ILL recognised on the ESFRI roadmap

The ILL ’s current programme, incorporating a major upgrade of its facilities, is one of the 35 initiatives highlighted in the Roadmap: “the most cost-effective response in the short-to-medium term to users’ requirements”. It is one of only seven programmes in the field of the materials sciences.

ESFRI – the European Strategy Forum for Research Infrastructures – was set up in 2002 by the European Commission to identify and develop the key strategies for the next generation of large-scale research infrastructures, corresponding to the needs of the European research communities for the next two decades.

The Roadmap recognises the maturity of the ILL programme. Initially the ILL launched in 2001 a renewal programme which has already led to seven-to ten-fold gains in the efficiency of the Institute's instruments. Now, after 40 years of scientific excellence, ILL is accelerating even further its efforts in order to maintain its position beyond 2020 as a world leader in the field of neutron methods. It is working at the optimisation of its neutron source and maximising the efficiency of its instrument suite, ensuring that it matches future users’ needs.

The ILL 's initiative also includes the creation of high-level partnerships in soft condensed matter, materials science and engineering, high magnetic fields, and advanced neutron technologies.

The programme is to be implemented over two consecutive 5-year phases from 2007 to 2011 and 2012 to 2016; its overall budget is estimated at ~160 M€.

The ESFRI Roadmap being published today is the result of wide stake-holder consultation: almost 1000 high-level experts from all fields of research have been involved and consulted in the process of preparing the Roadmap, with some 200 involved in the peer-review. The ILL is particularly proud to have been recognised in this fashion for its past achievements and future perspectives.