ALMATY – A Kazakh delegation, led by the Chairman of the Kazakh Agency for Atomic Energy Almasadam Satkaliyev has visited the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) and the Institut Laue-Langevin (ILL) international research centers in Grenoble, France. Representatives of Kazakhstan’s Institute of Nuclear Physics also took part in the trip.
A Kazakh delegation, led by Chairman of Kazakh Agency for Atomic Energy Almasadam Satkaliyev, has visited the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) and the Institut Laue-Langevin (ILL) international research centers in Grenoble, France. Photo credit: Agency for Atomic Energy.
During the visit to ESRF, the delegation was introduced to the capabilities of one of the world’s most powerful synchrotron radiation facilities, which provides ultra-bright X-ray beams for cutting-edge fundamental and applied research, reported the agency’s press service on Jan. 28.
ESRF is a unique scientific complex used annually by around 10,000 scientists from across the globe. It enables non-destructive studies of the structure and properties of materials with atomic-level resolution, as well as real-time observation of fast-occurring processes.
The Kazakh representatives were shown advanced experimental stations designed to study how material structures form over time and to analyze internal layers, hidden interfaces, and manufacturing processes. These technologies are widely used in microelectronics, healthcare, energy, environmental science, archaeology, aviation, and the space industry.
A bilateral meeting was also held between Satkaliyev and the Director General of the ILL, during which the Kazakh side outlined Kazakhstan’s vision for the peaceful development of its nuclear industry.
The French side introduced the key areas of activity and development of ILL, one of the world’s leading centers for neutron research. With an annual budget exceeding 100 million euros (approximately US$119.6 million), the institute is jointly managed by France, Germany, and the United Kingdom. It operates under a user program model, providing beam time for scientific and applied research.
ILL’s research supports fields such as healthcare, environmental studies, cultural heritage, and quantum technologies, with a significant portion of projects focused on industrial applications.
The Kazakh delegation was also given a tour of ILL’s research neutron reactor, which operates at up to 58 megawatts, along with several high-precision neutron-beam instruments. These included the PF2 source of very cold and ultra-cold neutrons, used for advanced physics experiments.
Following the talks, the parties agreed to hold an introductory seminar at Kazakhstan’s Institute of Nuclear Physics, involving experts from the ILL and interested Kazakh organizations. The event is expected to open new avenues for joint research and strengthen scientific cooperation between Kazakhstan and France.
