Large Research Infrastructures Research Articles

Fostering equality in big science

Elizabeth Pollitzer says measures must be taken to tackle the gender imbalance among staff and users of large research infrastructures.

Computing platform for fast analysis of experimental big data

A multi-purpose computing platform for processing (big) data collected from experiments and large research infrastructures is developed. The platform is validated in a case study on monitoring data aquired by the SCADA system of the High Power Laser System at ELI-NP.

The KM3NeT4RR project in Bologna

KM3NeT4RR is a project for the Kilometre Cube Neutrino Telescope (KM3NeT), which is a large European research infrastructure composed of two underwater large-scale neutrino telescopes, ARCA and ORCA, located in the Mediterranean Sea off-shore Portopalo di Capo Passero (Sicily, Italy) and Toulon (Provence, France) respectively. The telescopes are mainly designed for studying cosmic neutrinos and neutrino properties, but the observatory infrastructure also offers opportunity for geological and marine sciences research, providing instrumentation connections for long-term, high-bandwidth and continuous data collection. The KM3NeT4RR project, led by the Italian Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, has started at the end of 2022 and during the following 30 months it includes a set of activities aimed at extending the ARCA seafloor network and the Italian on-shore facilities, building and operating an additional significant number of detection elements, thus significantly advancing the final completion of the infrastructure. Within this project, the KM3NeT laboratories present at the INFN-Bologna section are going to be expanded and a new setup will be created that will serve for both the detectors calibration studies and for deep-sea environmental research.

Energy saving magnets for beam lines

Beam lines magnets for high rigidity particles can have a large power dissipation. In presence of a high duty cycle, this translates in a considerable amount of energy waste. The call for sustainability of large research infrastructures, like particle accelerator centers, and the recent increase of the cost of energy, require to take measures to reduce the energy consumption, even at cost of moderate investment. A study program called ESABLIM (Energy SAving Beam LIne Magnets) has been set up at the LASA lab of University and INFN Milano, aimed at revamping existing normal-conducting magnets for beam lines with the target of cutting the peak power by a factor 10 to 20 and reducing the energy consumption by factor 5 or more. The idea is to replace the water cooled coils of iron-dominated magnets with new superconducting coils cooled at 10-20 K by means of a cryocooler, while to reusing the iron yoke pole assembly. We envisage using MgB2 for its moderate cost, however, high temperature superconductors (HTS) will also be considered as conductor. We present the first advanced design for revamping of a large bending dipole in a hadron therapy center, and the conceptual design for magnets in a nuclear physics laboratory and we try to define the domain where this transformation of normal-conducting into super-ferric magnets can be technically and economically advantageous.

A critical analysis of large scale research infrastructures’ performances

PurposeLarge scale research infrastructures (LSRIs) are rising in the competitive and globalized research environment, since they offer to external researchers-users, inputs and services for cutting-edge, large scale researches. Such researches would not be possible with usual infrastructures and budgets of single universities and research institutions. However, despite the strategic relevance acknowledged to LSRI by the nascent literature and by national policymakers, there is a lack of understanding of configurations and key performances of a LSRI. This paper aims to bridge this gap by identifying key morphologies of LSRIs and analysing their performances.Design/methodology/approachThe research is carried out adopting a mixed research methodology, merging a literature review with a survey conducted on a sample of 11 LSRIs; they provided the data set for the parametrization of a morphological matrix.FindingsThe research led to the identification of seven LSRIs morphologies, with different performance linked to their structure.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, this paper originally proposes the data set needed to develop a morphological analysis of LSRIs.

Research infrastructure as a tool for scientific integration: some aspects of the EU experience for Ukraine

Research infrastructure as a tool for scientific integration: some aspects of the EU experience for Ukraine

University of Genoa best practices in managing Energy and Climate Change

Since 2011, the University of Genoa (UniGe), Italy, focused on sustainable management of its campuses. In one of them, the Savona Campus, research and projects are specifically focused on Sustainable Energy and Smart City topics. Great efforts were made to reduce the carbon footprint by the creation of two large Research Infrastructures (a Smart Microgrid and an energy self-sufficient building) integrating different renewable energy sources and system automation. These infrastructures allowed to improve the energy performance of the Campus. Several actions have been then carried out also in the Genova Campus, including the implementation of a system for the real-time monitoring of the consumption of electricity for the most energy-intensive buildings. Results permitted to reduce energy consumption and provided significative and practical guidelines for energy saving. In 2015, the UniGe Commission on Environmental Sustainability was created and since then UniGe joined several international sustainability networks, such as ISCN (International Sustainable Campus Network) and UNICA GREEN (Network of Universities from the Capitals of Europe), sharing its best practices with other universities. UniGe is also active member of the Italian Universities’ Network for Sustainable Development (RUS). In 2022 UniGe made a strong and explicit pledge against climate change, defining its Climate Neutrality Strategy 2022-2030. The strategy, starting from its latest UniGe greenhouse gases (GHG) inventory, outlines a path that the university must follow to reduce both direct and indirect emissions and defines the actions to do for the offsetting of residual emissions. This is the last step of the strong and continuous commitment towards the spreading of the sustainability culture in all the Campus activities.

Bridging the Gap between Large Research Infrastructures in Physics and Society through Citizen Science

Despite the large progress of science in the frontiers of Physics and its impact to our lives, a gap between research and society is observed. In this article we discuss the potential of citizen science to help bridge this gap by both supporting scientific research and increasing society’s science literacy.

CERN: Europe’s voyage to the infinitely small

Over the nearly 70 years of its existence as an intergovernmental scientific organisation, CERN has become a landmark of scientific research in particle physics. In a changing geopolitical and societal context, CERN is shaping its future program where large research infrastructures are the necessary cornerstones to continue to investigate the infinitesimally small.

Looking at ancient objects under a different light: cultural heritage science at Elettra

The range of materials analysed at Elettra, the Italian synchrotron facility, in the area of cultural heritage (CH) is very broad and goes from inorganic materials such as metals, stone, glass, ceramics and pigments, to organic-based materials such as wood, paper, leather, fabrics and biological samples. Several applications are involved, such as restoration and conservation, analysis of alteration products, identification of manufacturing techniques used by ancient communities, as well as the study of human and animal evolution. Synchrotron radiation offers a large portfolio of analytical techniques and several advantages, such as the unique non-destructive capabilities of most analytical approaches and the possibility of using synergic way more X-ray techniques in the same environment. In this paper, we will describe the Elettra source and the beamlines routinely dedicated to CH experiments, as well as the office designed to facilitate users with little or no experience in the use of large research infrastructures.

Isotopic production cross sections of fragmentation residues produced by 18O ions on a carbon target near 260 MeV/nucleon* *Supported in part by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (11905260, 12005314), the Western Light Project of Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Heavy Ion Research Facility in Lanzhou (HIRFL), and the open research project of CAS large research infrastructures

The isotopic cross sections of residual nuclei produced in fragmentation reactions of 18O projectiles impinging on a carbon target at energies near 260 MeV/nucleon were measured at the HIRFL facility in Lanzhou (China). A full identification of atomic and mass numbers of fragments was achieved from the determination of their magnetic rigidity, energy loss, and time of flight. The production cross sections for a dozen of nitrogen, carbon, and boron isotopes were determined with uncertainties below 30% for most of the cases. The obtained cross sections for N and B isotopes show a rather good agreement with previous experimental data obtained with different projectile energies. The cross sections for some C isotopes seem to exhibit a dependence on the projectile energy. A comparison of the data and several theoretical model calculations are presented.

INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION FOR SCIENCE EDUCATION IN UNDERPRIVILEGED AREAS: THE CASE STUDY OF THE ALL-GIRLS “SCHOOL OF ASTRONOMY AND PHYSICS BY MIRWAT” IN PAKISTAN AND VIRTUAL VISITS TO THE VIRGO INTERFEROMETER

As the world witnessed a swift change in every walk of life during the SARS-Cov2 pandemic, flexibility and adaption remained the key components for staying relevant in the field of science education. However, beyond the need for quick adaptation and acquisition of digital skills by both teachers and students, the digital transformation in education has opened up a window of opportunity making global and remote engagement possible for everyone. This paper presents the good practice of Virtual Visits to Virgo Gravitational Wave Detector coorganized by EGO-Virgo, the FRONTIERS and REINFORCE EU funded projects and the “School of Astronomy and Physics by Mirwat” with the participation of high school girls from Islamabad and remote regions of Pakistan. This paper presents the prospect of international collaboration for STEM education, early exposure to research environment to build the deeper understanding of the functioning and working of large research infrastructure, building science identity by informal science experiences and to empower the high school students by engagement in content creation activity. The experience indicates a positive outcome and improvement in understanding of students as well as a step towards building a science identity among them.

Quantitative reliability analysis of interlock systems for research infrastructures

This article presents a reliability analysis method and a series of case studies of different architectures for interlock systems of large and complex research infrastructures. Interlock systems play a crucial role in the protection of different types of machines, including present and future particle accelerators and fusion experiments. These infrastructures require multibillion Euros investments and accidents could cause irreparable damage. Protection systems are needed to prevent damage from an unintended release of large amounts of stored energy or power. Interlock systems define the signal exchange between the sensors that detect non-nominal conditions and the actuators that bring the machine into a safe state through a protection shutdown. The design of machine protection systems in general and interlock systems, in particular, is caught between the desired machine safety and machine availability, and the requirements vary between different infrastructures. For some infrastructures, interlock systems must be designed to strictly avoid unintentional shutdowns, as these can have a significant impact on the lifetime of vital equipment or their primary operational purpose. For others, unintentional shutdowns due to a failure in the interlock system are acceptable as long as their number is small compared to protection shutdowns caused by failures of other equipment, in order to maximize their scientific output. The case studies presented in the article compare different interlock architectures based on the probability of specific failure scenarios occurring.

Supporting access to key pan-European research infrastructures and international cooperation

Large research infrastructures, especially nuclear ones, are extremely expensive to build and operate. Therefore, to develop expertise and competences in nuclear research is more efficient to have a limited number of complementary specialized large nuclear research infrastructures, shared by European researchers from different countries. This paper describes three different actions to improve the European collaboration in the experimental nuclear research, namely open access to the nuclear research infrastructure of the JRC, the optimization of the use of research reactors in Europe and operation planning of the Jules Horowitz reactor currently under construction. Supporting access to key pan-European research infrastructures strengthens research and innovation, avoiding duplication and optimising resources. It contributes to the European Research Area (ERA) and the European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures (ESFRI), as well as to maintaining competence in the EU, which is one of the objectives of the Euratom research and training programme.

Development of research infrastructure in the condition of globalization: the experience of the Czech Republic

Problem setting. The research is devoted to the analysis of the development of research infrastructures of the European Union based on the experience of the Czech Republic. The article analyzes the legal basis and practice of the functioning of research infrastructures in the European Research Area, considers the typology of large research infrastructures. The purpose of the article is to analyze the development of research infrastructures in the EU, in particular, on the example of the Czech Republic. Analysis of resent researches and publications. Today, aspects of the development of innovation systems and research infrastructures of the European Union are a topic for research of many domestic scientists. However, the issue of integration of the scientific and innovative system of Ukraine into the European Research Area remains urgent. Article's main body. Research infrastructures means a research facility necessary for conducting comprehensive research and development with high financial and technology demands, approved by the Government and established to be also used by other research organizations. The Czech Republic has responded to the increasing importance of research infrastructures and for the purpose of showing them as one of the key elements of the national research and innovation system. The Act on the Support of Research and Development is the principal document defining the support for R&D in the Czech Republic. It defines the key forms of financing research and development, the main governmental bodies responsible for R&D and the procedural steps for their assignment and use of this type of financial aid. According to the Roadmap of Large Research Infrastructures of the Czech Republic, the basic typology of research infrastructures divides facilities into three groups: single-sited research infrastructures situated in one place, distributed research infrastructures including a larger number of capacities situated in different places, and virtual research infrastructures. From the perspective of life cycle stages, research infrastructures are classified into research infrastructures in the preparatory phase, implementation/construction phase, operation phase and decommissioning phase. All of the above types of research infrastructures can also be found in the research and innovation system of the Czech Republic. Conclusions and prospects for the development. In recent years, the research infrastructure of the EU has undergone significant development, as evidenced by the example of the Czech Republic. As for Ukraine, which is just beginning its path in this direction, an important step was the adoption of the Concept of the State Target Program for Research Infrastructures in Ukraine until 2026, as well as the approval of the Roadmap for integration of Ukraine's research and innovation system into the European Research Area.

Fragmentation of stable and neutron-rich 12-16C into boron fragments at approximately 240 MeV/nucleon * *Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (U1732134, U1832205), the Heavy Ion Research Facility in Lanzhou (HIRFL), and the open research project of CAS large research infrastructures

The elemental fragmentation cross sections of boron fragments produced by stable and neutron-rich 12-16C beams with a carbon target were systematically measured at an incident beam energy of approximately 240 MeV/nucleon. The measured cross sections were found to increase as the projectile mass number increases. The observed feature is explained qualitatively based on the abrasion-ablation two-stage reaction model and is compared quantitatively with predictions from various reaction models, including empirical and statistical models. All models agree with the measured cross sections within a factor of 2.

Cost assessment model for sustainable operation and maintenance of large public research infrastructures

ABSTRACT For efficient operation and maintenance of Large Public Research Infrastructures (LPRIs) built with expensive equipment and operating engineers, reasonable budget needs to be allocated. However, it is difficult to fulfill sustainable operation and maintenance (O&M) because there is no standard on budgeting for efficient LPRI operation. There have been a lot of cost assessment studies regarding O&M of high demand facilities such as hospitals, hotels and residential buildings, but a very few on sustainable O&M of LPRI. The objective of this paper is to propose a cost assessment model for sustainable operation and maintenance of large public research infrastructures. Actual O&M data of six LPRIs are collected, and cash flow model and regression analysis model are used for development and evaluation a combined cost assessment model (CAM). When O&M cost estimated by CAM is compared with actual O&M cost of LPRI, the actual O&M cost is 21% less than the estimated cost. The result implies that O&M cost of existing LPRI may have been over or under appropriated than the reasonable standard for efficient operation, and it reveals that it is necessary to establish a budgeting standard for sustainable O&M.

European Concept of Research Infrastructure Development: the Possibility to Adapt the Experience of EU Scientific Infrastructures Formation for Use in Russia

In the article, the authors examine objects of scientific infrastructure, identify four types of large research infrastructures and analyze their functioning. Particular attention has paid to the study of practical experience and the specifics of organizing the work of research infrastructures in the EU, including the category of collective use of megascienceclass scientific complexes. The authors draw conclusions and recommendations on the use of the EU’s positive experience in this area for the organization of research infrastructure in Russia.

Editorial introductions

Editorial introductions

Insights from the management of a large research infrastructure in Romania: National Network for the Seismic Monitoring and Protection of Building Stock at NIRD URBAN-INCERC

The National Network for the Seismic Monitoring and Protection of Building Stock is a key infrastructure of the National Institute for Research and Development in Construction, Urban Planning and Sustainable Spatial Development "URBAN-INCERC" in Romania. This infrastructure includes at present, among other research facilities, a strong-motion network of 64 permanent seismic stations, to which other temporary stations are added for various short-term vibration monitoring projects. Since its establishment in 1967, the seismic network has played an essential role in recording the earthquakes that affect Romania. Today, the seismic stations are distributed all over the country, according to its characteristic seismicity patterns. Most of them use state-of-the-art recording and communication equipment, being permanently connected online to the Data Center in Bucharest. The management of the network implies conducting a complex set of activities, centered on the recording, processing, analysis and interpretation of natural- and human-induced vibrations. All of these are seconded, in parallel, by various maintenance, reporting, logging, communication and dissemination tasks. The logistic and financial management also plays an important role. A rational and efficient administration of the seismic network cannot be acquired without a rigorous organization of data flows pertaining to the various activities performed. The paper provides insights from the organization of the network, highlighting the intercorrelation between the hierarchical levels of its functionality and the logical course of operation. A brief review of the challenges and solutions gradually developed and implemented by the members of the network team, in order to provide the required functionality, is presented.