The nest generation, superconducting ECR ion source VENUS (Versatile ECR ion source for Nuclear Science) has operated with 28GHz since 2004,and has produced world record ion beam intesities. The VENUS project is focused on two main objectives. First, for the 88-Inch Cyclotron,VENUS will serve as the third injector soures boosting both the energy and itensity of beams available form the facility.Seconly,VENUS also serves as the prototype injector source for a high intensity heavy ion beam driver linac for a next generation radioactive ion beam facility, where the goal is to produce intense beams of medium to low charge states ions such as 240eμA of Xe 20+ or 250eμA of U28+ to 34+. These high intensity ion beam requerements present a challenge for the beam transport system since the total currents extracte from the ECR ion source reach several mA. Therefore in parallel to io beam develoments,we are also enhancing our ion beam diagnostics devices and are conducting an extensive ion beam simulation effort to improve the understanding of the ion beam ransprot form the VENUS ECR ion source. The paper will give an overview of recent experiments with the VENUS ECR ion source. Since the last ECR ion source workshop in Berkeley in 2004.we have installed a new plasma chamber,which includes X-ray shielding.This enables us to operate the source reliably at high power 28GHz operation.With this new chamber several high intensity beams(such as 2.4mA ofO6+,600eμA of Ar9+,etc.) have been produced. In addition, we have started the developent of high intensity uranium beams. For example, 200eμA of U33+ and U34+ have been produced so far. In respect to high charge state ions,leμA of Ar18+,133eμA of Ar16+,and 4.9eμA of U47+ have been measured. In addition,ion beam profile meaurements are presented with ,and without the sextupole magnetic field energized. These expeerimental results are being compared with simulations using the WARP code.