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At the state scientific center research
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institute of atomic reactors or SSCRI
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site in Dimitrovgrad in the Ulanovsk
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region, a unique and highly ambitious
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project is nearing completion.
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This project is the construction of the
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multi-purpose fast neutron research
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reactor known as MBIR.
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As of January 2026, the facility is in
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the final stages of construction with
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commissioning planned for the year 2028.
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Once operational, MBI is expected to
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become one of the most powerful and
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technologically advanced fast neutron
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research reactors in the world,
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providing scientific capabilities
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designed to support nuclear research for
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Altitude Addicts understands that
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tilling this project has deep roots in
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Russia's long-term strategy for advanced
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nuclear science and energy development.
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Construction of MBIR began in 2015 as
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part of a national program aimed at
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creating a next generation experimental
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platform for material science and
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The reactor is intended to support
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research into fourth generation nuclear
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systems which are designed to be safer,
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more efficient, and capable of operating
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within a closed nuclear fuel cycle.
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MBIR is also intended to replace the
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renowned BOR60 research reactor which
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has operated at the SSC Ryar site for
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Although BAR 60 has played a vital role
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in testing nuclear fuels, materials and
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reactor technologies, its operational
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life is nearing completion.
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MBIR represents a significant
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technological leap forward, taking over
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as Russia's primary fast neutron
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research platform with far broader
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experimental potential.
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Unlike its predecessor, MBIR is designed
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to support a much wider range of
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experimental programs. Its advanced core
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design, flexible experimental channels,
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and modern infrastructure will
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significantly increase both the scope
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and the speed of reactor-based research.
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Altitude Addicts learns that from an
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engineering perspective, MBIR is not
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merely a single reactor, but an
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integrated scientific complex. At its
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heart is a fast neutron reactor with a
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thermal power of 150 megawws
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incorporating three steam water circuits
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and two sodium coolant circuits. The
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wider complex also includes a steam
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turbine unit, a transportation and
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technology system, vertical and
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horizontal experimental channels,
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scientific laboratories, and advanced
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This integrated configuration allows
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both incore and outofcore
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Researchers will be able to conduct
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direct irradiation of materials inside
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the reactor core, neutron beam
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experiments and poster radiation studies
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all within a single facility.
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A particularly important feature of MBIR
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is the presence of dedicated loop
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channels. These channels allow
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researchers to simulate reactor
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operating conditions using different
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coolants including sodium, lead, lead
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bismouth, utctic and gaseous media. This
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flexibility makes MBIR a uniquely
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versatile experimental platform for
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testing a wide range of reactor concepts
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and thermal hydraulic regimes.
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Significant progress was achieved in
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January 2026 with the delivery of
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critical equipment for MBIR's
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transportation and technology systems.
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According to SSCIR specialists, this
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included the fuel handling system and
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steam water washing sockets for spent
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fuel assemblies. The arrival of this
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equipment is a key prerequisite for
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completing the reactor's control
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Altitude addicts learned that the fuel
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handling mechanism itself is a highly
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sophisticated electromechanical system.
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It measures approximately 10 m in length
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and weighs more than 3.3 tons. Its
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purpose is to precisely extract, rotate,
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and reposition fuel assemblies while
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monitoring extraction forces and
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sampling gases to verify the integrity
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The steam water washing socket is an
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equally complex component. It consists
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of a variable diameter pipe equipped
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with a bellow's compensator, thermal
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insulation, and shut off valves.
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Its role is to remove residual coolant
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from spent fuel assemblies, detachable
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cores, and side reflector components
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while also enabling inspection of fuel
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integrity. Each washing unit will weigh
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approximately 2.2 2 tons and measure
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about 5.5 m in length once fully
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Installation of this fully domestically
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produced equipment is scheduled to take
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paving the way for final assembly and
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subsequent commissioning activities.
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Scientifically, MBR is designed to
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replicate some of the most extreme
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operating conditions encountered in
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advanced nuclear systems. These include
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extremely high temperatures, intense
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neutron radiation, and elevated
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pressures. Such conditions are essential
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for testing next generation fuels and
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structural materials intended for future
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The reactor will enable comprehensive
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studies of new fuel compositions,
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advanced alloys, coolant technologies,
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By simulating real operating and even
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emergency conditions, MBI will allow
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researchers to observe material behavior
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under a radiation levels and thermal
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loads that closely mirror those found in
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A central focus of MBI's mission is the
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development of closed nuclear fuel cycle
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This approach aims to significantly
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improve resource efficiency by recycling
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fistle materials from spent fuel while
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also reducing the volume and long-term
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radio toxicity of nuclear waste.
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Altitude addicts learns that MBIR is
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also expected to serve as the foundation
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for an international research center.
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Through this framework, international
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research institutes, universities, and
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industrial partners will be granted
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access to the reactor's experimental
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The goal is to foster large-scale
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international cooperation in nuclear
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science and engineering.
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Several countries including China,
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Bellarus, and Usuzbekiststan have
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already expressed strong interest in
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participating in MBI based research
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Access to such a powerful fast neutron
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research facility is seen as highly
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valuable for developing national nuclear
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programs and training highly qualified
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The international significance of MBIR
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is further underscored by the approval
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of a coordinated research program for
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the years 2029 through 2040 by the
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Interstate Commission of Commonwealth of
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Independent States member countries for
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the use of atomic energy.
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From a broader perspective, MBI
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represents a crucial step in
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establishing the experimental foundation
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for the next generation of nuclear
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Thanks to its high neutron flux and
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power level, the reactor will
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dramatically shorten research timelines
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and allow materials to reach target
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irradiation levels far faster than is
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possible in existing facilities.
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Altitude Addicts believes that these
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capabilities will accelerate both
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fundamental scientific research and
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applied development. In doing so, MBIR
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is expected to influence the evolution
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of advanced reactor designs, fuel
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cycles, and nuclear safety systems, not
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only in Russia, but internationally.
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In conclusion, the multi-purpose fast
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neutron research reactor or MBIR is a
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project of genuine global importance.
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Once commissioned in 2028, it will
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support research into material science,
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nuclear fuels, closed fuel cycle
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technologies, and fourth generation
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It is expected to become a cornerstone
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of advanced nuclear research.
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With its exceptional experimental
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versatility, high power, and strong
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international interest, MBIR is
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positioned to emerge as a leading
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scientific center. Its impact is likely
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to shape the future of nuclear science
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and technology for many years to come.
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