Towards a wider use of neutron and photon research outputs
The PaNOSC consortium (Photon and Neutron Open Science Cloud) has just signed the European Open Science Cloud (EOSC) Federation Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). By linking hundreds of data repositories and tools, the EOSC Federation aims to create a system where researchers across the continent can easily find, access, and use data and services to boost research and innovation.
The Photon and Neutron Open Science Cluster (PaNOSC) has a dedicated node in the first wave of EOSC nodes that aims to connect the Photon and Neutron European research infrastructures to EOSC. PaNOSC includes all synchrotron and neutron sources in Europe, through their respective associations: LEAPS - League of European Accelerator-based Photon Sources and LENS - League of European Neutron Sources.
Currently 11 Photon and Neutron Research Institutes have committed to providing data and services to the EOSC Federation through the PaNOSC EOSC Node: X-ray sources ESRF (as host institute), ALBA, DESY, ELETTRA, HZDR, MAX IV, SOLEIL and European XFEL; neutron sources ILL and ESS; and the Swiss national infrastructure PSI, which is a member of both LEAPS and LENS.
The signature took place in December at the ESRF. The DG of the ESRF, Jean Daillant, signed on behalf of the 11 PaNOSC partners. Mark Johnson (first left) represented the ILL. Credits: Alexia Daurat.
With the signature of the MoU, PaNOSC commits to align its activities with the principles of the EOSC Federation, embracing openness, transparency, and interoperability based on recognised standards and FAIR data principles - Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable.
Mark Johnson from ILL, who represents the EIROforum facilities in EOSC, explains the importance of the MoU: “Large scale research infrastructures, like those in EIROforum, have a long track record in data curation and services for communities of tens of thousands of researchers. We have a leading role to play in EOSC and the PANOSC node will provide new opportunities for the photon and neutron communities and beyond!”