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VINCA INSTITUTE OF NUCLEAR SCIENCES INTRODUCTION The Vinca Institute of Nuclear Sciences is the largest scientific institute in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. It is located 15 km from the center of Belgrade, 2 km from the river Danube and close to the archaeological site of Vinca (a Neolithic site dating back to 5000 8.C.). The Institute incorporates two nuclear reactors, one accelerator installation, one industrial scale irradiation unit, sixteen research laboratories, two research centers, a library, administration, and all the necessary technical services. With its own heating system, independent bus service, full-scale restaurant and small super-market shop (during office hours) the Institute constitutes a self-supporting independent institution. SHORT HISTORICAL NOTE Founded in January, 1948. as the Institute for Physics it quickly attracted the attention of young talented university graduates of almost all fields of the natural and engineering sciences. As it grew, its research activities diversified, and by 1953 it had already become a recognized nuclear sciences research center. Its name underwent changes from: the Institute for Physics, to the Institute for the Investigation of the Structure of Matter (1950), to the "Boris Kidrich" Institute of Nuclear Sciences (1953), to arrive to its present name in January, 1992. The foundation of the Institute was a reflection of the understanding that science is far too significant for a small developing country to be left to the care of universities alone. Consequently, with generous help from the Government, the growth of the Institute continued until the early Sixties. By then, two research reactors, several well equipped laboratories, and a rich library were put in operation - the Institute became well known and respected. In the late Sixties the Government, mainly for economic reasons, derided to make significant cuts in the national nuclear programme. As a result, a number of the Institute's research activities had to be replaced by research and development programmes associated with the country's industrial development. During the two subsequent decades the research profile of the Institute has been changing in favour of nonnuclear problems. RESEARCH AREAS Since its foundation in 1948. the basic and applied research activities of the Institute have dealt with the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. The last decade, heavily affected by the disintegration of the country, has, to a great extent, been devoted to preservation of the Institute's research potentials and to maintaining existing connections with the world of science. They have gradually been complemented by research concerning classical aspects of physics, chemistry, biology, power engineering, environmental protection, electronics, etc. The current cross section of research activities covers: PHYSICS - elementary particle physics, nuclear physics, atomic and molecular physics, solid state physics, plasma physics, and theoretical physics; CHEMISTRY - radiation chemistry, physical chemistry, analytical chemistry, inorganic chemistry, kinetics and thermodynamics; BIOLOGY - molecular genetics and genetic engineering, immunology, molecular biology, and experimental hematology; ENERGY AND NUCLEAR ENGINEERING - nuclear energy, thermal engineering, thermal power generation, coal combustion, drying, alternative and renewable energy sources, reactor physics, neutron physics, nuclear safety, nuclear facilities and environment, fast reactor physics. RADIATION PROTECTION - radiation safety and protection, dosimetry, radioactive waste treatment, environmental monitoring, radiation medicine, decontamination; ELECTRONICS AND COMPUTER ENGINEERING - electronic measurement methods, dosimetric measurements, design of electronic instrumentation, logistics, quality, computer controlled systems, multimedia systems; RADIO ISOTOPES - organic and inorganic radiopharmaceuticals, industrial radioisotopes, sealed radiographic and therapeutic sources; MATERIALS - ceramic materials, carbon based materials, composites, metal alloys;