
and solid-state properties. Actinide research as a whole is important in the framework of applications on
fuel cycle, waste management and nuclear medicine.

The Institute is also actively working on further reducing radiotoxicity in highly active wastes. For the first
time, a closed partitioning and transmutation cycle was experimentally demonstrated, and shows that it is
technically feasible to reduce the radiotoxicity of minor actinides by a factor of 100.

The Institute was also involved in the development and application of the alpha nuclide Bi-213, used in a
promising alpha-immunotherapy against cancer.

**The Institute for Advanced Materials** **(1AM)** directed its research towards the development of innovative
processing and testing methods for advanced materials. The emphasis was put on cost efficiency,
performance improvement and the potential for standardization, for the benefit of industry competitiveness.

In the context of achievement of the European Single Market, IAM also developed the preparation of
industrially important norms and standards, in close collaboration with responsible international bodies
such as CEN, VAMAS and ESIS. Standard test methods were developed for the assessment of
mechanical performance, either for new classes of materials (technical ceramics, composites), for new test

_JRC Annual Report_ _1997_

**15**

methods (thermo-mechanical fatigue, damage tolerance of ceramic composites, residual stress), or for the
improvement of existing standards. This work helps to develop the European Standards System.

To the benefit of the environment and human health, JAM continued to develop multiphase Ti-B-MoS 2
permanent coatings for cutting tools; this could lead fo phasing out in most machining processes the
synthetic, lubricating cutting fluids which are non bio-degradable and can produce allergies.

The Institute runs the European Network for Inspection Qualification (ENIQ), the Network for Evaluation of
Steel Components (NESC) and the Network on Ageing Materials Evaluation and Studies (AMES), in which
industries, service vendors, licensing bodies and R&D institutions participate. These networks aim at the
safety and integrity of nuclear fission reactors for the benefit of the citizen and the environment.

The **Institute for Systems, Informatics and Safety (ISIS)** contributes to improving safety in industry and
to the well-being of the European population. The Institute develops and applies its expertise in many
fields, including: nuclear safety and safeguarding of nuclear materials; industrial and transport safety;
seismic protection of buildings and civil engineering works; natural resource and environment
management; support to antifraud measures, consumer protection, and the preservation of cultural
heritage. In 1997, the Institute increased its efforts in the regulation of biotechnology in industry and on the
evaluation of the potential risks of transgenic manipulations.

As part of the Centre for Earth Observation (CEO) project, and complementary to the activities of the
Space Applications Institute, ISIS continued to operate and update information systems to promote the use
of satellite-based Earth observation data. The work included: updating the European Wide Service
Exchange (EWSE), now recognized as the leading source of information regarding Earth observation in
Europe; enhancing the G7 Environment and Natural Resource Monitoring (ENRM) server by integrating it
with 20 environmental databases across the world; developing the CEOS Information Locator System
(CILS) on behalf of Third World countries; and developing a new Internet protocol for remote searching of
geospatial databases.

The major part of the **Environment Institute** **(El)** activities provides scientific and technical support to
other Commission Services in designing and implementing European Union policies, in the fields of
environment protection, and food and drug consumer protection.

However, institutional research activities continued in the areas of water and soil, including the use of
AMAL (Advanced Mobile Laboratory) to assess industrial sites and landfill contamination. Four _in situ_
campaigns were performed in the subalpine ecoregion to contribute to setting up algorithms describing
lake water quality and to compare different methods for the determination of phytoplankton pigments.

Research activities have continued with the objectives of developing cost-effective tools for monitoring the
state of European lakes and for the optimization of water-resource planning and management. The
harmonization and development of analytical methods which is a basic requirement for the implementation
of EC directives on water quality, has continued with AQUACON (Analytical Quality Control) project.

In the field of atmospheric processes, research activities were mainly focused on tropospheric ozone,
which affects human health, crops and vegetation, and on atmospheric aerosols, which are of major
importance in evaluating and predicting climate trends. An understanding of this is a key element in the
design and implementation of EU environmental policy.

The **Space Applications Institute** **(SAI)** concentrated on possible applications of remote earth
observation, sensing and detection. The Institute's mission is to maximise the use of space systems for the
benefit of Europe's policy makers, industry, scientists and citizens. SAI's institutional research on
environment and climate covers the terrestrial and marine biospheres, the lithosphère and the atmosphere,
resulting in a comprehensive approach to uses of earth observation.

_JRC Annual Report 1997_

**16**

Significant progress was made towards establishing standards for mine detector performance and sensor
validation: these standards will be applied to mine clearance projects supported by the European
Commission in mine infected countries. The feasibility of a multi-sensor system for anti-personnel mine
detection and identification was also studied.

SAI's work on the improved management of natural hazards focused on developing the Space Techniques
for Risk Management (STRIM), a joint venture with ESA and the Council for Europe, and on liaison with
the DGXII task force on Natural Hazards. Work on forest fires saw links to the European Community
Humanitarian Office (ECHO) and DG VI (Standing Forest Committee on Forest Fires). An inventory of
existing techniques and models to assess flood risk and flood damage was completed, and work on
drought indicators was developed in co-ordination with the Mediterranean Observatory.

**The Institute for Prospective Technological Studies** **(IPTS)** addressed priority subjects in various
technological fields, ensuring a neutral, Europe-wide assessment of scientific and technological change. It
attempts to gain a better understanding of the impact of technology on the socio-economic environment, in
particular on employment and competitiveness. The fields covered were «Mobility and Transport
Research», «Environment», and «Energy».

Through the ESTO (European Science and Technology Observatory) network, made up of 14 European
national S&T organisations which share the responsibility of providing timely access to information on
scientific and technological change of socio-economic relevance, IPTS has direct access to a very large
number of specialists. Information obtained through the Observatory contributed to studies and, the "IPTS
Report", which is the main "broadcasting" journal of the Institute, directed towards European decision
makers.

The European Integrated Pollution Prevention Control Bureau (EIPPC) was created to support the
European Union policy for a high level of overall environmental protection. Its objective is to set high
standards of practice, and to reduce emissions and their impact on the environment as a whole. It is
responsible for the formulation and the distribution of the Best Available Techniques (BAT) Reference
Documents.

**1.1.2. INSTITUTIONAL** **SCIENTIFIC** **AND** **TECHNICAL** **SUPPORT** **FOR**
**COMMUNITY POLICIES**

The JRC scientific and technical (S&T) expertise was directly available to the various Directorates General
of the Commission in order to support the formulation and implementation of Community policies. The
Institutional support activities fall under the Community Framework Programmes and accounted for 35% of
the JRC's programme activities in 1997. They 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 carried out in the JRC Institutes is illustrated in Table 2.

In 1997, the three main lines of JRC support activities were:

**1.** **JRC Support for the Environmental Policy,** which accounted for 43% of the scientific and technical
support budget. It provided DG XI (Environment, Nuclear Safey and Civil Protection) 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 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, export/import control of
dangerous substances and preparatory work on the Biocides Directive.

_JRC Annual Report_ _1997_

**Table 2 - JRC**

**Framework Programme Lines**
**Information Technologies**
Safety and Reliability of Systems

Geographic Information Systems

High Performance Computing and Networks

**Environment and Climate**

- **Environmental Quality**

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)

Analysis of foodstuffs and chemicals in support of industrial policy

European Technical Office for Medicinal Products (ETOMEP)

Quality Control of Consumer Products (Consumer Protection)

S&T Support to the Commission antifraud Services

Coordination Unit of the Alpine Observatory

- **Innovative Environmental Technologies**

Industrial Reliability-Biotechnology and Environment

Major Accident Hazards Bureau

**Agriculture and Fisheries**

Remote Sensing for Agriculture

Electronic Identification of Animals and Volume Measurements

European Office for Wine, Alcohol and Spirit Drinks (BEVABS)

Reference Measurements and Materials for Quality Control of
Foodstuffs and Microbiology of Foodstuffs
**Targeted Socio-Economic Research**

Prospective Technological Studies

**Nuclear Fission Safety**

- **Reactor Safety**

European Networks on Component Ageing and Inspection
Techniques and Structural Integrity
Harmonisation of Safety Criteria

- **Safeguards and Fissile Materials Management**

Euratom Safeguards Support: General

Euratom Safeguards Support: On-site Laboratories and ECSAM

IAEA Safeguards Support

**17**

**Support Activities**

**IRMM**

_._ _'_ _•_

X

X

X

X

X

**ITU**

X

X

X

**1AM**

X

**ISIS**

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

**El**

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

**SAI**

**X**

**X**

**IPTS**

**X**

The European Technical Office for Medicinal Products (ETOMEP). This office, which forms part of a
unit at ISIS, is established both in London, at the European Medicine Evaluation Agency, and in Ispra,
at the Institute for Systems, Informatics and Safety. It is dedicated to the development of technical
systems necessary for the implementation of European Union legislation on medicinal products. It
contributes to the study, design and implementation of the telematics applications required by the
European Union pharmaceutical regulatory sector. Its work is of direct and vital use to the European
Medicine Evaluation Agency and the Member States.

_JRC Annual Report 1997_

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 laboratory contributed also to the implementation of EC Directives on
environmental radioactivity, particularly those related to information exchange with Member States,
both under normal conditions and following an accident.

The European Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods (ECVAM), which continues to coordinate
efforts to promote orderly scientific and regulatory acceptance of alternative methods which are of
importance to the biosciences and which can reduce, refine, or replace the use of laboratory animal
procedures. Its activities included pre-validation on photoirritancy, skin corrosivity, embryotoxicity,
haematotoxicity, nephrotoxicity and epithelial barriers. Various international studies on _in vitro_ methods
for vaccine potency and safety testing were also started.

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.

Support services related to the Alpine Observatory (Alpine Convention), with the aim of producing
and/or collecting data, indicators and information characterizing 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.

Institutional support to the European Environment Agency (Council Regulation 1210/90) whose role is
to establish and coordinate, in cooperation with the Member States, a European Environment
Information and Observation Network. The JRC contributed mainly in the areas of harmonisation of
environmental measurements methods, the intercalibration of instruments, and the development of new
measurement methods and instruments.

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.

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

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. The main objective being
improvement of accuracy, objectivity, homogeneity and time delivery of statistics and forecast on the
main crops produced in the European Union.

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
through accurate measurements of areas and identification of specific.land uses and comparison of
results with declarations of Member States.

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,
with the aim of setting up a European Union Wine Data Bank. Every year some 1 400 wines are
investigated, thus updating the wine data bank.

Research and development of new verification methods and instruments for verification of electronic
animal identification, in order to make it possible to take appropriate sanitary measures when needed
and to control the market and prevent fraud within the Union. An identification system was under
preparation, including electronic identifiers, readers, data acquisition systems, control strategy, data
base and data transmission techniques with headquarters evaluation.

_JRC Annual Report_ _1997_

**19**

The technical specifications of a large scale demonstration.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. The general database structure for the follow-up of the IDEA project was
defined. The testing of animal identification devices for the development of standardized test
procedures between IDEA and the International committee for Animal Registration (ICAR) has also
started.

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

**3. JRC** **Support** **for Nuclear Safeguards** (Euratom Safeguards DG XVII, IAEA Safeguards support
programme DG I) accounted for 28% of the scientific and technical support budget.

Most of the work undertaken dealt with the following tasks:

- Completion of the design phase of the on-site laboratory for safeguards analysis at reprocessing plant
at La Hague; routine analysis of nuclear materials samples; examination of the purchase and testing of
major equipment, including the development of analytical techniques and their implementation in these
on-site laboratories and the training of inspectors in the application of safeguards techniques.

- Training of inspectors, harmonisation of in-service nuclear safeguards inspection practices, providing
state of the art equipment and reference analyses of nuclear materials samples.

- 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:**

In addition to supporting the three major sectors listed above, the JRC has also drawn on its capacities
and on the presence in its institutes of appropriate teams and tools to provide the EU with support
activities in other institutional scientific and technical fields:

For instance, it has helped DG III (Industry) by working on the safety and reliability of informatics systems
needed for other activities. Another area in which assistance was provided to DG III is foodstuff analysis,
with particular emphasis on toxic materials in contact with food, irradiated food, and the development of
analytical methods related to fertilisers. This work is in support of the industrial policy.

For DG XXIV (Consumer Policy and Consumer Health Protection), the quality control of consumer
products was further focused on, with particular attention to trace contaminations in industrial products
such as cosmetics.

Finally, in support of DG XI (Environment, Nuclear Safety and Civil Protection) and DG XVII (Energy),
techniques for inspecting ageing nuclear components, in order to prevent any danger to the environment
were further developed.

**1.2 COMPETITIVE ACTIVITIES**

Competitive activities are in the process of becoming an integral part of the JRC corporate culture. This
change is taking place at a rate compatible with the overall evolution of the JRC mission.

The introduction of Third Party Work, towards the end of the eighties, was the first step in opening the JRC
up to competition. This process reached a new stage with the Fourth Framework Programme (19941998), which aims to gradually introduce a market-oriented, customer-contractor relationship into most
JRC activities. The year under review (the third since this new competitive mandate was instituted) has
been for the JRC a period of further adjustment to the competitive challenge, but has also represented an
opportunity for consolidating the achievements of the first two years.

_JRC Annual Report 1997_

20

The market in which the JRC operates since the 1st of January 1995 can be described as falling under two
main categories: the traditional external market, where the JRC conducts research and supplies services
under Third Party contracts, and an enlarged competitive market, where the JRC:

  - competes for, and participates in Shared-Cost Actions under the 4th Framework Programme, in
association with partners from Member States;

  - competes for scientific and technical support work for other services of the Commission, in response
to invitations to tender (also under the 4th Framework Programme);

  - participates, in the context of a competitive approach, in various other Community activities that are
put out to tender.

The JRC portfolio of Shared-Cost Actions had reached over 95 contracts in number by the end of
December 1997, for a total net earned value of 15,5 Mioecu for the year 1997. These results show that
the JRC does have something to offer to research consortia as a source of high-quality research, generally
in the form of expertise and facilities that closely match the requirements of many companies and research
institutes involved in the Specific Programmes.

Competitive scientific and technical activities in support of the Commission have continued at a sustained
rate in 1997. The total of new contracts won in 1997 is well over 55 with a total contract value of 18,5
Mioecu.

Examples of S/T support activities where the JRC successfully bid in response to Commission services
calls for tender can be found in the following projects:

  - in support of the Environment Policy : monitoring of tropical forest ecosystems via remote sensing
applications;

  - advanced comparative food analyses for industrial and Consumer Protection Policies;

  - the study and implementation of ways and means for transferring selected technologies belonging to
the Community to targeted industries.

Outside the Framework Programmes, the JRC has gained competitive contracts with a total value of 6,1
Mioecu in 1997. New activities cover, amongst others, studies for the definition of a decision support
system for coastal area management.

In addition to these activities, the JRC continued to perform and obtain new work under contract from
Third Parties. New contracts in 1997 totalled 11,1 Mioecu (cumulative actual 43,2 Mioecu over 3 years).
Recent significant contracts being carried out include:

  - the design, procurement and operation of an integrated information system delivering network
services to a large group of cooperative banks in one member state;

  - the study of the optimisation processes for planning, managing and protecting the water resources of
a large European region.

_JRC Annual Report 1997_

**21**

**Table 3 - Competitive Activities (Mioecu)**

**Inscribed in**

**1996 accounts**

**13,6**

**9,8***

**10,6**

**4,2**

**38,2**

**Inscribed in 1997**

**accounts**

**11,1****

**15,5***

**18,5**

**6,1**

**51,2**

**TOTALS**

**43,2**

**29,2***

**33,9**

**11,6**

**117,9**

Third Party Work

Shared-Cost Actions

Competitive Support

Competitive Activities
outside the FWP

**TOTALS**

**Inscribed in**

**1995 accounts**

**18,5**

**3,9***

**4,8**

**1,3**

**28,5**

"Matching funds" (i.e. for participation by JRC in specific programmes of indirect action) not included.

** These figures do not include the activities performed under external contract and related to the HFR
reactor at Petten (NL), carried out by the Institute for Advanced Materials, which amount to around 5,5
Mioecu for 1997.

**HFR Supplementary Programme**

As reported earlier, the High Flux Reactor (HFR) at Petten is operated by the Commission in accordance
with the Euratom/Netherlands agreement of 25 July 1961. On 27 June 1996, the Council adopted a fouryear (1996-1999) supplementary research programme to be implemented by the Joint Research Centre for
the European Atomic Energy Community, 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 a cooperation between two partners, Germany and the Netherlands. The new supplementary
programme introduced two major changes. On the one hand, the cooperation 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 is now a major contributor to the production of medical
radioisotopes for the European radio-pharmaceutical industry. Taking advantage of the unique possibilities
offered by the HFR for the treatment of glioma, a highly malignant cancer of the brain, a pilot clinical testing
of Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) was continued within a demonstration project funded by DG
XII. After 10 years of efforts by all the partners working with the JRC in this field, this is the decisive step
which will make this promising new therapy available for human treatment.

In 1997, the HFR went successfully through the in-service inspection of the reactor vessel, an operation
which has to take place every 3 years. The number of operational days in 1997 was 280 days, slightly
above the planned 273 days, and the occupation level for experiments was on average around 80%.

Another significant achievement is the upgrading of one of the beam tubes, used for the measurement of
residual stress in materials by neutron diffraction. This technique is applicable to a wide range of
components used in industrial plants, aeronautics, or the car industry.

###### **1.3 JRC INFORMATION DAYS, PUBLICATIONS, AND CONFERENCES**

As one of the measures to increase the visibility of the JRC and stimulate collaboration with industry and
the national research and academic world, members of the JRC Board of Governors have taken the
initiative in recent years in organizing JRC Information Days in Member States. Following successful

_JRC Annual Report 1997_

22

events in Ireland and Finland last year, the Swedish Member of the Board of Governors, Professor Janne
Carlsson, President of the Royal Institute for Technology, Stockholm, took the initiative and a similar event
was held on 25-26 September 1997.
The event, organized by the Swedish R&D Council with the JRC, drew some 140 participants
representing industry notably SMEs, research institutes and universities. The programme of the first day
in Stockholm was devoted to a presentation of the JRC by the JRC delegation led by Mr. H. Richardson,
the Acting Director General, and directors and representatives of all JRC institutes. This was followed by
discussion sessions on the individual institutes and their projects of interest to the Swedish participants.
During the second day the JRC participants visited Swedish industry, research institutes, and authorities
in the Stockholm and Gothenburg areas. The JRC unit for public relations and publications took care of
the dissemination of information material to the participants, who also followed JRC presentations on
Internet.
The Information days in Sweden gave rise to further collaboration by Swedish partners in JRC activities.
To consolidate this, a Swedish delegation recently paid a visit to the JRC Ispra Site. This will be followed
up by other schemes for extending JRC collaboration with this Member State, for instance in multi-lateral
networks through which the JRC conducts much of its work.

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 1997 the JRC published in total around 1 333 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. 17, published in March 1997, lists all publications issued in 1996.

**Table 4 - JRC Publications in 1997**

**CONFERENCE**

**PAPERS**

    

**49**

**48**

**56**

**35**

**87**

**42**

**12**

**329**

**ARTICLES-IN**

**PROCEEDINGS**

**3**

**57**

**20**

106

150

**67**

**78**

**15**

**496**

**Institute**

General Management

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

**TOTAL**

**ARTICLES IN**

**JOURNALS**

**1**

**30**

**46**

**42**

**49**

**63**

**30**

**2**

**263**

**TOTAL**

**16**

**141**

**116**

**232**

**281**

**261**

**216**

**70**

**1333**

**EUR**

**REPORTS**

**3**

**4**

**2**

**15**

**26**

**34**

**21**

**28**

**133**

**SPECIAL**

**PUBLICATIONS**

**9**

**1**

.

**13**

**21**

**10**

**45**

**13**

**112**

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
23 patents granted in 1997. A considerable increase in comparison with previous years.

_JRC Annual Report 1997_

**23**

**Each year, the JRC organizes a number of conferences, workshops and seminars at its five sites in**
**Europe. The numerous visitors show 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. Although at a pace limited by the actual recruitment possibilities, the JRC has**
**started implementing the new research staff policy, which establishes targets (40% for permanent staff,**
**35%** **for temporary agents with a 5 year contract and** **25%** **for temporary agents with a 3 year contract) to be**
**achieved within a 5 year period.**

**By the end of December** **1997,** **the statutory staff numbered** **1871+221** **auxiliary agents, as compared with**
**1746+190 auxiliary in December** **1996.** **Table 5 gives the distribution of statutory staff in** **1997.** **Besides**
**normal mobility, a number of staff members retired in 1997, having reached the statutory age limit.**
**Recruitment for replacements was in progress at the end of the year.**

**Table 5 - Distribution of statutory staff**
**(including auxiliary agents)**

**Institute**

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

Auxiliaries

**TOTAL**

**1995**

25

13

347

169

194

250

433*

219

101

26

9

143

**1929**

**1996**

34

8

428

181

186

267

276

222

100

35

9

190

**1936**

**1997**

41

10

426

186

190

291

287

240

147

43

10

221

**2092**

*** Total staff of the Institute for Systems Engineering and Informatics and Institute for Safety Technology**

_JRC Annual Report 1997_

24

**DISTRIBUTION OF STATUTORY STAFF 1997**

600

500

400

300

200

100

LZH Officials and
Temporary
Agents

Auxiliaries

**o**

**T3**

**CO**
**1 -**
**0 .**

**to**

**to**

**UJ** <
**CO**

**s**
<

_**Q)**_ **J?**
**O** **Q.**
**CO** **J2**

**'** **t:**
##### **.1 a**

**I §•**
_£_ co
**"O** § | _**n**_ **_** _**m**_

O J
**(0** **o**
**8£**
**0 3**
**I**

**w**

a:

**c**
**o**
**o** **<D**
**W**
**it:**

**T3**

**O**
**X5**

**it:** TO **C**

o TO **W** **g** ro **c**

**a**

TO **W** **g**
o **c**

In addition to statutory staff, 148 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
1997.

In addition, about 10 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 142 trainees work at the JRC
Institutes at no cost to the EU budget, in general for short periods of time.

_JRC Annual Report 1997_

25

**Table 6 - Visiting scientists, seconded experts, grantholders (as of December 1997)**

**Post-**
**Doctoral**
**Scientists**

    

8

7

3

9

4

4

2

**37**

**Seconded**
**Experts**

    

    

    

    

1

3

3

3

**10**

**Post-**
**Graduate**
**Students**

1

13

10

11

12

14

9

6

**76**

**TOTAL**

1

23

17

15

29

23

25

15

**148**

**Institutes**

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 for Prospective
Technological Studies

**TOTAL**

**Visiting**
**Scientists**

    

2

    

1

7

2

9

4

**25**

_JRC Annual Report 1997_

**26**

**1.5** **FINANCES**

The budget (commitments credits), as implemented by the JRC in 1997, is given in Table 7.

**Table 7** **-1997** **Budget implementation in Mioecu (Commitment Credits)**

**Institutional activities** **1996** **1997**

Information and Comm. Technologies 2,946 3,516
Industrial Technologies and Materials Technologies 21,534 21,190
Measurements and Testing 26,722 28,312
Environment and Climate 74,451 80,800
Agriculture and Fisheries 10,849 13,548
Non Nuclear Energy 3,838 4,691
Targeted Socio-Economic Research 7,728 9,406
_**Subtotal EC Specific Programmes**_ **148,068** **161,463**
Nuclear Safety and Safeguards 63,229 64,365
Controlled Thermonuclear Fusion 10,310 12,483

_**Subtotal EAEC Specific**_ _**Programmes**_ **73,539** **76,848**
SCA EC Programmes 3,013 6,029~
SCA EAEC Programmes | 0,411 | 2,012"

a = _ _ _ _ B _ _ _ _**Subtotal SCA**_ **|** **3,424 |** **8,04T**
**Total specific Programmes** **225,031** **246,352**
**Competitive Activities**
Participation to shared-cost actions (SCA) 4,011 5,074
Competitive Scientific and Technical Support activities 10,191 8,908
Participation to Community activities outside the FWP 1,879 2,754
Work for third parties j 16,561 20,051"
_**Subtotal**_ j ~ **32,642"** **36,787**

HFR Reactor 8,088 8,110
HFR Completion of previous programmes 6,262 67
_**Subtotal**_ I **14,350 |** **8,177**

**TOTAL II** **272,023** **291,316**

Total JRC committed financial resources amounted to 291,316 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, German and French
governments for the operation of the HFR and from JRC customers for the execution of work at their
request.

The financial resources for the specific programmes were provided by the JRC part of the General Budget
for the European Union 1997 and the contributions from the EEA (European Economic Area) countries:
Iceland, Liechtenstein arid Norway for the EC programmes. In addition, there is a contribution from 1996
onwards to the EC programmes from Israel.

_JRC Annual Report 1997_

27

##### **2. ACTIVITIES OF THE JRC INSTITUTES IN 1997**

**2.1** **THE INSTITUTE FOR REFERENCE MATERIALS AND MEASUREMENTS** **(IRMM)**

The IRMM promotes and harmonizes the use of European standards, reference materials and
methodologies at the European level. In 1997, the Institute pursued its specific programme under the
heading 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 also provided support activities for Community policies in the area of environment and 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 and around the world.

A. **INSTITUTIONAL** **ACTIVITIES**

_**Institutional Research Activities**_

The measurement expertise and refined analytical techniques of the Institute have made it possible to
establish a coordinated analytical measurement system at the European level, for the characterisation and
certification of high quality reference materials, applicable in both the nuclear and non-nuclear fields.
Within this framework, IRMM has further extended its tasks and responsibility for storage, stability control,
distribution, sales administration and recertification for BCR certified reference materials.

_**SPECIAL CERTIFIED REFERENCE MATERIALS (CRMs)**_

_The agreement signed in_ _1996_ _with the_ _International_ _Federation of Clinical Chemistry_ _(IFCC)_ _led IRMM to_
_focus on the preparation of materials for bio-medical, environmental and public health protection. The first_
_stages of a project on urinary proteins are under way. Planning is in progress for other projects, on_
_glycated haemoglobin (for monitoring_ _giycaemia_ _in diabetes_ _patients),_ _multi-enzyme calibrants and a serum_
_panel_ _forhCG_ _(human chorionic gonadotrophin hormone)_ _isoforms,_ _used to detect early pregnancy, certain_
_types of cancer and embryonic disorders. In addition, preliminary discussions on projects for osteoporosis_
_and markers for cardiac damage are being conducted. In another agreement with the Swedish and Swiss_
_National Measurement Institutes, the determination of trace elements in_ _serum_ _is being assessed._
_Negotiations have been concluded with industry for the production of CRMs of genetically modified_
_organisms. A contract has been signed to make possible the validation of measurement equipment for_
_reading isotopic signatures in breath gases, used for the early_ _detection_ _of stomach ulcers and_ _cancer._

In order to provide a reliable basis for the determination of a possible radioactive contamination of
deceased persons having been in contact with nuclear materials in the past the US National Institute of
Technology is preparing a reference material for which IRMM has been invited to provide specific
certification data.

Intentional and accidental releases of radionuclides have been continuing for almost 40 years. To enable
correct assessment of related potential health hazards to the European population, reliable, precise and
rapid analytical methods are necessary, both for monitoring purposes and in the case of incidents. This
requirement resulted in the ongoing development with respect to low level radioactivity determination in
various matrices relevant to the dose burden of the European citizen. The year 1997 saw the finalisation of
procedures for water and sediment and the start of a procedure for shellfish samples, all applying highly
selective chromatographic techniques in combination with extremely sensitive spectrometric detection.
Advantages of the new methods are accuracy, speed and the strong reduction of hazardous wastes. This
instrumentation is used to provide primary isotopic gas standards for the international measurement
community, e.g. in the area of atmospheric chemistry.

The expansion of the International Measurement Evaluation Programme (IMEP) which enables field
laboratories world-wide to compare their results to Sl-traceable values, has continued. The International

_JRC Annual Report_ _1997_

28

Measurement Evaluation Programme on trace elements in water has been completed, with about 200
participants from 26 countries, an exercise for trace elements in serum has started in cooperation with a
Scandinavian External Quality Assessment Scheme (EQAS) and the programme was extended to the
industrial sector with a proficiency testing exercise for trace elements in polyethylene attacking an
important problem for car manufacturers. This 10 [th] IMEP round is also important because of the EC
Directive 94/62/EG (metals in packaging waste). Samples have been sent to participants for analysis.

Materials for neutron dosimetry were produced in support of the nuclear energy producing industry and
research institutions operating test reactors. Theses dosimeters are used for neutron fluence rate
measurements in the reactor, for safety surveillance purposes and for optimising reactor performance.

_**QUICK RESPONSE TO CONSUMERS**_ _**CONCERNS:**_ _**SAFETY OF EURO COINS**_

_In_ _the field of heavy metal traces of environmental or bio-medical relevance, analytical research was_
_carried out on the release of nickel from Euro coins, in order to evaluate their allergenic_ _potential._ _Concern_
_had_ _been raised by the European Bureau of Consumers' Unions about the potential of nickel released_
_from such coins to provoke allergies while being handled by consumers, banks, shops, etc. The JRC_
_carried out the necessary chemical reference measurements and found that the nickel content release_
_from the new Euro coins was similar to that of many coins currently in circulation, and substantially lower_
_than some of_ _them._

Current developments in the nuclear energy sector (increased fuel burnup, Pu recycling, plans for waste
transmutation), require improved knowledge of basic nuclear data. This is clearly spelled out in the
"Michelangelo Initiative" which was formulated by the European nuclear industry under the aegis of the
European Commission. IRMM is the only European laboratory which is capable of producing these data
over a wide energy range from a few meV to about 20 MeV. Especially the GELINA facility is the only
facility worldwide to provide the high resolution neutron cross-section data required for many of the above
mentioned applications.

With the two versatile neutron sources of the Institute (LINAC and 7 MV Van de Graaff), neutron
interaction data measurements were performed for applied purposes, following the recommendations of
the OECD NEA Nuclear Science Committee, in particular its Working Party on International Evaluation
Cooperation. IRMM coordinated the worldwide experimental activity to solve the remaining High Priority
Requests in the frame of the NEA Working Party on Measurements Activities.
Neutron Reference Measurements for safe energy production, for waste transmutation and for shielding
applications were performed.

In particular, measurements of the fission fragment mass distributions of neutron induced fission of [ 238] U
were continued and the analysis of the data has started. In a collaboration with the University of Gent, light
particle accompanied fission has been measured for neutron induced fission of [ 239] Pu in the resonance
energy region and for spontaneous fission of the even Pu isotopes. Activation data for about 30 short-lived
activation products, measured in collaboration with the "Forschungszentrum", Julich, and Argonne National
Laboratory, are being analysed.

IRMM has a Treaty obligation (1) to improve the data for the set of neutron reactions which are used as
reference standards for all neutron data measurements, and (2) to act as a standards laboratory for
radionuclide metrology. In 1997, work concentrated on three important standard cross-sections : [ 10] B(n,->)
235 U(n,f) and H(n,n). The total cross section data of 10 B, measured within the framework of an international
collaboration on the [ 10] B neutron cross section standard, have been analysed. The construction of an
improved ionisation chamber for the determination of the ratio of the reference cross sections [ 235] U(n,f) and
H(n,n) is making good progress.

In radionuclide metrology, two [ 204] TI solutions are being standardized within the framework of the "Bureau
International des Poids et Mesures" (BIPM) comparisons. A solution of [ 169] Yb, which is a candidate nuclide
in cancer therapy was standardised and decay data were measured in the frame of an EUROMET project.
At the "Linear Accelerator" (LINAC) for neutron data, equipment and shielding in the new experimental hall
for radiation physics have been constructed for the production of X-ray sources.

_JRC Annual Report_ _1997_

**29**

_**INTERNATIONAL**_ _**COLLABORATION:**_ _**MEASUREMENTS**_ _**FOR**_ _**IMPROVING SAFETY**_
_**AND**_ _**WASTE**_ _**TREA TMENT**_

_Collaboration with the Commissariat à lEnergie Atomique (CEA), Saclay, on data needed for waste_
_transmutation studies, was continued with the analysis of the measured cross sections of_ _[ 99]_ _Tc._
_Measurements of_ _[ 237]_ _Np_ _in the resonance region have been started. Similarly, in the context of concerted_
_action to the same end, high resolution measurements of the inelastic scattering cross sections on_ _[ 208]_ _Pb_
_have been_ _initiated._ _These measurements are important for applications in the development of nuclear_
_fuels and the management of nuclear waste materials. International collaboration on the Doppler_
_broadening of neutron resonances, also with CEA, was continued with measurements on_ _U0_ _3_ _,_ _Np0_ _2_ _and_
_Hg_ _2_ _CI_ _2_ _._ _Measured data for metallic U and_ _U0_ _2_ _were successfully analysed with simple solid state model;_
_these measurements are important for the calculation of_ _the_ _temperature coefficient of_ _reactivity,_ _especially_
_for high fuel burn-up._

_**Institutional Support Activities**_

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

- Work on dried nitrate or metallic spike materials 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 solutions for detector calibration needed in non-destructive assays of uranium and
plutonium at the request of DG XVII (Energy).

- Certified reference materials of foodstuffs were prepared for DG III (Industry) and DG VI (Agriculture),
in order to fulfil quality control requirements for the enforcement of European legislation. For DG VI, the
new activities on selenium speciation in animal foodstuffs made significant progress and further
research is in progress. Cosmetics analysis and a product safety data bank were being further
performed and developed for DG XXIV (Consumer Policy).

**B.** **COMPETITIVE ACTIVITIES**

_**Shared-Cost Actions**_ deal mainly with the following topics:

Preparation of a set of environmental reference materials for the measurement of rare earth elements in
tuna muscle, mussel tissue and sediment for the monitoring of environmental pollution by these
increasingly used elements.

Preparation of a sludge and a fly ash reference material for the measurement of contamination by
polychloro-dibenzo-dioxins (PCDD) and polychloro-dibenzofurans (PCDF) for use in environmental
monitoring, as e.g. required by EC Directives 94/67 CE on the maximum emission of PCDD/DF during
waste inceration.

Preparation of bronze reference materials for corrosion studies on bronze antiquities to support the
development of restoration and conservation techniques for the protection of the cultural heritage and for
calibration of analytical methods for examination of bronze antiquities.

_**Competitive Support for Community Policies**_

Via support to DG XIII (Telecommunications, Information Market and Exploitation of Research) a contract
was concluded with industry, aiming at the validation of a [ 13] C isotopic measurement method which can be
applied to the diagnosis of stomach diseases by a non-invasive and inexpensive technique based on the
isotopic measurement of exhaled breath. Both safeguarding nuclear material and proper nuclear material
management are strictly intended to increase the safety and/or ensure public health of the European
citizen.

_JRC Annual Report_ _1997_

30

A set of standard waste barrels presently being produced via support to DG XIII will be used to develop
calibration standards for waste characterisation measurements, and therefore will lead to an increase of
measurement consistency between different waste handling installations and hence, to a general
harmonisation of radwaste measurements in Europe. This will contribute to both above aspects by
enabling high performance calibration of waste measurement systems, thereby greatly enhancing
measurement quality and hence population safety.

_**Activities Under Contract**_

IRMM also provides services on a commercial basis, and the BCR's reference materials have been made
commercially available for non-nuclear applications.

Three low-energy detector calibration multi-X-ray reference sources were produced, certified for their X-ray
emission rates and sold to CIEMAT, Madrid, the Danish Space Research Institute, Copenhagen, and the
LPRI/CEA, Saclay. The activity of [ 37] Ar implanted in AI layers was determined for the University of Gent. At
the Van de Graaff accelerator, hydrogen profiling studies have been performed on industrial
semiconductors at the request of the Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm.

The supply of nuclear samples to external customers, in particular for reactor neutron dosimetry, was
continued. Uranium-doped glass reference materials for uranium contaminated soil samples were
prepared.

**2.2 THE INSTITUTE FOR TRANSURANIUM ELEMENTS (ITU)**

The Institute for Transuranium Elements contributed to the Framework Programme line Nuclear Fission
Safety with specific research areas such as basic actinide research, safety of nuclear fuels, mitigation of
long-lived actinides, and spent fuel characterisation.

Work on the safety of actinides in the nuclear fuel cycle continued to be the major contribution of the
Institute.

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**_

Work in Basic Actinide Research continued as one of the major activities of the Institute in 1997. The
continuing and rapidly growing interest in the actinides results from four major reasons:

- The application of two "major" actinides (uranium and plutonium) in the fuel cycle;

- The growing interest in some "minor" actinides (neptunium, americium and curium) in the framework of
waste management (partitioning and transmutation programmes);

- The growing interest of the scientific community in the multiplicity of very unusual and highly interesting
chemical and physical phenomena of actinide compounds and

- The potential applications of actinides in nuclear medicine, for example alpha-immunotherapy

_JRC Annual Report 1997_

**31**

_**SYNCHROTRONS SHINE**_ _**NEW LIGHT**_ _**ON BASIC ACTINIDE RESEARCH**_

_The use of x-ray synchrotron sources has already made a substantial impact on studies of magnetic_
_phenomena. Because of the presence of absorption effects associated with each element, the X-ray_
_beams can be made_ _"element_ _specific"_ _by tuning to these absorption edges. An elegant demonstration of_
_this is the study of solid solutions between two compounds, where the important question is the magnetic_
_configuration of_ _each_ _species. Using very smalt crystals (less than 1_ _mg_ _in mass, and dimensions of about_
_1x1x0.1_ _mm**3) of Np substituted into a uranium compound, researchers at ITU, Karlsruhe, using the_
_world's most powerful synchrotron in Grenoble, France (the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility),_
_have shown that the technique can see individually the magnetic signal associated with both U and Np_
_atoms. These experiments, using new techniques involving resonance scattering, open up the possibilitiy_
_of determining the electronic structure and hence the speciation of_ _transplutonium_ _ions in the solid state._

_In_ _vitro_ studies on alpha-immunotherapy continued in collaboration with partners from Nantes (France). At
the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York, 9 patients were subjected to phase 1 clinical
tests. The production of Actinium-225 by cyclotron irradiation of Radium-226 was demonstrated.

_**NEW PRODUCTION METHOD**_ _**FOR**_ _**NUCLIDE USED IN ALPHA-IMMUNOTHERAPY**_

_The Institute is involved since a few years back in the development and application of the alpha nuclide Bi-_
_213 for a new Alpha-immunotherapy treatment against_ _cancer._ _One of the problems was the lack of_
_sufficient amounts of this nuclide for current and future medical applications._ _Bi-213_ _used in alpha-_
_immunotherapy was successfully generated by irradiating Ra-226 with protons._

_Together_ _with_ _the Cyclotron group of_ _the Forschungszentrum_ _Karlsruhe, it has been demonstrated that Ac-_
_225, which is the precursor for a Bi-213_ _generator,_ _can be obtained by this new method in shorter time_
_periods and with less effort than by processing aged_ _U-233_ _the previous source material._

In order to increase cost-effectiveness of nuclear power production, research and development is
underway to increase the fuel residence time in the reactor, i.e. the burn-up of the fuel, without putting
safety at stake. The Institute is establishing those basic parameters and characteristics, which are
relevant to the safety of the fuel and which are incorporated in a code (TRANSURANUS) developed at the
Institute and used inter alia by many licensing authorities.

In the area of safety of nuclear fuel, porosity distribution and micromechanical property measurements
continued with fuel of 80 GWd/t average burn-up. Simulated high burn-up U0 2 fuel up to 200 GWd/t has
been fabricated and characterised in order to perform micro-structural examinations. Fission gas release
from power reactor fuel of a burn-up of 90 GWd/t was analysed and evaluated. Source term
measurements on samples from safety experiments were performed and equipment was up-graded for
fast fission product release measurements.

In the field of fuel fabrication technologies, new technologies (sol-gel and infiltration) were tested for
various applications in transmutation programmes. The fuel performance code TRANSURANUS was
further improved and consequences of high burn-up were modelled. These activities, of particular interest
to operators of nuclear reactors and fuel fabrication plants, and to national and international authorities in
charge of licensing and regulation, contribute to improved nuclear safety, particularly in phenomena which
occur in light water reactor fuel rods at extended times of operation.

In the area of spent fuel characterisation, leaching, oxidation and corrosion experiments continued on
SIMFUEL, irradiated U0 2 as well as irradiated Pu0 2 and irradiated MOX fuels. The leaching and corrosion
experiments were performed in granite environments and simulated groundwater. The oxidation
experiments were performed at temperatures of up to 1 000°C. This work is directed towards the
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.

_JRC Annual Report 1997_

**32**

_**REDUCTION OF MINOR ACTINIDE RADIOTOXICITY**_ _**BY A**_ _**FACTOR**_ _**OF**_ _**100**_

_The safe disposal of highly active wastes dominates the nuclear debate in several countries. The major_
_issue is the potential risk due to the long-term radiotoxicity of transuranium elements and some long-lived_
_fission products, such as for_ _example_ _technetium and iodine._

_To further reduce the potential long-term hazard_ _of_ _such wastes, partioning and transmutation research is_
_being performed in several_ _countries._ _The objective is to separate the long-lived nuclides from the waste_
_to recycle them in reactors and to "transmute" or "burn" them by neutron capture or fission into nuclides_
_with much shorter_ _halflives._

_For the first time a closed partitioning and transmutation cycle was demonstrated. The remaining minor_
_actinides_ _of a previous transmutation in the PHENIX reactor (SUPERFACT experiment) were partitioned_
_from fission products with an overall partitioning yield of 99.9 %. From this and the observed transmutation_
_half-life of 2 years it can be concluded that it is technically feasible to reduce the radiotoxicity of minor_
_actinides by a factor of_ _100_ _with a half-life of about 3 years including the out-of-pife time._

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

In the framework of cooperation with various European partners, fuels have been fabricated, characterised
and welded into pins for different irradiation experiments, including the irradiation of americium in the
thermal reactor Osiris (Actineau) and the homogeneous incineration of fuel with high plutonium contents in
the High Flux Reactor at Petten (TRABANT).

The extension of the minor actinide laboratory made substantial progress in line with the schedule. The
separation of actinides from the Superfact fuel was demonstrated with advanced reprocessing techniques,
and material science and fission damage investigations of inert matrices continued.

In the area of safeguards R & D a new chemical separation method for preparation of mass spectrometer
filaments was developed, validated and implemented. A highly sensitive thermal ionisation mass
spectrometer, capable of measuring up to four masses simultaneously, is under evaluation for safeguards
applications.

_**Institutional Support Activities**_

Non-proliferation of nuclear weapons is an important policy objective of the European Union. In addition,
the European Commission has itself executive powers under chapter 7 of the Euratom Treaty to control
nuclear materials in the Union. The Euratom Safeguards Directorate of DG XVII is carrying out inspections
in accordance with Treaty requirements and international obligations of the Community.

In support of community policies in the area of nuclear safeguards and fissile material management for DG
XVII, major progress was made towards the implementation of the on-site laboratory at Sellafield. The
design phase for the on-site laboratory at Cap la Hague was completed, and tender procedures for
equipment purchases were launched. ITU analysts continued to perform on-site and in field support at the
request of DG XVII (about 1700 measurements). In-house analytical services continued (about 500
samples p.a.), and work on quality assurance procedures and the nuclear material data bank progressed
significantly.

In support of IAEA safeguards, analytical services were provided in relation to waste and swipe samples.
Consultancy and training was provided in clean laboratory techniques, robotised analyses of nuclear
materials, and on-site laboratories.

**B. COMPETITIVE ACTIVITIES**

_**Shared-Cost Actions**_

_The_ Commission supports the further safe development of nuclear energy in the European Union. For this
purpose, funds have been made available under the 4 [th] Framework Programme by DG XII on a SharedCost basis.

_JRC Annual Report 1997_

33

The work on ongoing projects in the framework of the Nuclear Fission Programme continued in close
cooperation with partners. Some examples are: new partitioning techniques for the recovery of minor
actinides from high level liquid waste; Joint Experimental Feasibility for Targets and Transmutation
(EFTTRA) Experiment on Transmutation of Americium; Source Term for Performance Assessment of
Spent Fuel.

_**Activities 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. A significant number of new contracts was signed during 1997 with Siemens,
AG-Bereich Energieerzeugung (KWU), CEA Cadarache, COGEMA (Compagnie Générale des Matières
Nucléaires, Vélizy, France),The British Nuclear Fuels pic, and the Central Research Institute of the Electric
Power Industry, Tokyo, Japan.

_**Other Competitive Activities**_

_•_ Cooperation with Bulgaria and the Czech Republic in the area of fuel modelling to improve reactor
safety continued, a PHARE project.

- Cooperation with MINATOM and GOSATOMNADZOV in setting up analytical facilities in the Russian
Federation for nuclear material accountancy and control, is ready to start, within the framework of the
Commission's TACIS programme (Technical Assistance to the Commonwealth of Independent States).

**2.3 THE INSTITUTE FOR ADVANCED MATERIALS (IAM)**

IAM contributed with its Research and Technological Development activities in 1997 to the following
Framework Programme lines: Industrial Technologies and Materials Technologies, Non-nuclear Energy,
Nuclear Fission Safety, and Controlled Thermonuclear Fusion.

IAM developed research activities on advanced materials, contributing to science and technology for the
benefit of European industry as well as European consumers; some examples are the development of
radio tracer methods for the determination of heavy metal release from gas catalysts and during food
processing, the investigation of the safety aspects of future fusion machines, and the reassessment of
industrial needs on novel catalytic washcoats to be used in car gas exhaust systems.

IAM showed a special interest in pre-normative work of vital importance for industry. In 1997, the results
obtained at IAM have strongly contributed to the development and improvement of standard test methods
for mechanical performance assessment and for new classes of materials, such as technical ceramics and
composites.

**A** . **INSTITUTIONAL ACTIVITIES:**

_**Institutional Research Activities**_

The main goals of the _Industrial Technologies and Materials Technologies_ programme address the prenormative needs of industry in Europe, including:

- development of innovative processing and testing methods for advanced materials, focusing on cost
efficiency, performance improvement and standardisation potential ;

- alignment of the broad scope of testing, processing and analytical research on advanced materials,
including composites and interfaces, with the information and data requirements of industry and
standards development by CEN ( Comité Européen de Normalisation) and ISO ( International
Organisation for Standardisation);

 - establishment of a European methodology for inspection qualification associated with the validation of
advanced NDE ( Non Destructive Evaluation) techniques for pressure vessels, piping and power
generation components;

_JRC Annual Report 1997_

34

- networking of users in power industries, collaborating on the Institute's data facilities for mechanical
properties and corrosion;

- enhancement of the potential of surface engineering methods, for the improvement of fatigue, wear and
corrosion behaviour, thermal barrier performance, and in biomedical and sensor applications;

- development of radio tracer (thin layer activation) methods for the determination of heavy metal release
from gas catalysts and during food processing;

- development of radio tracer methods for advanced applications in technical components and consumer
goods.

For the _Non-nuclear Energy_ programme, the work was divided into two lines: Photovoltaic Energy and
Electricity Storage, carrying out research and support activities relevant to the White Paper "Energy for the
future: Renewable sources of energy", and Materials for Clean Combustion Engines, under directives for
reduction of emissions and gaseous pollutants.

The goals of the Photovoltaic Energy and Electricity Storage line were, on the one hand, to develop and
operate diagnostic testing and monitoring techniques for photovoltaic components and installations as well
as electricity storage, and, on the other hand, research on methodologies and procedures for photovoltaic
devices to be standardised at a European or international level. In the Materials for Clean Combustion
Engines line, emphasis was put on reassessing industrial needs for novel catalytic washcoats to be used in
car gas exhaust systems, and on characterisation of previous results in near-to-engine operation
conditions.

The _Nuclear Fission Safety_ activities were focused on a better understanding of ageing mechanisms of
components materials in nuclear power plants. In particular, a new test facility was installed at 1AM for
irradiation of vessel material (the LYRA facility). Design rules for pressure vessels and stress corrosion
damage were also investigated.

1AM was involved in long term activities within the _Controlled Thermonuclear Fusion_ programme, and
carried out specific tasks at the request of the Next European Torus (NET) and the International
Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) projects. Activities covered three main lines: fluid separation
and structural analysis, fusion materials, and tritium materials interaction. The safety related aspects of
future fusion machines were also investigated.

_**STANDARDS AND NORMS**_ _**IN**_ _**THE MATERIALS FIELD**_

_Standards and norms are of vital importance for industry, and the safety of users, in particular when_
_reliability and quality are at_ _stake._ _Pre-normative_ _work,_ _i.e. all activities helping in the preparation of_ _norms_
_and standards, receives special attention at the Institute for Advanced Materials, where such activities_
_have been undertaken for several years in the materials field. Today, the results obtained at_ _1AM_ _have_
_strongly contributed to the development of standard test methods for mechanical performance_
_assessment,_ _for_ _new classes of materials (technical ceramics, composites,_ _),_ _to new test methods_ _(thermo-_
_mechanical_ _fatigue, damage tolerance of ceramic composites, residual stress..) as well as to the_
_improvement of existing standards._ _1AM_ _collaborates closely with international organisations such as CEN_
_(Comité Européen de Normalisation), VAMAS (Versailles project on Advanced Materials and Standards),_
_and_ _ESIS_ _(European Structural Integrity Society)._

_**Institutional Support Activities**_

1AM provided support to DGXI (Environment, Nuclear Safety and Civil Protection) and to DGXVII (Energy)
in topics related to nuclear fission safety, in particular by running the European Network for Inspection
Qualification (ENIQ), the Network for Evaluation of Steel Components (NESC) and the network on Ageing
Materials Evaluation and Studies (AMES). For DGXI, considerable assistance was provided to the Codes
and Standards Working Group and to its action on Inspection and Manufacturing, on Fracture Mechanics,
and on Materials. For DGXVII, participation and support were provided to the European Non Destructive
Evaluation Forum (ENDEF).

_JRC Annual Report 1997_

**35**

**B. COMPETITIVE ACTIVITIES**

_**Shared-Cost Actions:**_

The financial volume of contracts signed in Shared-Cost Actions at the end of September 1997 was 45%
higher than in 1996.

_**NEW COATINGS FOR DRY**_ _**MACHINING**_

_Presently almost all machining processes are based on the use of synthetic cutting fluids with the threefold_
_task of reduction friction, cooling pieces, and removing metal chips from the machining area. They also_
_have significant drawbacks from an environmental point of_ _view:_ _they are non_ _bio-degradable_ _and can_
_produce allergies. In Germany alone, 100 000 tons of oil-based lubricants are now used each_ _year._
_Lubricant-free machining would be preferable in many_ _ways,_ _but is difficult to achieve._

_Lubricant-free machining would thus be preferable to enhance safety at work as well as decrease_
_environmental impact of industrial processes._

_The JRC approach is to develop multiphase hard coatings for cutting_ _tools,_ _able to sustain the severe wear_
_they are exposed to, and which have low friction coefficients in order to reduce contact temperature. So_
_far, promising results have been obtained at_ _1AM_ _on the basis of Ti-B-MoS2 coatings which were_
_synthesised by a special_ _Innovative_ _technique._

_**Competitive Support for Community Policies**_

Four IAM proposals were retained for funding in 1997 by DG XIII (Telecommunications, Information Market
and Exploitation of Research) within the framework of the Innovation programme. They are in the areas of
nano-technology, surface engineering, and materials testing and characterisation.

DG III (Industry) financed an IAM proposal for the setting-up and coordination of activities within the
framework of the European Pressure Equipment Research Council.

_**Activities Under Contract**_

Contracts signed in 1997 were at the same financial level as those signed in 1996, and served the same
portfolio of industrial needs, including non destructive evaluation techniques, coating technologies, and
corrosion studies on materials for power generation .

**2.4 THE INSTITUTE FOR SYSTEMS, INFORMATICS AND SAFETY (ISIS)**

The Institute for Systems, Informatics and Safety (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 application of information technology.

Work at ISIS focused on those well identified tasks under the Fourth Framework Programme where it uses
its skills and unique facilities to advance European research for the benefit of European industry and the
well-being of the European population. ISIS was particularly active in supporting efforts towards the
regulation of biotechnology in industry and the evaluation of its potential risks.

ISIS continued to provide scientific and technical support for Community policies. Customers included DGI
(External Relations) and DGXVII (Energy), DGXI (Environment, Nuclear Safety and Civil Protection) for
work related to safety and licensing issues in the nuclear, chemical and biotechnology industries, DG III
(Industry) for Information Technology, DG VII (Transport) for Aircraft Safety, the European Environment
Agency, the Forward Studies Unit, and DG VI ( Agriculture) and the Commission antifraud service
(UCLAF) for fraud control.

_JRC Annual Report 1997_

**36**

**A. INSTITUTIONAL ACTIVITIES**

_**Institutional Research Activities**_

As part of the long term research that will help the safeguards inspectorate harness new technology to
improve efficiency and prepare for the inevitable new challenges that will be raised by disarmament and
the enlargement process, significant progress has been made in neutron measurement techniques for Non
Destructive Assay. A high efficiency counter for passive neutron interrogation was constructed; sealingbolt production was improved by implementing quality control techniques, and seal-reading instruments
were improved by the adoption of a new compact board; a prototype of a high resolution acquisition system
based on a new laser type was developed for the 3-D reconstruction of plants and structures; a laboratory
prototype of a distributed surveillance system based on digital cameras, compact industrial PCs and
Ethernet network was developed.

Reactor safety research concentrated on severe accidents in light water reactors and covered the following
activities: tests at moderate pressures (< 5 bar) were performed in both FARO and KROTOS facilities at
Ispra on the test sections to allow better observation of the mixing, jet break-up and quenching processes;
the development of the REACFLOW code for the numerical simulation of deflagration and detonation
processes in arbitrary gas mixtures continued. A two-dimensional axisymmetric code version has been
completed which is now ready for industrial application. A fully three-dimensional pilot code version is in the
testing phase.

_**SEISMIC RESISTANCE OF STRUCTURES**_

_The facilities of_ _the_ _European Laboratory for Structural Assessment_ _(ELSA),_ _continued to provide a unique_
_testbed for the application of the_ _pseudodynamic_ _test method for checking the seismic resistance of_
_structures._ _The data from these tests provide a scientific basis for the building standard - Eurocode 8 - that_
_constitutes Europe's main protection against damage to life and property from earthquakes. The_
_advantages of using b3se isolation techniques for the seismic protection of monument buildings have been_
_explored. Tests were conducted at ELSA on the Palazzo Geraci model by using_ a _special steel base_
_isolation device. A series of tests were performed to assess the adequacy of the pseudodynamic test_
_method for structures equipped with high-damping rubber bearings. A reduced-scale structure, already_
_tested on a shaking_ _table,_ _was tested_ _pseudodynamically_ _at_ _ELSA,_ _and the results were compared._

As part of the Centre for Earth Observation (CEO) project, and complementary to the activities of the
Space Applications Institute, ISIS continued to operate and update information systems to promote the use
of satellite-based earth observation data. The work included updating the European Wide Service
Exchange (EWSE), now recognised as the leading source of information regarding Earth Observation in
Europe, enhancing the G7 Environment and Natural Resource Monitoring (ENRM) server by integrating it
with 20 Environmental databases across the world, developing the CEOS Information Locator System
(CILS) on behalf of Third World countries, and developing a new Internet protocol for remote searching of
geospatial databases.

ISIS contributed to the Fusion Programme with its heavy robotics facility ROBERTINO. The Control and
Data Acquisition systems of a blanket test facility for ITER have been developed, as part of an international
effort to develop assembly procedures for blanket modules inside the vacuum vessel.

_**Institutional Support Activities**_

The Institute acted as the main scientific adviser to the Euratom Safeguards Directorate (ESD) (DG XVII)
for the following topics:

- development of two passive neutron counters for measurements of Mixed Oxide (MOX) fuel pins and
of a passive neutron counter for the assay of Pu scraps;

- development of a multimedia safeguards training package including a multilingual keyword search
engine and the quantification of measurement uncertainty in neutron assay methods;

- supply of a complete site station for ultrasonic sealing/identification of spent fuel elements stored in
ponds, including a powerful seal-management database, to be used by Euratom inspectors at THORP
Sellafield (UK);

_JRC Annual Report 1997_

37

- training courses for EURATOM inspectors in Non Destructive Assay (NDA) and mass and volume
measurement techniques in large tanks.

ISIS also provided the technical means whereby DGI supported the International Atomic Energy Agency
(IAEA) through: experimental investigation in TAME (TAnk MEasurement) of error components in
mass/volume measurements of liquids in large tanks; testing of portable pressure measurement
equipment, and demonstration in particular of their unattended mode of operation through long term in-field
trials in the USA; environmental testing of various safeguards devices in the TEMPEST laboratory on the
basis of an IAEA test procedure, developed in 1996 with the support of JRC Ispra; training courses for
IAEA inspectors in non-destructive assay, mass/volume determination and sealing/identification
techniques.

ISIS supported DGXI through the running of the Major Accidents Hazards Bureau (MAHB), for the
implementation of the new "Seveso II" Directive (96/82/EC).

ISIS continued to support the service performance of the Commission's antifraud service (SG/UCLAF)
through the introduction, of new information technology, data analysis and risk analysis methods into antifraud work.

The Institute's expertise in information technology was used to support the Information Technologies
programme of DG III. Specific areas of work were: workshops on survivability and dependability of
software; support to European pharmaceutical regulatory policy through the European Medicine Evaluation
Agency (EMEA); European high performance computing and image processing and synthesis (preindustrial software).

_**BIOTECHNOLOGY REGULATION AND RISK EVALUATION**_

_In_ _1997,_ _ISIS_ _has been particularly active in the field of biotechnology regulation in industry and the_
_understanding of_ _the_ _potential risks._

_On behalf of the Forward Studies Unit, which is directly associated with the President of the Commission,_
_ISIS_ _analysed the current procedures in biotechnological risk assessment for transgenic plants: the aim_
_was to determine whether current scientific knowledge allows comparative environmental risks to be_
_calculated and risk assessment procedures to be harmonised. The conclusions and recommendations of_
_the study dealt with the limitations of quantitative risk assessment for genetically modified organisms and_
_with problems in identifying hazards._

_ISIS_ _provided scientific support to DG XI on the_ _Implementation_ _of_ _the_ _Biotechnology Directives_
_(90/219/EEC_ _on the contained use of genetically modified microorganisms and_ _90/220/EEC_ _on the_
_deliberate release and the placing on the market of genetically modified_ _organisms)._ _Priority was given to_
_projects dealing with implementation in the EU Member States (plus Norway and Iceland) of_ _an_ _electronic_
_system enabling the exchange of_ _information_ _among Member States and the Commission on deliberate_
_field trials._

_**B.**_ **COMPETITIVE ACTIVITIES**

_**Shared-Cost Actions**_

During 1997, ISIS was involved in 3 Training and Mobility for Researchers (TMR) networks, 5 concerted
actions and 36 shared-cost action projects.

- In the RESOLV project, a prototype of an Autonomous mobile platform with an Environment Sensor for
Telepresence (AEST) was built to reconstruct real environments using images from a JRC-developed
fast high resolution three-dimensional scanner. Further research on reconstruction of a threedimensional environment is being undertaken in the framework of a Training and Mobility for
Researchers (TMR) network linking seven of the most active European laboratories in the field.

 - In the field of nuclear safety, ISIS coordinated two projects, aimed at improving the performance of
computer codes used in analysing the safety of nuclear power plants.

_JRC Annual Report 1997_

38

ISIS expertise in combustion modelling is being used in the nuclear reactor safety project, Combustion
in Severe Accidents and in the Explosion Models Evaluation project which aims to assess vapour
cloud explosions.

The ROBERTINO heavy robotics facility, coupled with the TELEMAC CAD/CAE laboratory, is being
applied for the automation and control of Laser welding technology applied to heavy section
components in the LASEROBOT project.

In the ADAMS project, ISIS has analysed different methodologies for aircaft dispatch and
maintenance, with a view to reducing human-factor related accidents.

_**Competitive Support for Community Policies**_

Complementary to its institutional work, ISIS was successful in a number of calls for tender issued by
Commission services in areas related to its main competences. A selection of these projects, classified per
customer DG, is mentioned below.

_**For DG**_ _**III**_ _**(Industry):**_ Two full-size three-storey buildings were tested pseudodynamically at ELSA. A joint
project with the Space Applications Institute on benchmarking of European neural network systems on
remote sensing applications was completed; in the field of pharmaceutical regulation, the testing phase of
the EudraTrack project for the procedure of Mutual Recognition between Member State health authorities
was completed. The Eudra Mat database of pharmaceutical products marketed in the European Union was
distributed on CD-ROM to health authorities.

_**For DG VII (Transport):**_ As part of the ongoing effort to prepare the ground for a harmonization of the
regulatory framework governing Europe's aviation the European Coordination Centre for Aircraft Incident
Reporting Systems (ECCAIRS) is being prepared for production. The software has been industrialised, the
central office has been setup, and data exchange procedures, with the six EU aviation authorities initially
involved, have been put in place.

_**For DG XI (Environment, Nuclear Safety and Civil Protection):**_ The JRC has produced a synthesis
report of an international benchmark aimed at harmonising the different methodologies used in calculating
the radioactive release to the atmosphere in the case of an accident in the auxiliary building of a nuclear
power plant. The report highlighted areas of agreement, and identified areas where further research is
needed. Commissioning work has started, with preliminary work on a small incineration oven for the
investigation of advanced waste treatment processes. A study on an overall strategy for Environmental
Impact Assessment (EIA) and Strategic Environmental Impact Assessment (SEIA) research in the
European Union, taking into account the views of acknowledged experts from the Member States, has
been completed. A Community Information System on Natural Disasters is being established. Priority in
the pilot phase has been given to a limited number of types of disasters: floods, earthquakes, and
accidents of any kind causing significant environmental consequences. Eight Member States, as well as
Iceland and Norway, are contributing to the project. The design of the prototype information system is now
completed.

_**For EUROSTAT (Statistical Office):**_ A study on environmental pressure indicator modelling has been
completed. The study defined a generalised layout to summarise pressure indicator models, identified
modelling activities in the Member States, and produced a model sheet for each of the twenty-five models
identified.

As part of its mission, ISIS has transferred to industry some technologies it has developed. In 1997, 10
projects funded by DG XIII were completed and another 12 have started.

_JRC Annual Report 1997_

**39**

_**12**_ _**NEW**_ _**PROJECTS FOR TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER TO INDUSTRY**_

- _Testing and demonstration of an automotive crash energy absorber based on high speed liquid jet_
_formation_

_Fibre optic based acoustic emission sensor system_

_Industrialisation_ _of_ _a_ _holographic flat display_

_Industrialisation of an_ _ESPI_ _based device for deformation measurements and mechanical_
_characterisation of building materials_

_Integrated fixture for punch and bulge testing of small specimens_

_A WARE (Advanced Warning Against Runaway Events)_

_Exploitation of STARS industrial reliability software._

_VASAT-3D: extension of JRC finite element simulators to model three dimensional water flow and_
_contaminant transport in variably saturated soils_

_Implementation of_ _W-SDI:_ _a Windows tool for safety design improvement_

_Large scale testing of vibration sensor and micro-seismic monitoring_

_Integrated system for shape and condition monitoring of composite elements used in civil and_
_aeronautical engineering_

_Validation_ _of uncertainty and sensitivity analysis software_

_**Activities Under Contract**_

Third party work at the JRC is offered to clients who take advantage of products and techniques developed
through research in ISIS and pay for these products to be customised to operational requirements. During
1997 more than 30 contracts were signed. Examples of some of the larger contracts: a full-size replica of
a portion of the Sao Vicente de Fora Monastery in Lisbon has been constructed by reproducing the original
materials and workmanship, and is being tested at ELSA under a contract with the Portuguese
Government; an integrated system for monitoring and preventing pollution and risks associated with
industrial areas and movements of dangerous substances in Sicily, as well as for the on-line management
of related emergencies, was installed on behalf of the Italian Ministry of Environment. Another contract was
signed allowing the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission access to results from FARO
quenching tests.

_**Exploratory Research**_

ISIS made a special internal effort to explore some complementary research areas which might turn out to
be important for its future institutional contributions; a total of 65 proposals were presented within the
Institute and 12 of them were funded. At the end of 1997, 10 of these were allowed to continue for a
second year, and a further 5 projects were added. The projects covered a wide range of subjects, including
non-linear time series analysis, brain-actuated control systems for the disabled, voice to text conversion,
regional flood vulnerability, remote measurement of water levels in environmentally sensitive areas,
innovative accelerator driven nuclear reactors, simulating energy-environment interactions in cities,
determining how citizens can participate in environmental decisions, modelling particle gas flows, smart
materials, protein folding, measuring the performance of artificial joint implants, seismic monitoring,
earthquake prediction, and stress-wave release from fracturing rocks.

_JRC Annual Report 1997_

40

_**SAFEGUARDS**_ _**PLANTAT**_ _**OBNINSK**_

_The European Commission, through the_ _TACIS_ _Programme, is supporting efforts in the Russian_
_Federation to improve nuclear material accountancy and control. As part of this_ _work,_ _a Safeguards_
_Methodological and Training Centre (RMTC) is being set up at the Institute of Physics and Power_
_Engineering_ _(IPPE)_ _at_ _Obninsk,_ _in the Kaluga region of Russia._ _ISIS,_ _together with_ _IPPE,_ _has been given_
_the task of_ _designing_ _and implementing the Centre. The principal tasks of_ _the_ _RMTC are the training of_ _the_
_Ministry of Atomic Energy_ _(MINATOM)_ _plant operators as well as_ _of the_ _domestic inspectors at the Russian_
_Authority for Nuclear Security (GOSATOMNADZOR) in fields such as development and implementation of_
_upgraded approaches for accounting and safeguarding fissile materials._ _It_ _uses existing premises, already_
_licensed_ _for_ _the use of bulk quantities of nuclear materials. So fan_

_•_ _15_ _Russian instructors and 70 Russian inspectors and operators have been trained_

_•_ _8 specialist courses have been held in_ _Ispra_ _and 5 in Obninsk_

- _seminars on fuel_ _fabrication_ _safeguards and reprocessing plant safeguards have been held in Obninsk_

**2.5 THE ENVIRONMENT INSTITUTE** **(El)**

The Environment Institute (El) contributed to the Fourth Framework Programme, mainly in the lines
Environment and Climate and Life Sciences and Technologies. Through various competitive actions, the
Institute also addressed Programme lines such as Measurements and Testing and Nuclear Fission Safety.

In 1997 the El dedicated 70 % of its Institutional activities to providing scientific and technical support to
other Directorates General of the Commission in the preparation and implementation of EC sectoral
Policies in the fields of the Environment and Consumer Protection.

The Environment-Water Task Force, headed by the Institute director, has concluded its final report, based
on more than 450 "ideas-proposals" and on the position papers prepared by the national contact points and
professional task forces. The proposed action plan will be used in defining the specific programmes of the
Fifth Framework Programme on water-related activities.

**A. INSTITUTIONAL ACTIVITIES**

An adequate balance between research and direct support activities has allowed the Institute to provide
effective support while maintaining its scientific and technical competence.

_Institutional Research Activities_

In accordance with the European Union's research objectives laid out in the Fourth Framework
Programme, the Institute set up and coordinated European research projects which contributed to major
international environmental programmes such as IGBP (International Geosphere Biosphere Programme),
IGAC (International Global Atmospheric Chemistry), and EUREKA.
In the field of atmospheric processes, activities have mainly been focused on tropospheric ozone, a
harmful, globally increasing greenhouse gas, which affects human health, crops and vegetation, and on
atmospheric aerosols which are of paramount importance in evaluating and predicting climate trends.

_**BIOGENIC**_ _**EMISSIONS**_ _**FROM**_ _**VEGETATION**_ _**AND OZONE**_ _**FORMATION**_ _**IN THE**_
_**MEDITERRANEAN AREA**_

_The aim of_ _the_ _Biogenic Emissions in the Mediterranean Area (BEMA) project developed by the Institute is_
_to assess the contribution of biogenic emissions from vegetation to tropospheric ozone formation in the_
_Mediterranean area, in relation to the contribution from anthropogenic sources. The last year of BEMA_
_phase_ _II_ _was focused on modelling/up-scaling activities. A large_ _mesoscale_ _experiment, involving 17_
_European laboratories, was jointly organised by_ _El_ _and Centro de Estudios_ _Medioambientales_ _del_
_Mediterraneo (CEAM) in May/June 1997 in the Castellon area near Valencia in Spain, to test the_
_multidimensional meteorological/chemical model developed already. The experiment included ground_
_measurements (emission rates, canopy_ _fluxes,_ _concentrations), as well as measurements from aircraft and_
_tethered_ _balloons,_ _to characterise transport and chemistry in the boundary layer of_ _an_ _80km corridor in the_
_land-seabreeze_ _direction._

_JRC Annual Report 1997_

**41**

The Aerosol and Climate project contributed to assessing the impact of the aerosol burden on Earth
radiation. The Aerosols Characterisation Experiment (ACE-2) was during 1997 the main focus of the
activity. The project was carried out in collaboration with 25 European laboratories and included
preparation of logistics together with coordination of 250 scientists, 6 aircraft, 1 ship and 6 ground based
stations. The JRC also participated successfully in the ACE-2 project by performing a series of gas
measurements and aerosol physical and chemical characterisations in Tenerife, Madeira, the Azores and
Portugal. The modelling activity thus provides a more realistic description of aerosols in global models, and
should improve the estimates of radiative forcing by those aerosols. The results of this project are relevant
to assess the impact of atmospheric aerosols on the global change and the extent to which this impact
varies as a result of human activities and natural phenomena.

Institutional research activities in the water and soil areas included the use of AMAL (Advanced Mobile
Laboratory) to assess industrial sites and landfill contamination. Samples from different estuaries have
been analysed to establish the relationships between toxic element concentrations and flow variations, as
well as identification of sources. Four _in situ_ campaigns were performed in the subalpine ecoregion, to
contribute to the setting up of algorithms describing lake water quality, and for comparison of different
methods for the determination of phytoplankton pigments.

Several reports were published on lake restoration/safeguarding projects and on drinking water quality.
Collaborative data and uncertainty assessment studies continued within the AQUACON (Analytical Quality
Control) project.

A new Unit, Environmental Toxicology and Human Health, which included the former Indoor Air and Life
Science units was set up with the aim of reorienting activities in view of the 5 [th] Framework Programme.
The Institute's work in this area is being intensified and will be focused on: the impact of microbial and
chemical pollution of water on aquatic life, and the consequent relevance to human health; the health risks
of indoor air pollution, especially those related to volatile organic compounds; health effects resulting from
food contamination; and age-related neurodegenerative disorders.

Within the European Collaborative Action, Indoor Air Quality & Its Impact on Man (ECA-IAQ), an essential
part of the institutional indoor pollution activity, two new reports have been published: _Evaluation of VOC_
_Emissions from building products-solid flooring materials,_ offering a labelling procedure for flooring
materials awaited by industry, _and Total volatile organic compounds (TVOC) in indoor air quality_
_investigations._ An automatic air pollution analyser developed at El for indoor and workplace applications
has been extended to diisocyanates. Within the scope of competitive support activities, a contract has
been granted from DG XIII for the construction of a commercial version of the analyser. Research was
continued within the EURO TERVITH (Trace-Element Reference Values in Human Tissues) project on
basic levels of trace metals in the European population.

_**Institutional Support Activities**_

The Environment Institute's activities have been mainly devoted to providing scientific and technical
support to the Commission Services in the design and implementation of European Union policies in the
fields of environment and consumer protection.

The European Chemicals Bureau (ECB) acted as a focal point for the implementation of the EC directives
in the field of chemicals control (DG XI Environment, Nuclear Safety and Civil Protection). The work of the
ECB included risk assessment in relation to existing or new chemicals in close cooperation with competent
national authorities and other international bodies, such as the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and
Development (OECD), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Food and Agricultural
Organisation of the United Nations (FAO).

The European Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods (ECVAM), in support of DG III, DG XI and
DG XXIV, worked on the validation of alternative, non-animal, toxicity testing procedures, in support of
Commission regulatory actions on industrial chemicals, pesticides, cosmetics, and other products, for the
protection of consumers, of the environment, and for the benefit of European industries.

The well established work of ERLAP (European Reference Laboratory for Air Pollution,) and REM
(Radioactive Environment Monitoring) provided DG XI with scientific and technical support for the EC
legislation on air quality. The work will be extended to take account of growing concern about the causes
and health effects of urban air pollution in relation to small aerosol particles and the use of alternative fuels.

The activities in support of the Alpine Convention for the sustainable development of the Alps have been
maintained by coordinating the Alpine Observation and Information System (Alpine Observatory).

_JRC Annual Report 1997_

42

The Institute has managed the Technical Support Group for Urban and Regional Modelling in the project
Auto-Oil 2. This support group provided expert advice and assistance for the impact assessment on the 10
cities selected. The methodology has been reviewed and the key parameters of reference have been
analysed for assessing the current levels of air quality. The criteria for identifying the main stationary
(industrial) and traffic sources of pollution have been also established.

Support was also offered to the European Environment Agency in the fields of measuring methods,
intercalibration instruments, and the development of new methods and new environmental measuring
devices.

_**CONSUMER PROTECTION AND FOOD SAFETY**_

_Consumer_ _protection has been one of the priorities of the_ _El,_ _with activities on food safety, origin and_
_quality, including the well established European Office for Wine, Alcohol and Spirit Drinks (BEVABS),_
_which was created at the Environment Institute of the JRC in_ _Ispra_ _in 1993, as a community body with a_
_high level of scientific expertise and specialised_ _high-performance_ _equipment, to provide Member States_
_with the assurance that scientific cooperation between official laboratories_ _Is organised_ _efficiently and that_
_disputes between Member States over the interpretation of analytical results are handled objectively in true_
_community spirit._

_The main objectives of this office can be briefly summarised as follows: establishment of an analytical_
_database for wine sector products, for the coordinated and uniform application of analysis methods, in_
_particular those based on nuclear magnetic resonance; analysis of wine or alcohol samples taken by_
_commission control agents; preparation for the acceptance of new isotopic methods based on mass_
_spectrometry as future official methods of improving the fight against fraud; performance of_ _measurements_
_for Member States not yet equipped with isotopic techniques; the handling of possible disputes concerning_
_Member_ _States._ _' interpretation of_ _analyses_ _of the same product._

_The European Office_ _for_ _Wine,_ _Alcohol and Spirit Drinks works in close collaboration with the specialised_
_departments responsible for the wine sector within_ _DGVI_ _(Agriculture). The scientific and technical work_
_carried out_ _by_ _this office complements the activities of the Commission's agents, who are responsible for_
_cooperating with the fraud prevention and control authorities in the Member States. The European Office_
_for Wine, Alcohol and Spirits collaborates with the official bodies and_ _15_ _official laboratories of the wine_
_producing Member States for the collection and the validation of the data to be used for the establishment_
_of the_ _database and a multilingual software has been developed for this aim. So far the Data Bank_ _contains_
_the deuterium isotope ratios of ethanol from more than_ _10_ _000 authentic wines taken from the wine_
_producing countries in the European Union and covers the six vintages from 1991 until_ _1996._

**B. COMPETITIVE ACTIVITIES**

_Shared- Cost A ctions_

The El has won 25 new shared-cost action projects within the programmes Environment and Climate,
Standards, Measurements and Testing, and Nuclear Fission Safety and within the scope of Joule (Joint
Opportunities for Unconventional or Long-term Energy supply) and INCO (International Cooperation).

The main topics addressed in these projects were: particles and photo-oxidants in chemistry: formation
processes and role; climate change effects on freshwater resources in Europe; air quality and effects of
pollutants on the European population; development of analytical methods for food control; environmental
risk assessment; endocrine disrupting chemicals.

_Competitive Support for Community Policies_

The El has signed new contracts to provide support to other community services on a competitive
basis, mainly in the fields of food and consumer protection.

Research has been carried out in support of DGIII (Industry) and DG XXI ( Customs and Indirect Taxation)
on the development and validation of methods of assessing compliance with food legislation on chocolate,
honey and olive oil.

DG XIII (Telecommunications, Information Market and Exploitation of Research) funded the development
of a compact, portable and economic prototype version of an automatic laboratory analyser of indoor air
pollutants. A patent has been obtained in 1997 from the European Patent Office.

_JRC Annual Report_ _1997_

43

_**Activities Under Contract**_

The institute has also carried out research under contract to characterise industrial contaminated sites and
has performed environmental impact assessment for regional authorities. In the Lombardia region in Italy,
work has been carried out on soil pollution, on water resources management, and on air quality control.

**2.6. THE SPACE APPLICATIONS INSTITUTE** **(SAI)**

The Space Applications Institute (SAI) carries out research leading to provision of up-to-date information
on events and trends affecting the Earth's resources and environment. SAI plays an important role in the
development of European Earth Observation, and its activities are crucial to the exploitation of the
investments made by Member States, particularly in the European Space Agency.

Its work within the Environment and Climate research programme addressed issues related to quality of
human life, to sustainable resource management, and to promotion of a sustainable Earth Observation
industry in Europe.

**A. INSTITUTIONAL ACTIVITIES**

_**Institutional Research Activities**_

In 1997, the Space Applications Institute used a full range of earth observation space techniques for the
study of our environment and climate, and began new work integrating these with space-based
telecommunications and navigation systems.

The work of the Centre for Earth Observation (CEO) at SAI continued to encourage and strengthen the
European Earth observation industry. European companies, with CEO guidance, carried out studies
particularly focused on the customer requirements for five new earth observation markets : travel/tourism,
environmental organisations, town/city authorities, insurance companies, and civil engineering
organisations. Each study produced an information brochure to which all new markets reacted positively.
The Enabling Services prototype, consisting of an INTERNET site and the European Wide Service
Exchange (EWSE), saw a dramatic increase in use with up to 2 000 registered users. CEO pilot projects
demonstrating the potential operational use of information derived from Earth Observation data for the
Services of the Commission, concentrated on coastal zones, European forestry, agricultural production in
South East Asia, and an atlas of major European urban areas.

**PROGRESS TOWARDS STANDARDS FOR ANTI-PERSONNEL MINE DETECTION**
**SYSTEMS AND STRATEGIES**

_The_ _SAI_ _gained recognition as a focal point for mine detection and identification and is working in close_
_collaboration with national groups from Member States as well as with Non-Governmental Organisations_
_(NGOs),_ _representatives from mine infected countries, and mine clearance teams._

_The Institute established an outdoor test range for validating the performance of mine detection sensors_
_(metal detectors, ground penetrating radars and thermal infrared_ _sensors)._ _This facility has been used by_
_different producers of mine detection sensors as well as for testing the feasibility of_ _**a**_ _multi-sensor system_
_for Anti-Personnel Mine detection and identification._

_This 'benchmarking" action began in October 1997 with a workshop, attended by the United Nations_
_Department of_ _Peace_ _Keeping Operations (UNDPKO), NGOs, mine clearance organisations, mine detector_
_producers, national research organisations and_ _Universities,_ _as well as from other Commission services_
_charged with mine clearance actions. The standards will be applied to subsequent SAI tests, as well as to_
_mine clearance projects in mine infected countries supported by the European Commission._

Research activities at the European Microwave Signature Laboratory included the development of
sequential radar imaging techniques for the monitoring of mechanical stress and deformation in structural
elements, such as beams and girders. Such methods will be a major new tool for monitoring the safety of

_JRC Annual Report 1997_

44

key civil engineering structures such as deformation of water reservoir dams.

Coastal Zone management systems, using data from new ocean colour sensors, are now being
developed, to be used in areas such as aquaculture and coastal erosion defences. Work of this nature
calls for well calibrated data and validated products. Work on sensor calibration and validation, in full
collaboration with the international and national space agencies, development of bespoke geographical
information systems, and modelling underpin this. Ocean colour and sea surface temperature data sets
are also used for global change research.

Techniques developed with data from low-resolution sensors were then used to map soil and vegetation
changes throughout the year, first for the Iberian peninsula and then extended to the entire Mediterranean
Basin: this work will be the basis for a land degradation monitoring system as part of an emerging
Mediterranean Observatory.

As input to the International Geosphere Biosphere Programme of climate change research, the SAI
completed a data set showing the occurrence of wild-fires throughout the globe. Such monitoring
responds to concerns espressed in Agenda 21 and the 5 [th] Environmental Action Plan. These data are
important to research and environmental management alike, as evidenced by the huge impact of the 1997
fires in Indonesia. Environmental studies concerning fire scars and forest resources in the tropics
continued to benefit from the development of Radar based mapping, in collaboration with North American
(NASA) and Japanese (NASDA) partners.

The analysis of data from new sensors benefited from studies of the bidirectional reflectance properties of
the Earth's surface, made using advanced models of surface radiation interactions.

_**Institutional**_ _**Support**_ _**Activities**_

The Monitoring of Agriculture with Remote Sensing (MARS) project provided support to DG VI
(Agriculture), EUROSTAT ( Statistical Office) and the Member States through the Institute's advanced
Agricultural Information System (AIS). The AIS provided production forecasts and identified regional
anomalies for 14 major EU crops. In 1997, new crop types (olive trees and wine-grapes) were studied:
qualitative information and estimation of their potential yield will be further improved. Information on the
EU's neighbours in Central Europe, the Baltic States, CIS, the Maghreb countries and Turkey was also
provided.

As in previous years, control by remote sensing of farmers' area aid declarations continued. The quality
control of the work, done by private companies under contract from national administrations, was carried
out, and technical support and advice was provided in direct interaction with the Member States'
administrations.

The Soil Geographical Database of Europe at Scale 1: 1 000 000, supporting the Agricultural Information
System, has been extended to Norway, Finland, former Yugoslavia, Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic,
Slovakia, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Austria, Romania and the Baltic states. This data supports the
agrometeorological modelling of crop field.

**B. COMPETITIVE ACTIVITIES**

_**Shared-Cost Actions**_

The Space Applications Institute submitted 18 proposals in a range of thematic areas including Agriculture,
Telematics, and Environment and Climate. 13 of those projects, ranging from the marine environment to
desertification and landslide monitoring, are being funded.

_**Competitive Support for Community policies**_

DG XI (Environment, Nuclear Safety and Civil Protection) awarded a contract for the third 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 management of diverse tropical forest
data sets and for provision of an "alarm" system, highlighting areas of extreme deforestation. A portable

_JRC Annual Report_ _1997_

**45**

satellite receiving station for fire detection was tested in Vietnam in this context. The overall objective is to
provide a forest information system tuned to the needs of the Directorate General for Environment, Nuclear
Safety and Civil Protection, notably to determine the effectiveness of EC funded projects in these regions.

_**Activities Under Contract**_

Contract research, linked to the Institute's research programme, was performed for external clients,
notably European and Japanese Space Agencies. SAI was a sub-contractor in a consortium testing a rain
simulator to support development of a rainfall-mapping mission, and staff were also involved in the
development of new algorithms to handle information from Japan's planned Global Imager (GLI)
instrument, and Europe's MERIS and VEGETATION instruments. The first instrument will be used to
measure a range of atmospheric, terrestrial and marine parameters. The MEdium Resolution Imaging
Spectrometer is a primary instrument in Europe's next major satellite ENV Sat 1 (Environment Satellite).
Through these contracts the JRC recognised expertise, helps to maximise the returns on the investments
made in Europe on these new sensors.

_**Other Competitive Activities**_

The MERA project (MARS and Environmental Related Applications) covering the 12 PHARE countries,
entirely funded by DGIA (External Affairs), continued and concentrated mainly on forest issues such as
mapping and monitoring. The techniques developed for remote sensing monitoring of agriculture projects
in the Union will be transferred to neighbouring Eastern European countries where there is a strong
emphasis on forest resource management and on environmental impact assessment. The SAI's role as
provider of technical support management to the DGs also saw the continuation of a coastal zone
management programme in Thailand for DGIB.

**2.7 THE INSTITUTE FOR PROSPECTIVE TECHNOLOGICAL STUDIES** **(IPTS)**

The Institute for Prospective Technological Studies supported the European Union (EU) policy making
processes by "collecting", "interpreting" and "communicating" Science & Technology (S&T) developments
(events, trends and impacts). Therefore, most of IPTS' work is undertaken in reply to specific requests of
assistance to the European Union institutions, mainly the European Commission and the European
Parliament services, as well as to third party organisations, in the framework of the competitive mandate
given to the Joint Research Centre.

IPTS addressed various technological matters, where it is important to ensure a neutral and Europe-wide
assessment of scientific and technological change, and to gain a better understanding of technology in the
socio-economic environment. For this purpose, the Institute combines two perspectives in its work: a
focus on emerging technologies, and a focus on socio-economic, policy relevant, options which involve
technology. This unique combination of approach provides added insight, not only through empirical
analysis of available data, but prospective exploration of the future. This characterises the specificity of the
Institute's mission with respect to other research institutions.

Prospective studies are carried out by IPTS in major research areas of relevance, exploiting synergies and
crossbreeding between those areas. IPTS' work has been developed in the following fields during 1997:
Energy; Environment; Mobility and Transport; Information and Communication Technologies; Life Sciences
and Bio-technology; Regulatory Frameworks for Emerging Technologies; Technology, Knowledge and
Organisational Change; Innovation, Diffusion and Growth; Regional Development; Resource Management
(both mainly focused on the Mediterranean region); and Perspectives for Europe.

In order to secure a direct access on a large network of specialists, IPTS has set up the European Science
and Technology Observatory (ESTO). ESTO is a network of 14 European national S&T organisations
which share the responsibility of providing timely access to information on scientific and technological
change of socio-economic relevance. It contributes to IPTS studies and the "IPTS Report", which is the
Technology Watch bulletin of IPTS, directed towards European decision makers.

_JRC Annual Report 1997_

**46**

**A. INSTITUTIONAL ACTIVITIES**

_Institutional_ _Research Activities_

Institutional research activities focused in 1997 on areas highly relevant for EU policies such as Energy;
Environment; Mobility and Transport Research: Technology Employment and Competitiveness. The most
important projects per scientific area are mentioned here below:

Projects on **Energy** ranged from technology assessment to the understanding of the complex system of
energy, natural resources and economy. Particular attention was paid to the interactions between the
energy system and the environment on a global scale, as well as to regional energy markets.

Two examples of specific projects are the Climate Change Research and Policy, and the Socio-economic
Impact of Renewable Energy Projects in Southern Mediterranean Countries: Definitions and
Methodologies.

The **Environment** projects focused on the following three lines of action: consequences of the gradual
introduction of clean technologies in the areas of innovation, competitivity and employment; technology
responses to environmental problems; new frameworks for environmental policy making.

Some examples of specific projects in this field are: The Dynamics of Innovation in Bio-Engineering
Catalysis: Cases and Analysis; Biotechnology as a Cleaner Production Technology in Pulp and Paper;
Waste Definitions and Impact on Waste Handling.

Research into **Mobility and Transport** aimed at supporting policy development concerning future trends in
urban mobility, including social and economic factors. A special IPTS Report on "Urban Mobility"
highlighted the importance of this evolving issue.

Projects referred to the Future of Individual Transport: Towards the Integration of Social, Technological,
Economic and Political Driving Forces of Change; Future Analysis of Vehicle Technologies in Urban
Environments.

On the basis of specific studies and technology watch, IPTS explored implications for the interface
between **Technology, Employment and Competitiveness,** in order to improve the understanding of this
trilateral relationship. Some examples of projects in this field are: 'The role of networks or economic webs
in the creation of employment"; "Evaluation of present water resources policy in the Mediterranean", "The
potential of S&T and Innovation for Regional development" and "Made in Europe".

_Institutional Support_ _Activities_

Most of IPTS' work responds to direct requests from its main customers, the European Commission (EC)
and the European Parliament (EP). During 1997 a new agreement has been signed between JRC-IPTS
and DG III of the European Commission, which comes to enlarge the list of agreements IPTS has with the
following specific EC services: Forward Studies Unit, DG XI and DG XVI. Further support activities have
been carried out, outside of any bilateral institutional agreements. With regard to EP, the IPTS has
supported the work of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Consumer Protection,
Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs and Industrial Policy, and STOA (Scientific and
Technological Option Assessments).

IPTS supported the European Industrial Policy under DG **III** (Industry) with projects on industrial innovation
systems and technology foresight such as: trends in academia-industry technology transfer; benchmarking,
diffusion of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and organisation practices; impact of
regulation on innovation; profile of water industry in southern EU countries; and biotechnology and the
greening of industry.

Major support to DG XI (Environment, Nuclear Safety and Civil Protection) was provided for setting new
frameworks for environmental policy making.

Support to DG **XVI** (Regional Policies and Cohesion) was offered through the project "Towards sustainable
management of water resources in the Mediterranean countries".

_JRC Annual Report 1997_

47

In support of the **Forward Studies Unit (FSU)** of the Commission, the Institute offered work in the
following areas: micro-economic case studies, green accounting, climate change, risk assessment aYid
regulations, risk assessment and governance, information society and governance.

**Common support to various EC services** : In addition to the above mentioned activities, support which
encompassed several customer DGs was offered with the following projects: supervision of a feasibility
study for a solar thermal power plant in Morocco (together with the World Bank) (DG IB, DG XII, DG XVII);
biomass energy strategy (DG XII, DG XVII, DG VI); solar-thermal energy strategy (DG XII, DG XVII, DG
IB); S&T support to the Euro-Mediterranean Monitoring Committee (DGIB, DG XII); environmental futures
(DG XI, FSU); new initiatives in ETAN-support to ageing technologies and global climate change (DGXII,
DGV, DGXI); Technology foresight-watch and socio-economic studies for industrial materials and
technologies (DG XII, DG III, DG XIII, JRC); Discussion paper on "Competitive and Sustainable Growth:
Products, Processes and Organisation anticipating FPV" (DGXII.C)^ input to the Green Paper on
Innovation (DGXIII); the Management of Intellectual Property Rights in the Public-Funded Research
Organisation: 6 case studies of self-management.

Work for the **EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT,** and particularly its **Committee on the Environment, Public**
**Health and Consumer Protection,** focused on: climate change: causes, impacts and options; recycling
industries: impediments and prospects; green accounting; environment and employment; legal definitions
of waste; prospective analysis of the pharmaceutical industry.

- For the **Committee on Research, Technological Development and Energy (CERT),** projects
referred to the following subjects: research and sustainability; research in the XXI century; state of the
art in gerontotechnology.

- For the **Scientific and Technological Options Assessment (STOA),** two projects were carried out:
The future of the car, the car of the future; Prospective analysis of the pharmaceutical industry.

- For the **Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs and Industrial Policy,** support was offered
on a "Public Hearing at the European Parliament, on the status quo and the perspectives of four mature
industries in Europe, textile, steel, automotive and aeronautics".

**B. COMPETITIVE ACTIVITIES**

IPTS' two integrated research approaches, focused on emerging technologies, and on socio-economic,
policy relevant, options which involve technology, provide an added value and hence a competitive
advantage to the Institute.

The Institute has submitted 41 competitive activities proposals during 1997. By the end of that year, the
success rate of approved proposals had reached a level of approximately 60%.

The setting up of the European Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control Bureau, within the IPTS, on
behalf of DG XI is an example of a mixed project, sharing its financial resources between Competitive
Activities 60% and Institutional Support Activities 40% (see also highlight on page 10).

_Shared-Cost Actions_

The IPTS has under way in 1997 thirteen shared-cost actions among which the following projects:
Relationship between demand for freight transport and industrial effects, and Forecasting and Assessment
of New Technological and Transport Systems and Their Impacts on the Environment; Mediterranean
Energy Markets Appraisal: trends and prospects for new technologies, Prefeasibility study for the
introduction of renewable energies in the South Mediterranean area.

_Competitive Support_ _**for**_ _Community Policies_

Competitive activities in support of Commission policies dealt with the identification of a cluster of
technologies, owned by the Community, which may have a major innovative impact on European
enterprises. Moreover, a feasibility study was undertaken aimed at the mobilisation of resources for the
utilisation of RTD results for the use of biomass as an energy source in Soria (Spain).

_JRC Annual Report 1997_

_**4**_

48

_**Work Under Contract**_

In this context, the following studies were carried out: the peer review of the German Life Cycle
Assessment (LCA) study; the assessment of the external costs of energy, and their taking into account at
the national level; the assessment of the effects of the reform of the Common Agriculture Policy on the
environmental pollution level in southern countries of the European Union; stock-taking and analysis of the
present technical and legal situation of renewable energy sources in Europe - phase I of the integral
renewable energy research and promotion programme; technic-juridical european forum on renewable
energies I.

_JRC Annual Report 1997_

##### ISSN 0254-1475

## COM(98) 483 final

# DOCUMENTS

### EN 15 17 12 01 Catalogue number : CB-CO-98-500-EN-C ISBN 92-78-38694-4

Office for Official Publications of the European Communities

L-29S5 Luxembourg