The symposium dedicated to the review of state of research and development and all matters relevant to the chemical problems of nuclear energy of future took place at the Corum convention centre in Montpellier, France on 5 April 2011. The international year of chemistry and celebrations of the centenary of the second Nobel Prize in chemistry for Marie Skłodowska-Curie became formal opportunity to organize the Symposium. Therefore, Poland was the guest of honor of the Symposium and the Symposium became French-Polish event translated simultaneously French and Polish languages as official languages. The Atomic Energy and Alternative Energies Commission CEA in Marcoule, the consortium of Balard chemical research institutes Languedoc-Roussillon region and the AREVA company were organizers of the Symposium.
The Symposium was attended by approximately 400 people, including high-level officials and leading French scientists working in the subject areas of chemistry aimed at the future development of nuclear energy. Dominant presence of young people (students and young researchers) paid attention at the Symposium. On the Polish side in the Symposium was attended by several scientists and a large group of students from the Warsaw University of Technology. Undersecretary of the State, Plenipotentiary for Nuclear Energy, Hanna Trojanowska represented polish delegation. Mrs. Trojanowska together with the General Administrator of the Atomic Energy and Alternative Energies Commission CEA of France, Mr. Bernard Bigot, opened the Symposium debate.
In the course of two academic sessions, which consecutively chaired the Director of CEA Marcoule, Mr. Christian Bonnet and Vice-president of Balard Foundation in Montpellier, Mr. Christian Guérin, distinguished representatives of the French side presented the most recent issues of nuclear power, such as security and availability of power plant, the need for extended time power plant operation, durability of materials and equipment, radiation protection (particularly for personnel) and environmental protection. The solution of the most of these problems requires further intensification of chemical research.
One of the papers devoted to these problems has been delivered by the Director of the Institute of Nuclear Chemistry and Technology in Warsaw, Prof. Andrzej Chmielewski – the member of the official Polish delegation. In the discussion about chemical personnel training for nuclear power - the academic teaching and training - Prof. Bilewicz presented the relevant issues of our country and emphasized the importance of assistance provides us by France in training the future Polish lecturers in this field. In the discussion on issues of international cooperation in chemistry for nuclear power Prof. Narbutt stated that even with such a large asymmetry of research potentials and accumulated experience in this field that exists between France and Poland, the cooperation may be beneficial for both partners.
Within a framework of celebration of these events, at the Institute of Separation Chemistry in Marcoule took place another event the next day - a day of lectures devoted to major scientific issues and areas of knowledge related with chemistry for nuclear energy of the future - training session for young scientists and academics. The detailed programs and presentations of some of the presented papers can be found on the official website of the Symposium: www.nuclearchemistry2011.com.
The conclusions of the symposium can be focused on the statement that the increase of energy demand in the world requires innovative environment-friendly solutions and the solution a number of key issues for nuclear power development in the twenty-first century, such as the creation of a closed nuclear fuel cycle, safe operation of nuclear reactors or develop new efficient technologies for nuclear waste disposal, is not possible without the chemistry contribution. It is expected that the leading role of chemistry in the development of nuclear energy will contribute to strengthening the position of chemistry in terms of public opinion - not only French, and also arouse interest in the subject of present students of chemistry - future employees of energy sector.
Jerzy Narbutt, Aleksander Bilewicz
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