National Centre for Nuclear Research

Looking for optical transitions possibly related to candidates for gravitational waves

GRB 080319B – an unusual gamma burst observed in the Boötes constellation by the Pi of the Sky instruments (photo NASA/Swift/Stefan Immler, et al., public domain)

2016.02.11 - admin Polish scientists involved in the Pi of the Sky astronomical project are looking for optical transitions related to candidates for gravitational waves detected in data acquired by the Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo interferometers. The search is conducted within framework of the EM Follow-up project run by the LSC-Virgo collaboration. Data acquired by Pi of the Sky telescopes are analysed jointly by Pi of the Sky and Polgraw research teams. ----

MARIA has already helped more than 75.5 million patients

The MARIA nuclear reactor operated in NCBJ in Świerk (photo: Marcin Jakubowski, NCBJ)

2016.02.08 - admin Molibdenum-99 isotope widely applied in nuclear medicine to save human life is produced from uranium targets irradiated in research nuclear reactors. The NCBJ-operated MARIA reactor is covering nearly 20% of world demand for the targets. MARIA has already helped more than 75.5 million patients. ----

Getting closer to harness thermonuclear fusion

Visualization of plasma obtained in the Wendelstein 7-X device (source: IPP)

2016.02.03 - admin A new phase of research on Wendelstein 7-X (W7-X) was solemnly inaugurated on February 3, 2016. Poland participates in this multinational project to develop the world’s largest stellarator-type fusion device. Scientists hope that hydrogen plasma, the real research object of fusion research, will become available already this year. ----

A milestone in development of the INTRA-DOSE accelerator

The INTRA-DOSE team (photo Marcin Jakubowski, NCBJ )

2016.01.28 - admin All major technical parameters set by designers of a medical accelerator currently under development within the INTRA-DOSE project have been attained. This is a milestone in development of the Polish Comprehensive System for Intra-operative Radiotherapy. Current state of the project was discussed in detail during a visit paid to Swierk by Professor Julian Malicki, Director of Wielkopolskie Cancer Centre (WCO) in Poznań. ----

Evaluation of the Patrol-2015 exercises in Świerk

Commander Jacek Barański, Colonel Bogusław Kot, and Professor Krzysztof Kurek, NCBJ Director General (photo Marcin Jakubowski, NCBJ)

2016.01.15 - admin Commander Jacek Barański, Head of Centre for Contamination Analyses (COAS) and Colonel Bogusław Kot, Chief Expert in the Department of Defence Against Weapons of Mass Destruction in General Command of Polish Armed Forces visited NCBJ on January 11. ----

3rd edition of the “Atom for Science” project

2016.01.12 - admin 3rd edition of the “Atom for Science”, nation-wide educational project accomplished by the PGE EJ 1 company, kicked off on January 12, 2016. That way the Company responsible for development of the first nuclear power plant in Poland encourages students and academic staff to take a more close interest in nuclear power. During this academic year PGE EJ 1 is going to develop a more tight cooperation with several universities. Within that framework, some attractive contests have been prepared for young scientists. ----

First electrons in European XFEL

European XFEL electron injector (photo Dirk Nölle, DESY)

2015.12.28 - admin Succesful acceleration of first electrons in XFEL electron injector is a major milestone in development of the European Free-Electron X-ray Laser. Eu-XFEL Accelerator Consortium has assigned NCBJ the task to produce and deliver some 1.2 million Euro worth components of control circuitry to-be-deployed at XFEL research stands. The assignment is a sure sign of recognition of capabilities of Polish science/industry. ----

NCBJ spokesman awarded for his professional information policy

Marek Sieczkowski, Urszula Rybicka, Lidia Sobańska

2015.12.21 - admin Marek Sieczkowski, NCBJ spokesman, has been awarded with the Tomasz Trzciński honourable mention for professionalism in shaping the Institute information policy. This prestigious award is awarded within the framework of the “Science Communicator 2015” competition organized by Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education together with the “Science in Poland” website run by PAP (Polish Press Agency). The award proves efficiency of Mr. Sieczkowski’s communication activities. ----

The GAMMA MAJOR project accomplished in Świerk

French and Polish researchers involved in the GAMMA MAJOR project in the MARIA reactor

2015.12.18 - admin GAMMA MAJOR (Gamma Heating of Maria and Jules Horowitz Reactor) research project comprised of some experiments, measurements and analyses done at the Świerk-operated MARIA research reactor. The last stage of the project has just been concluded. The results will help to safely operate the Jules Horowitz research reactor (JHR) under development in Cadarache (France). ----

Anti-terrorist exercise in Świerk

2015.11.19 - admin National System of Contamination Detection & Alerting (KSWSiA) has been put to a nation-wide test dubbed “Patrol-15”. Anti-terrorist game played in NCBJ on November 19, 2015 was an episode of that test. ----