Highlights
2016
Foreword
Our research beats to the rhythm of our Society
The years go by and times change: 2015 was filled with all sorts of challenges, while 2016 proved to be even more tumultuous, with a series of unplanned actions on top of our planned projects. However, it has not prevented us from completing all of our ambitious projects, as you will see in this annual report.
Our new strategic plan reshaped the future of our research centre. More than ever, we wanted to focus our efforts on the key areas in which, thanks to our scientists, our expertise and our unique infrastructures, we are able to create real added value for our society. Nuclear medicine and nuclear applications are the cornerstones of our strategic plan and gave rhythm to the activities of SCK•CEN. In the future, they will more than ever be at the core of our research.
Eric van Walle,
Director-General of SCK•CEN
Foreword
Our research beats to the rhythm of our Society
The years go by and times change: 2015 was filled with all sorts of challenges, while 2016 proved to be even more tumultuous, with a series of unplanned actions on top of our planned projects. However, it has not prevented us from completing all of our ambitious projects, as you will see in this annual report.
Our new strategic plan reshaped the future of our research centre. More than ever, we wanted to focus our efforts on the key areas in which, thanks to our scientists, our expertise and our unique infrastructures, we are able to create real added value for our society. Nuclear medicine and nuclear applications are the cornerstones of our strategic plan and gave rhythm to the activities of SCK•CEN. In the future, they will more than ever be at the core of our research.
Eric van Walle,
Director-General.
More than ever, we wanted to focus our efforts on the key areas in which, thanks to our scientists, our expertise and our unique infrastructures, we are able to create real added value for our society.
The future is now
2016 was a particularly rich year in terms of large projects for our general guidelines as well as for our installations. But first and foremost, it was a rich year for our pool of young talents.
New Strategy
« We cannot predict the future. But we can be prepared for it. Our strategic plan is not a break with the past, but it does mark a shift in focus. It forms a balanced vision that supports future decisions about medical applications, maintaining and developing state-of-the-art installations and training a new generation of experts. »
Frank Hardeman,
Deputy Director-General.
Our role in society
« More than ever, we have to fulfil our role as a scientific research centre. This means research, acting as an expertise centre, substantiating facts, providing figures, articulating complex science in a comprehensible manner. In short, keeping an objective point of view and fulfilling our role as a scientific expert, responsible for unbiased and justified information. »
Christian Legrain,
Secretary-General of SCK•CEN
Safety and Security
Security at SCK•CEN has been tightened significantly in 2016. You can’t avoid the presence of armed soldiers on the site, the controls have been tightened at the main entrance and the respective entrances to the secured zones, and the Boeretang has been closed off to through-traffic. Let us not forget the intensive work carried out for improved cyber security.
BR2, the 4e generation
The scientific and medical worlds are breathing a sigh of relief. After a thorough service lasting 16 months, the Belgian Reactor 2 (BR2) was successfully restarted in July 2016. It was restarted as planned and celebrated by the scientific and medical community at an academic session attended by Her Royal Highness Princess Astrid. The research reactor is ready for at least another decade, with ambitious perspectives in sight.
New strategy
« We cannot predict the future. But we can be prepared for it. Our strategic plan is not a break with the past, but it does mark a shift in focus. It forms a balanced vision that supports future decisions about medical applications, maintaining and developing state-of-the-art installations and training a new generation of experts. »
Frank Hardeman,
Deputy Director-General of SCK•CEN.
Our role in society
« More than ever, we have to fulfil our role as a scientific research centre. This means research, acting as an expertise centre, substantiating facts, providing figures, articulating complex science in a comprehensible manner. In short, keeping an objective point of view and fulfilling our role as a scientific expert, responsible for unbiased and justified information. »
Christian Legrain,
Secretary-General of SCK•CEN
Safety and Security
Security at SCK•CEN has been tightened significantly in 2016. You can’t avoid the presence of armed soldiers on the site, the controls have been tightened at the main entrance and the respective entrances to the secured zones, and the Boeretang has been closed off to through-traffic. Let us not forget the intensive work carried out for improved cyber security.
BR2, the 4th generation
The scientific and medical worlds are breathing a sigh of relief. After a thorough service lasting 16 months, the Belgian Reactor 2 (BR2) was successfully restarted in July 2016. It was restarted as planned and celebrated by the scientific and medical community at an academic session attended by Her Royal Highness Princess Astrid. The research reactor is ready for at least another decade, with ambitious perspectives in sight.
The research reactor BR2 is ready for at least another decade, with ambitious perspectives in sight.
Research & Innovation
Medicine, fusion, radiation protection, control of the food chain, research on materials or humanitarian project: from our underground laboratory to Space, not to mention the United Nations and Congo, nothing can stop the work of our researchers in their quest to conquer new scientific territories.
A boost for MYRRHA
« 150 engineers, scientists, technicians and administrative assistants from 27 different countries are working on MYRRHA, the Multi-purpose Hybrid Research Reactor for High-tech Applications. An ambitious project and a world first which will be built in three phases over 11 years, from 2019 to 2030. During the construction of the project, almost 1000 people will be involved over a three-year period; during operation, between 300 and 400 people will be permanently employed for MYRRHA. The world awaits new technological solutions, namely in the management of radioactive waste and the production of medical radioisotopes. Thanks to MYRRHA, we will be able to offer a global response. »
Hamid Aït Abderrahim,
Deputy Director-General.
- Development in phases
- Conclusive tests in components behaviour
- Unique Corrosion Cycle
- Structural materials for Gen-IV reactors
A boost for MYRRHA
« 150 engineers, scientists, technicians and administrative assistants from 27 different countries are working on MYRRHA, the Multi-purpose Hybrid Research Reactor for High-tech Applications. An ambitious project and a world first which will be built in three phases over 11 years, from 2019 to 2030. During the construction of the project, almost 1000 people will be involved over a three-year period; during operation, between 300 and 400 people will be permanently employed for MYRRHA. The world awaits new technological solutions, namely in the management of radioactive waste and the production of medical radioisotopes. Thanks to MYRRHA, we will be able to offer a global response. »
Hamid Aït Abderrahim,
Deputy Director-General of SCK•CEN
- Development in phases
- Conclusive tests in components behaviour
- Unique Corrosion Cycle
- Structural materials for Gen-IV reactors
Technology geared towards innovation
Did you know that old sources of thorium could prove to be rare and precious assets in the development of new cancer treatments? And that the BR2 was going to experience its first high-flux irradiation campaign at 1200° to provide new research opportunities in fusion materials? At 225 metres underground, how do we predict the way Boom clay will react to heating? On the surface, can we solve the mystery of oxidation reaction? Our experts take up all these technological challenges on a daily basis thanks to our state of the art research installations.
- Fusion: first irradiation campaign of its kind for BR2
- Diving 225 metres deep in Boom Clay
- U3O7 : the missing piece of the puzzle
- New opportunities in cancer treatment
Technology geared towards innovation
Did you know that old sources of thorium could prove to be rare and precious assets in the development of new cancer treatments? And that the BR2 was going to experience its first high-flux irradiation campaign at 1200° to provide new research opportunities in fusion materials? At 225 metres underground, how do we predict the way Boom clay will react to heating? On the surface, can we solve the mystery of oxidation reaction? Our experts take up all these technological challenges on a daily basis thanks to our state of the art research installations.
- Fusion: first irradiation campaign of its kind for BR2
- Diving 225 metres deep in Boom Clay
- U3O7 : the missing piece of the puzzle
- New opportunities in cancer treatment
Contributing to great social challenges
At international level, our research centre distinguished itself once again in 2016, through the numerous accolades for its young researchers and the top-level positions entrusted to its experts, in particular within the prestigious UN scientific committee UNSCEAR. We want to use our expertise to serve Society by linking fundamental research and practical applications, sometimes in a very creative way. How can the long-duration space travel applications developed in the Campine be landing in Africa? You will be ‘Inspired’ to read it !
- Hans Vanmarcke at the helm of UNSCEAR
- Towards better diagnostic and therapeutic treatments
- Key role in monitoring radioactivity in drinking water
- You do science with and for people
- Inspiration fuels space research in Congo
Contributing to great social challenges
At international level, our research centre distinguished itself once again in 2016, through the numerous accolades for its young researchers and the top-level positions entrusted to its experts, in particular within the prestigious UN scientific committee UNSCEAR. We want to use our expertise to serve Society by linking fundamental research and practical applications, sometimes in a very creative way. How can the long-duration space travel applications developed in the Campine be landing in Africa? You will be ‘Inspired’ to read it !
- Hans Vanmarcke at the helm of UNSCEAR
- Towards better diagnostic and therapeutic treatments
- Key role in monitoring radioactivity in drinking water
- You do science with and for people
- Inspiration fuels space research in Congo
Key Figures
Income
Turnover
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Other
Financial income
Extraordinary income
Charges
Personnel costs
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Deprecation
Employees
PhD students
Nationalities
Scientific publications & presentations