12.12.2014 change 12.12.2014

Poland will be involved in the construction of a strong neutron source in Sweden

Photo: Fotolia Photo: Fotolia

The government supported the Polish participation in the construction and operation of the European Spallation Source (ESS) as a founding member. ESS in Sweden will be the world\'s most powerful neutron source for the studies of matter.

"This is yet another large international scientific research organization, which Poland joins. After the recently signed agreement with the European Southern Observatory and the accession to the European Space Agency, now it\'s time for the European Spallation Source. ESS will give our researchers access to the most advanced research methods in the fields including materials engineering, chemistry, physics, biology" - said Minister Lena Kolarska-Bobińska, quoted in the Ministry of Science release sent to PAP.

With ESS - research installation to be built in Lund, Sweden - scientists will gain new opportunities of research into the properties of matter. Researchers from many different fields are interested in using this powerful source of neutrons. The installation can benefit physicists in the study of particles, biologists investigating the functioning of DNA or proteins, chemists verifying properties of new chemical compounds, and engineers conducting equipment strength tests or researching new sources of energy. The existing sources of neutrons are 30 times weaker than the one planned to be built in Lund.

The cost of ESS construction is currently estimated at more than 1.8 billion euros. The foundation stone for the construction of the plant has already been laid, and the start of the experiments is planned for the beginning of 2023. 17 European countries are involved in the project. Half the cost of the investment will be covered by the host countries, Sweden and Denmark. The operation of the ESS is expected to cost 140 million euros a year.

According to the Ministry of Science and Higher Education assumptions, the Polish contribution to this effort will be 2 percent construction costs of the project, i.e. almost 37 million euros (spread over a minimum of 5 years), and its repayment will begin in 2016 at the earliest. As noted in the Government Information Centre release sent to PAP, a minimum of 70 percent of this contribution will be in kind. The contribution will be financed from the budget money at the disposal of the Minister of Science and by the Operational Programme Smart Development. It is estimated that Poland will spend 1.4 - 2.8 million euros per year on this project.

"Poland is involved in this project because of the expected economic and scientific benefits in the area of: materials science, chemistry, physics, biology and life sciences. It is about tangible benefits to the Polish industry and Polish scientific institutions. Those involved in the project (businesses and scientific institutions) will be able to participate in the development of modern technologies and make full use of their scientific and technical potential" - according to the Government Information Centre release.

Institutions involved in the project include: Institute of Nuclear Physics PAS, National Centre for Nuclear Research, Warsaw University of Technology, Wrocław University of Technology and numerous subcontractors. Through participation in the project institutions will have access to the most advanced research methods. the Polish industry can count on cooperation and knowledge transfer.

"The greatest scientific successes are usually results of team play. That is why the internationalisation of science is so important. Research cooperation between countries gives the best results and successful business. The ESS will benefit not only Polish science, but also our economy" - believes Prof . Lena Kolarska-Bobińska.

Spallation is a process that may occur when a heavy nucleus is bombarded with accelerated protons. In this case, neutrons (electrically neutral particles) may be released from the nucleus, and scientists can use them to study the properties of matter.

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