The Multipurpose Fast Neutron Research Reactor (MBIR), being constructed by State Corporation Rosatom within the framework of the comprehensive program "Development of Technology, Technologies and Scientific Research in the Field of Atomic Energy Use in the Russian Federation", became a participant in the GRAIN International Platform (Global Research Advanced Infrastructure Network).
BRICS GRAIN platform was established on the initiative of the Russian Federation to provide access to BRICS countries to MegaScience projects. At the moment, the platform unites 30 major infrastructure facilities, operating or under construction in the BRICS countries, to conduct research in the field of nanotechnology, biology, astronomy, energy and fundamental physics. BRICS GRAIN participants include: EAST experimental advanced superconducting tokamak (PRC), IBR-2 pulsed fast reactor and Nuclotron-NICA (JINR), PIK high-flux reactor (RF), SIRIUS Synchrotron Light Laboratory (Brazil) and other mega projects. The BRICS GRAIN platform provides a single access point to the largest research infrastructure facilities, contains comprehensive information about their capabilities and terms of participation, forms an extensive scientific network for the development of international scientific and technical cooperation.
"For the International Research Center based on MBIR reactor joining the platform means increasing the international status of the project, expanding the pool of potential partners, developing an international scientific research program," Vasily Konstantinov, Director in International Science and Technology Projects at the State Corporation Rosatom, CEO of the IRC MBIR LLC, said. This task is currently being solved with the active assistance of another BRICS GRAIN participant, the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (JINR) as part of the joint work within the IRC MBIR Advisory Council. At MBIR, scientists discuss the possibilities of developing promising methods for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases using nuclear medicine, the development of industrial technologies related to catalysis and chemical synthesis etc.
The MBIR's joining to BRICS GRAIN develops Russia's initiative to create a global network of research infrastructure for the international scientific community to work together, providing access to experimental MegaScience facilities and the data obtained.
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The BRICS GRAIN platform was created as an international infrastructure network for the BRICS Working Group on Research Infrastructure and Megascience Projects on Russia's initiative and officially stated in the Jaipur Declaration on October 8, 2016 following the 4th BRICS Science, Technology and Innovation Ministerial Meeting.
MegaScience research projects set key trends for the development of science and technology. The study of the structure of natural objects and the processes occurring in them, the understanding of chemical reactions and protein dynamics in cells and viruses at the atomic level will contribute to the development of innovative technologies and the formation of a completely new economy of a nature-like type. Due to the reduction in the global fleet of research reactors by the turn of 2025-2030 and the enormous investment costs required by an individual state to create its own research infrastructure, BRICS participants are already striving to provide guaranteed access to a modern experimental base MBIR is the Generation IV multipurpose fast neutron research reactor. After commissioning, the MBIR facility will become the most powerful (150 MW) fast research reactor in the world with absolutely unique characteristics: the maximum neutron flux density, a sodium coolant, independent loop facilities, a spectrum from fast to ultra-cold neutrons. The experimental capabilities of the MBIR reactor are best suited for conducting materials science experiments, testing fuel and new coolants and will provide the nuclear industry with a modern and technologically advanced infrastructure for the long term.
The International Research Center based on the MBIR Reactor (IRC MBIR) began its work at the stage of construction of the reactor. Access of Russian and foreign partners to the reactor is provided through the IRC MBIR Consortium. To develop an international scientific research program the IRC MBIR Advisory Council was established. Leading Russian and foreign experts in the nuclear industry joined the body.