One of the critical issues of long-term operation (LTO) of mainly pressurised water reactors (PWRs) is the embrittlement of the reactor pressure vessel (RPV) caused mainly by neutron irradiation. Substantial research has been performed in various international collaborative research projects, such as LONGLIFE, PERFORM60, SOTERIA, etc., which have helped to improve the understanding of many open issues in RPV ageing phenomena, such as flux effect and influence of chemical/microstructural heterogeneities on RPV embrittlement. Despite all the previous research on RPV embrittlement, there are several open issues. E.g. there are contradicting viewpoints on underlying mechanisms that lead to accelerated embrittlement (e.g. formation of new phases or accelerated growth of existing clusters) at high fluence conditions in certain low Cu RPV steels. Further research focussing on understanding unfavourable synergy between Ni, Mn and Si on microstructure and mechanical properties of RPV at high fluences is needed to elucidate the late irradiation effects. Existing embrittlement trend equations (ETEs) tend to underpredict RPV embrittlement at higher fluence regimes. Therefore subsequent efforts are needed to validate/adapt the ETEs accordingly. In addition, the applicability of master curve approach at high fluences and small/sub-sized specimens to characterize irradiation induced shifts in reference curves needs to be further investigated. To provide more insight into these issues NRG and JRC jointly conducted an irradiation campaign in the High Flux Reactor Petten, called Lyra-10. Within Lyra-10 a variety of different RPV steel specimens resembling VVER-1000 and western type PWR RPV steels with systematic variations in Ni, Mn and Si contents have been irradiated to high fluences resembling reactor operation above 60 years. The goal of STRUMAT-LTO is to address above mentioned scientific gaps in RPV embrittlement by exploiting the Lyra-10 specimens i.e. post irrad. examination.

This EURIZON project proposal is about European scientific and technical collaboration in the field of research infrastructures (RIs), and it includes in addition a special focus on coordination and support measures dedicated to support Ukrainian scientists and Ukrainian RIs as well as strengthening the RI landscape in Widening Countries. EURIZON is in fact the second part, or phase, of a four-year Horizon 2020 project that started in February 2020, under the name CREMLINplus. With the war against Ukraine that has begun in February 2022, the project was confronted with an absolutely extreme case of force majeure: the home country of 10 consortium participants – the Russian Federation – has invaded its neighbour country Ukraine, and has thus brought a devastating war into the heart of Europe. At the time when writing and submitting this proposal, the war is ongoing, and an end is not yet visible. The second phase of the project will keep a very high ambition, and will go beyond the current state of the art of collaboration around RIs, that has been already achieved in the first phase. The project will operate in two directions: (1) Technology development: the project allows European collaborative excellent teams to develop and deliver finest, new cutting-edge technologies for European RI including ESFRI landmarks and for RI upgrade projects currently underway, such as 4th-generation synchrotron projects, or for the instrumentation at modern neutron sources; (2) Strengthening RI landscape in Ukraine and in the Widening Countries: a number of coordination and support measures has been introduced in the second phase of the project to specifically support individual displaced scientists from Ukraine, to train RI staff at RI from Ukraine and Widening Countries, and to explore and develop science diplomacy measures dedicated to support the reconstruction of the Ukrainian RI landscape. The 27 European participants of the project have come together to build the broad and balanced consortium. They are the relevant entities in the domain of research infrastructures in Europe, and thus provide the necessary strength, commitment and power to implement the project plan.

The development of modern methods of medical diagnostics is an integral part of the work and research of scientists. And it is constantly being improved, as high-precision early diagnosis increases the chances of recovery for people suffering from dangerous diseases. One of the key developments in this area is a new hybrid PET / MRI machine that provides simultaneous Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Positron Emission Tomography. The successful implementation of the project will be ensured by a coordinated exchange of experience and knowledge gained in the field of physics, technology and engineering; by strengthening modern knowledge in the field of optoelectronics and applying modern technological approaches and methods, as well as international cooperation of highly qualified scientists and engineers from Portugal, Czech Republic, Turkey, Ukraine, Azerbaijan and Russia. This consortium will assess both technological (for example, development and production of highly sensitive detectors) and fundamental (mechanisms of internal amplification of ultra-weak photosignals) issues. The project participants have many years of experience in the development of semiconductor optical devices, research of detection methods. The successful implementation of this project will lead to the scientific development of high-sensitivity detectors of a new generation and, as a result, to the creation of advanced detection devices. The aim of the project is to develop a highly sensitive prototype of a detector module for a new generation of PET-MRI scanners. Within the framework of this project, the collaboration will carry out both research and technological components through multipurpose business trips,