Russia invests euro 250 mln in European X-ray multi-nation laser project

EU-Digest

Russia invests euro 250 mln in European X-ray multi-nation laser project

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin on Thursday signed a government order agreeing for Russia's participation in a advanced European laser research project which will be conducted in Germany.Russia will provide 11,000.00 mln RUB (euro 250 mln) towards the construction of a high tech research facility in Hamburg, providing scientists the opportunity to obtain additional insights into molecules and nano materials up to and beyond the atomic level. Sergei Ivanov, Russia's deputy prime minister said about the project: "The facility in Germany will not only carry out fundamental research, but also conduct applied technology experiments."

The European XFEL X-ray laser will generate high-energy short-wave X-rays to take snapshots of chemical processes at molecular level, enabling scientists to record and analyze chemical reactions, and conduct holographic experiments at the atomic level. So far, 12 European countries including France, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Russia the , as well as China, have agreed to participate in the project, at an investment of over 1 billion euro's.

EurActiv.com - Experts give European Research Council passing grade (but organization still on very shaky ground)

For the complete report from EurActiv.com click on this link

Experts give European Research Council passing grade (but organization still on very shaky ground)

Europe's fledgling scientific funding body is on the right track but has major organizational flaws which threaten its long-term viability, according to a no-nonsense analysis by a panel of experts. The European Research Council is too bureaucratic and needs more scientists in its management team, but has nonetheless been immune from political interference, according to a report drawn up by a group of research policy experts. Earlier this year, the Commission appointed the panel, headed by former Latvian president and university professor Vaira Vike-Freiberga, to review the ERC's development.

The review panel said it was deeply concerned that the present governance structure of the ERC is complex and a "source of great frustration and ongoing low-level conflict". In her report, Vike-Freiberga stressed that the ERC has "succeeded beyond expectations" in attracting outstanding scientists to serve on its peer-review panels, which have doled out millions of euro to 600 scientists in its first two years.

The former psychology professor said there were causes for concern about the long-term sustainability of the scheme under the present operating conditions.