Scientific Institutions in Armenia

[alpha]

Scientific Research in Armenia

 

Office of Naval Research Europe and European Office of

 

Aerospace Research and Development Visit Armenia

 

In November, a joint mission composed of scientists from the European Office of Aerospace Research and Development (EOARD) and the Office of Naval Research Europe (ONREUR) visited Armenia for a brief on-site survey of the opportunities available for scientific collaboration. The mission of the EOARD is to support Air Force research and development laboratories and product divisions by identifying foreign technological capabilities and accomplishments which can be applied to Air Force needs.

 

The Armenian Government appreciates the importance of the development of science and technology in Armenia, especially given the vast potential of Armenian scientists and engineers who, regardless of the difficult circumstances, continue carrying out world class work. But the lack of financing can eventually put many otherwise promising projects on infinite hold. We reprint the articles with the sole purpose of helping expose the capabilities of Armenian science to the US scientific community and encourage open communication and research collaboration between them for the mutual benefit of the two countries.

 

 

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Institute of Applied Problems in Physics

Institute of Mechanics

Bjurakan Astrophysical Observatory

Institute of Radiophysics and Electronics

Institute For Physics Research

Yerevan State University

State Engineering University of Armenia

Institute of Microbiology

Institute of Chemical Physics

Institute of General and Inorganic Chemistry

L. A. Orbeli Institute of Physiology

Institute of Geological Sciences

Institute of Informatics & Automation

Laserayan Technica Armenia

The Republic of Armenia has a population of only 3.3 million people, but boasts a strong tradition of scientific excellence and was likely the third largest contributor to research within the USSR, following Russia and Ukraine. In recent years, however, the resilience and determination of the country to maintain its scientific infrastructure has been put to the test. In December 1988, an earthquake devastated the northern portion of the country, killing 55,000 people and swelling the capital, Yerevan, with refugees.

 

After the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991, this land-locked country found itself geographically and politically isolated. Armenia is a strongly Christian country which went to war with its Muslim neighbor, Azerbaijan, over control of Nagorno-Artsax, a region within Azerbaijan populated by ethnic Armenians.

 

Consequently, Armenia's other Muslim neighbors, Iran and Turkey2, enforced total land blockades along their borders while Armenia's one remaining neighbor, Georgia, has been deeply embroiled in a civil war. Consequently, for the first few years of its newly found independence, virtually all imports and exports had to be transferred by air. The country's nuclear power station shut down and the lack of natural fuel resources led to long periods of power outages, including the cold winter seasons. In less than three years, the value of the currency decreased by a factor of more than 100,000 while prices of many consumer goods inflated rapidly to western levels.

 

Today, however, Armenia enjoys relative stability and an optimistic outlook toward the future. There is a cease-fire with Azerbaijan and the land blockades are loosening. The civil war in Georgia has ended, Armenia's nuclear power station was recently reopened, and their currency, the dram, has held a constant rate of exchange against the dollar for more than a year.

 

Economically, however, Armenia still has a long way to go, but is westernizing quickly and has attracted more foreign aid from the US. per capita than any other country in the world aside from Israel. Although they were the first of the former Soviet republics to introduce privatization and economic reform, a typical research scientist at the Academy of Science earns a base salary of only $8.50 per month - half that of a scientist in Ukraine, and ten times less than a scientist in Russia. Scientists are also frustrated by frequent power outages, and in some cases, loss of power due to the inability of institutes to pay their bills. A majority of the institutes and universities are virtually unheated and will be closed completely during the coldest winter months.

 

This November, the first Edison House2 visit to Armenia was made by Lt. Col. Don Erbschloe, Professor Jack McIver and Dr. Mark Maurice of EOARD, and Dr. Igor Vodyanoy of ONREUR. Despite the turmoil faced since the late '80s and the current economic conditions, several of the institutes visited were found to be doing outstanding, world-class research. The institutes and universities have done a brilliant job of maintaining their infrastructure and potential during the worst of times and are optimistic that the international scientific community will recognize the value of what they have to offer.

 

The institutes use the typical Soviet scientific model of having both testing and engineering facilities to follow-up on basic scientific results.

 

The Edison House scientists feel very strongly that the timing is optimum for our labs to form a strong, lasting relationship with Armenian scientists and institutes for the mutual benefit of both of our countries.

 

Site Visits to Institutes of the Armenian National Academy of Science

The Armenian National Academy of Science was founded in 1943 as the primary coordinator of basic research within the Republic. The Academy is comprised of 34 institutes and is divided into the departments of Physics and Mathematics, Technical Sciences, Natural Sciences, and Humanitarian Sciences.

 

Approximately 4,000 researchers work among the various institutes - about 1,500 fewer than five years ago. Economic conditions have lowered governmental funding to less than one million dollars annually, causing increasing emphasis on the need to attract outside funding sources. Last year 428 researchers within the Academy received Soros grants, giving them the largest number of grants of any FSU country aside from Russia.

 

Institute of Applied Problems in Physics

 

This institute of approximately 250 people (90 scientists) was formed just 10 years ago, and boasts good, young experimental facilities, a design bureau, and three manufacturing facilities. They specialize in solid state physics, nuclear physics, acoustics, particle physics and physics of low temperature plasma. They maintain strong relations with their Russian counterparts and are building relationships with American firms such as HP and GM. A few of their recent developments include a lightbulb based on plasma acoustic modulation which requires only 20-25% of the power needed for conventional fluorescent bulbs of the same output power and contains no mercury and electric heaters fabricated from volcanic rock that are 20% more efficient than conventional electric heaters. This institute has particularly strong research efforts in the generation and use of acoustic waves.

 

For instance, using a method they call 'parametric dissociation', they have used acoustic waves to modulate quasi-Cherenkov radiation generated by electrons or positrons traversing crystals. The resulting distribution of x-rays is highly angularly dependent and thus this method can result in x-rays of very high monochromaticity. The process also results in an increase in the x-ray intensity by a factor of 1.5 to 2. Acoustic waves have also been used to spatially modulate low-temperature plasmas.Particular applications of this technology are improved performance of high-power, gas-discharge lasers and the generation of monochromatic, coherent acoustic waves from a plasma pumped by a microwave source.

 

Some Highlights of Armenian Science

A library of over 20,000 bacterial cultures, including 2,500 strains used for biodestruction

An acoustic "laser" produced by exciting cold plasma with microwave radiation

Rotation detectors for tracking satellites with 22-bit accuracy

Production of spectrally-pure extreme ultraviolet sources based on laser pulses on targets

Several facilities capable of growth of high-quality doped and undoped crystal and optical materials

A vast underground facility for very accurate measurement of variety of seismic effects

 

 

 

Institute of Mechanics

 

This institute was founded in 1955 and employs approximately 140 people. They specialize in a wide variety of theoretical research relating to the mechanics of solid media, and consider themselves the world's best center in the area of plates and shells (their monographs were translated and used by NASA). Previously, they were part of the USSR military complex and participated in the Sputnik program. In the late '80s, their major funding source was for Soviet satellite strength calculations. Today they work to develop other international relationships, of which their contacts with France and Japan are the strongest to date.

 

Bjurakan Astrophysical Observatory

 

This institute employs nearly 200 people and has been doing research in astrophysics since 1946. It is located in the Ashtarak region of Armenia which allows viewing on 70% of the nights with 1.5-2 arcsec viewing on good nights. There are two telescopes that are currently in use, a 1.3 m Schmidt telescope and 2.6 m reflector. The Schmidt telescope has a 4o field of view and has three different wedge plates that can be inserted in the telescope to provide wavelength dispersion. This telescope was constructed in the 1950s and is operating with its original drive and controls. It is also restricted by the fact that it is currently only capable of recording images on glass plates. There are plans to modernize both the control/drive mechanisms and install a CCD camera. The 2.6 m telescope was constructed in the 1970s. This is also in need of maintenance and modernization, part of which is planned for the spring of 1996. This telescope is somewhat unusual in having a relatively high slew rate which makes it a possible source for satellite tracking. Their current research includes investigations of galaxies, star formation regions, theoretical astrophysics and mathematical physics. They have a long history of international participation and collaboration, and are credited with the discovery of stellar associations and galaxies with active nuclei. They are very close to establishing Internet access and creating a WWW site to make available over 2000 plates covering over 17,000 deg2 of the sky.

 

Institute of Radiophysics and Electronics

 

This institute, founded in 1964, has approximately 300 employees and specializes in fundamental and applied research in radiophysics, electronics, and automatic control. Currently, much of their focus is on the development of accurate, sensitive microwave radiometers for wavelengths in the range of 2mm to 30cm, and the use of masers as receivers up to 200 GHz. There is a substantial effort in the development of materials for detecting IR and submillimeter radiation. Prior to the breakup of the Soviet Union much of their research and production capabilities were directed to military applications. This includes a series of rotation detectors the largest of which have a resolution of 0.3 arcsec and 22 bits of accuracy. A 14 bit accurate detector designed for fighter aircraft is available for purchase at around $500/sample. Recently, they have developed a six channel six centimeter wavelength radiometer to fly on the MIR Space Station. Current projects are oriented towards the development of wavelength specific detectors for particular applications. These include: a 195 Ghz high-Tc superconducting detector for mapping ozone distribution in the atmosphere, millimeter band detectors for short-range communications and data transfer, l-50cm band detectors to measure water content of the soil, and 94 Ghz detectors for imaging, to name a few. The soil humidity detector is already operational and is claimed to be more sensitive than anything on the market. They also have ideas for developing an amplitude and phase detector for microwaves with a sensitivity ten times better than any device currently available.

 

Institute For Physics Research

 

This institute of nearly 300 people was founded in 1967 and is located in the Ashtarak region of Armenia. Before the breakup of the Soviet Union this was probably the premier institute for fundamental research in physics and optics in Armenia. It was comparable in stature to the Lebedev Institute in Moscow in the '70s. They are still engaged in a wide range of scientific activities although their experimental efforts have been and still are curtailed. They specialize in nonlinear optics, quantum optical electronics, solid state physics and crystal structure, theory of radiation of charged particles, theory of interaction of radiation with matter, quantum and classical electrodynamics, and high temperature superconductivity. Specific research project include: extreme UV sources based on laser pulses on targets; up conversion of light using the interaction of laser pulses with metallic vapors; squeezed light in lasers without inversion; the effects of erbium doping in solid state lasers; the effects of different dopants on photorefractivity in lithium niobate; and high Tc devices for spectrometry.

 

$100-200K per year, but they have retained leading edge capabilities in several areas and have a strong potential to rebuild themselves within the world market. Among their specialties are the design and production of a wide range of optical coatings for high power lasers, the growth of laser and nonlinear crystals, optical elements, and the development of laser systems for remote sensing, such as a helicopter based airborne laser fluorimeter for detecting underwater chemicals, chlorophyll, and minerals. Their crystal growing capabilities are near state-of-the-art for three different methods. This facility can grow rods and slabs for a wide variety of solid state lasers including YAG, YLF and Er. They also grow a wide range of nonlinear optical materials such as KTP, LiNbO3 and BBO. In addition, they are exploring commercial opportunities for their capabilities in two and three dimensional engraving and cutting with lasers.

 

Yerevan State University

 

Yerevan State University was founded in 1919, and has 19 faculties containing 110 departments. There are approximately 9500 students and 3150 employees, and the university was considered one of the top 25 in science throughout the USSR. As with the research institutes, the university is currently forced to shut down during the coldest months to conserve on energy costs and adjust its summer calendar accordingly. The university has a printing house which publishes three scientific journals and is working with Brown University to establish Internet access. At the moment the university is transitioning from the degree system model of the USSR to the degree system used in the USA. Tuition charges are also being introduced, with 50% of the students now paying yearly fees ranging from $200 to $1000. The highest tuition costs are being levied against the most popular study, law, while science and engineering are among the lowest cost and interest due to the current lack of economic opportunities with these degrees. Much of the research that is currently pursued in the institutes of the Academy of Sciences originated in this university.

 

State Engineering University of Armenia

 

There are a total of 13 public and 42 private universities in Armenia, and among these the 63 year old State Engineering University is the largest with more than ten thousand students and five campuses. This university is pioneering the move in Armenia towards a western style degree and education system, and is working with Cal Tech on the reformation of its structure and management. The main directions of research in the university are: computer sciences, semiconductor devices, powder metallurgy, high-speed ground transport, machine design and simulation, alternate energy sources including solar cells and panels, robotics and micromanipulators, fiber optics for communications, tribiology, and new lubricants with synthetic additions.

 

Institute of Microbiology

 

Institute of Microbiology, founded in 1961, has nearly 200 employees, 10 laboratories, and a small chemical and drug factory. It also has a library of more than 20,000 living bacteria cultures which are available for international access. They maintain a databank of all their cultures to include nomenclature, bacterial characteristics, and passport data (strains). They are putting all this into an electronic database. Of great significance is a databank of 2,500 species of biodestructors. They have developed a scale to measure the degree of bacterial damage and procedures to protect people and equipment exposed to biodestructors.

 

Current research includes bacterial destruction of synthetic materials for waste treatment, bacterial enrichment of ore, synthetic production of fructose, bacterial insecticides, acido-lactic products for treatment of childhood diseases, and production of gunpowder additives/replacements. In addition, the institute is developing a liquid protection coating to prevent biocorrosion and destruction of pipelines.The bacterial agents in this coating are also being investigated for use as an additive to paints used for ship hulls to prevent mollusks from attaching.

 

Appeal for Information Exchange

The biggest problem facing Armenian science is information exchange, according to Academician Fadey T. Sarkissian, the President of the Academy of Sciences. Power disruptions, a blockade by neighboring countries, and financial woes make it difficult for the Armenians to receive or send out scientific information. They require support to publish and distribute monographs and books on a wide variety of scientific subjects. They would like to receive scientific journals, magazines and papers. If any of our readers have suggestions or ideas to help the Armenian scientists, please contact EOARD.

 

 

Institute of Chemical Physics

 

Institute of Chemical Physics founded in 1975 has approximately 160 employees, and specializes in chemical kinetic reactions with free radicals, chain reactions, and combustion and explosion in gaseous and condensed phases. Recent achievements include using a laser to deter oxide production in hydrocarbons at temperatures between 350 to 500 K, which causes the hydrocarbons to break down without oxidation, raising the temperature required for ignition.

 

Institute of General and Inorganic Chemistry

 

Institute of General and Inorganic Chemistry has more than 250 employees and was founded in 1957 to specialize in research relating to the full utilization of mineral resources. Using silicates, they claim a 96% recovery rate for Au and an 88% recovery rate for Ag. Current projects include the development of an inexpensive, spray-on inorganic polymer anti-corrosion coating based on silicates and phosphate, and thin layer chromatography absorbents. They employ an elastic wave process for making synthetic diamonds and metal-on-metal coatings. They claim this process can speed up reactions up to 10 million times.

 

L. A. Orbeli Institute of Physiology

 

L. A. Orbeli Institute of Physiology, founded in 1943 has approximately 210 employees. Before the dissolution of the USSR, this institute led all of the Soviet Union in publications in neuroscience.

 

The main problem they study is neuroplasticity, specifically restoration of functions, including memory, after damage. They are looking at different synaptic mechanisms of regulation in the autonomic nervous system, and claim to lead the former Soviet Union countries in research on the hypothalmus.

 

"The Snakes are Returning..."

The Armenians have initiated a project of using poisonous gurza snakes as biodetectors for earthquakes. They have noticed that several hours prior to a quake, hundreds of thousands of these snakes surface, head to the river, and swim downstream to congregate until the earthquake is over. (They only go as far as the spot where the local molybdenum mine dumps its refuse in the water.) Then they return, also en masse. The Armenian scientists are looking at three possible explanations for the behavior of the snakes. Although the snakes are deaf, they are very sensitive to infrasound and infrared. It is also possible that they sense minute chemical changes in hydrogen sulfide concentrations. The scientists do not feel it is an electromagnetic effect - gurzas placed in Helmholtz coils showed no special sensitivity. The snakes seem to provide the best advanced warning of all animals studied - up to 18 hours. Dogs seem to know when earthquakes are coming a few hours prior. Goats, we are told, are not as good: maybe 30 minutes to an hour ahead at the most.

 

 

Institute of Geological Sciences

 

Institute of Geological Sciences, founded in 1935, has approximately 330 employees and specializes in both geology and geography.

 

Achievements include the publication of a ten volume set of monographs titled "The Geology of Republic of Armenia," and the construction of an extensive database of information from 50,000 earthquakes for use in developing theories on earthquake prediction and movement of the continental shelves. Other research includes the geopathological zone - the influence of geology on life, and the relation between volcanic and tectonic activity.

 

Their theories take into account hydrodynamics, hydroseismology, and seismic tectonics. Using photographs from remote sensing satellites, they have studied tectonics throughout Russia.

 

Institute of Informatics & Automation

 

Institute of Informatics & Automation, founded in 1967, has approximately 150 employees. The topics of research fall into six major categories: theory of automata, mathematical logic and algorithms, pattern recognition and image processing, artificial intelligence, coding theory, and communications systems. Some more specific areas of research are: paired forms of multidimensional coverings to improve the performance of fast transforms, computerized tomography, effective methods of signal and image restoration including noise filtering, quasilinear systems and spaces for construction and classification of wide classes of nonlinear systems and methods such as median filters, pattern recognition theory, earthquake prediction and computer assisted drug design. They are also compiling a data base of earthquakes for Armenia. They have partial earthquake records extending from 1900 to 1960 and complete sets of data from 1961 to present.

 

Laserayan Technica Armenia

 

Laserayan Technica Armenia research company was founded by Yerevan State University and includes a research institute, design bureau, and production facility. At its peak in the 1980's it had a staff of 990 and income of $20-30M per year, primarily from the USSR. Today the staff was shrunk to 300 and the income to $100-200K per year, but they have retained leading edge capabilities in several areas and have a strong potential to rebuild themselves within the world market.

 

Among their specialties are the design and production of a wide range of optical coatings for high power lasers, the growth of laser and nonlinear crystals, optical elements, and the development of laser systems for remote sensing, such as a helicopter based airborne laser fluorimeter for detecting underwater chemicals, chlorophyll, and minerals. Their crystal growing capabilities are near state-of-the-art for three different methods. This facility can grow rods and slabs for a wide variety of solid state lasers including YAG, YLF and Er. They also grow a wide range of nonlinear optical materials such as KTP, LiNbO3 and BBO. In addition, they are exploring commercial opportunities for their capabilities in two and three dimensional engraving and cutting with lasers.

 

[ February 26, 2001: Message edited by: Garo ]

[Garo]

PHYSICO-MATHEMATICAL & TECHNICAL SCIENCES

 

Institute for Informatics and Automation Problems.

Computer Science and Information Technologies

 

Institute of Applied Problems of Physics.

Physics: solid state physics, acoustophysics, nuclear physics, elementary particle physics, liquid crystals physics, semiconductor physics, acoustics, materials technology, scientific instrument making.

 

Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory.

Astrophysics

 

Institute of Geologycal Science.

Geology of the Central Segment of the Alpine-Himalayan Belt

 

Institute of Geophysics and Engeneering Sejsmology.

Geophysics, Engineering Seismology Seismostable Building.

 

Institute of Mathematics.

Mathematics

 

Institute of Mechanics.

Mechanics of Solid Media

 

Institute for Physical Research

Physics

 

 

Institute of Radiophisics & Electronics.

Radiopphysics&Electronics

 

Engineering Center.

Engineering&Physics

 

Garni Geophysical Observatory

Geophysics

 

 

Special Experimental-Constructive Technological Institute

Scientific instrument-structuring

 

NATURAL SCIENCES

 

Biophysics Center

Cell biophysics, Neuroscience, Radiobiology, Behavioral physiology

 

Center of Ecologycal Noosphere Studies

Environmental Studies and Geochemistry

 

H.Kh.Buniatian Institute of Biochemistry .

Neurochemistry

 

Institute of Botany.

Botany

 

Institute of Chemical Physics.

Development of the theory of chemical conversion; Studying kinetics and a mechanism of complex chemical reactions proceeding with a participation of free radicals and atoms, including chain reaction as well as combustion and explosion in the gas and condensed phases.

 

L.A.Mnjoyan Institute of Fine Organic Chemistry.

Revealing the regularities of the correlations between the chemical structure and biological activity of synthesized original compounds and applying them in creation new drugs through planned synthesis.

 

Institute of General and Inorganic Chemistry .

Complex pretreatment of mineral raw materials and industrial wastes. The elaboration of new methods of wastesre treatment and creation of the corresponding technologies.

 

Institute of Hydroponics Problems.

Hydroponics, Biotechnology

 

Institute of Hydroecology and Ichthyology.

Hydroecology, Ichthyology

 

Institute of Microbiology .

Microbiology, biotechnology

 

State Microbial Depository Centre.

Microbiology, biotechnology

 

Institute of Molecular Biology

Investigations of cell activity regulation molecular mechanisms on metabolic, genetic and membrane levels.

 

Molecular Structure Research Center .

Research of molecular structure by Physical Chemistry methods: [NMR], [X-Ray Structural Analysis], [iR-, UV-], [Mass-Spectroscopy, Chromatography.

 

Institute of Organic Chemistry .

Organic synthesis, Polimer chemistry

 

L.A. Orbeli Institute of Physiology.

Neurophysiology

 

Institute of Zoology .

Zoology and zoogeography

 

HUMANITARIAN SCIENCES

 

Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography

Archaeology, Ethnography, Ethno-sociology, Anthropology, Epigraphy; Theory and Methodology.

 

Institute of Oriental Studies.

History and Philology of the Near and Middle East

 

Institute of Arts.

History and Theory of Armenian Art

 

Institute of Economics.

The problems of republic's social-economic development.

 

Institute of Philosophy and Law

Philosophical, sociological, psychological and legal studies.

 

Sociological Research Center.

Sociological Studies

 

Institute-Museum of Genocide.

The History of Armenian People

 

Institute of History

History of Armenian people from the ancienttims until present.

 

The Hrachja Atcharian Institute of Language

Armenian studies (a thorough investigation of the history of the Armenian language and the functioning of Armenian).

 

Institute of Literature.

Modern Armenian Literature and theory of Literature.

[MJ]

The Yerevan Physics Institute ( initially it was just called the Physics Institute ) was founded in 1942 as a branch of Yerevan State University. A year later it was turned over to the Armenian Academy of Sciences. The Institute was founded because of the scientific missions of two brothers, academicians Abraham Alikhanov and Artem Alikhanian to Mt. Aragats, the highest peak in Armenia. The aim of these expeditions was to study cosmic rays.

Later on two high-altitude cosmic ray stations were founded on the slope of the mountain: Aragats (3250m) and Nor Amberd (2000m). A good number of fundamental results were obtained here. Proton and neutron components as well as narrow air showers were discovered. A method of measuring extensive air showers was developed here for the first time. This technique later became classical. The Alikhanov - Alikhanian mass spectrometer became the prototype for hodoscopic devices that have played a major role in nuclear physics research.The study of cosmic ray composition using the mass spectrometer stimulated the search for new particles. The results obtained at Aragats showed the existence of rather energetic particles as a component of cosmic rays. This finding was later recognized as a discovery ( USSR license No. 384). In 1963 the Institute was transferred to the USSR State Committee on Atomic Energy and became the Yerevan Physics Institute (YerPhI). The construction of an electron accelerator at 6GeV accomplished in 1967 became an important landmark in the history of the Institute. The Yerevan synchrotron was at that time one of the largest in the world and remains the largest in CIS countries to date. The accelerator served the physicists of YerPhI as a powerful tool for solving the mysteries of the microworld. A number of unique scientific results were obtained during the years of accelerator operation. The study of pion photoproduction; eta-meson generation using the unique source of polarized gamma-quanta obtained at YerPhI; investigation of the nature and properties of transition radiation and channeling radiation in single crystals as well as some other results are well-known to the international scientific community.

 

In 1980, a group at YerPhI was awarded the Armenian State Prize for work on the basic properties of particles and nuclei studied in meson photoproduction processes on nuclei. Traditionally the development of new experimental methods has had an important place in the Institute's scientific program. In 1970 a group from YerPhi was awarded the Lenin Prize, the highest tribute in the USSR, for the development of track spark chambers.

 

 

Synchrotron radiation and other radiation technologies were applied to problems in solid state physics, biology, space research, agriculture and some other fields. In the middle of the 80's, in collaboration with physicists and engineers from Moscow, YerPhI started the realization of the ANI project which was aimed at the study of cosmic radiation particles and nuclei interactions at superaccelerator energies using the world largest installations. The disintegration of the Soviet Union and further economic problems halted the completion of the project. There is a keen Theoretical Department at the Institute, where a number of successful results were obtained on QCD, nuclear interactions, quantum field theory, superstrings and the interaction of radiation with matter. A powerful Computer Centre (CC) is equipped with a satellite communication unit. CC serves the local network (more than 50 ports with access to the Internet in 5 buildings ) as well as radio-modem connection (together with the National Academy of Sciences) with 4 more ports (Inst. of Radiophysical Measurements, National Academy of Sciences, Inst. of Informatics and Automation, Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory) which are in turn connected to other institutes via telephone lines. In the near future it is intended to connect YerPhI with some other centres (Yerevan State University, American University of Armenia, Yerevan Medical Institute et al). YerPhI has developed workshops for pilot production, where the details of scientific devices and industrial production are produced. For its more than half a century history, the Institute has accumulated a rich experience of contacts with international and national laboratories abroad in almost all the fields of its scientific activity. Presently, the Institute is involved in collaboration with the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (former CEBAF), Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron (DESY), the European Laboratory for Particle Physics (CERN), Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (JINR) as well as with colleagues from France, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Ireland, Bulgaria, Denmark and Israel. All these joint works are of mutual interest. From 1992 YerPhI was turned over to the Armenian Ministry of Industry.

[MJ]

PRESS RELEASE

YerPhI Cosmic Ray Division

Hovhannes Vardanian, PR Representative

2 Alikhanian brothers

375036 Yerevan, Armenia

Tel/Fax: 1-603-415 23 59

Email: john@crdlx5.yerphi.am

Report on Cosmic Ray Division project,

Cosmic Ray Division a success…

 

The CRD

 

The Cosmic Ray Division (CRD) of the Yerevan Physics Institute was founded

in 1942. Since then it has become one of the world's premier research

institutes in the field of solar and cosmic ray research. The CRD maintains

two observatories on Mt. Aragats in Armenia as well as its headquarters in

Yerevan. Since Armenia's independence in 1991, despite energy and food

shortages and the collapse of the Armenian economy, the CRD has continued

to produce world class research and has honored its research agreements

with foreign partners. The CRD is one of the few internationally renowned

scientific institutions in Armenia and the former Soviet Union to have

survived the upheavals of the nineties while continuing to meet the future

with an uncompromised commitment to scientific excellence. Their technical

expertise, determination and forward looking leadership have allowed them

to persevere against all odds and to contribute towards the solution of

practical problems in fields as diverse as solar weather forecasting and

medicine.

 

Armenia's economic future and security depends on utilizing the

intellectual power and talent of its people. Our future, in world of

rapidly changing technology, requires that Armenia maintain its expertise

in a broad range of scientific disciplines and continue its participation

in international scientific forums.

 

Year 2000 Accomplishments

 

During the year 2000 the CRD registered a number of accomplishments. New

muon and neutron particle detectors were installed at its observatories on

Mt. Aragats. A program was commenced to establish a solar storm warning

system to alert CRD's customers of impending disturbances. A number of

international conferences were held at CRD's facilities. On June 22 the CRD

announced its membership in the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR), the

leading international scientific organization dedicated to research in this

field.

 

Seven Armenian physicists from the CRD participated in the 26th Cosmic Ray

Conference in Dubna, Russia from July 3-7. CRD's presentations focused on

acceleration mechanisms of high energy Cosmic Rays, issues of space weather

forecasting and advanced data acquisition and online data access. These

presentations positioned the CRD in the forefront of modern cosmic ray

science.

 

On July 14 intense solar radiation triggered the strongest geomagnetic

storm since 1989. The radiation was closely monitored by CRD's two

observatories on Mt. Aragats which recorded this event in unprecedented

detail.

 

The International Workshop on Neural Networks, with participants from

Armenia, Germany, Iran and U.S.A. gathered at the Yerevan Physics Institute

to discuss promising new developments for complex data analysis. One of the

most interesting aspects of this year's workshop was the demonstration of

the ANI software package for analysis of multivariate stochastic

data which was developed at the Cosmic Ray Division in Armenia.

 

On October 19 the CRD announced that a collaborative research project had

been established with the Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of

Utah. This project will apply new statistical data analysis and software

methods developed by the CRD to cancer research, potentially enhancing our

ability to find a cure for this disease.

 

But Success is Threatened

 

The ultimate outcome of this Armenian success story is jeopardized by a

crisis in financial support. Research partnerships bring in over $120,000

in research funding from the United States, France, Germany, Japan and

other nations. The CRD, however, has relied on the Armenian government for

about $40,000 annually to meet certain subsistence needs such as fuel and

electricity which are not covered by outside funding. The Armenian

Government was not able to meet this obligation for year 2000 and will not

do so in the future. Without this funding the CRD will not be able to

continue its participation in the international arena, thus potentially

losing the $120,000 funding from outside sources.

 

The CRD Support Committee

 

The CRD Support Committee was formed in March 2000 in response to the above

crisis. Members are: Anahid Yeremian, a physicist at the Stanford Linear

Accelerator (SLAC) in California; Tanya Bresinsky, a science librarian at

MIT in Massachusetts; and Joseph Dagdigian, an engineer at Avici Systems in

Massachusetts.

 

The goal of the CRD Support Committee is to give the CRD the baseline

support it needs over the next 3-5 years as it makes the transition to

financial independence, thus preserving one of Armenia's finest scientific

institutions. The committee, with generous financial and administrative

support from individual contributors, the Armenian National Science and

Education Fund (ANSEF)/Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR), and the Armenian

Scientists and Engineers of America (AESA), has raised over $25,000 in year

2000.

 

The CRD Support Committee wishes to thank the above mentioned organizations

and the many individual contributors for their support. Prof. Chilingarian,

the head of the CRD, in a year end letter to the committee expressed the

profound thanks of the CRD to all its supporters for their generosity and

help in making this a successful year.

 

The Future

 

With help from the diaspora, the CRD and Armenia can have a bright

scientific future. Forty thousand dollars from the diaspora enables the CRD

to gain revenues of over $120,000 from research partners. In coming years

revenues from outside sources are expected to increase. This revenue allows

80-100 highly experienced and motivated scientists, engineers and staff to

stay in Armenia, to continue performing world class research in Armenia and

to represent Armenia in the international scientific community.

 

For more information please check the CRD Support Committee's web site at http://www.geocities.com/hyecrd, or call: Joe Dagdigian at (978) 964-2270

or (978) 772-9417; Anahid Yeremian at (650) 926-4444; or Tanya Bresinsky at

(617) 923-6242. You may also write to us at: CRD Support Committee, Box

566, Harvard, MA 01451.

 

Cosmic Ray Division

Support Committee

January 2001

[MJ]

The Yerevan Physics Institute (YerPhI)

ANDREJ YESSIN

 

"Yerevan Physics Institute is a splendid receptacle of treasures used

for a better understanding of life and, possibly, for deception of

death. I am ravished with everybody who works here".

WILLIAM SAROYAN

 

The Yerevan Physics Institute (http://www.yerphi.am), the major

scientific centre and the cradle of experimental nuclear physics in

Armenia, was founded in 1942 by brothers Abraham Alikhanov and Artem

Alikhanian on the base of the research expedition to Mt. Aragats, the

highest peak in Armenia, aimed to study cosmic rays. This happened at

the height of the Stalingrad Battle, when there were some speculations

that the mysteries of cosmic rays might open some way to the progress in

the development of atomic problem.

 

So, in this early period the activities of the Institute were directed

at the study of the nature and composition of cosmic rays, coming from

the universe. Later on two high-altitude stations were founded on the

slopes of the mountain: Nor Amberd (2000 m) and Aragats (3250 m). Till

now both these internationally recognized stations are under active

operation. A good number of fundamental scientific results were obtained

here. In particular, wide air showers, spectra of cosmic ray protons,

muons and electrons at mountain altitudes were studied. A method of

measuring extensive air showers was developed here for the first time.

This technique later became classical. The study of cosmic ray

composition stimulates the search for new particles.

 

Alikhanian's physical institute (its main building at those times in

Yerevan is presently occupied by the US Embassy) was full of

intellectual activity.

 

In 1967 YerPhI started to operate its basic installation, the Yerevan 6

GeV ring electron accelerator (synchrotron). It was an important

landmark in the history of the Institute. This machine for many years

served the physicists as a powerful tool for solving the mysteries of

the microworld and remains up to now unique in its class in the

countries of former USSR and one of the largest in the world. [it should

be noted that presently small Armenia enters the dozen of the world

countries with both atomic power plant and high-energy accelerator]. The

main trends of experimental research with accelerator for a long time

were the investigations on fundamental properties of matter. Directions

in theoretical and experimental research included high-energy particle

physics, physics of accelerators and cosmic rays, applied and

computational physics.

 

Gradually the Institute grew into one of the leading accelerator centers

in the USSR. It was incorporated into the structure of the USSR Atomic

Energy Committee. A number of unique scientific projects was realized

during the years of accelerator operation. The results of studies on the

structure and properties of hadrons and nuclear systems, nature of

charged particle radiation in various matters, as well as some other

methodical developments are well known to the international scientific

community. Thus, in 1970 a group from YerPhI received the Lenin Prize,

the highest scientific tribute in the USSR, for the development of track

spark chambers. In 1980, another group from YerPhI was awarded the Armenian

State Prize for the study of basic properties of particles and nuclei in

meson photoproduction processes on nuclei.

 

Presently, the main activity of the Institute is the basic research in

high-energy and particle physics, as well in some applied fields and

industrial areas.

 

Synchrotron radiation and other radiation technologies were applied to

the problems of solid state physics, biology, space research,

agriculture and some other fields.

 

There is a keen Theoretical Department at the Institute, where a number

of successful results were obtained on quantum chromodynamics, nuclear

interactions, quantum field theory, superstrings and the interaction of

radiation with matter.

 

In 1990 the staff of YerPhI was numbered as more than 3000 employees.

 

In these years international scientific contacts were established and

gave good results, received at the installations both in Yerevan and

abroad. The main partners since these times remain Deutsches

Elektronen-Synchrotron - DESY (Hamburg), Thomas Jefferson National

Accelerator Facility - TJNAF, former CEBAF (Virginia), European

Laboratory for Particle Physics - CERN (Geneva) and Joint Institute for

Nuclear Research - JINR (near Moscow). For the high energy physics

community such abbreviations as ATLAS, CMS, ALICE, H1, HERMES, TESLA,

KASCADE, HEGRA do not need additional explanation. All these are the

names of the most active international projects, where YerPhI scientists

are involved.

 

Several laboratories, besides doing fundamental physics, are actively

busy with different applied research using existing scientific

potential. In particular, they are turning various electron linear

accelerators into instruments for different scientific and industrial

areas (crystallography, cryogenics, medicine, biophysics, cable

industry, diamond synthesis, material modification, etc).

 

Computer Centre of YerPhI is one of the best technically equipped and

modern in Armenia. Computer and network operation, system programming,

application development, engineering and technical support - are the

main tasks of the staff. The most spectacular item in 90-ies was the

installation (with the help of DESY) of the satellite link that gave

YerPhI an access to the global information systems. Now CC serves the

local network of YerPhI, runs Metropolitan Area Network, including most

scientific and educational institutes of Yerevan.

 

YerPhI has developed workshops for pilot production, where the details

of scientific devices and some industrial articles are produced. The

plastic scintillators for charged particle registration, proposed and

developed here awarded a Gold Medal at Leipzig Fair.

 

Nor Amberd Conference Centre of YerPhI is located at 35 km far from

Yerevan on a picturesque slope of Mt. Aragats, 2000 m high above sea

level. It often becomes the site for numerous conferences, symposia and

workshops.

 

Soon after Armenia gained independence from the USSR it became

practically impossible (mainly due to the high cost of electricity) to

do even little experimental physics in Yerevan. The accelerator was not

operated for about 7 years. The last experiment at synchrotron was

carried out in 1998, when the accelerator was brought back in action.

Besides new scientific results it gave an understanding of the fact that

the machine itself was preserved in the runable condition and the main

bone of the personnel remained with the Institute in spite of greatly

underfinanced budget and miserable salaries. The hard situation with own

experimental facilities became the reason of tremendous and practically

deliberate growth of collaboration with the physical centers abroad.

 

Presently the Institute participates in about 50 international projects

(half of them with German participation) almost in all fields of its

research program and collaborates with many nuclear centers in the

world, including those of main developed countries. For example, in

Germany YerPhI collaborates on bilateral level with the colleagues from

Hamburg, Karlsruhe, Berlin, Heidelberg, Munich, Kiel, Kaiserslautern and

Wurzburg, besides Armenian physicists participate in international

experiments hand by hand with the partners from Bonn, Darmstadt,

Frankfurt, Marburg, Munster, Erlangen, Freiburg, Mainz, Aachen,

Dortmund, Wuppertal, Zeuthen and Bochum. The dynamics of visitors from

YerPhI to the centres abroad may be obviously presented with the example

of Germany: 1996 - 35, 1997 - 44, 1998 - 51, 1999 - 55, 2000 - 66

(without counting those, who work in Germany already for several years).

So they were able to contribute by their education, experience and

skills to the field of fundamental science.

 

Just as a bright example of successful cooperation in the past few years

NA50 joint experiment at CERN may be mentioned, where Armenian

physicists together with the rest of a large team within Heavy Ion

Programme for the first time observed compelling evidence for the

existence of a new state of matter - quark-gluon plasma. This

fundamental result was treated not only in scientific periodicals, but

also in such information sources as New York Times, Washington Post,

Spiegel, BBC, CNN, etc.

 

The exhibition "Licht der Zukunft" (Light for the New Millennium)

demonstrated at Hamburg during June-October, 2000 in the frames of

EXPO 2000 and attended by 106,000 visitors presented unique X-ray laser

and other highlights of DESY's basic research with wide international

contribution. The good evidence of that was an Armenian flag fluttering

at the entrance to the exhibition.

 

Presently the staff of YerPhI consists of about 300 physicists, 400

engineers and technicians and 300 workers of supporting personnel. Since

1992 the Institute is structurally in the Armenian Ministry for Industry

and Trade. The Directors of YerPhI from the time of its foundation were

Academician Artem Alikhanian (1943-1973)*, Academician Andrej Amatuni

(1973-1992) and Professor Ruben Mkrtchyan (from 1992).

 

Still, the difficulties for scientists and researchers in Armenia are

very real. Today, due to serious economical difficulties Armenia by

itself cannot support fundamental research. 70% of the funding for

today's projects come from international organizations such as

International Science and Technology Center (ISTC), North

Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Science Programme, International

Association for the promotion of cooperation with the Scientists from

the NIS of the former SU (INTAS), the European Union, US Civilian

Research and Development Foundation (CRDF), although these grants are

small and the competition for the money is very stiff.

 

In spite of all difficulties YerPhI as before has an essential influence

upon the development of the creative scientific and technical potential

of the Republic. Here the words of Edelgard Bulmahn, German Federal

Minister for Education and Research, may be recalled: "Physics occupies

a unique place in the pantheon of the natural sciences… It is the

driving force behind the ceaseless quest to uncover the mysteries of the

origin of the universe. Without physics, there would be no information

society. Without physics, there would be no chance of ensuring

sustainable development on our planet."

 

The Directorate and all the personnel of YerPhI with great inspiration

accepted the proposal to join a new large project SESAME

(Synchrotron-light for Experimental Science and Applications in the

Middle East) under the umbrella of UNESCO to encourage regional

cooperation in science. The project was generated by a gift of the

BESSY-1 synchrotron (Berlin) by German Government to the Middle East and

neighbouring countries. The new international centre with such a machine

is aimed to concentrate and develop the research activities using

synchrotron radiation for surface and interface science,

micro-electromechanical devices, X-ray imaging, structural molecular

biology, environmental science, archaeological microanalysis, materials

characterization, and medical applications. Armenia entered SESAME

Consortium alongside with 10 other countries in 1999. Besides the

corresponding site proposal from Armenia based on the expertise and

availability the infrastructure of YerPhI was presented to the SESAME

Interim Council. In April 2000 after long and extensive discussions on

the technical, political and financial considerations and by a series of

votes out of 9 conquerors Jordan was selected as the first choice site

and Armenia as its second choice. Finally, the November 2000 Interim

Council Meeting decided to install synchrotron radiation sources both in

Jordan and Armenia. For Armenian part of the project US Congress

appropriated $ 15 mln specifically in 2001, while Armenian Diaspora

promised another $ 15 millions. Now it is right time when the

specialists should display their scientific and technical experience and

activity in forthcoming preparatory measures.

 

Now, when the Law on Scientific and Technical Activity was recently

adopted by the Armenian Parliament, the Institute is seen in future

sooner with the status of National Scientific Centre (it will be the

optimal solution), just as in many other countries, or National

Scientific Foundation, like e.g. DESY, the German Electron-Synchrotron

in Hamburg (founded as an independent foundation under civil law).

Joint-Stock status will be unacceptable because its profits extracting

character will sharply contradict the goals of scientific centre, while

the status of Foundation gives the Institute the rights of juridical

party and the possibility to benefit from its own economic activity if

the profit is forwarded to the main scientific programmes.

 

This brief information may be concluded by the remark of Robert

Kocharian after his visit to the Institute: "I hope, I am even sure

that YerPhI will overcome all difficulties and will find its adequate

place in this changing world. I will do my best to be useful."

__________________________________________________________________

*) Recently a book "A. Alikhanian. Essays, Recollections, Documents" (Ed.

by G. Merzon. Moscow, 2000, 335 pp., 61 pics, softcover) was published.

It is devoted to the famous scientist, sophisticated and cultured

personality, the founder and first Director of YerPhI, academician Artem

Alikhanian (1908-1978).

 

ANDREJ YESSIN

Department of Information & International Relations,

Yerevan Physics Institute, Yerevan, Armenia

E-Mail: intern@uniphi.yerphi.am

[MJ]

Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory was founded in 1946 on the initiative of academician V.A.Ambartsumian, who became the first director of the observatory and main directions of astrophysical investigations were determined by him. First studies at the Byurakan Observatory related with the instability phenomena taking place in the Universe and this trend became the main characteristic of the science activity in Byurakan.

H.S.Badalian, B.E.Markarian, R.H.Sahakian, G.A.Gurzadian, L.V.Mirzoyan, N.L.Ivanova, V.A.Sanamian, M.A.Arakelian, E.Ye.Khachikian, K.H.Grigorian were among the first astronomers, who began their scientific life with the observatory and continued it for many years. In 1946 "Communications of the Byurakan Observatory" were founded as the main journal for Byurakan astronomers.

 

The building works began in the spring of 1946 under the supervision of famous architect Samvel Safarian. The first structures were the central building, hotel and the towers of the first astronomical instruments: 5-inch double astrograph, 8/12-inch Schmidt telescope, 10-inch telescope-spectrograph, nebular spectrograph, 16-inch Cassegrain telescope and 21/21-inch Schmidt telescope. They were built up in 1951-55. The 21/21-inch telescope was the main instrument for those years, being used for the investigation of structure and radiation properties of galaxies.

 

Since 1950 works on construction of radiotelescopes began. Two symphase antennas for observations on 4.2 m wavelength and two symphase antennas for 1.5 m wavelength were constructed.

 

In 1950-51 the laboratories of instrument-making, radioastrophysics, stellar astronomy and spectroscopy, as well as observatory's library were organized.

 

In September 19, 1956 the official opening of the Byurakan Observatory was celebrated by holding a conference on non-stable stars. J.Greenstein, G.Herbig, G.Haro, E.Schatzman, P.L.Kapitza, B.V.Kukarkin, V.V.Sobolev, and other prominent scientists were among the guests.

 

In 1947 stellar systems of new type - stellar associations were discovered by V.A.Ambartsumian. It was proved that at present star-forming processes are going on in the Universe, stars are being formed by groups. Ambartsumian put forward an idea of star-forming in stellar associations together with gas and dust.

 

In the mid-50s Ambartsumian gave a new explanation for radiogalaxies radiation and proposed a new conception on the activity of galactic nuclei. By the time, it was accepted by all the international astronomical community and at present most of the astrophysical observatories have this subject as one of their main.

 

The discovery of stellar associations and Ambartsumian's idea about activity of galactic nuclei in mid-1950s, as well as investigations on radiation transfer theory, based on Ambartsumian's principle of invariance, elucidated the further development of the Byurakan Observatory's research activities.

 

In 1960 a new Schmidt telescope with 40-inch correcting plate and 52-inch mirror was installed in Byurakan. Soon, in 1965 B.E.Markarian started a survey with a goal of revealing of UV-excess galaxies. It was continued for 15 years and became one of the most famous surveys in modern astronomy. As a result, 1500 galaxies with UV-excess, called now Markarian galaxies, were discovered. Byurakan Schmidt is one of the largest and one of the most efficient Schmidt telescopes in the world.

 

In 1964 and 1971 conferences on extraterrestrial civilizations were held.

 

In 1965 an all-Union astrophysical journal, "Astrophysics" was founded, and Byurakan astronomers began to publish their papers mainly in it.

 

IAU Symposium No.29 in 1966 on non-stable phenomena in galaxies, will remain as one of the most interesting events during the history of the observatory. J.Oort, F.Zwicky, G.Burbidge, E.Burbidge, M.Schmidt, and many other well-known scientists were present.

 

In 1968, for its great merit to the development of science the Byurakan Observatory was awarded the highest prize of the Soviet Union - Lenin Order. A conference was held, devoted to V.A.Ambartsumian's jubilee.

 

Beginning with the late 60s, one of the main subjects of the Byurakan Observatory became the investigation of flare stars. Hundreds of flare stars in star clusters and associations were discovered by L.V.Mirzoyan and colleagues. Early stages of evolution of dwarf non-stable stars were investigated.

 

The installation of 2.6 m telescope was rather important event in the observatory's life. The opening of the telescope in 1976 was accompanied by a symposium on flare stars.

 

In 1978 the Second Byurakan Survey was started. The main goal was to obtain homogeneous sample of quasars and galaxies for further cosmological investigations.

 

In 1980s two IAU symposia were organized in Byurakan: Symposium No. 121 on observational evidences of activity in galaxies (1986) and No. 137 on flare stars (1989).

 

In 1986 the research divisions were abolished and small research groups were formed for more efficient scientific work. The divisions were re-established in 1995 and exist together with groups, each including a few of them. In 1988 V.A.Ambartsumian retired from the position of director of the observatory, and E.Ye.Khachikian occupied it. In 1993-94 H.A.Harutyunian was the acting director, and in 1994 A.R.Petrosian became the director.

 

Due to obtained results the Byurakan Observatory is recognized by the scientific community as one of the main centers for astrophysical researches. The conceptions and ideas proposed in Byurakan have found their further elaboration in many observatories, the new objects discovered in Byurakan are observed in the world by famous astrophysicists.

 

Byurakan astronomers have participated in all large international astronomical meetings: International Astronomical Union (IAU) General Assemblies, Symposia, Colloquia. Many of them are members of different IAU Commissions, V.A.Ambartsumian was IAU president in 1961-64 and vice-president in 1948-55, B.E.Markarian and E.Ye.Khachikian have been the presidents of IAU Commission No.28 ("Galaxies") each for 3 years.

 

The prestige of the Byurakan Observatory was enhanced by the many-years fruitful research work and is on high level during its 50 years history. Many international scientific meetings are held in Byurakan and dozens of astronomical institutions all over the world collaborate with the Byurakan Observatory. Nobel Prize laureates Pablo Neruda, Subrahmanian Chandrasekhar, Charles Towns, Francis Krik, Freeman Dyson and Tomonaga, outstanding scientists J.Oort, F.Zwicky, J.Greenstein, G.Herbig, G.Haro, B.Bok, E.Burbidge, G.Burbidge, M.Schmidt, P.L.Kapitza, V.M.Keldish, Y.B.Zeldovich, V.L.Ginzburg and many others and other honorary guests have visited the Byurakan Observatory to make the acquaintance of famous astronomical center, study its scientific program, to discuss different scientific problems with Byurakan astronomers and to take part in joint investigations. http://bao.sci.am/

[MJ]

PRESS RELEASE

YerPhI Cosmic Ray Division

Hovhannes Vardanian, PR Representative

2 Alikhanian brothers

375036 Yerevan, Armenia

Tel/Fax: 1-603-415 23 59

Email: john@crdlx5.yerphi.am

 

CRD Press release

CRDPR-012

 

February 26, 2000

Yerevan, Armenia

 

The Cosmic Ray Division (CRD) of Yerevan Physics Institute has issued

its annual report on its research activities during the past year, and

is offering attractive business opportunities based on CRD developed

technologies.

 

This week the CRD made available its Annual Report for year 2000. The

report provides a detailed account of its research activities, and

demonstrates the results of major scientific achievements by the

division this past year. The three main areas of CRD 's research are

Space Weather Studies (Forecasting of Extreme Solar Radiation Storms),

Galactic Cosmic Ray Studies, and New Methods of Data Analysis in

Cosmic Ray Astrophysics.

 

Promising results from CRD's research opens opportunities for the

commercialization of CRD's wide technological capabilities, as aptly

demonstrated in three business partnership proposals; Space Weather

Forecasting, Genetic Data Analysis, and CRD's Neural Network Toolbox.

 

The CRD is offering its Space Weather forcasting service to public

utilities and research organizations in which the occurance of Solar

storms can have adverse affects on terrestrial and spaceborne

equipment.

 

CRD's pioneering work in data analysis is currently being applied to

the analysis of massive amounts of data derived from DNA

microarrays. The CRD is offering its services to researchers in the

field of medicine, bioengineering and genetic analysis.

 

The Neural Network Toolbox, developed by the CRD for use in analyzing

cosmic ray and other astrophysical data, is also useful for

applications in various fields in industry, medicine and

management. The CRD is ready to offer its expertise to users in

various fields in industry and science.

 

Documents on the above products and services are available upon

request from CRD Office at 2 Alikhanian brothers St. or online from

the CRD website at http://crdlx5.yerphi.am/news

 

For more information please contact Prof. Ashot Chilingarian (Head of

the CRD): mailto:chili@amsun.yerphi.am

 

Contact information: CRD

2 Alikhanian St.,

375036 Yerevan, Armenia

phone/fax: 374-1-352041