INRIM is the national public body with the task of carrying out and promoting scientific research in metrology. Its research activities in measurement science, materials science and innovative technologies are recognised world-wide. With the handover of the tasks of primary metrology institute previously assigned to IMGC and IEN, INRIM has become the focus of most scientific metrology activities in Italy, except for the field of ionising radiation, where ENEA-INMRI maintains its role, with ENEA continuing to report to the Ministry for Economic Development (MSE).
INRIM carries out studies and researches on the realization of primary measurement standards for the basic and derived units of the International System of units (SI). It assures the maintenance of such standards, their international comparison, the dissemination of SI units and in general provides measurement traceability to the SI units. In addition to physical and engineering metrology, its main R&D areas are in fundamental physical constants, materials, metrology for chemistry, nanotechnology, innovation, quantum information and artificial vision.
Furthermore, INRIM:
- undertakes, promotes and coordinates scientific and technological research projects, often in liaison with the European Union and international bodies, both through resources of its own and through programs of collaboration with universities and other national or international public and private organisations;
- promotes and coordinates the participation of Italian representatives in international organizations, projects and initiatives;
- supplies scientific expertise and advisory services;
- carries out communication and promotion activities concerning research;
- circulates its economic and social results on a national scale;
- promotes the technical and professional education and growth of its staff and personnel, also by awarding scholarships, and supporting PhD theses;
- provides technical and consultancy services to other scientific bodies, public administrations, companies or other private organisations;
- provides technological transfer for social and economic aims through the communication of scientific results;
- provides high level calibration services to third parties under private law;
- participates in evaluation of research and structures;
- independently operates the national accreditation body for calibration laboratories (SIT).
INRIM has its main premises in Torino, Strada delle Cacce, and operational centres at the Politecnico di Torino and the Università di Pavia.
The year 2005 covered the transition phase from IEN and IMGC to INRIM, when the structures and the responsibilities of IEN and IMGC were extended. Specifically:
- The IEN Director general continued in office till the appointment of the INRIM Director general;
- The IEN head of scientific and technical activities and the IMGC director retained responsibility for their respective structures;
- The IEN and IMGC provisions on calibration laboratory accreditation remained in force;
- The IEN and IMGC scientific responsibilities were extended till the appointment of INRIM department divisions.
As a result, IEN and IMGC operations in 2005 were based on the following structures and coordination functions.
IEN Director general
Management and Verification Committee for Quality
Quality Manager
Scientific and Technical Activities
- Time and Frequency Metrology
- Electrical Metrology
- Photometry and Radiometry
- Acoustics and Ultrasounds
- Quantum Devices for Metrology
- Materials
- Applied Electromagnetics
- Computer Vision
- Calibration Laboratory Accreditation
Coordination functions:
- Education and Training, Scientific Culture Circulation
- Safety in Working Environment
- Computers and Network Services
Administrative and Management Activities
- General Secretariat
- Asset and Cost Accounting
- Personnel
- Remuneration and Emoluments
- Library, Publications and Press
- Technical Services
Coordination function:
- Support to Governing Bodies
Director
Committee for Quality Policy
Quality Manager
Structures:
- Length metrology
- Mass metrology
- Thermal metrology
- Dynamometry
- Metrology for Chemistry, Health and Environment
- Interdisciplinary Metrology
Services:
- Calibration Laboratory Accreditation
- Information Technologies Office
- Metrology for Chemistry, Health and Environment
- Determination of Fundamental Physical Constants
- Training, Communication, Scientific Culture Circulation
- Calibration and Testing Activities
- Calibration Laboratory Accreditation
- Technical Services
- Safety in Working Environment
- Computers and Network Services
- Quality Management Systems
Concerning IEN:
- it has strengthened its position in the areas of metrology and materials science, with results in terms of new measurement standards and systems, study of physical properties of magnetic materials, production and characterization of innovative materials and sensors;
- it has expanded its research structures;
- it has developed its participation in initiatives and research programmes promoted by international, European and national bodies, as well as cooperation with universities, metrology institutes and national bodies interested in its activities;
- it has maintained at significant levels the research activities performed according to customers' demands, as well as calibration, testing and accreditation activities;
- it has expanded activities related to training of researchers, graduates and technicians, organization of conferences, workshops, meetings of international bodies, circulation of scientific culture, diffusion of research results;
- it has boosted the innovation processes in its operation, with a wider use of information systems in research, testing and management activities and with actions concerning quality, safety and activity evaluation.
In particular it is worth mentioning:
- the involvement in ESA and EU programmes concerning the Galileo navigation system and specifically, the synchronization systems of time scales and the realization of the reference time scale to be used by the Galileo system;
- the participation in the Torino Time Consortium and in post-graduate course Navigation and related applications, started at the Politecnico di Torino in 2005;
- the research projects funded by ASI and those funded by the Regione Piemonte.
In 2005, IMGC participated in the first INRIM three-year programme, but operating as a CNR institute and covering 6 of the 8 job orders of the Project "Metrology methods and instruments" related to the planned Production System Department. IMGC has carried out a self-evaluation of its activities according to the CIVR evaluation criteria. The result indicators for 2005 fall into line with those related to 2003 and 2004.
Among the results of interest for application, some related to its operation as national metrology institute, we would mention: participation in 27 international measurement comparisons; 68 new calibration and measurement capabilities (CMC) published in 2005 in the database KCDB of BIPM ( http://kcdb.bipm.org/); the laboratory accreditation activities as SIT calibration centres; 7 persons in secondment to small or medium-sized firms; participation of experts in national and international standardization bodies.
Concerning know-how transfer in terms of training, we would point to the increased involvement in the training of researchers (doctorate theses developed at IMGC, doctorate courses), graduates (degree theses and courses of first and second levels) and technicians (stays at IMGC of students; organization of qualifying and refresher courses, also in co-operation with other bodies such as EMIT-LAS, ANGQ, Istituto Tagliacarne; the last case concerns training courses for inspectors operating in the field of legal metrology and it is significant for its impact on the activities supporting legal metrology and among them we mention the IMGC/SNAM Rete Gas co-operation for the legalization of methane meters and analysers).
As for international mobility and co-operation, we mention the stays at IMGC of foreign researchers and scholarships, the stay at BIPM of three IMGC researchers. The high internationalization of IMGC activities implies co-operation with: the bodies of the Meter Convention, BIPM ( http://www.bipm.org/), CIPM Consultative Committees (CCAUV, CCL, CCM, CCQM, CCT) and respective working groups, joint committees (JCRB, JCGM); European and international bodies (EUROMET, EA, ISO, IMEKO, CIRP, EUSPEN, IUPAC, AMCTM); several national metrology institutes.
Capability to draw financial resources. Due to the transversal nature of metrology and a limited awareness of the measurement problems in the areas funded by MIUR, IMGC's access to national funds is under-established. On the contrary the capability to draw resources from national and international contracts is noteworthy: there are 45 contracts under way, with 19 of them activated in 2005. There are 32 national contracts (12 of them new) and 13 international contracts (7 of them new, 5 of them with the European Commission). A co-operative agreement at European level is in force with EuroConsultants on an assistance programme to Tunisia. Similar agreements are under discussion in favour of Morocco e Turkey. In 2005, IMGC has presented 8 proposals in the framework of the regional programme "Piedmont 2004 Scientific Research". Main financial sources have been CNR, high level calibrations and research contracts. The external sources are an important self-funding source, with a significant impact on personnel operating at IMGC in addition to permanent staff (in total 13.7 full time equivalent persons).
The following table reports some data on the activities performed in recent years.
Description |
2003 |
2004 |
2005 |
IEN |
|||
Participation in international measurement comparisons: concluded in the year
coordinated by IEN |
|
|
|
Seminars held by IEN personnel |
13 |
14 |
22 |
Patents filed |
|
1 |
1 |
Research contract signed in the year |
12 |
12 |
11 |
Co-operation agreement signed in the year |
9 |
11 |
5 |
Active scientific collaborations |
120 |
120 |
120 |
Participation in research programs |
20 |
20 |
18 |
Participation in scientific and technical bodies: international
national |
|
|
|
Participation in doctorate courses (no. of doctorate courses) |
8 |
8 |
5 |
Doctorate theses concluded within each year |
6 |
6 |
7 |
Degree theses concluded within each year |
11 |
12 |
17 |
Qualifying courses organized by IEN |
1(20h) |
1(20h) |
4(190h) |
3rd level courses held by IEN researchers |
3(40h) |
3(40h) |
8 |
Teaching appointment of IEN personnel at courses organized at universities(h) |
148 |
148 |
245 |
Stays at IEN (person-months) of: foreign scientists and students
Italian scientists and students |
|
|
|
Stays of IEN scientists at other scientific institutions (person-months): abroad
in Italy |
|
|
|
IMGC |
|||
International measurement comparisons |
62 |
71 |
27 |
Seminars held by IMGC personnel |
|
|
5 |
Patents filed |
|
1 |
1 |
Research contract signed in the year |
|
|
19 |
Active scientific collaborations |
|
|
90 |
Participation in scientific and technical bodies: international
national |
|
|
|
Participation in doctorate courses (no. of doctorate courses) |
|
|
1 |
Doctorate theses concluded within each year |
|
|
2 |
Degree theses concluded within each year |
|
|
12 |
Projects, composition, design |
2 |
1 |
5 |
Training courses |
28 |
15 |
26 |
Research contract reports |
0 |
10 |
14 |
Handmade articles (apparatuses, facilities) |
14 |
24 |
12 |
Teaching appointment of IMGC personnel at qualifying courses and universities (h) |
|
|
312 |
Stays at IMGC (person-months) of: foreign scientists and students
Italian scientists and students |
|
|
|
Stays of IMGC scientists at foreign scientific institutions (person-months) |
|
|
16 |
Seminars held at IEN and IMGC by scientists from other institutions |
24 |
25 |
31 |
The following table reports data regarding papers published and communications to conferences. With reference to 2005, the mean value of the impact factor (IF) of the papers published in international journals and the sum of the IF (related to the number of scientists) are noticeably higher for IEN than for IMGC. This depends on several factors, such as: the higher participation of IMGC in the initiatives promoted by international bodies operating in metrology and accreditation activities; the different typology of journals in which the papers are published (a larger presence of IEN in the areas of physics and materials science).
Description |
2003 |
2004 |
2005 |
IEN |
|||
Publications: books published
papers in international journals
papers in national journals
communications in proceedings of international conferences
communications in proceedings of national conferences
technical reports
|
|
|
|
IF of publications in international journals: - below 0.5
- between 0.5 and 1
- between 1 and 2
- between 2 and 3
- above 3
- no. of publications with IF/ total no. of publications
- mean value of IF
- root-mean-square deviation of IF
- sum of IF |
|
|
|
Activity of referee for: international journals
international conference proceedings |
|
|
|
Communications presented at conferences: international
national |
|
|
|
Chairmanships of conference sessions |
8 |
12 |
11 |
IMGC |
|||
Publications: books published
papers in international journals
papers in national journals
communications in proceedings of international conferences
communications in proceedings of national conferences
technical reports
|
|
|
|
IF of publications in international journals: - below 0.5
- between 0.5 and 1
- between 1 and 2
>- between 2 and 3
- above 3
- no. of publications with IF/ total no. of publications
- mean value of IF
- root-mean-square deviation of IF
- sum of IF |
|
|
|
Activity of referee for: international journals
international conference proceedings |
|
||
Communications presented at conferences: international
national |
|
|
|
Chairmanships of conference sessions |
|
|
2 |
The following table reports some data on calibration and testing activities performed by IEN and IMGC.
Description |
2003 |
2004 |
2005 |
IEN |
|||
Issued documents: - calibration certificates - test reports - technical reports - work orders - dedicated person-years - income (k€) |
|
|
|
IMGC |
|||
Issued documents: - calibration certificates - test reports - technical reports - dedicated person-years - Income (k€) |
|
|
|
The following table reports data on the accreditation of laboratories as SIT calibration laboratories. We mention the accreditation of 4 foreign laboratories (in Croatia, Greece and Cyprus).
Description |
2003 |
2004 |
2005 |
SIT laboratories in operation: in IEN fields
in IMGC fields
total number |
|
|
|
Accredited measurement sectors: IEN
IMGC
total number |
|
|
|
SIT calibration certificates issued by: SIT laboratories in IEN fields
SIT laboratories in IMGC fields
all the SIT laboratories |
|
|
|
No. of people operating in SIT laboratories (person-years) |
611 |
646 |
681 |
Person-years dedicated by: IEN
IMGC |
|
|
|
Income (k€) by: IEN
IMGC |
|
|
|
The IEN Administration and management structure has been involved in the following activities: actions related to the IEN organization and operation; support to the management and auditing bodies; asset and cost accounting; personnel management; remuneration and emoluments management; library, publications, and press activities; general technical services. This structure has participated in the realization of the quality management system.
As for IMGC, the adoption of the new CNR planning procedures has allowed a better identification of measurable objectives. Generally speaking, the envisaged objectives have been achieved to an excellent degree. The strategic actions have been directed by the high internationalization level peculiar to metrology (Meter Convention, EUROMET) and to its mission of facility essential to economy and society, in three directions: basic metrology, innovation and life quality. Equipment and services have been maintained. However, equipment improvement and adjustment have been delayed due to CNR decision times on the requested additional operation funds. In general, many instruments and facilities are obsolete and need a modernization plan, using for example leasing agreements. The IMGC management has undertaken to maintain and improve the quality of the services of common interest, such as: Direction and administrative support, technical support, quality and general services, safety, library, promotion and public image.
IEN and IMGC apply a quality management system, according to international standards ISO/IEC 17025:1999 "General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories" and ISO 9001:2000 "Quality management systems - Requirements", which assure operation transparency in connection with: institutional aims, tasks assigned by law no. 273/1991 on the national calibration system; cooperation with national and international metrology bodies; participation in the Mutual Recognition Arrangement promoted by the Comitè International des Poids et Mesures (CIPM-MRA) and in the activities of the EUROMET Technical Committee for Quality; maintenance of the status of body and/or laboratory notified by Ministries for testing activities, according to national laws or European directives and in certification systems such as the Associazione per la Certificazione delle Apparecchiature Elettriche (ACAE, member of the LOVAG - Low Voltage Agreement Group).
The following table shows the system of documents available at the end of 2005 for IEN and IMGC.
DESCRIPTION |
AVAILABLE |
TO BE PREPARED |
GENERAL DOCUMENTS OF THE QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM |
34(IEN) + 22(IMGC) |
1 |
CALIBRATION AND TEST PROCEDURES (PT AND PP) |
||
IEN Time and Frequency Metrology
Electrical Metrology
Photometry and Radiometry
Acoustics and Ultrasounds
Materials
Applied Electromagnetics |
|
|
TOTAL IEN |
147 |
32 |
IMGC Length Metrology
Mass Metrology
Thermal Metrology
Dynamometry
Metrology for Chemistry, Health and Environment
|
|
|
TOTAL IMGC |
113 |
|
In the framework of the CIPM-MRA, appendix C, IEN e IMGC have developed and declared several calibration and measurement capabilities (CMC). The following table reports the IEN and IMGC CMCs grouped by quantity and the status of their approval and publication in the BIPM database KCDB ( http://kcdb.bipm.fr)at the end of 2005.
QUANTITY |
NO. OF CMCs |
STATUS |
IEN Time and Frequency
Electricity and Magnetism
Acoustics and Ultrasounds
Photometry and Radiometry
Substance Quantity
|
|
|
TOTAL NUMBER OF IEN CMCs |
226+1+33 |
226 published, 1 approved and under publication, 33 under examination |
IMGC Length
Mass
Volume
Thermometry
Flow-rate
Force
Gravity acceleration
Pressure
Vibrations
Viscosity
Hardness
Chemistry
|
|
|
TOTAL NUMBER OF IMGC CMCs |
183 + 41 |
183 published, 41 under examination |
IEN has started a permanent evaluation system and in 2004 participated in the research evaluation exercise 2001 to 2003 promoted by CIVR (i.e., Research Steering and Evaluation Committee), presenting 31 scientific products (16 in the Physics area, 11 in the Industry and Information Engineering area, 4 in the Science and technology of nano/microsystems area). 5 of the 31 products have been evaluated excellent, 17 good, 9 acceptable and none limited. In addition, the Administration Evaluation Committee has been reappointed for the period August 2003 to July 2005.
IMGC participated in the above-mentioned research evaluation exercise 2001 to 2003 as a CNR institute, presenting 23 scientific products (2 in the Physics area, 14 in the Industry and Information Engineering area, 2 in the Science and technology of nano/microsystems area, 4 in the Aerospace science and technology area and 1 in the Cultural heritage evaluation and increase of value area). The connection between activities evaluation and decisional processes has taken place on two levels: meetings of director and structure heads, evaluating priorities and financial resources allocation; meetings at structure level. In addition, IMGC has carried out, following the CIVR evaluation criteria and in the framework of the CNR research evaluation, self-evaluation of the activities performed in 2005.
As strong points common to IEN and IMGC, we would mention:
- the high visibility and proposal capability at international level;
- the balance between research activities and the dissemination activity of the SI units;
- the high number and quality of the CMCs recognised at international level;
- the wide range and quality of the scientific collaborations;
- the significant capability to attract resources through research contracts, calibration and testing activities, accreditation of calibration laboratories;
- the widespread and increasing involvement in the training of scientists, final year students and technicians;
- the capability to design, realize and market advanced instruments;
- the wide use of new technologies and updated methods for experimental data processing and analysis.
As weak points common to IEN and IMGC, we would mention:
- the limited knowledge of their scientific structures, activities and possible applications with politicians, public institutions, industries and public opinion;
- the limited stakeholder involvement;
- the gap between capacities and results, in terms of patents and spin-off (less in terms of partnership). In order to reduce this gap, it is necessary to set up a policy and measures able to boost patent activity and the application of research results (development of patents in the framework of cooperation agreements with industries, ad hoc structure, making use of external know-how and experience in the field of patent activities);
- the presence of obsolete equipment;
- the high percentage of personnel with temporary contracts or engaged at lower professional levels;
- the high mean age of the personnel with permanent contracts;
- the limited turnover;
- strategic planning and management of the activities, to be updated in connection with the iMERA project.
According to article 10 of decree no. 38/2004, INRIM will start a periodic evaluation of its research activity, appointing an evaluation Committee of six persons (three appointed by the MIUR, one by the MAP, one by the permanent conference between State, Regions and autonomous provinces, one by the Chancellors Conference of the Italian Universities).
The following two tables give, for the financial years 2003 to 2005, the main aggregate expenses and income for IEN and IMGC.
Expenses (k€)
Description |
2003 |
2004 |
2005 |
IEN Costs of personnel with permanent or temporary contracts
Costs of other personnel
Operating costs for research activities
Overhead expenses
Capital expenditure for research activities
Other capital expenditure
Transfer to the next budget
Total
|
|
|
|
IMGC Costs of personnel with permanent or temporary contracts
Costs of other personnel
Operating costs for research activities
Overhead expenses
CNR central costs for the management of IMGC
Capital expenditure for research activities
Other capital expenditure
Total
|
|
|
|
Income (k€)
Description |
2003 |
2004 |
2005 |
IEN Transfer from the previous year
MIUR ordinary fund
MIUR fund for specific projects
Research contracts
Consultancy, calibration and testing activities
Laboratory accreditation activities
Other sources
Total
|
|
|
|
IMGC CNR fund
Research contracts
Consultancy and calibration activities
Laboratory accreditation activities
Other sources
Total
|
|
|
|
The following table reports some data on the staff, hired with permanent contracts (TI) and with temporary contracts (TD), at the end of 2003, 2004 and 2005. INRIM permanent staff on 31 December 2005 numbered 222 units. In the first six months of 2006 6 persons retired and 4 persons with IMGC moved to other CNR institutes.
IEN
Description |
2003 | 2004 | 2005 | |||
TI | TD | TI | TD | TI | TD | |
Researchers and technologists |
56 | 6 | 60 | 4 | 60 | 7 |
Technicians |
52 | 7 | 51 | 6 | 56 | 3 |
Administrative staff |
22 | 1 | 22 | 1 | 21 | 2 |
Total |
130+DG1 | 14 | 133+DG1 | 11 | 137+DG1 | 12 |
IMGC
Description |
2003 | 2004 | 2005 | |||
TI | TD | TI | TD | TI | TD | |
Researchers and technologists |
35 | 5(3) | 33 | 5(3) | 31 + 1(2) | 5(3) |
Technicians |
41 + 5(2) |
| 38 + 5(2) |
| 38 + 4(2) | 2(4) |
Administrative staff |
10 |
| 10 |
| 10 |
|
Total |
86 + 5(2) | 5(3) | 81 + 5(2) | 5(3) | 79 + 5(2) | 7 |
(1)Senior executive (hired as Director general).
(2)Persons posted to small or medium-sized firms.
(3)Researchers hired to substitute persons posted to small or medium-sized firms.
(4)Persons with temporary contracts to compensate part time persons with permanent contracts.
The following table reports some data on the staff occupied in IEN and IMGC activities during 2005, with a distinction between:
- persons hired or active on 31 December 2005 and persons hired or in service during 2005, expressed in full time equivalent persons (FTE);
- the different typologies (persons hired with permanent contracts, temporary contracts or paid cooperation appointments; research grants; scholarships; doctorate students, evaluating their involvement as equal to 0.5 FTE; persons with free cooperation appointment).
As for IMGC, in 2005 the required limited increase in persons with permanent or temporary contracts was not realized, partially compensated by hiring some persons for a limited period. As a result, human resources are becoming inadequate if compared with the assigned tasks, planned objectives and the non-substitution of retired persons (3 in 2003, 4 in 2004, 2 in 2005, 4 in the early months of 2006).
Description |
IEN | IMGC | ||
units | FTE | units | FTE | |
Persons with permanent contracts |
138 | 133.60 | 84 | 75.83 |
Persons with temporary contracts |
12 | 7.85 | 7 | 6.50 |
Persons hired with paid cooperation appointment |
7 | 5.65 | 5 | 4.80 |
Research grants |
13 | 11.25 | 6 | 6.05 |
Scholarships |
11 | 9.80 | 1 | 0.55 |
Doctorate students |
21 | 8.95 | 5 | 2.50 |
Persons with free cooperation appointment |
15 | 2.80 | 26 | 9.50 |
Total |
217 | 179.90 | 134 | 105.73 |