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

Priority topics of PAMEC

1. Preparation of actinide compounds and complexes in various forms (Thin films, bulk polycristals, 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

Definition and conditions of access

Access to the research infrastructure is granted on the basis of Access Units. For PAMEC, the Access Unit corresponds to a 'Measurement day' made available for the experimental activities.

Physical access to the laboratories is restricted to opening hours but, in certain conditions, automatic measurements can be performed when the laboratories are closed. The Users can use the JRC in-house equipment with the help of JRC staff. Employment of User's own equipment is not recommended in the JRC radioactive laboratories, 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 a few weeks before the scheduled laboratory time. Users can only participate in experiments led in the PAMEC laboratory by in-house staff scientists or technicians.

All users will be requested to complete and deliver safety and security-related documents to get access to the radioactive hot 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 be started in due time to allow completion of the approval procedure well before the start of the experiment.

• Estimated total number of Measurement Days allocated to the call: 75*
• Average number of Measurement Days per Project: 10-15
• Estimated costs excluding consumables and expenses:
  • Research infrastructure operated by JRC staff: 0€ / Day
  • Research infrastructure operated by users: Not possible

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

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 Switzerland and Ukraine).

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

• Estimated total number of User Stay Days for short- term stays eligible for T&S allocated to the call: 60
• Estimated total number for long- term stays (months) eligible for T&S allocated to the call: 12

Long term stays are primarily 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 send it to JRC-ACTUSLAB-KARLSRUHE@ec.europa.eu by the closing date of the call. For more information the Lead User may contact the JRC Research Infrastructure at JRC-ACTUSLAB-KARLSRUHE@ec.europa.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

• The Lead User Institution and User Institutions (see definitions in the Framework) must be from an EU Member State, or country associated to the Euratom Research Programme (only Switzerland and Ukraine).
• The Lead User Institution must be from a university, research or public institution, or from a Small-Medium-Enterprise (SME).
• Ethical considerations in accordance with EU Law, in particular Art. 19 of Regulation (EU) 1291/2013, and applicable laws and regulations in the EU Member States.
• The proposal submission form is complete and complies with the instructions.

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 to the JRC (15 points)
• Strategic importance for Europe (15 points)