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PAMEC, Properties of Actinide Materials under Extreme Conditions (ActUsLab)

The Properties of Actinide Materials under Extreme Conditions (PAMEC) facility consists of an ensemble of state-of-the-art installations designed for basic research on behaviour and properties of actinide materials under extreme conditions.

Details

Status
Closed
Reference
2022-2-RD-ACTUSLAB-PAMEC
Publication date
15 November 2022 in Karlsruhe, Germany
Opening date
Deadline model
Single-stage
Deadline date
20 March 2023, 23:45 (CET)

Description

PAMEC Laboratory Equipment
European Union, 2022

 

The Properties of Actinide Materials under Extreme Conditions (PAMEC) facility consists of an ensemble of state-of-the-art installations designed for basic research on preparation of materials for energy and non-energy applications, on properties of actinide materials under extreme conditions of temperature, pressure, external magnetic field and chemical environment. The facility includes devices for measurements of crystallographic, magnetic, electrical transport, and thermodynamical properties as well as facilities for Np-237 Mössbauer spectroscopy, and a modular surface science spectroscopy station allowing photoemission, atomic force microscopy, and electron scattering measurements.

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Priority topics of PAMEC

  1. Preparation of actinide compounds and complexes in various forms (Thin films, bulk polycrystals, single crystals) and small quantities, suitable for physical measurements.
  2. Characterization of actinide materials by X-ray diffraction
  3. Measurements of their Physical Properties by a large array of microscopic and macroscopic techniques under extreme conditions of temperature, magnetic field and pressure.
  4. Preparation of samples for external measurements in large facilities (synchrotrons, neutron sources, accelerators).
  5. Fundamental research on materials and methods related to nuclear safety
  6. Development of targets for production of radionuclides for non-power applications such as medical applications
  7. Surface studies of actinide-based samples (thin films preparation and interaction study with controlled atmosphere) linked to nuclear fuel safety, waste management (corrosion) and to renewable energy (hydrogen production)

Definition and conditions of access

Access to the research infrastructure is granted on the basis of Access Units. For PAMEC, the Access Unit ( 'AU')  corresponds to an 'Operating day' made available for the experimental activities. Projects involving long-term stays (3-9 months) of students are encouraged.

Physical access to the laboratories is restricted to opening hours but, in certain cases, automatic measurements can be performed when the laboratories are closed. Users can utilise the JRC equipment with the help of JRC staff. Employment of Users own equipment is not recommended in laboratories inside the controlled area, because of the strict radiation protection rules in force at JRC Karlsruhe. If the use of own equipment is necessary, this has to be indicated and duly justified in the proposal and should be coordinated already well in advance before the scheduled laboratory time. Users of the PAMEC laboratory can only participate in experiments conducted by in-house staff scientists or technicians.

Users will be requested to complete and submit safety and security-related documents to receive access to the laboratories. Approval of access is subject to the rules of the European Commission, the Joint Research Centre and the German authorities. Submission of documents should therefore start in due time to allow completion of the approval procedure well before the start of the experiment.

  • Estimated total number of Operating days allocated to the call: 75 AU
  • Average number of Operating days per User Access Project: 10-15 AU  
  • Estimated maximum duration of the User Access Project: 24 months
  • Estimated additional costs excluding consumables and other expenses:
    • Research infrastructure operated by JRC staff: 0€ / AU
    • Research infrastructure operated by users: Not possible

* A total of 180 Operating Days will be allocated to the PAMEC, HC-KA and FMR laboratories.

** In addition, a total of 180 Access Units (Operating days) can be granted for each User Project that consider Users visiting the JRC for long-term stays

Support of Users for travel and subsistence

The JRC may provide a financial or in-kind contribution to support Users to cover their costs of travel and subsistence (T&S) related to the User Stay Days, subject to the availability of funds, personnel and other resources to Users from User Institutions located in an EU Member State or country associated to the Euratom Research Programme (only Ukraine).

User Stay Day is a day of physical presence of a User at the concerned Research Infrastructure for Access related to the User Project. A registered entry to the JRC site where the Research Infrastructure is located counts as a User Stay Day.

  • Estimated total number of User Stay Days for short- term stays eligible for T&S allocated to the call: 75
  • Estimated total number for long- term stays (months) eligible for T&S allocated to the call: 24

A short-term stay corresponds to a stay of up to 20 User Stay Days.

A long-term stays corresponds to a stay exceeding 20 User Stay Days, up to a maximum of 200 User Stay Days.

For more information on the support offered to users please consult the Rules on the contribution to travel and subsistence expenses of external users.

Long term stays are primarily meant for students and have a duration of at least 1 month. They are typically 3 to 9 months for Karlsruhe, and 1 to 6 months for Petten and Geel.

The Lead User is invited to fill in the User travel and subsistence form and and send it to JRC-ACTUSLAB-KARLSRUHEatec [dot] europa [dot] eu (JRC-ACTUSLAB-KARLSRUHE[at]ec[dot]europa[dot]eu) by the closing date of the call. For more information the Lead User may contact the JRC Research Infrastructure at JRC-ACTUSLAB-KARLSRUHEatec [dot] europa [dot] eu (JRC-ACTUSLAB-KARLSRUHE[at]ec[dot]europa[dot]eu).  

Allocation of intellectual property rights

  • The JRC and the entitled party (person or organisation that has been granted access) become co-owners in equal shares of all raw data, treated data and documentation data developed with respect to the access.

Eligibility criteria

Selection criteria

Proposals will be evaluated in accordance to the following selection criteria:

  • Scientific implementation (50 points)
  • Collaboration and access to new Users (20 points)
  • Strategic relevance (30 points)

How to apply

The proposal must be prepared using the Relevance-driven Proposal Submission Form.

During preparation of the proposal, applicants are encouraged to:

  • Read the "Framework for Access to the physical Research Infrastructures of the JRC" and its annexes.
  • Contact the research infrastructure at JRC-ACTUSLAB-KARLSRUHEatec [dot] europa [dot] eu (JRC-ACTUSLAB-KARLSRUHE[at]ec[dot]europa[dot]eu) to specify the level of experience of the User(s) to perform related tests and to assess feasibility aspects related to the capacity of the research infrastructure concerning:
    • Material
    • Test parameters,
    • Specimen geometry.

Proposal should be submitted to JRC-RI-OPEN-ACCESSatec [dot] europa [dot] eu (JRC-RI-OPEN-ACCESS[at]ec[dot]europa[dot]eu) by the closing date of the call.

The User Selection Committee will only evaluate proposals that are complete and comply with the instructions in the proposal submission form.