“The information we have received concerns the possible alteration of research results in certain projects at the Halden Reactor several years ago. We take this matter very seriously and have initiated an externally led investigation, which is ongoing,” says Nils Morten Huseby, President of IFE.
All of the projects concerned were completed many years back, and the situation has not posed any danger to health, environment or safety in Halden. The Halden Reactor was closed down in 2018, and the information emerged in connection with the preparation for the decommissioning of the reactor.
IFE has advised relevant players and customers that may be impacted and will keep authorities and stakeholders informed. It is unlikely that IFE will be able to draw any final conclusions until the investigation has been completed.
“Scientific misconduct is unacceptable and in breach of IFE’s ethical principles. We have deployed considerable resources and international expertise to the investigation, to ensure that all facts are disclosed. This will be a time-consuming process and we are still at an early stage. Since 2016, IFE has made a significant effort to strengthen the safety culture and improving processes and routines at the Institute. We will use the results of the investigation in these efforts, while also implementing necessary interim measures during the process,” says Huseby.
IFE had reported the matter as a possible serious breach of recognized research ethical norms to The Norwegian National Research Ethics Committees and the Norwegian National Committee for investigating research misconduct, according to the provisions of the Act on Research Ethics.
ON IFE
IFE was founded by the Norwegian state in 1948 and is today an independent foundation. IFE is located at Kjeller and in Halden. The Institute has both Norwegian and international customers with a turnover at about NOK 1 billion a year.
IFE is one of Norway’s largest research institutes with about 600 employees from 38 nationalities. The Institute has leading research group within e.g renewable energy, digital systems, nuclear technology, health and industrial development.
IFE is today world leader in the development of next generation battery technology. We contribute to better and more efficient solutions in solar, wind and hydrogen energy. Our research provides more efficient resource management and improved sustainability in the Norwegian oil and gas sector.
CONTACT
Press contact, +47 45 83 15 04
Silje Aspholm Hole, Head of Communication, +47 930 22 096
Mona Lunde Ramstad, Communication Advisor, +47 452 14 794
Email: presse@ife.no
