Refurbishment of GRR-1 infrastructure related to upgrade of neutron monitors, radiation protection instrumentation, neutron beam tubes, lead gamma shielding of the graphite thermal neutron column.

Shipment of all High Enrichment Uranium spent fuel to the country of origin.

Neutronic and thermal-hydraulic calculations for the safety analysis of the new Low Enrichment Uranium Fuel core of the GRR-1.

Development of a large sample instrumental neutron activation analysis technique for non-destructive analysis of precious objects, authenticity studies and representative sampling of heterogeneous materials.

Development of a prompt-gamma neutron activation analysis facility based on isotopic neutron sources for non-destructive analysis of bulk samples.

Development of a Time-Of-Flight neutron reflectometer at the research reactor (installation is underway).

Development of computational and experimental methods for the characterization of radioactive waste drums.

Development of neutron detector electronic for time-of-flight measurements.

Development of computational methods for gamma ray and neutron detector characterization.

Development of a fully equipped gamma spectrometry laboratory.

Development of a sample preparation laboratory.

Installation of a Small-Angle X-Ray Scattering (SAXS) apparatus.

Funds attraction from EU competitive projects, IAEA and General Secretariat of Research and Technology (GSRT) (total 1.7 M€ in the years 2004-2006).

Training of research reactor operating personnel.

Results of research activities :
- Development of the following, among others, new products, methods and analytical tools :
Solar collectors and systems based on the heat-pipe technology
Absorbing surfaces with improved optical properties for application in solar collectors
Driers for agricultural products, either at the laboratory scale (for drying condition optimization), or real-scale applications for use by farmers’ cooperatives or individual producers
Prototype solar air-conditioning systems based on the desiccant-cooling technology
New designs of thermal storage tanks and relevant equipment
New designs of desalination systems (hybrid distillation systems employing solar energy and humidification-dehumidification concepts)
New models and methodologies for the evaluation of performance of solar systems (input-output)
Original methodologies for the design of large-scale solar heating plants, as well as for the estimation of error propagation in energy utilization models
- Establishment of co-operation with major industries, such as CHROMAGEN/Israel, THERMOMAX/England, IKARUS/Deutschland, an indication of the international acclaim of SESL in the field of solar thermal technologies. Recently selected for developing a Research and Testing facility for Solar Thermal Products at the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing.

Provision of specialized scientific services : Importance of services offered to the productive sector made evident through the continuous improvement of the quality of Greek solar thermal products, a consequence of the intensive R&D support offered by the Laboratory, as well as the objective and reliable testing results this provides. Through this improvement of product quality, the Greek manufacturing sector of solar energy products, has eliminated imports, while succeeding in gaining a significant share of exports in the European and international market.

Accreditation : One of the first Laboratories to apply for accreditation by the newly-established National Accreditation Council (ESYD) in year 2000, being thus the second Laboratory in Greece to be accredited and the first in the academic-research field.

Standardization : significant contribution in the development of international standards relevant to solar thermal energy such as the ISO 9806-1, ISO9806-2, ISO9459-2 etc. Actively involved in international activities, such as EUROLAB, the Technical Committees of ELOT, CEN and ISO, in European Programmes for the development of new standardized testing methods.

Quality : Significant contribution in the development of the field of Quality on a national scale. Key contributor in the effort of organizing and re-enforcing the above mentioned field at the institutional level (ESYD, Quality Council, Market Control, etc.). Also in the effort of organizing and upgrading the presence of testing laboratories, through the establishment of HellasLab, with permanent representation of SESL in its administrative council. Recipient of the “Honors of Quality ECO-Q” award by the President of the Greek Parliament (2004) for contribution to the reliability of laboratorial practice, 1st such award among all National Accredited Laboratories.