ATLAS presents award to a Russian manufacturer within an ISTC project

On 28 January the Russian machine building plant Molniya was awarded a prize for best ATLAS suppliers, for excellence in the construction of 29 modules for the Hadronic End-Cap Calorimeter of ATLAS.

An ATLAS supplier award ceremony was held on Wednesday 28th January. The award for the most exceptional contribution to construction of the future detector was presented to the Russian company Molniya, a former weapons manufacturer based near Moscow.
The Molniya machine building plant constructed a total of 29 modules for the LAr Hadronic End-Cap Calorimeter (HEC) of ATLAS. Thirteen are series modules which have already been integrated into the four wheels of the detector. The remaining 16 are calibration modules, designed for the ATLAS beam tests.
To manufacture the unique copper plates and module structures required, the company set up a dedicated production process and developed stringent quality control criteria. The task was completed on time, within budget and the completed modules surpassed required quality standards.
The project ran from 1998-2004. It was executed within an International Science and Technology Centre¹ (ISTC) project collaboration between CERN, MPI Munich and IHEP Protvino with Molniya. The project leader was Serguei Denisov from IHEP Protvino.
In his speech ATLAS spokesperson Peter Jenni, who presented the award to Mr. A. Kryuchkov, Deputy General Director and Technical Director of Molniya, emphasised the value of high-quality components to the HEC as it will play a central role in the physics of the LHC. "For physicists it is gratifying to see that all the pieces of the detector are coming together now from all over the world, we are closer to realising our dream. The challenge to achieve this would not have been possible without the right industrial partners and with Molynia we were happy to have such a partner."

He went on to acknowledge the contribution made by ISTC, to the project, by presenting a second award to ISTC Proposal Group Leader Elena Ryabeva who commented "Molniya is one of the excellent ISTC projects, a former weapons cooperation turned to a peaceful task using high scientific knowledge."
The Representative for the Russia Mission in Geneva, Valery Stanislavov, was also present. In his speech of thanks he emphasised the importance of such an award to the Russian people, as it demonstrates that Russia is participating in international co-operations and joint ventures.
In relation, Molniya and CERN have benefited from their partnership contract by gaining technological learning. In his speech, Juan Antonio Rubio, Head of Education and Technology Transfer at CERN, commented that "as many as 40% of companies holding a high technology contract with CERN have reported technological and market learning and other benefits. On average from each contract with CERN a new market product was developed. This is an example of technology transfer (TT) through procurement, a classical TT channel. With Molniya the technological benefits have already happened and I'm sure others will follow."
Finally Jos Engelen, CERN Deputy Director General and Chief Scientific Officer, stressed the importance of ISTC in the success of many projects at CERN and gave his thanks to Molniya. "I would like not only to congratulate Molniya but to thank you for the excellent work that you have delivered, and I hope we will work with you again."


¹ The overall aim of the ISTC is to redirect the skills of weapons industry research scientists, from the former USSR, to peaceful research within the international scientific community.