Pilot Phase : Outputs and Activities


The International Materials Assessment and Application Centre - IMAAC will be implemented in two phases: the pilot phase (current) and the operating phase (a posteriori).


IMAAC should be fully established under the auspices of UNIDO, to ensure its international nature as well as to favour the financing of its germinator nucleus until it reaches the expected dimensions for a programme of such importance.


The pilot phase is supported by a Trust Fund Agreement, in accordance with the Government of Brazil. The main activities for the pilot/preparatory phase are described in relation to the corresponding expected outputs:


Output 1

A small Coordinating Unit established and being temporarily operational on the premises of CETEM - Centro de Tecnologia Mineral, selected by the Government of Brazil as the national counterpart institution for the IMAAC project. This Unit is composed of the the National Project Coordinator - Dr. Lélio Fellows Filho - appointed in consultation and agreement with the Government of Brazil, and a small executive coordinating body. The Unit will perform the following functions:

    serve as the focal point for coordination of all activities in the host country leading to the establishment of the Centre;
    ensure the necessary coordination with the competent authorities in the country, including government, industry, financial and scientific institutions;
    provide operational support to the programme during the pilot and the preparatory phases of the IMAAC project.

Related Activities
    Identification of high level specialists recognized in the field of materials science and engineering, to be appointed as nodes to IMAAC.
    Establishment of the office facilities for the IMAAC on the premises of CETEM (the national counterpart).
    Preparation of a work programme related to the functions of the Coordinating Unit.
    Implementation and monitoring of the adopted work programme of IMAAC related to the functions of the Unit as outlined in Outputs 2-9.
    Participation in identification and mobilization of financial resources for launching the operational phase of IMAAC and ensuring its sustainable development.
    Participation in elaboration and finalization of a long-term work programme for the second operational phase of the IMAAC project.

Output 2

An international cooperative network of scientists, entrepreneurs in industry, and other members of the international community dealing with Materials Science and Engineering in governments, professional societies, industrial enterprises and associations, R&D institutes and universities, established and functioning.

Related Activities
    Identification of institutions, scientists and other members of the international community dealing with materials science and engineering issues.
    Development of an IMAAC roster of :
(i) governmental policy entities; (ii) R & D institutions and universities, (iii) key industrial sectors and enterprises; (iv) individual experts; (v) other specific needs for IMAAC's assistance.
    Selection of national focal points to interact with IMAAC in their respective countries.
    Participation in the work programme of the preparatory and pilot phases of IMAAC as outlined in the Outputs 3 and 5-9.

Output 3

A Panel of International Advisers, composed of 6-8 leading experts in the field of Materials Science and Engineering from the developing and developed countries established (May 1988, when Prof. Roberto C. Villas Boas was elected as the Chairman), in order to:
    review the trends in materials science and engineering, its impact on industrial and economic development and the role in sustainable competitiveness;
    review the studies prepared during IMAAC's pilot phase;
    develop a strategy and provide guidance for the establishment of IMAAC;
    review the concept, mission, functions and the work programme of IMAAC;
    elaborate and approve a long-term work programme for the operational phase of IMAAC.

Related Activities
    Selection of high level experts working in the area of materials science and engineering to form a Panel of Advisers.
    Setting up the Panel of Advisers and development of its procedure.
    Organization of two meetings of the Panel of Advisers to review the concept, mission, functions and the work programme of IMAAC, to evaluate the existing situation and trends in the area under consideration and monitor implementation of the pilot phase to be reflected in both the on-going and the long-term work programmes of IMAAC.
    Development of a strategy, provision of guidance for the establishment of IMAAC and elaboration of a long-term programme for the second operational phase of the IMAAC project.

Output 4

The international community dealing with Materials Science and Engineering issues acknowledged with the role and functions of the International Materials Assessment and Application Centre, and supporting the plans for its establishment.

Related Activities
    Preparation and distribution of a special promotional brochure on IMAAC which would include the description of its mission, functions and the names of contact points at both national and international levels.
    Publication of a newsletter, as a special section of the UNIDO periodical "Emerging Technology Series: New and Advanced Materials", which would inform the international community working in the area of materials science and engineering about the IMAAC activities.
    Promotion of IMAAC through dissemination of information about its activities in national/international scientific and technical journals, and introduction of its work programme at national/international meetings.
    Mobilization of public and financial support for the pilot and preparatory phases of the work programme of ICMET - International Centre for Materials Evaluation Technology as well as for its second operational phase.

Output 5

An initial information system established and a detailed proposal for its upgrading so as to be relevant to the functions of IMAAC designed and submitted to the Panel of Advisers for consideration and follow-up actions.

This action will be undertaken in close collaboration with institutions, such as ASM International and other international centres of UNIDO, to minimize the cost, not to duplicate the efforts, and to ensure the complementarity, comprehensiveness of coverage, compatibility and standardization of data from an early stage in order to increase the efficiency and usefulness of the information services offered by IMAAC during its operation.

Related Activities
    Selection and appointment of consultants-specialists in the area of computerized databases, networks and materials science and engineering.
    Identification of the existing databases and information systems dealing with materials science and engineering issues.
    Design of an information system relevant to the functions of IMAAC.
    Preliminary arrangements for networking national focal points and the existing databases in order to meet the requirements of the preparatory and pilot phases of IMAAC.
    Preparation of a detailed proposal for upgrading the system and its submission to the Panel of Advisers for follow-up actions.

Output 6

Over 105 specialists dealing with different issues of Materials Science and Engineering, including materials policy issues, trained in specific aspects of new materials design, manufacturing and application, including the policy issues, in multidisciplinary and trans-sectoral fashion.

Related Activities
    Organization of and conducting a workshop on "New Materials - Technologies for Economic and Industrial Competitiveness in the 21st Century".
    Organization of and conducting a workshop on "Materials Transition - a Matter for Industry and Policy Makers".
    Organization of and conducting a workshop on "Composites from Native Resources - a Matter for Materials Engineering in Developing Countries".
    Organization of and conducting a workshop on "Strategies for Developing New Materials with Environmentally Sound and Energy Saving Impact".
    Organization of and conducting two training courses on (i) formulation of a national materials policy, and (ii) management of materials transition.
    Holding a special session during the "ASM Materials Week" on the application of modern science and technology to the utilization of raw and natural materials resources and development of technological capacity in developing countries.
    Review of the results of the conducted meetings and dissemination of their findings among other members of IMAAC.

Output 7

Advisory services provided to help policy makers, industry and R&D institutions in developing countries in building up/strengthening their technological capacities in the area of Materials Science and Engineering.

Related Activities
    Assessment of problems facing developing countries in the area of materials science and engineering, including policy issues.
    Selection of appropriate experts being able to provide leading edge services upon requests.
    Mission of experts to a country, institution, R&D centre, enterprise, etc. to assist in solving particular problems.

Output 8

A multidisciplinary study on the materials situation in developing countries, as the basis for the formulation of a long-term work programme for the operational phase of IMAAC, prepared.

Related Activities
    Development of Terms of Reference for the study and their approval by the Panel of Advisers.
    Identification and selection of a high level specialist recognized worldwide in the field of materials science and engineering for conducting the survey and preparing of the study.
    Collection and analysis of information on the subject.
    Preparation of the study and its submission to the Panel of Advisers for evaluation and utilization in strategic planning and development of a long-term work programme for the operational phase of IMAAC.
    Publication and dissemination of the study among policy makers, industrialists, and managers of R&D centres and universities, working in the area of materials science and engineering, for its utilization in strategic planning and formulation, and implementation of relevant materials policy for sustainable competitiveness.

Output 9

A project document for the establishment of IMAAC covering the substantive scope of a long-term work programme for the operationl phase of the Centre developed and approved by the Panel of Advisers.

Related Activities
    Development of a draft project document for the establishment of IMAAC and its long-term work programme for the operational phase.
    Assessment of the documents by the Panel of Advisers and development of a strategy for the operational phase of IMAAC.