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ISSN 1977-4028
research eu
R E S U LT S M A G A Z I N E
N°36
OCTOBER 2014
SPECIAL FEATURE
BIOTECH FOR LONGER,
HEALTHIER LIVES
ENERGY AND
TRANSPORT
RESEARCH
TO HELP
REDUCE
THE RISK OF
AIRCRAFT
ACCIDENTS
» PAGE 21
INDUSTRIAL
TECHNOLOGIES
THE NEXT
GENERATION
OF 3D
PRINTERS
» PAGE 38
research eu
R E S U LT S M AG A Z I N E
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ISSN 1831-9947 (printed version)
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Cover photo © George Doyle, cosmin4000
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EDITORIAL
by the editorial team
UNFOLDING THE FUTURE
OF HEALTH RESEARCH
WITH MEDICAL
BIOTECHNOLOGY
From 6 to 12 October, organisations from all across Europe will be getting together for
the second year in a row. They will celebrate ‘European Biotech Week’ with special events
in Italy, France, Belgium, Lithuania, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands
and the United Kingdom.
One of the sectors to be highlighted at these events is medical biotechnology, a field which
is holding much promise in terms of treatments for some of the most serious diseases
humanity is facing. You could think of medical biotechnology as a field at the crossroads
of biology and engineering: it
encompasses all uses of living cells to
research and produce pharmaceutical
and diagnostic products, and includes
solutions as exciting as stem cell-based
therapies, bio implants, biobanks or
groundbreaking diagnosis techniques
such as cancer detection through
samples of saliva.
‘You could think of
medical biotechnology
as a field at the
crossroads of biology
and engineering’
Some 50 % of all new medicines
originate from biotechnologies,
benefiting 350 million patients in
Europe, and this proportion is growing each year. The sector is also an important
factor for growth, and public funding is essential to boost innovation.
It is therefore only natural that the EU’s Seventh Framework Programme for Research
(FP7) strongly supports medical biotechnology, with a large number of FP7 projects
dedicated to four domains: high-throughput research; detection, diagnosis and monitoring;
prediction of suitability, safety and efficacy of therapies; and innovative therapeutic
approaches and intervention.
This edition of the research*eu magazine puts the spotlight on some of these projects,
either completed over the last year or being close to completion. These special sections
include an interview with Dr David Sassoon, coordinator of ENDOSTEM, a project looking
into ways to boost regeneration mechanisms for patients with degenerative muscular
disease.
Our nine ‘specials’ are followed by our usual seven sections on biology and medicine,
social sciences and humanities, energy and transport, the environment, IT and
telecommunications, industrial technologies and space. The magazine closes with a list
of upcoming events.
We look forward to receiving your feedback. You can send questions or suggestions to:
editorial@cordis.europa.eu
Want more information on
the contents of this issue?
For online versions or information
about the contributors in this issue
of research*eu results magazine:
CORDIS
• http://cordis.europa.eu/projects
• http://cordis.europa.eu/stories
• http://cordis.europa.eu/news
European Research Council
• http://erc.europa.eu
EC DG Research and Innovation
• http://ec.europa.eu/research/infocentre
research eu
R E S U LT S M A G A Z I N E
NEXT
ISSUE
Focus on
Close-up on
nanotechnology
FOR LONGER,
HEALTHIER LIVES
ISSN 1831-9947
research eu
R E S U LT S M A G A Z I N E
N°36
OCTOBER 2014
SPECIAL FEATURE
BIOTECH FOR LONGER,
HEALTHIER LIVES
ENERGY AND
TRANSPORT
RESEARCH
TO HELP
REDUCE
THE RISK OF
AIRCRAFT
ACCIDENTS
» PAGE 21
INDUSTRIAL
TECHNOLOGIES
4
6
7
8
9
9
10
11
11
N°36
OCTOBER 2014
4BIOTECH
SPECIAL FEATURE
Helping stem cells overcome degenerative muscle disease
Elucidating neural tube patterning
Sugar/protein synergy for tissue regeneration
A novel bioreactor to mimic liver function
The potential of carbon nanotubes
Cell therapy for immunodeficiencies
Compartmentalisation of DNA repair
Biocompatible molecular sensors
Printed cartilage implants
THE NEXT
GENERATION
OF 3D
PRINTERS
» PAGE 38
12 BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
12 At the threshold of personalised
12
cancer treatment
First natural product against mesothelioma
Smarter, faster, stronger drug therapies
Comparing the male and female brains
Nanotech images to prevent diabetes
Studying the underlying causes
of memory loss
17 Encapsulated liquids mimic our eye lenses
13
14
15
16
17
AND HUMANITIES
18 Socio-economics for balanced and
effective security solutions
19 Fostering creativity through early science and
mathematics education
19 The role of Catholicism in civil society
20 Deconstructing racism in the classroom
21 ENERGY AND TRANSPORT
21 Research to help reduce the risk of
aircraft accidents
21
29
30
30
31
environment
Tools to control animal diseases
Tomato and potato isoprenoid factories
Effect of species loss on marine ecosystems
Sensing antibiotics in our environment
32 IT AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS
32 Building high performance,
low cost radar system
18SOCIAL SCIENCES
18
28 Measuring your way to a healthier
22 High-resolution sensor network
23
24
24
25
to monitor turbine blade performance
My car drives, parks and charges itself for me
The third generation of electric vehicles
Reducing energy use by airports
Rotorcraft technology — up the next level
33 Assuring privacy in assisted living solutions
34 Mind over matter for people
35
35
37
37
with disabilities
Designing indoor wireless networks
New ways of exploring Big Data
Inks for next-generation electronics
Air traffic control: Safety first
38 INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGIES
38 The next generation of 3D printers
39 Enzymes to replace classical chemistry
40 Online cleaning for better hygiene
40 Titanium aircraft parts without dies
41 Better process scheduling aids industry
41 Recyclable plastic heating pipes
42 SPACE
38
42 Space — the final frontier
for food
26 ENVIRONMENT AND SOCIETY
26 Interactive linking of climate data from
44 Reading the space weather forecast
45 Safer spacecraft landing on planets
multiple sources
26
32
27 Industrial pollution in the Mediterranean
28 Role of microorganisms in activated sludge
46EVENTS
42
research*eu results magazine N°36 / October 2014
SPECIAL FEATURE
SPECIAL FEATURE
BIOTECH FOR LONGER, HEALTHIER LIVES
INTERVIEW
HELPING STEM CELLS
OVERCOME DEGENERATIVE
MUSCLE DISEASE
The ENDOSTEM project has made noteworthy advances towards using
endogenous stem cells to tackle degenerative muscle diseases. Although
the team has faced various difficulties, its findings lay the groundwork
for novel therapeutic strategies.
‘M
uscular dystrophies’ (MD) are
degenerative muscle diseases including Duchenne
muscular dystrophy, which affects 1 in
every 3 500 boys worldwide according
to the FP7-funded scientist partnership EuroStemCell. Affected boys progressively lose muscle mass and
function and become wheelchair
bound, assisted with a respirator and
eventually die. There are no cures and
the available treatments are only able
to slow down the degeneration
process.
The biological mechanisms underlying
this disease resemble a tug-of-war:
normally when a muscle fibre is damaged, the stem cells it contains respond
to local signals and turn into new muscle fibres. They also create copies of
themselves as a reserve for future
damage. But since muscular dystrophy
inflicts constant damage to the
muscles, the repair burden placed on
these cells is so big that they get
exhausted and eventually fail to make
new muscle. Degeneration overcomes
regeneration, and damaged muscle
fibres are replaced by fat cells and scar
tissue.
In this exclusive interview with the
research*eu results magazine and a
few months before the project’s end
date, Dr Sassoon discusses the project’s successes and the reasons why
he and his team will not be able to
reach all of ENDOSTEM’s objectives.
Until recently, most scientists thought
that the best solution to MD lay in the
delivery of healthy stem cells to muscles
so that they could generate new muscle
fibres and replace the damaged ones.
But for Dr David Sassoon and his team,
this solution is presently not efficient and
too complex. Their project launched in
2010, ENDOSTEM (Activation of vasculature associated stem cells and muscle
stem cells for the repair and maintenance of muscle tissue), aims to identify
agents capable of ‘boosting’ stem cells
already present in muscle tissue — also
known as endogenous stem cells — for a
more efficient tissue repair.
 What was the main objective of
ENDOSTEM?
Dr Sassoon: The overall objective
was to identify new therapies for muscular dystrophy and muscle degenerative
diseases. The idea of ENDOSTEM was to
figure out a way — instead of genetically altering the tissue through DNA
transfer, or taking out stem cells, genetically correcting them and engrafting
them — to mobilise or encourage the
stem cells that are already in the damaged tissue to do their job more
efficiently.
It has been known that early degenerative diseases initially appear mild,
© George Doyle, cosmin4000 and MOOHOOW, Thinkstock
4
research*eu results magazine N°36 / October 2014
5
© Sassoon
SPECIAL FEATURE
DR SASSOON
particularly in young children since
regenerative mechanisms in young kids
are highly activated and this capacity
can keep up with the tissue damage.
Over time, this regenerative capacity
declines. ENDOSTEM’s central aim is to
mobilise the endogenous stem cells to
be able to keep the regenerative capacity very high so that the stem cells continue to repair the tissue, thereby
ensuring that the symptoms of the disease are held in check.
 Your approach doesn’t involve
extracting stem cells from the
patient’s muscle tissues.
How is this more effective?
The major problem with taking
someone’s stem cells, repairing them
and putting them back is that it is very
complex. In this scenario the stem
cells are considered legally as a medication. As such they are subject to
very complex rules in terms of how
they can be used. On the other hand,
putting in a more standard pharmacological medication represents significantly fewer hurdles than using living
cells and is far cheaper in the long run.
Furthermore, the patient does not
need to have his or her immune system suppressed.
 How did you come up
with this idea?
Before the project started, various colleagues had started talking about working together. When I looked at the
landscape of what was actually going on,
that is, the introduction of genetic material and/or engraftment of stem cells, I
thought maybe there is an alternative
approach. At that time the question of
whether we could augment the endogenous regenerative capacity had not really
been considered.
 What would you say are the
project’s main achievements?
One of the essential findings that has
emerged over the last five years has been
that stem cells talk to their neighbours
(cells that make up the vessels, the connective tissue and fat) and the signals
they use can have a very positive or negative effect on regeneration.
We found that we can manipulate those
signals to further augment regeneration
and have also become more aware that
multiple progenitors are activated in the
injury response. All these progenitors are
talking to each other during the process
of regeneration. If the balance between
different groups of progenitors is disrupted, then instead of rebuilding muscle
tissue the process creates scar tissue and
fat. We now know much more about the
processes that lead to this, thanks to
work from groups within the project.
 So the project is set to meet
all of its objectives?
Unfortunately not but we have come a
long way. With the crisis Europe went
through the market took a massive hit,
which created immense difficulties for
some of the companies that we were
dealing with — one of which eventually
had to drop out in the middle of a very
promising clinical trial. We found a
replacement in an Italian company looking at epigenetic modifying drugs that
augment the recruitment of muscle cells
into the regenerative process, but bureaucratic issues with the Commission caused
a lot of delays. Now we are in a situation
where we cannot be granted a one-year
extension — notably because of the
launch of Horizon 2020 — and won’t be
able to perform the last two clinical trials
we had foreseen by the time the project
ends.
 Are you saying won’t be able
to pursue your research?
A significant amount of basic research
has been accomplished, along with two
clinical trials and pre-clinical work and we
successfully identified an agent that
increases the number of progenitor cells
in muscle tissue, but key steps needed to
assess the usefulness of this compound
in preclinical animal studies will not be
completed in time, meaning that companies are likely to find it too risky to invest
in our findings at this stage.
We could be applying for Horizon
2020, but we would have to identify a
suitable call and this would cause delays
while research keeps marching ahead. Of
course I think some of the interactions
forged in this consortium will continue
and obtaining the funds is achievable, but
the clinical trials are never easy to do. You
have to deal with local authorities, EC
authorities, quality control and delivery,
then of course you have to obtain the
consent of patients. A project extension
would have been the most viable solution
for us.
 You said you were able to
identify an agent that augments
the number of progenitor cells
in muscle tissue, which was
the project’s key deliverable.
How advanced are you with
testing this agent?
We have identified an agent called
Cripto which was developed in Italy and
tested in mice. It appears to be very promising in terms of amplifying the number of
progenitor cells. The major obstacle was
how to deliver this peptide to muscle tissue in a way that won’t trigger an immune
response. We tested three approaches,
and the next step was testing on large animals. Unfortunately that’s part of the work
we will not be able to do.
“Information has a very
positive effect on regeneration
and we can actually
manipulate those signals to
further augment
regeneration.”
 In light of your difficult
experience, what are your
hopes for Horizon 2020?
I think it will be really important for the
EC to increase the level of flexibility in
case of unforeseen events, which was one
of the weaknesses of FP7 in my opinion.
But there are some very positive things to
say about EC funding: it helped us achieve
numerous publications in high impact
journals, providing the project with an
important following outside the network.
This also helped us bring young researchers together with established ones, and
other collaborative projects are either
foreseen or already ongoing.
 What’s your next challenge?
Fundamental research is almost never
completed. We still need to understand
the nature of the signals transmitted
between progenitor cells, and another
question that has become more important to me why regeneration ultimately
fails as part of the ageing process.
ENDOSTEM
Coordinated

by UPMC in France.
Funded

under FP7-HEALTH.
http://cordis.europa.eu/project/

rcn/94224_en.html
Project

website:
http://www.endostem.eu/
research*eu results magazine N°36 / October 2014
SPECIAL FEATURE
ELUCIDATING NEURAL TUBE
PATTERNING
EU-funded scientists have investigated the mechanisms involved in neural tube
patterning, a key process required for the development of the spinal cord. Applications
include tissue engineering and regenerative medicine as well as stem cell research.
T
he EU-funded project NEURAL
TUBE NETWORK (Systematic
analysis and modeling of the
gene regulatory network underlying
neural tube patterning) was initiated
to elucidate the ‘Gene regulatory network’ (GRN) involved in neural tube
patterning. The researchers used the
chick embryo for transcriptional
profiling.
Neural tube patterning involves the
expression of different types of ‘transcription factors’ (TFs) and signalling
molecules such as ‘sonic hedgehog’
(Shh) to produce functionally-distinct
neuronal subtypes. The Shh-controlled
© Eraxion, Thinkstock
6
GRN is a major player in controlling
this process and determines the fate
of these neuronal subtypes.
Scientists performed ‘High throughput
mRNA sequencing’ (HTS) on chick neural tube cells for transcriptome analyses at different time-points of Shh
signalling. Differentially expressed
genes were successfully identified
and results were validated using data
from Nanostring nCounter, a fully
automated system for profiling RNA
and DNA.
A chick TF database was generated
and used to annotate the transcriptome data obtained previously. The
researchers then compared the profiles of differentially expressed TFs
from altered Shh signalling at different periods.
“Study results could
be used to develop
innovative medical
interventions.”
Results revealed that a combination of
specific TFs need to be expressed to
generate distinct neuronal progenitor
domains (e.g. p3 and pMN) during neural tube patterning. These p3 and pMN
domains are spatially distinct in the
ventral spinal cord where the p3
domain produces V3 interneurons and
pMN generates somatic motoneurons.
In parallel, work is ongoing to develop
computational approaches to model
the Shh-controlled GRN to represent
gene regulation by TFs during ventral
neural tube patterning.
Project outcomes have revealed that
neural tube TFs act alone or in combination to produce different progenitor
gene expression profiles in response
to Shh concentration.
Validation of these findings will have
important implications with regard to
understanding the dynamics of gene
regulation and its role in spinal cord
development. Study results could also
be extrapolated to other developing
tissues and used to develop innovative medical interventions through
stem cell therapy or artificial bone or
skin grafts.
NEURAL TUBE NETWORK
Coordinated by the Medical Research
Council in the United Kingdom.
Funded

under FP7-PEOPLE.
http://cordis.europa.eu/project/

rcn/96649_en.html
research*eu results magazine N°36 / October 2014
7
SPECIAL FEATURE
SUGAR/PROTEIN SYNERGY FOR TISSUE
REGENERATION
“The result is the development
of third-generation constructs
for enhancing functions of
bone and cartilage.”
result is the development of third-generation constructs for
enhancing functions of bone and cartilage, and kits to support culture as well as differentiation of adult stem cells.
© Photokanok, Thinkstock
Researching the effects of capsules containing microparticles on tissue engineering, the scientists used the polypeptide poly(L-lysine), the polysaccharides chitosan and
alginate, and poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA). Surfacefunctionalised PLLA microparticles were housed in a capsule made of the other three ingredients. The liquefied
inner provides a medium for the diffusion of materials
required for cell survival, and the microparticles supply a
surface for functions of cells that need to be anchored in
the growth environment.
Researchers have harnessed the cell’s
ability to interact with other cells to develop
new material with a living component.
Restoration of healthy tissues and
biosensors are just two applications of the
nano-scale abilities of the common cell.
‘N
anobiotechnology’ (NBT) promises to revolutionise
the use of biomolecular processes to develop new
devices for biological, biotechnological or biomedical applications. Until now, NBT has focused on using peptide epitopes, small sequences that can be recognised in
larger proteins, and then copycatting these protein
portions.
The FIND AND BIND (Mastering sweet cell-instructive biosystems by copycat nano-interaction of cells with natural
surfaces for biotechnological applications) project has
extended the technology to include the role of carbohydrates and proteins in cell signalling and timing. The
In the sphere of stem cell propagation, the FIND AND BIND
team investigated how to improve the ability of ‘Fibroblast
growth factor 2’ (FGF-2) to act as a supplement to stem
cell culture. Manipulating the underlying substrate to vary
charges on the molecules, the team found that FGF-2
adsorption is not solely driven by electrostatic interactions.
The scientists related these results with changes in the
morphology of adipose stem cells.
The researchers also investigated the molecular interactions of the polysaccharides ‘glycosaminoglycans’ (GAGs)
that are important for biological processes in the extracellular matrix and at cell surfaces. Crucial in biotechnological
applications, they are highly polar and attract water. They
are therefore useful as shock absorbers in the body. Using
hyaluronan, a natural GAG, FIND AND BIND developed a
new method of producing stable hydrogels.
FIND AND BIND research has been published recently in the
journals Biomacromolecules, ScienceDirect and Soft Matter.
Project results have been highly successful in helping to
understand how the natural environment influences cell
behaviour and translating this knowledge into industrial
applications. By introducing new concepts of high added
value, FIND AND BIND addresses societal objectives such
as improving patients’ healthcare and quality of life.
FIND AND BIND
Coordinated

by the University of Minho in Portugal.
Funded

under FP7-NMP.
http://cordis.europa.eu/project/rcn/92202_en.html

Project

website:
http://www.findandbind.eu/
8
research*eu results magazine N°36 / October 2014
SPECIAL FEATURE
A NOVEL BIOREACTOR TO MIMIC LIVER
FUNCTION
A European consortium is working towards the development of a specialised device to
simulate the complex structure and function of the human liver. The long-term plan is
to utilise this bioreactor to screen the toxicity of various drugs.
O
rgan-simulating devices may
sound like science fiction but
are not far from becoming a
reality. For organ bioreactors to closely
resemble the architecture and function of the desired organ, they need to
be built on natural or artificial scaffolds and to contain all cellular components in close contact with one
another. Furthermore, novel microfluidics systems need to be in place to
facilitate perfusion, maintenance of a
“HEMIBIO researchers aim at
enabling their hepatic
bioreactor to test the toxicity
of well known hepatotoxins
and cosmetic ingredients.”
supportive culture milieu and measurement of cell function and viability.
In this context, the EU-funded HEMIBIO
(Hepatic microfluidic bioreactor) project
aims to generate a liver-simulating
device that mimics the complex structure and function of the human liver
and can therefore be used to screen
drugs in vitro. This hepatic microfluidic
bioreactor should reproduce the in
vivo-like metabolic and transport
functions, as well as the physiology of
interactions between hepatocytes and
other liver cells.
One of the major challenges in building a ‘three-dimensional’ (3D) liver
bioreactor is the lack of data on the
complex environment present inside
the bioreactor where the cells live,
aggregate and differentiate. To gather
such information, microsensors
located in the direct vicinity of the
cells can be instrumental. They can
help monitor cell culture conditions
and thus mimic the natural
microenvironment.
The HEMIBIO consortium has set up a
2D bioreactor using a simple microfluidic chip with antibodies linked to
its surface for efficient cell capture.
These cells are subsequently cultured
in microwells where they assemble
into hepatic organoids and are
shielded from fluid shear-induced
damage.
By applying polymer technologies and
materials, scientists then aim to fabricate a 3D bioreactor with specialised sensors that will allow monitoring
of the cell conditions. Hepatocytes
generated from ‘induced pluripotent
stem cells’ (iPSCs) will also be tested
in the bioreactor following their
detailed gene expression and epigenomic characterisation.
Engineered cells with molecular sensors are also being developed to
assess early signs of cellular toxicity
and genotoxicity as well as hepatocyte integrity in real time.
© Roger Harris, Corbisimages
Over the long term, HEMIBIO researchers want their hepatic bioreactor to be
able to test the toxicity of well known
hepatotoxins and cosmetic ingredients. The new knowledge that will
emerge from the HEMIBIO study has
the potential to be exploited by the
biotechnology, pharmaceutical and
cosmetics industries, bypassing the
use of animals for toxicity testing.
HEMIBIO
Coordinated by the Catholic University
of Leuven in Belgium.
Funded

under FP7-HEALTH.
http://cordis.europa.eu/result/

rcn/90638_en.html
research*eu results magazine N°36 / October 2014
9
SPECIAL FEATURE
THE POTENTIAL OF CARBON NANOTUBES
Treating brain disorders such as stroke has been challenging for the medical community. An EU-funded
project investigated whether carbon nanotubes might be an effective way to inject medicine directly into
the brain.
D
© ollaweila, Thinkstock
uring the first part of the NANONEUROHOP
(Assessment of the hazard and opportunities of using
carbon nanotubes as a new nanocarrier for drug
delivery in neural tissue) project researchers exposed neurons, glial cells and microglia to nanotubes. These cells
came from the frontal cortex and the striatum.
The researchers found that
microglia from the striatum
were sensitive to carbon
nanotubes. To investigate
further, they tested these
cells in positively charged,
negatively charged, and
both positively and negatively charged nanotubes over
a one-month period. No significant
toxicity was found.
Microglia, however, have the ability to absorb
foreign materials. Exploring this issue, researchers left microglial cell cultures in each differently
charged nanotube for three months. Importantly, the
nanotubes were all still present at the end of the threemonth period. This showed that degradation is slow in
microglia.
Scientists then injected carbon nanotubes into superficial
areas of the brains of rodents. Their goal was to observe
whether degradation occurred. Scientists observed some
degradation after two weeks.
Going further, they injected nanotubes into deep brain
regions. Degradation was more advanced in these areas. In
both studies, the health and behaviour of the animals were
not affected.
“Further investigation will be needed to
assess the long-term safety and
degradation of nanotubes after injection.”
These studies have improved understanding of the reaction
of the brain when exposed to carbon nanotubes. The
research showed the need for more biocompatible materials and the importance of considering where in the brain
the nanotubes should be placed. Further investigation will
be needed to assess the long-term safety and degradation
of nanotubes after injection.
A secondary aim of NANONEUROHOP was to develop the
managerial, writing and mentoring skills as well as scientific expertise of a funded researcher. This part of the project was also successful. This individual mentored eight
scientists and generated many publications. The researcher
is now on the way toward a successful career.
NANONEUROHOP
Coordinated by University College London
in the United Kingdom.
Funded

under FP7-PEOPLE.
http://cordis.europa.eu/project/rcn/99203_en.html

CELL THERAPY FOR IMMUNODEFICIENCIES
An EU-funded study aims to restore faith in the use of gene therapy for treatment of ‘Primary immune
deficiencies’ (PIDs). The project utilises genetically modified ‘Haematopoietic stem cells’ (HSCs) as a cellbased therapy for building a healthy immune system in patients with PIDs.
© Dennis Kunkel Microscopy, Inc., Corbisimages
P
atients suffering from inherited
PIDs are prone to infections due
to the inability of their immune
system to fight pathogens. When
available, treatment with ‘human leukocyte antigen’ (HLA)-matched allogeneic HSC transplantation is used to
correct the defect. However, the emergence of graft-versus-host disease
calls for the development of new therapeutic approaches.
To this end, clinicians around the world
have successfully implemented gene
therapy to treat PIDs through transplantation of patient autologous HSCs
corrected for the mutated gene.
However, safety issues related to
vector integration of the gene delivery
vectors have hampered the success of
this approach.
At the same time, these issues have
triggered extensive research for
improving current vectors and the
overall safety of gene therapy. Along
these lines, the EU-funded CELL-PID
(Advanced cell-based therapies for
the treatment of primary immunodeficiency) project has brought together
leading researchers in the field of gene
therapy and immunology.
The CELL-PID consortium is working
on new approaches — including the
use of certain cytokines — aimed at
enhancing the homing capacity and
10
research*eu results magazine N°36 / October 2014
SPECIAL FEATURE
engraftment ability of HSCs following
bone marrow transplantation. In
‘Severe combined immunodeficiency’
(SCID) cases with poor thymus function and autoimmunity, researchers
“Scientists have engineered
‘self-inactivating’ (SIN) vectors
that render the virus genome
transcriptionally inactive once
inside a cell.”
are looking into use of the anti-CD3
monoclonal antibody to restore function and reduce peripheral immunopathology. Additionally, a new protocol
has been established for generating T
lymphocyte precursors ex vivo that
retain their ability to engraft and
develop into mature and functional T
cells after transplantation.
In order to improve the safety of previously used viral vectors, scientists
have engineered ‘self-inactivating’
(SIN) vectors that render the virus
genome transcriptionally inactive
once inside a cell. The vectors destined for gene therapy applications to
correct ‘Adenosine deaminase deficiency’ (ADA), Artemis and ‘Chronic
granulomatous disease’ (CGD) are
being manufactured to clinical grade
and will be implemented in upcoming
clinical trials. Vectors for other deficiencies, including RAG and IPEX, are
also being constructed.
vectors show a safer integration profile compared to the previously used
gammaretroviral vectors.
With respect to running clinical trials
for ‘X-linked SCID’ (X-SCID), results are
encouraging in terms of engraftment
of gene-corrected cells, lack of shortterm toxicity, immunological reconstitution and amelioration of clinical
pathology. Furthermore, the new SIN
CELL-PID
Coordinated by Vita-Salute
San Raffaele University in Italy.
Funded

under FP7-HEALTH.
http://cordis.europa.eu/project/

rcn/96787_en.html
Project

website:
http://www.cell-pid.eu/
Overall, the CELL-PID consortium aims
to provide the technological tools and
expertise for establishing a European
multi-centre platform for the implementation of clinical studies for PIDs.
From a therapeutic perspective, the
approaches developed have the
potential to provide clinical benefit to
these otherwise incurable diseases.
COMPARTMENTALISATION OF DNA REPAIR
Chromosome translocation is an abnormality
caused by rearrangement of parts between different chromosomes. Several cell pathways participate in the detection of DNA damage and mediation
of its repair.
© blueringmedia, Thinkstock
C
ells continuously experience stress and damage from
a number of sources, such as UV light, irradiation, and
oxidative by-products of metabolism. This endangers
genome stability and could cause DNA breaks such as
‘Double strand breaks’ (DSBs). DSBs are the most harmful
because their inaccurate repair can lead to chromosomal
translocations.
The EU-funded NADRCT (Nuclear architecture in DNA repair
and formation of chromosomal translocations) project
investigates the role of nuclear architecture in the sensing
and repair of DSBs. Preliminary findings suggest that
nuclear compartmentalisation may contribute to the mechanism linking ‘DNA damage response’ (DDR) and DNA
repair.
Researchers developed an experimental system to induce
DSBs at specific locations and follow their repair. During the
first project period, they identified new repair factors
involved in chromatin de-condensation. For instance, the
polymerases TNKS 1 and 2 were found to be recruited to
DNA lesions by the check-point protein MDC1 to promote
reparative recombination. The same TNKS proteins counteract de-condensation and facilitate the bridging of distal
broken DNA ends.
Using this system, researchers visualised how breaks are recognised and repaired in the two different sub-compartments:
the nuclear lamina and the nuclear pores. They showed that
the DDR induced by a break inflicted at the nuclear lamina
is delayed and the nuclear pores appear to be an activating microenvironment for DDR and repair.
Finally, siRNA screening — a standard experimental
approach for target identification and target validation in
drug discovery — helped identify novel chromatin related
proteins whose down regulation led to persistent and unrepaired DSBs. This approach revealed several novel proteins
that are currently being investigated.
Project outcomes revealed the role of chromatin structure in
the differential regulation of DDR and repair at the two distinct compartments of the nuclear periphery. They reveal a
new level of regulation of DSB repair through spatial organisation of DNA in the nucleus. This has important implications
for the development of gene-based therapies.
“During the first project
period, they identified new
repair factors involved in
chromatin de-condensation.”
NADRCT
Coordinated

by INSERM in France.
Funded

under FP7-PEOPLE.
http://cordis.europa.eu/project/rcn/95704_en.html

research*eu results magazine N°36 / October 2014
SPECIAL FEATURE
BIOCOMPATIBLE MOLECULAR SENSORS
Measuring critical blood biochemical parameters continuously at a patient’s bedside is a very important part
of healthcare. EU researchers have developed reliable molecular sensors to achieve this ambitious goal.
E
The aim of the EU-funded RECEPTORDOPED GELS (Receptor-doped Ionogels:
New materials for inherently biocompatible molecular sensors) project was to
develop an improved biocompatible
molecular sensor. Furthermore, researchers aimed to develop sensors for incorporation into a so-called ‘lab on a disc’ to
improve healthcare test devices.
An ‘ionogel’ (IL) is a new material where
an ionic conducting liquid is immobilised
inside a polymer matrix. Researchers
synthesised hybrid materials consisting
of monomeric components polymerised
within biocompatible IL. This resulted in
various platforms for modification.
Doping of the IL hybrid material with a
selective ionophore enables ion selectivity. Detection of lactate, for example,
using specific sensors with IL solid-state
electrolytes, is feasible.
© Thomas Northcut, Thinkstock
fficient biochemical sensors for
blood components such as sodium
have to be biocompatible and reliable. The development faces issues with
power consumption and liquid handling
over extended periods of time as the
sensor micro-channels are prone to
blockage.
The IL sensors were integrated into a
‘lab on a disc’ microfluidic technology
that provided proof of principle for
rapid and multiple analysis in situ. A
fully functional prototype of the analyser has been developed with a view
to commercialisation.
Sensors of this nature are important in
monitoring patients with cancer or diabetes and those recovering from heart
surgery. The same simple and low cost
technology could be applied to water
contamination tests to obtain quick and
easy in situ detection results.
RECEPTOR-DOPED GELS addressed
the problems in biocompatible sensor
design using the novel biocompatible
material. Selectivity of IL sensors
can be varied for target ions in the
body such as sodium, potassium and
calcium.
RECEPTOR-DOPED GELS
Coordinated by Dublin City University
in Ireland.
Funded

under FP7-PEOPLE.
http://cordis.europa.eu/project/

rcn/96213_en.html
PRINTED CARTILAGE IMPLANTS
For osteoarthritis sufferers, tissue engineering aims to
regenerate native tissue as a permanent solution.
European scientists are working on a clinically viable
route to repair cartilage defects by optimising the
process of bioprinting.
B
ioprinting is a tissue engineering field that entails the
three-dimensional reconstruction of human tissues in
vitro. By using automated systems to dispense cells onto
appropriate scaffolds, the purpose of bioprinting is to create
material for tissue transplantation. Compared to standard
methods of implant construction, bioprinting offers a more
automated and accurate recreation of the tissue architecture
which could also be up-scaled according to clinical demands.
© stockdevil, Thinkstock
In tissue engineering, cells are seeded onto scaffolds coated
with highly absorbent hydrogels, water-containing materials
that mainly consist of networks of hydrophilic polymers. The
key objective of the EU-funded PRINTCART (Bioprinting of novel
hydrogel structures for cartilage tissue engineering) project is
to synthesise new hydrogel formulations for use in articular
cartilage tissue engineering applications.
To this end, PRINTCART scientists have synthesised various
hydrogel formulations based on both naturally derived and synthetic components. Their rheological behaviour has been studied and adapted so that they could be used with a bioprinter
device to generate well-defined structures.
Additional parameters of the hydrogels have been investigated,
including their ability to support the growth of chondrocytes
and enhance the differentiation into cartilage-like tissue. To further improve the mechanical properties of the hydrogel formulations, researchers are exploring the incorporation of fibres.
Overall, the synthesis of novel hydrogel formulations answers
to the clinical necessity to support transplanted cells for cartilage repair. Given the high incidence of musculoskeletal damage and associated diseases in the European population, the
outcome of the study is expected to have broad socio-economic
consequences.
PRINTCART
Coordinated by the University Medical Centre Utrecht
in the Netherlands.
Funded

under FP7-PEOPLE.
http://cordis.europa.eu/project/rcn/99549_en.html

11
research*eu results magazine N°36 / October 2014
BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
© vitanovski, Thinkstock
12
BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
AT THE THRESHOLD
OF PERSONALISED
CANCER TREATMENT
New tumour profiling methods developed by EU-funded researchers
aim to help doctors adjust treatments for colorectal cancer to the
specific needs of an individual patient. The methods are currently
at the trial stage and could be in use in clinics within three years.
W
orldwide, colorectal cancer
is responsible for around
694 000 deaths each
year, according to the World Health
Organisation. Decision making on
treatment in the clinic currently
depends largely on factors such as
how much the tumour has grown and
the age of a patient. As each patient
is unique, the success of such treatments is largely unpredictable.
To replace the ‘one size fits all’
approach, the APO-DECIDE (Apoptosis
Modelling for Treatment Decisions in
Colorectal Cancer) project, led by
Professor Jochen Prehn at the Royal
College of Surgeons in Ireland, is
developing new clinical decisionmaking tools to help doctors categorise patients on the basis of their
individual biological and genetic
characteristics.
‘There are numerous genes and pathways altered in human cancers, and
no single patient is like another,’ says
Prof. Prehn. ‘We now need to employ
computational approaches to understand the complexity of genes and
protein altered in individual cancer
patients.’
Such computational approaches (also
termed systems biology approaches)
use mathematics to explore how proteins interact with each other, and
how these interactions produce a biological, clinically relevant effect.
The crux of cancer treatment lies with
apoptosis, or programmed cell death.
Current chemotherapy treatments
increase apoptosis in the tumour or
nudge the cells along the path to selfdestruction. Using the APO-DECIDE
system, an oncologist will be able to
work out the dose of the apoptosis
promoter required on an individual
research*eu results magazine N°36 / October 2014
BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
basis, meaning the patient receives a
dose best suited to treat their tumour
right from the start.
‘The tools developed in APO-DECIDE
will deliver the right chemotherapy to
the right patient at the right time,
hence avoiding unnecessary side
effects and accelerating access to
better treatments,’ says Prof. Prehn.
“Doctors could be using
the APO-DECIDE technology
in clinics in two to three
years’ time”
Understanding the patient
— and the tumour
Tumours can become unresponsive to
chemotherapy. They are made of different types of cells and many develop
resistance to chemotherapy drugs. For
example, for one particular type of
colorectal cancer, up to 50–60 % of
patients prove unresponsive to a commonly used treatment regime.
To get the treatment right, APODECIDE, which ends in November
2014, is not only considering differences between patients — but also
analysing the cancer at a molecular
level. This information will then be
used to identify weak spots in the
tumour that can then be targeted with
new drugs (‘apoptosis sensitisers’)
that reprogramme tumour cells to
respond to treatment.
This strategy avoids a situation in
which a patient who is not responsive
to the drugs has to endure harsh
chemotherapy treatment needlessly.
Analysing the chemical pathways
(strings of biochemical reactions) in a
tumour prior to therapy and knowing
that the tumour will be responsive
also reduces uncertainty, and means
that scarce resources can be used to
maximum benefit.
Extending the technology
to other cancers
Prof. Prehn says researchers now
widely accept that the chemical roots
of a tumour’s resistance to treatment
are shared by most cancer cell types.
As common pathways are responsible
for a tumour not responding to chemotherapy drugs, the results of
APO-DECIDE may be helpful in the
battle against many other types of
cancer.
And the results will help to do more
than personalise treatment. As well as
using knowledge about the biochemical pathway to re-sensitise cancer
cells, APO-DECIDE is also making the
reverse possible. A new process can
de-sensitise normal cells vulnerable
to damage during chemotherapy, such
as bone marrow stem cells.
Trials involving 600 patients are
underway. If they go as expected, doctors could be using the APO-DECIDE
technology in clinics in two to three
years’ time.
APO-DECIDE’s research stands to provide real benefits for cancer patients.
Prof. Prehn summarises the impact on
clinical practice: ‘Such a systems-wide
model approach can deliver a new
generation of patient analysis tools
that inform oncologists and healthcare providers about the type and
dosage of chemotherapy that is best
suited for individual patients.’
APO-DECIDE
Coordinated by the Royal College
of Surgeons in Ireland.
Funded

under FP7-HEALTH.
http://ec.europa.eu/research/infocentre/

article_en.cfm?artid=32479
Project

website:
http://www.apodecide.eu/
FIRST NATURAL PRODUCT AGAINST
MESOTHELIOMA
W
idespread use of asbestos during the 20th century
and a long latency period have resulted in a large
number of MPM cases with a peak not expected
until 2015-20. At present, there are around 2 450 deaths
in the UK annually from mesothelioma and 10 000 in the
USA. There is no known cure for MPM, and traditional chemotherapeutic cancer treatments have had little impact on
the disease and life expectancy.
JBIR-23, a natural product isolated from the bacterium
Streptomyces, exhibits activity against human MPM. The
aim of the EU-funded JBIR-23 (Nature’s first lead in the
fight against mesothelioma: the total synthesis and biological evaluation of JBIR-23 and related compounds) project
was to investigate the synthesis and anti-mesothelioma
activity of JBIR-23 and to prepare further analogues for
structure/activity studies.
The project team has successfully isolated JBIR-23 and an
analogue, JBIR-24, from the same Streptomyces species.
They both showed strong activity against two main MPM
cell lines that were resistant to all clinical anticancer
agents.
© Eraxion, Thinkstock
Human ‘Malignant pleural mesothelioma’ (MPM) is
an aggressive lung cancer associated with previous
asbestos exposure. There is no known cure for
mesothelioma and the discovery of the first active
natural product has provided a precious lead
compound for investigation.
13
14
research*eu results magazine N°36 / October 2014
BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
The synthesis of analogues of JBIR-23 was performed by
cutting JBIR-23 into two independent portions. This
approach made it possible to test all the intermediates and
determine the minimal pharmacophore required for activity against the MPM cell lines. The synthesis used analogues of the tricyclic part of JBIR-23 to produce more
‘drug-like’ compounds. Every analogue as well as the intermediates were biologically tested.
Poor or no activity was observed in the side chain analogues, but interesting activity was found in some substituted quinones and was enhanced in the case of their
correspondent epoxyquinones. This finding supported the
theory that the epoxy group is important in JBIR-23
activity.
The achievements of the project have opened up a new
field of study in contrast to the very limited laboratorybased MPM research taking place in the world. There is now
the potential to establish a firm foundation for future
research to find a cure for MPM.
JBIR-23
Coordinated by the Queen Mary and Westfield College
in the United Kingdom.
Funded

under FP7-PEOPLE.
http://cordis.europa.eu/project/rcn/98735_en.html

SMARTER, FASTER, STRONGER DRUG
THERAPIES
© Courtesy of Dr. Helgi I. Ingolfsson
We are living longer and, understandably, we wish to be in better health as we age. It is estimated that
by 2050 the number of people aged 65 and over will reach 16 % of the global population. Medical science
has an ever-growing arsenal of drugs it can use to treat an increasing range of conditions. Yet, these
drugs are not acting as effectively as their potential promises. Dr Armağan
Koçer and her research team at the University of Groningen
(the Netherlands) are using their ERC funding to solve the following
puzzle: how can we develop methods of drug delivery that are as
revolutionary as the medicine they contain?
D
r Koçer took part in the event
‘New Technologies from the
ERC’ in Brussels on 4 July. It enabled her to pitch her ideas to potential
investors, and to showcase how the
support for her fundamental research
has led to the discovery of its commercial potential. Speaking about her
preparations prior to the event, she
stressed: ‘I will focus on the facts,
rather than on making promises. I
hope to demonstrate how the technology we have developed satisfies an
unmet need for speedy, safe and
accurate drug delivery and how we
are the people to fulfil that need.’
Liposomes: natural drug
deliverers
Dr Koçer’s ERC Starting Grant for the
MECHANOSENSATION (What is the
molecular mechanism of
mechanosensation? Mechanosensitive channel of large
conductance, MscL, as
a model) project concentrated
on mechanosensitive ion
channels. Embedded in cell
membranes, they function as environmental sensors: staying either
tightly closed or opening when triggered. Focusing on osmosensing
(changes in the cell structure) in particular, Dr Koçer explored these mechano-sensitive ion channels in order to
determine more accurately how they
behave. Their malfunctioning plays a
part in diseases as diverse as glaucoma, heart arrhythmias and polycystic kidney disease. The hypothesis
driving her ERC-funded project is that
if we can understand more about how
these sensory responses operate at
the molecular level, we might have
the tools to tackle the diseases they
cause.
Dr Koçer and her team have therefore
focused their energies on liposomes:
artificial nano-vehicles which mimic
the cell membrane. Liposomes can be
used to encapsulate drugs. They are
revolutionary because they can be
used to deliver the drugs directly to
the affected area. Current methods of
drug delivery are inefficient because
they cannot always prevent the drug
from leaking before it reaches its destination, causing unwanted side
effects for the patient, as well as
reducing the drug’s efficacy.
Liposomes could potentially change
all this.
‘Opening the door’
Drawing on synthetic biology techniques, Dr Koçer and her team have
developed the basis for a treatment
which operates with greater sensitivity. A stable and sensitive bio-sensory
device uses a novel release mecha-
“Employing such a system
would result not only in
better therapeutic
outcomes, but also in
reduced costs and side
effects for patients.”
nism: remote controlled valves. She
explains: ‘The focus of the Proof of
Concept research was on producing a
sensor which can recognise signals,
and respond to them by transforming
itself into an “open door”. We hope to
research*eu results magazine N°36 / October 2014
15
BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
demonstrate the viability of a system
which “opens the doors” of the container, allowing the drug to be released
only in the right place. The backing
from the ERC has let us test these
hypotheses in vivo, which is really
helpful.’
The introduction of sensory pores into
the liposomes should ensure that drug
delivery matches the efficacy of the
drugs themselves. Employing such a
system would result not only in better
therapeutic outcomes, but also in
reduced costs and side effects for
patients. New opportunities may also
arise to use drugs that are currently
inefficient as they are degraded
before reaching the diseased tissues.
Discussing her Proof-of-Concept
MOCHA (Commercial feasibility of
triggered liposomal drug delivery by
means of MOdulated CHAnnels) and
ICANSENSE (Ion ChaNnel SENSors)
projects, Dr Koçer emphasises: ‘I have
always been interested in how the
results of my fundamental research
can be useful. So I have always had an
eye for the applications of my research
— how I can translate an idea into
practice.’ She also highlights how
important the grants have been to her
starting out as a young researcher: ‘If
you are seen as someone who can
attract research funding, you are
more likely to get hired. Once you are
established, the endorsement of the
ERC means that you can follow an
independent scientific path. You have
the freedom to test ideas, to really
experiment. You are no longer held
back — you can really just go for it.’
MECHANOSENSATION,
MOCHA and ICANSENSE
Coordinated by the University
of Groningen in the Netherlands.
Funded

under FP7-IDEAS-ERC.
http://erc.europa.eu/erc-stories/

smarter-faster-stronger-drugtherapies
COMPARING THE MALE AND FEMALE BRAINS
Sex-specific behaviours such as courtship, mating
and nursing abound throughout the animal world.
European research has tackled the question of how
these differences come about.
“Project researchers used a new mouse
model that, genetically, is half wild
knockout and half lab.”
A
s these differences are manifest even in socially naïve
animals, the traits are likely to be genetically determined and developmentally programmed. The SEXDIMOR-REP-BEHAV (Characterization of pheromone-evoked
sexually dimorphic social and reproductive responses in
wild-caught TRPC2 mutant mice, under semi-natural conditions) project investigated the role of nerve circuitry in the
brain and those chemicals that trigger social responses,
pheromones.
The wild backcrossed model was compared with wildcaught and laboratory-inbred mice. Results showed there
is a profound female bias in anxiety-related response, as
well as aggression towards other females and directed
towards their pups.
SEX-DIMOR-REP-BEHAV then turned to the effect of the
gene TrpC2 — a gene that was shown to mediate pheromone-evoked social behaviour in laboratory mice. TrpC2 is
responsible for aggressive behaviour towards pups.
Furthermore, loss of sexual preference and elevation of
male-typical sexual behaviour were evident in the wild
backcrossed model.
To check their observations, the scientists built semi-natural
enclosures with a tracking system for the mice. In this environment, the mice were free to mix irrespective of their
age, sex and genotype. Pheromone-initiated behaviours
such as chasing, sexual behaviour, aggression, sociability
level, social hierarchy and discrimination could be followed
and verified with ease.
The new wild mouse model can be used by researchers to
study other traits that have been lost through inbreeding in
the lab animal. The newly designed housing complete with
© graphicsdunia4you, Thinkstock
Project researchers used a new mouse model that, genetically, is half wild knockout and half lab. The result is a wild
mouse (wild backcrossed model) that carries the mutation
for any pheromone under study.
tracking can be applied to sexual and social responses in
mammals. Knowledge gained can provide a platform for
the investigation into the basis of autism spectrum
disorders.
SEX-DIMOR-REP-BEHAV
Coordinated

by the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel.
Funded

under FP7-PEOPLE.
http://cordis.europa.eu/project/rcn/93245_en.html

research*eu results magazine N°36 / October 2014
BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
NANOTECH IMAGES TO PREVENT
DIABETES
Diabetes prevalence in Europe is reaching epidemic proportions and the millions of
sufferers are estimated to double by 2025. If not promptly treated, diabetes can lead
to fatal cardiovascular diseases, kidney failure, lower limb amputation and blindness.
© Ugreen, Thinkstock
16
A
ccumulating evidence suggests
that loss of insulin-producing
beta cells occurs gradually
many years before disease manifests.
As a result, being able to monitor
pancreatic beta cells routinely would
give clinicians a better chance at preventing diabetes. However, physical
features of beta cells (they exist as
very small clusters known as the
Islets of Langerhans) prevent their
visualisation with standard imaging
applications.
Based on this, the aim of the
EU-funded VIBRANT (In vivo imaging
of beta cell receptors by applied nano
technology) project was to develop a
non-invasive imaging method for visualising and quantifying beta cells as
a means of diabetes diagnosis. The
concept of VIBRANT relied on a nanocapsule system coated with beta cellspecific molecules to deliver ‘Magnetic
resonance imaging’ (MRI) contrast
agents or therapeutic drugs.
Micellar nanocontainers were constructed to enclose superparamagnetic nanoparticles, fluorinated agents
or fluorescent quantum dots. The
outer shells of these biodegradable
nanocontainers were coated with antibodies, carbohydrates or peptides that
could specifically target the beta cell
mass.
VIBRANT nanocontainers were tested
in type 1 and type 2 diabetes models,
and researchers identified a novel carbohydrate derivative, AJ070, with
promising labelling properties for in
vivo imaging. They were also evaluated for their potential as drug-delivery
systems for restoring beta cell
function.
In vivo pancreatic visualisation by MRI
was cross-validated by optical projection tomography, a novel imaging technology that offers high magnification.
From a therapeutic perspective,
VIBRANT scientists were interested in
improving beta cell survival. To this
end, they focused on counteracting
the impact of inflammation by delivering chemical inhibitors.
The VIBRANT nanocontainers constitute an innovative approach for monitoring beta cell function in vivo,
thereby substantially improving early
“The VIBRANT nanocontainers
constitute an innovative
approach for monitoring beta
cell function in vivo.”
diabetes diagnosis. The potential of
the system to serve as a targeted
drug-delivery vehicle holds great
promise for the design of therapeutic
interventions.
VIBRANT
Coordinated by the Centre for Applied
Technology in Germany.
Funded

under FP7-NMP.
http://cordis.europa.eu/project/

rcn/91281_en.html
Project

website:
http://www.fp7-vibrant.eu/
research*eu results magazine N°36 / October 2014
17
BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
STUDYING THE UNDERLYING CAUSES
OF MEMORY LOSS
T
o address this problem, the MEMOLOAD (Neurobiological
mechanisms of memory loss in Alzheimer’s disease) project focused on the molecular and biological mechanisms
underlying memory loss. There is growing evidence that amyloid-beta peptide (Abeta) causes memory loss by directly or
indirectly interacting with the signalling pathways involved in
memory consolidation.
A consortium of the seven best available research groups
worked together to identify at the molecular level how accumulation of Abeta impairs the flexibility, or plasticity, of brain
synapses that results in memory loss. Secondly, the consortium is developing new peptidomimetric molecules that disrupt
Abeta proliferation.
Researchers began by developing behavioural tasks sensitive
to small changes in synaptic signalling and plasticity in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus. All participating laboratories
then used these tasks to test the success of drug treatments
on Abeta production in transgenic mouse models.
Next, the research focus switched from Abeta-induced changes
in individual synapses to the impact on large neuronal populations and the entire neural network. Second, acute effects of
Abeta on synaptic plasticity were compared to long-term
changes in the brain. Finally, brain activity in rodents was
measured as they performed a memory task to track changes
in network communication.
Other experiments were aimed at determining the direct and
indirect effects of Abeta on two signalling pathways central to
memory consolidation, and developing synthetic Abeta compounds to be used for further study. The team also synthesised
peptides to determine if they inhibit Abeta growth. While these
peptides have not proven to be effective, scientists are continuing to look for other compounds.
© blueringmedia, Thinkstock
Alzheimer’s disease is the leading cause of dementia.
It presents an enormous medical, social and
economic challenge to Europe.
This research has contributed significantly to the understanding of brain memory mechanisms. The consortium has also
added research tools, including new animal models for testing
and imaging methods to screen for Abeta-induced changes.
Over time, the hope is to find an effective therapy to halt the
disease’s progression.
MEMOLOAD
Coordinated

by the University of Eastern Finland.
Funded

under FP7-HEALTH.
http://cordis.europa.eu/project/rcn/88170_en.html

Project

website:
http://www.uef.fi/fi/MEMOLOAD
ENCAPSULATED LIQUIDS MIMIC OUR EYE LENSES
The lenses in living organisms are remarkable soft structures that change shape in order to focus. EU-funded scientists
developed nature-inspired smart lenses that may soon be used in ocular prosthetics and consumer electronics.
L
iquid lenses inspired by nature have
received much attention for their
potential optical applications but
they are difficult to manipulate and stabilise. EU-funded scientists working on
the project PARYLENS (Parylene based
artificial smart lenses fabricated using a
novel solid-on-liquid deposition process)
developed a patented solid-on-liquid
deposition technique (SOLID).
The SOLID technique was used to create
lenses that share the properties of liquid
droplets. A thin transparent polymer film
called Parylene is deposited on liquid
surfaces to hermetically seal the liquid
with no measurable mechanical
deformation.
Tuneable implants nearly ready to be
implanted and controlled by the ciliary
muscles that normally control normal
ocular lenses were prepared within the
project. Tuneable lenses for consumer
electronics such as cell phones relied on
electroactive polymers. In an electric
field, the polymeric membrane elongates, changing the focal length. The
microlens for flexible displays relies on
encapsulating liquid crystals in the polymer coating. The liquid crystals are
incompressible so the entire display can
be rolled out or folded without affecting
the on/off state of the pixels. Scientists
successfully produced prototypes of
monostable displays. Post-processing
will likely be necessary to overcome the
Parylene prohibition of charge fixation
required for bi-stable states.
Automated manufacturing of intraocular lenses and those for consumer electronics will be critical to minimising
defects introduced during manual
assembly. Nevertheless, PARYLENS met
all its original objectives including
imparting elasticity to Parylene, developing transparent electrodes and facilitating motorisation of deformation
using driver systems (in case the
patient’s ciliary muscles fail). Full biocompatibility of the modifications to
Parylene to impart elasticity and create
a hermetic seal was achieved despite
the odds.
PARYLENS made remarkable progress
toward the development and commercialisation of tuneable lenses for
prosthetics and consumer devices.
The project went way beyond the
state-of-the-art, and commercialisation
of their polymer-encapsulated liquids
will have a major impact.
“The SOLID technique was
used to create lenses that
share the properties of liquid
droplets.”
PARYLENS
Coordinated by the University
of Applied Sciences and Arts Western
Switzerland.
Funded

under FP7-NMP.
http://cordis.europa.eu/project/

rcn/95377_en.html
Project

website:
http://www.parylens.eu

http://bit.ly/1t45c2v
research*eu results magazine N°36 / October 2014
SOCIAL SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES
© stnazkul, Thinkstock
18
SOCIAL SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES
SOCIO-ECONOMICS FOR
BALANCED AND EFFECTIVE
SECURITY SOLUTIONS
A cross-disciplinary project combining game theory, systems
modelling, risk analysis and social policy is offering a socio-economic
rationale to security policymaking. Its unified framework will
contribute to the design of effective security policy and investment,
and public acceptance of security.
F
unded by the EU, the project
SECONOMICS (Socio-economics
meets security) is grounded in a
case study approach to scoping issues
in security management. Case studies
are being carried out in relation to
three key topics: critical infrastructure,
airport security, and regional and
urban transport.
With a scientific focus on the public
economics and social policy implications of security, researchers aim to
develop tools for assessing regulatory
policies in terms of effectiveness and
sustainability. Consideration of security technology, public attitudes and
attacking behaviour will help in the
design of experiments that delineate
the effectiveness of various policy
regimes.
Another area of investigation deals
with the mechanism for generating
security risks and the dynamics of
attackers in particular. Models employing game theory of adversarial risk
analysis have been developed for
better understanding how attackers
create security risk by exploiting
vulnerabilities.
Major effort has been dedicated to
engaging with the broader industry
community to promote SECONOMICS’
goals and publicise its findings.
Extensive surveys of the three case
study topics were carried out over the
first half of the three-year project.
Surveys on security requirements
offer key insights into current, emerging and future threats. These relate to
a better understanding of airport
security and associated technologies,
regulatory mechanisms relevant to
critical infrastructure, and issues in
regional and urban transport.
Progress has also been made with
regard to the use of security metrics
in airports and in critical infrastructure, as well as for collecting crime
data. Other activities to date include a
summer school designed to measure
public attitudes to risk as reflected
through contemporary media.
SECONOMICS endeavours to highlight
future and emerging threats that may
arise in the three focus topics. Such
knowledge can be used to refine models for indicating future directions for
security risks and the evolution of
threats.
The project’s envisioned framework will
ultimately help guide decisions in key
areas in order to achieve effective policies and efficient security. Emphasising
cost versus risk reduction, SECONOMICS’
pro-social approach will also help
ensure the social contract with society
is maintained.
SECONOMICS
Coordinated by the University
of Trento in Italy.
Funded

under FP7-SECURITY.
http://cordis.europa.eu/project/

rcn/102281_en.html
Project

website:
http://www.seconomicsproject.eu/
research*eu results magazine N°36 / October 2014
19
SOCIAL SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES
FOSTERING CREATIVITY THROUGH EARLY
SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS EDUCATION
There is a general consensus that quality education in science and mathematics is essential to child
development. An EU-funded project was established to help facilitate the shift to such a reality in Europe’s
educational settings.
I
ntroducing mathematics and science education in the
early childhood period supports and sustains children’s
creative potential. New modes of classroom interactions
can help build on this link to stimulate self-expression and
boost capacity for creativity and innovation in later years.
However, to realise the above, a major shift is needed in
educational practices and cultures. This calls for the development of new curricula and, most importantly, appropriate teacher training and professional development.
The CREATIVELITTLESCIENT (Creative Little Scientists:
Enabling Creativity through Science and Mathematics in
Preschool and First Years of Primary Education) project
highlighted existing and possible practices, as well as their
implications and related challenges and opportunities. Work
initially involved reviews of policy-related and researchbased literature, conceptual framework development, and
assessing existing approaches to science and mathematics
education in early school years.
© Sergey Nivens, Thinkstock
Researchers identified common synergies between inquirybased science teaching and learning and approaches that
foster creativity. These emphasise play and exploration,
motivation and affect, dialogue and collaboration, problem
solving and analysis, questioning and curiosity, reflection
and reasoning, and teacher scaffolding and involvement.
Through research and questionnaires completed in 605
schools across the nine partner countries, the project
mapped instances (as well as absences) of practices incorporating these emphases. Following this, in-depth field
work was initiated for a deeper analysis of the implications
of the approaches compared.
“Project findings offer a better
understanding of the potential benefits of a
creativity-based approach to early science
and mathematics education.”
CREATIVELITTLESCIENT developed a set of prototypical curriculum design principles for teacher education programmes that foster inquiry and creativity-based
approaches to science and mathematics learning. Informed
by the conceptual framework and comparative research
findings, the design principles were tested in online focus
group discussions with teacher education stakeholders.
Project findings offer a better understanding of the potential
benefits of a creativity-based approach to early science and
mathematics education. Ongoing dissemination of the new
knowledge, through targeted communication actions, a final
report, and recommendations to policymakers and stakeholders, will facilitate the exploitation of this potential.
CREATIVELITTLESCIENT outcomes thus promise a brighter and
more creative and innovative future for tomorrow’s adults.
CREATIVELITTLESCIENT
Coordinated

by Ellinogermaniki Agogi in Greece.
Funded

under FP7-SIS.
http://cordis.europa.eu/project/rcn/102395_en.html

Project

website:
http://www.creative-little-scientists.eu/
THE ROLE OF CATHOLICISM IN CIVIL SOCIETY
A European research initiative has added to the debate over religion and politics in the EU. This contribution
was grounded in a reconsideration of the role of Catholicism in shaping civil society mobilisations in
southern European regions.
F
unded by the EU, the project
CATSSE (The invisible politics of
religion: Catholicism, third sector
and territory in southern Europe)
focused on the Catholic third sector.
Fieldwork research in the Basque
Autonomous Community (Spain),
Aquitaine (France), Emilia-Romagna
and Lombardy (both in Italy) provided
empirical support to the project’s
undertakings.
Initial work involved documentary
analyses (secondary literature, original productions and media coverage)
and semi-structured interviews carried out in the target regions. The
underlying hypothesis was that religious actors have assumed new
capacities, becoming civil society
actors in a pluralistic environment.
Defending both general causes and its
own interests, the Catholic Church is
involved in territorial governance networks associating civil society actors,
private bodies and public authorities.
CATSSE tested its hypothesis through
case studies covering three topics. The
first dealt with historical legacy and
was carried out in collaboration with
research networks on the social economy. Theoretical and empirical contributions were produced on the social
20
research*eu results magazine N°36 / October 2014
SOCIAL SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES
history of the role of Catholicism in
the genesis of the territorial social
economy in southern Europe.
“Results of project work and
findings were presented at
academic venues and in
academic publications.”
The second and third topics focused on
the Catholic third sector. Research in
the second — related to territorial welfare mix and immigration — included
fieldwork and interviews with a wide
range of Catholic third sector organisations. The third topic concentrated on
mediation in ethnonational conflicts,
specifically the Basque conflict. In-depth
interviews with key actors in Spain and
France complemented documentary
analyses relevant to this case study.
Results of project work and findings
were presented at academic venues
and in academic publications. CATSSE
also organised panels on related subject matter at three conferences and
a workshop on popular culture and
repertoires of protest.
Project outcomes reveal changing relations of subsidiarity between religious
social actors and policymakers. Evidence
of the Church’s social activism has implications for welfare governance styles
and the liberalisation of welfare — particularly the outsourcing of social and
care services. The knowledge produced
by CATSSE could be used by religious
and secular third organisations as well
as policymakers to improve the governance of territorial welfare, as well as
mediations of intercultural and ethnonational conflicts.
CATSSE
Coordinated by the European
University Institute in Italy.
Funded

under FP7-PEOPLE.
http://cordis.europa.eu/project/

rcn/99260_en.html
DECONSTRUCTING RACISM IN THE CLASSROOM
An EU-funded initiative examined how German
textbooks portray Africa and if this influenced racism
against students of African descent.
T
he IMAFREDU (The impact of the portrayal of the African
continent in textbooks on racism against students of
African ancestry in German schools) project also endeavoured to rectify the distorted image so as to engender a more
critical engagement with the existing discourse. It developed a
framework of analysis to engage with origins of the exclusion
of particular topics and explore various facets of racism.
Images of Africa that are rooted in colonialism are marked by
a simplistic portrayal of the continent. These effectively remove
characteristics of western ‘humanity’ from people of African
descent. Thus, the project posited that a legacy of colonial discourses in teaching materials along with Eurocentric perspectives contribute to the reproduction of racism by teachers.
Various interviews were conducted with students of African
descent and their ‘white’ peers and teachers to establish attitudes regarding the African continent and its people. Another
critical feature of the research involved assessing the mainstream ‘development’ discourse in Germany and how it maintains implicit discriminatory stereotypes.
As the project progressed, an objective focused on training
teachers was added. Beyond workshops designed for teachers
across the country, a ‘Critical Racism Studies’ course was
offered to Masters of Education students at the University of
Hamburg. This approach was adopted to ensure the effective
communication of project findings and their implementation in
German classrooms.
Analyses of textbooks revealed a consistent hierarchisation of
people’s living conditions, economies and levels of knowledge,
with western countries at the top and African countries at the
bottom. Another project finding showed a clear relationship
between racist portrayals of Africa and racial discrimination of
students of African descent.
© Jamie Wilson, Thinkstock
Research looked at the historical emergence of racist ideology
and its reproduction in school textbooks. The analysis entailed
deconstructing images of people from Africa in geography and
history textbooks as well as in the media.
Project partners applied a sustainable dissemination method to
achieve a more thorough understanding of the status quo in
Germany. Dissemination and implementation activities included
publications in peer-reviewed journals, workshops with varied
audiences and communication with publishers of German
textbooks.
Although IMAFREDU’s funding period has come to an end, project work continues with development of a set of guidelines for
textbook authors, publishing houses and curriculum developers.
Project activities represent a first step towards alternative considerations of issues concerning the portrayal of Africa and attitudes towards its people.
IMAFREDU
Coordinated by the University of Hamburg in Germany.
Funded

under FP7-PEOPLE.
http://cordis.europa.eu/project/rcn/101082_en.html

research*eu results magazine N°36 / October 2014
21
© Vrabelpeter1, Thinkstock
ENERGY AND TRANSPORT
ENERGY AND TRANSPORT
RESEARCH TO HELP
REDUCE THE RISK OF
AIRCRAFT ACCIDENTS
Automation is supposed to relieve an aircraft pilot’s workload and reduce
errors. The reality can unfortunately be very different sometimes. When
the pilot and the aircraft do not interact as foreseen, automation
technology can be the cause of disturbing instability, which has resulted
in catastrophic failures. Tools and techniques developed by the EU-funded
ARISTOTEL project are already being used by industry, and should reduce
the risk of such accidents.
‘A
ircraft and rotorcraft pilot couplings’ (A/RPCs) are
uncontrollable oscillations (or swaying) of the
aircraft, and are caused by a gap between the
pilot’s understanding of the vehicle’s dynamics and the
actual motion taking place, or by the pilot’s unintentional actions when taking control.
Dynamic and complex
It is extremely difficult to recognise and analyse an
A/RPC event. This is due not only to the difficulty of reconstructing what happened from an accident scene, but also
to the fact that potential witnesses tend to be unaware
of these events, even when they are highly trained.
‘Today’s aircraft are more dynamic but at the same
time more complex than their predecessors,’ says
ARISTOTEL (Aircraft and Rotorcraft Pilot Couplings
Tools and Techniques for Alleviation and Detection)
project coordinator Dr Marilena Bos-Pavel from Delft
University of Technology in the Netherlands. ‘This
complexity combined with a high pilot workload can
cause A/RPC problems. The long time delays introduced by the automation are a leading cause of such
problems.’
Despite decades of preventative measures, A/RPCs persist and are in fact increasing in modern aircraft.
The project team compiled a database of A/RPC
events from across the world and soon discovered
22
research*eu results magazine N°36 / October 2014
ENERGY AND TRANSPORT
that most incidents involve helicopters. The next step
was to build helicopter models to capture real rotorcraft
behaviour. Simulators were also used to examine biodynamic effects
from, for example,
“The research carried out
tension in a
under ARISTOTEL has already muscle
stressful situation.
been integrated into the
design process by the
aerospace industry to
improve flight safety.”
Much of the research
focused on the seconds before and
after an A/RPC. The
team introduced a
time delay to the
controls in one of the simulators and then monitored the
pilot’s behaviour as he or she became aware of the delay
and then sought to compensate for it. The observations led
to greater understanding of events in these critical
minutes.
Better and safer designs
The ARISTOTEL research has resulted in a far greater
understanding of what can cause A/RPC events. By developing innovative design guidelines, as well as methods and
training protocols for enhancing A/RPC prediction and
prevention, the project should help to speed up the
development, testing and certification of helicopters and
increase their safety.
‘Previously, there were no design guidelines for testing
A/RPC in helicopter simulators. But as a direct result of our
work, this is no longer the case,’ says Bos-Pavel.
These guidelines will help designers to assess, early in the
design process, the flying qualities, biodynamic effects and
susceptibility of new aircraft to adverse A/RPC events.
Crucially, they should lead to safer designs.
Despite only finishing in September 2013, the research carried out under ARISTOTEL has already been integrated into
the design process by the aerospace industry to improve
flight safety — a real testament to the project’s success.
And with the EU having set the goal of reducing aircraft and
rotorcraft accidents by 80 % by 2020, these promising
results have come just at the right time.
ARISTOTEL
Coordinated

by TU Delft in the Netherlands.
Funded

under FP7-TRANSPORT.
http://ec.europa.eu/research/infocentre/

article_en.cfm?artid=32476
Project

website:
http://aristotel-project.eu/
HIGH-RESOLUTION SENSOR NETWORK
TO MONITOR TURBINE BLADE PERFORMANCE
T
urbines are large machines that
produce power through high-speed
rotation of blades via water, gas,
steam or other fluids. They are used in
aircraft engines and steam and gas
engines for power generation and other
industrial turbomachinery. In the final
stage of development, measurement of
blade tip timing provides important
information which is valuable for fatigue
lifetime prediction, vibration analyses
and reliability and safety assessments.
Resolution of vibration is on the scale of
millimetres.
associated signal processing electronics. Simulation and processing software can be used to optimise sensor
placement and to test various configurations of rotation and vibration. It
generates pulse sequences produced
by a virtual rotor rotating with a
defined irregularity and having a given
number of blades vibrating according
to simple functions. Finally, the team
produced a small, portable test bench
that will be useful in testing and calibrating the sensor system when it is
installed in real turbines.
The technique has been difficult to
implement during operation for monitoring purposes. Industry’s only
options for in situ monitoring yield far
less sensitive and accurate timing of
blade tip arrival. The EU-funded project BTTMON (Blade tip timing measurement technique for turbine
monitoring in working conditions)
made major advances in technology
geared towards resolving these issues.
BTTMON has delivered a prototype
sensor, software to facilitate optimisation of both the sensor system and
its placement according to specific
turbine characteristics, and a portable
test bench for calibrating the system
on site. The team has thus laid the
groundwork for application of highresolution blade tip timing measurement in operational turbines for the
first time. Commercialisation will be
welcomed by turbine producers and
end users alike thanks to benefits
related to costs, time and maintenance procedures.
Scientists developed and tested a prototype magneto-resistive sensor for
blade tip timing measurement with
four digital sensing heads and
© photosoup, Thinkstock
Measuring the parameters associated with rotating turbine blades provides important information about
performance. EU support helped pave the way to in situ application of an advanced technique currently
only used during development.
BTTMON
Coordinated by the von Karman
Institute for Fluid Dynamics in Belgium.
Funded

under FP7-PEOPLE.
http://cordis.europa.eu/project/

rcn/101197_en.html
research*eu results magazine N°36 / October 2014
ENERGY AND TRANSPORT
Imagine you are rushing to catch a train
but must first park your electric car inside
the station garage. You lose precious
time searching for a space, ideally one
where you can charge your vehicle, which
might cause you to miss the train.
Wouldn’t it be nice if you could just drop
off the car in front of the station and let
it do the rest? Soon it will be possible,
thanks to V-CHARGE, an EU ICT research
project. Successful tests took place at
Stuttgart airport in April 2014.
I
n the future, more and more people are expected to drive
electric cars due to energy consumption and environment
reasons. As a result, people are also likely to switch more frequently from one transport mode to another — creating the
need for better parking solutions at transport hubs.
To prepare for this mobility shift, the V-CHARGE (Autonomous
Valet Parking and Charging for e-Mobility) consortium, comprising six partners from four countries, is working on a fully
automated parking — and charging — system for electric cars
at public car parks. Currently they have two electric test vehicles, one in Wolfsburg and one in Zurich, with a third under
development.
‘The idea is that we can actually use technology to give people
a better mix of public and private transport,’ says Dr Paul
Furgale, scientific project manager for V-CHARGE and deputy
director of the autonomous systems lab at the Swiss Federal
Institute of Technology in Zurich (ETH Zurich). ‘With a fully
automated park and ride, drivers can get out of the car and
immediately board the train without looking for parking. This
will save each driver several minutes a day.’
Another advantage of V-CHARGE is that it will lead to smoother
traffic inside the garage, ensuring that empty spaces are filled
quickly and keeping congestion to a minimum.
Smartphones and sensors
Using V-CHARGE, drivers will be able to exit the car in front of the
car park and use a smartphone app to trigger the parking process. It works like this: The vehicle first connects with the car
park’s server, which receives a drop-off signal from the phone;
the server then figures out the route and communicates this to
the car, which drives itself to the designated space.
If another vehicle crosses its path, the electric car either stops
to let it pass or manoeuvres to avoid it. While in the garage,
the car can also be programmed to drive itself to a charging
station. Upon returning, the driver uses the same app to summon the car — fully charged and ready to drive.
Since GPS satellite signals don’t work inside garages, the scientists have developed a camera-based system, which equips
each car with a total of eight cameras.
The car needs to connect to the garage’s server and download
a map which gives a description of the surroundings. By comparing the data collected by the cameras with data from the
© V-CHARGE
MY CAR DRIVES, PARKS AND CHARGES
ITSELF FOR ME
map, the vehicle can figure out exactly where it is and where
it is going, and self-navigate to an appropriate spot.
The system will work in any garage, as long as cars are fitted
with sensors and cameras similar to the ones already used
today in parking assistance and emergency braking systems.
Safety and accuracy
With safety in mind, car speeds are limited to 10 km an hour
during the autonomous driving.
After successfully demonstrating fully automated valet parking in the Bosch parking garage at Stuttgart airport, scientists
are now focusing on improving the accuracy of parking
manoeuvres and in perfecting navigation. This way, the vehicles can deal reliably with any situation that arises, including
changing lighting conditions or areas frequented by
pedestrians.
‘Parking areas can be extremely complex,’ explains Dr Furgale.
‘The push in the last part of the project will be to really focus
on dealing with dynamic environments and tracking dynamic
objects on the scene.’
The project expects to demonstrate a proof-of-concept automated park & ride system by September 2015.
The complete ‘valet parking and charging’ system is expected
to be on the market in the next decade. Nevertheless, some of
the components might be available much sooner.
Dr Furgale believes the same technology could eventually be
used to develop autonomous parking systems for electric cars
on city streets. ‘That will be more of a challenge,’ he says, ‘but
once you have the maps in place the rest of the technology
will come together.’
V-CHARGE
Coordinated

by ETH Zurich in Switzerland.
Funded

under FP7-ICT.
http://cordis.europa.eu/result/rcn/146659_en.html

Project

website:
http://www.v-charge.eu/

http://bit.ly/WKXGzf
23
research*eu results magazine N°36 / October 2014
ENERGY AND TRANSPORT
THE THIRD GENERATION OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES
ELVA unveils the potential power of electric cars in advancing sustainable mobility. New vehicle architectures have
been created, reconciling future customer expectations with technological innovation.
The objective of the joint EU research
project ELVA (Advanced Electric Vehicle
Architectures) was to explore the
expanded potential of vehicle architecture. This is on account of the electric
drivetrain and further electric mobility
technology innovation.
The first phase of the project consisted
in forecasting future markets. This
meant investigating the technological
possibilities, customer expectations and
requirements, of 2020, the third electric
vehicle generation. Determining such
options remains a challenge.
Technological advances though, as with
advances in battery capacity, size and
weight, are expected. Customer requirements seemed to closely resemble
expectations of conventional vehicles
today, such as safety.
Also included in the initial stage was the
participation of external institutions
through a public design contest. Here,
designers were invited to provide their
ideas and impact the development of
ELVA concepts.
ELVA also created three virtual vehicle
concepts, led by the original equipment
manufacturers involved (Centro Ricerche
Fiat, Renault and Volkswagen). These
were devised while taking the customer
expectations, requirements, and
awarded designs of the first phase into
account. Assessment of the simulations
against key vehicle development criteria, such as ergonomics, and their innovative architecture, proved at least
comparable to, if not greater than, conventional models.
directly impact the future vehicle development process of the automotive
industry. Overall, the goal would be to
successfully reconcile customer requirements and sustainable technology
advancement.
ELVA
Coordinated by RWTH Aachen University
in Germany.
Funded

under FP7-TRANSPORT.
http://cordis.europa.eu/project/

rcn/97179_en.html
Project

website:
http://www.elva-project.eu/

http://bit.ly/1uGVdRK
Looking towards the future, further scientific and technical research is needed
for electric vehicles to successfully infiltrate the European market, but the ELVA
project results are referenced by many
new initiatives. The knowledge of its
findings, due to the involvement of
industrial partners, is expected to
REDUCING ENERGY USE BY AIRPORTS
Airports are big energy consumers — and that’s before a plane takes off or lands. The daily electricity
and thermal energy used by a large airport compares to that of a city of 100 000 people.
T
here are around 500 airports in the 28 European Union
Member States and even the smallest one consumes
energy like there’s no tomorrow. The goal of the EU’s
three-year CASCADE (ICT for Energy Efficient Airports) project is to help airport managers reduce their energy needs
and cut the CO2 emissions caused specifically by their highconsuming ‘Heating, ventilating and air conditioning’ (HVAC)
plants by 20 % in the short term.
The nine CASCADE partners, funded with EUR 2.6 million
from the EC’s 7th Framework Programme, aim to do this by
means of new software, coupled with an energy action plan
based on the international management standard ISO
50001, and algorithms for fault detection and diagnostics.
Using the CASCADE system, faults can be detected quickly
and automatically before the systems are damaged or fail,
or too much energy is wasted, thus helping airport maintenance teams implement corrective actions and improve the
performance of equipment in the plants.
It’s perfect timing for airport managers, as they are under
pressure to help the EU meet its 20-20-20 goals (one of
them being to cut domestic emissions 20 % by 2020) by
economising in energy management. And for this they need
tools which provide adequate support. CASCADE provides
them with such a tool, integrating it with the existing ICT
solutions already installed at airport facilities.
HVAC systems consume 50 % of all energy
at airports
Rome’s Fiumicino and Milan’s Malpensa airports, the two
biggest in Italy, agreed to act as pilots, dedicating personnel and resources to the project. Some 55 million
© Micha Lesemann
E
lectro mobility has emerged as a
promising area for progress towards
the modern societal challenges of
sustainable transportation and overall
global sustainability. The new electric
components and technology of electric
vehicles offer decreased emissions and
traffic, as well as an unprecedented
freedom of design, moving away from
the conventional vehicle model.
© RCASCADE
24
research*eu results magazine N°36 / October 2014
ENERGY AND TRANSPORT
passengers use these airports every year. Around half of the
energy they use is consumed by HVAC systems, so reducing
this by 20 % will significantly reduce overall energy consumption at the airports.
‘We are not targeting the whole airport infrastructure,’ said
CASCADE coordinator Nicolas Réhault, from the Fraunhofer
Institute for Solar Energy Systems in Freiburg, Germany. ‘Our
objective is to save 20 % energy on these targeted systems
by optimising savings, and, with the knowledge we gain, we
then want to replicate the solution at other airports.’
Focusing on the HVAC systems — especially the large air
handling units, chiller plants and cooling towers the airports
use — the project team installed hundreds of new sensors,
meters and advanced data loggers at the two airports to
step up measurement of parameters such as temperature,
pressure, flow rates, electrical consumption, etc.
Engineers using this new measurement framework can control and benchmark equipment performance and optimise
user behaviour. Coupling this with fault detection tools, they
have been able to root out problems in scheduling (equipment running when it’s not needed), incorrect heating and
cooling settings in different areas of the airport, poor positioning of sensors or actuators, lack of calibration or maintenance, unbalanced pipe and duct systems, and so on.
After the first six months of the pilot phase, the CASCADE
system has already detected some control and sensor faults
in large air handling units that provide Fiumicino Terminal 1
with fresh air. Estimated savings of 500 MWh, which corresponds to about 3 500 tons of CO2 or EUR 70 000 a year, are
achievable just by implementing low-investment measures
like resetting the controls or replacing faulty sensors, the
researchers found.
Software could be applied to other
complex buildings
Interest in the project has extended across the EU. Airports
Council International has committed its support to the proposal by providing a channel to demonstrate the results to 400
of the 500 EU-28 airports. The CASCADE consortium hopes
that through its network other airports will integrate the
CASCADE software tool into their energy management plans.
There will be other applications for the CASCADE software, as
Nicolas went on to explain. ‘Airports are very complex infrastructures. We have gained a lot of know-how on how these
infrastructures work. This can be replicated to other highly
complex buildings such as hospitals and banks. And it could be
downscaled to simpler things, too.’
CASCADE
Coordinated

by Fraunhofer in Germany.
Funded

under FP7-ICT.
http://cordis.europa.eu/result/rcn/93078_en.html

Project

website:
http://www.cascade-eu.org/

http://bit.ly/1qBMd0X
ROTORCRAFT TECHNOLOGY — UP THE NEXT
LEVEL
G
urney flaps are small tabs extending typically at right angles from
the trailing edge of a wing or rotor
blade. They can reduce transition to turbulence with a major impact on both
energy efficiency and safety. Effects of
active gurney flaps have recently been
investigated numerically but never
experimentally tested on a rotor.
Scientists are preparing for wind tunnel
testing of a helicopter main-rotor model
with an active gurney flap integrated in
each blade through EU funding of the
project GUM (Active gurney on main
rotor blades). They are developing a
novel, non-invasive measurement technique to determine the pressure field
and minimise interference of test equipment and procedures. The technique
relies on particle image velocimetry to
measure the velocity field. This information is used to calculate the pressure
distribution around the blade.
The first few months were devoted to
developing the post-processing procedure where the pressure distribution
values can be determined from particle
image velocimetry. Mathematical
methods were then compared with
experimental data obtained through
use of conventional pressure transducers installed on the blade.
Results were remarkably good and
represent a step-change in current
state-of-the-art. In parallel, scientists
defined a test plan for the wind tunnel
testing and produced relevant documentation regarding technical considerations and safety. They have laid the
groundwork prior to receiving the
active blades that are currently being
developed in other projects.
GUM outcomes are expected to highlight the benefits of active gurney
flaps in increasing rotorcraft energy
efficiency and reducing vibration. Less
fuel consumption and noise are important objectives of the EU’s ambitious
aerospace research programme to
reduce the environmental impact
resulting from aviation.
The post-processing tool used to
extract pressure from non-invasive
© firetozk, Thinkstock
Active control of wind flow over rotorcraft could be a major way of reducing fuel consumption while
enhancing performance. EU-funded scientists have developed a non-invasive test for wind tunnel
evaluation of a promising technology.
velocity measurement should have
widespread application in fields
related to fluid dynamics. Thus, commercialisation could be a profitable
step for the companies involved.
GUM
Coordinated by the Polytechnic
University of Milan in Italy.
Funded

under FP7-JTI.
http://cordis.europa.eu/project/

rcn/102828_en.html
25
research*eu results magazine N°36 / October 2014
ENVIRONMENT AND SOCIETY
© Remy, Thinkstock
26
ENVIRONMENT AND SOCIETY
INTERACTIVE LINKING
OF CLIMATE DATA FROM
MULTIPLE SOURCES
Policymakers and planners trying to solve complex problems often
resort to modelling software — programs that attempt to predict
and even simulate the likely results of policy initiatives. While such
software has been around for years, it tends to be sector-specific,
focused for example on climate science, energy economics or
agriculture. To date, providing useful modelling based on data from
multiple areas of environmental activity has remained limited.
T
he EU-funded project ERMITAGE
(Enhancing Robustness and
Model Integration for The
Assessment of Global Environmental
Change) has developed precisely this
capability. Led by the United Kingdom’s
Open University, the ERMITAGE team
has come up with a series of interlinked modelling programs that show
the interactions between climate
change and land use, energy markets,
rising temperatures and more. In addition, the team has demonstrated how
results can be generated in near
real-time.
‘It is clear that we need to connect the
modelling systems for atmospheric
change, energy economics, ecosystems, land-use and other areas of
activity if we are to come up with realistic predictions of climate change,’
says project coordinator Neil Edwards
of the Open University, United
Kingdom. ‘Policymakers want to see
the likely results of their initiatives,
and realistic prediction of results
needs an integrated view that takes in
information from a variety of environmental variables,’ he adds.
The work of the ERMITAGE team offers
real promise. The researchers have
come up with a series of complex
modelling systems that successfully
bridge the gaps between different
modelling areas of activity. To date,
the team has coupled together six
advanced models to link areas such as
climate change, land use, energy market trends and economic development, using novel software that
enables these different parameters to
interact in near real-time.
For example, the potential of biofuels
together with ‘Carbon capture and
storage’ (CCS) to mitigate global
warming is well understood, but the
ERMITAGE project can add much
greater subtlety to likely climate prediction scenarios. Integrating climate,
ecosystems, crops, land use and economic systems (energy prices, markets, international trade, etc.) gives
much greater detail, e.g. how limiting
biofuels can lead to a 2.5 times
increase in the production and use of
hydrogen fuel for transport, or an
increase in the contribution of electricity to the final energy mix from a 1/2
to 2/3. Modelling results therefore
include not only how crops will grow in
a changed climate, but also how international trade and technological
change can affect bioenergy prices.
research*eu results magazine N°36 / October 2014
ENVIRONMENT AND SOCIETY
A parallel objective of the project
team was to ensure that the results of
such linking should be easily accessi-
“Our stakeholders in
policymaking circles are
already showing interest
in how the results can
be applied.”
ble. To this end, the team has implemented an enhancement to the UK
research community’s ‘Community integrated assessment system’ (CIAS) network, which links many disparate
numerical models and climate-related
datasets into a common resource infrastructure. CIAS-Live is an extension of
the system and produces responses to
queries almost instantaneously in
graphic form, rather than forcing
researchers to wait months for a result.
The ERMITAGE team has also added
new, recently discovered information
into the modelling process. ‘Groundwater,
for instance, is an important resource
around the world,’ explains Edwards.
‘Much of it is fossil groundwater — it
could have been there for 10 000 years.
How fast is it being recharged? Are we
using it up faster than we can replenish
it? This resource has not been included
in any complex model predictions to
date.’ The team has added this groundwater data to its modelling capabilities,
linking modelling of crop-use dynamics,
for example, to economic models of crop
production.
The project partners have also tried to
ensure the widest possible dissemination of ERMITAGE’s results. Making use
of some of the Open University’s own
principles on communication resources,
the team has produced a series of videos to explain the project and what it
has achieved, and uploaded them to
YouTube as well as to the project
website.
‘Our stakeholders in policymaking circles
are already showing interest in how the
results can be applied,’ says Edwards.
The results from ERMITAGE are expected
to underpin much more connected
thinking about future climate and environmental change, as well as the implications for societal change, energy use,
agro planning and more.
ERMITAGE
Coordinated by the Open University
in the United Kingdom.
Funded

under FP7-ENVIRONMENT.
http://ec.europa.eu/research/infocentre/

article_en.cfm?artid=32520
Project

website:
http://ermitage.cs.man.ac.uk/

http://bit.ly/WL3B7F
Mediterranean landscapes and shorelines are among
the most beautiful worldwide, but industrial pollution
has put them in grave danger. Identifying the most
useful and cost-effective technologies to address
industrial pollution around the Mediterranean will help
non-EU countries combat this serious environmental
challenge.
© tolgaa80, Thinkstock
INDUSTRIAL POLLUTION IN THE MEDITERRANEAN
T
he EU-funded project BAT4MED (Boosting best available
techniques in the Mediterranean Partner Countries) analysed how integrated pollution prevention involving Egypt,
Morocco and Tunisia could combat this threat. BAT4MED is
working on minimising the negative impacts of polluting industries to improve environmental protection by supporting the
transfer and uptake of environmental technologies in developing countries.
The project team analysed the industrial context in the target
countries to identify the most promising sectors with the highest environmental benefit potential. Specifically, the project
looked at how these three countries could apply the EU’s
‘Industrial pollution prevention and control’ (IPPC) Directive to
control industrial emissions released into the air, water and
land. This approach requires polluting industrial operators to
obtain environmental permits based on the application of ‘Best
available techniques’ (BATs) for running their industrial
facilities.
Researchers designed and applied a methodology for BAT
assessment in relation to each identified industry sector. It also
looked at how to adapt the current permit procedures of the
different countries to the IPPC approach. Work also revolved
around assessing the technical feasibility, economic feasibility
and environmental performance of BATs, as well as the impact
of newly adopted BATs, and potential improvement for the
environment and health.
BAT4MED found that the two most promising industrial sectors with the greatest potential environmental benefit were
the textile sector and the food sector (specifically, the dairy
sector). It then worked towards policy convergence in pollution
prevention and control that covered all third countries involved
in the project, studying gaps between non-EU and EU countries
in addition to assessing available policy options.
Through these achievements the project team has paved the
way for implementing BATs to respond to specific health and
environmental impacts from industrial emissions in the
Mediterranean region. It furthered knowledge on improving
evaluation of preventive and abatement technologies in each
sector.
Having deduced that most challenges faced by Mediterranean
industries are common to the majority of countries in the
region, the project has generated important results that go
beyond the geographical scope of the project. Its results have
already been transferred to other non-EU Mediterranean (or
near-Mediterranean) countries such as Lebanon and Jordan.
BAT4MED
Coordinated by the Andalusian Institute of Technology
in Spain.
Funded

under FP7-ENVIRONMENT.
http://cordis.europa.eu/project/rcn/96938_en.html

Project

website:
http://www.bat4med.org
27
research*eu results magazine N°36 / October 2014
ENVIRONMENT AND SOCIETY
ROLE OF MICROORGANISMS IN ACTIVATED
SLUDGE
The structure of microbial communities has a significant effect on the active sludge method for the
treatment of wastewater. The use of computer models has enabled scientists and engineers to get a
clearer idea of the processes involved.
© kanvag, Thinkstock
28
A
n EU-funded initiative developed
mathematical models and conducted laboratory experiments
to better understand microorganisms
in activated sludge floc used in sewage treatment. Floc comprises suspended microorganisms and particles
and is the main processing and
oxygen-consuming component in activated sludge wastewater treatment
reactors.
The EU-funded FLOMAS (Floc modelling in activated sludge and beyond)
project studied microbial communities
from a municipal wastewater treatment plant. Floc size and structure
significantly affect the energy
demands of activated sludge, and
understanding its formation is an
important step in learning to control
the treatment process.
FLOMAS used a combination of fluorescence in situ hybridisation and confocal laser scanning microscopy to
study floc samples. The resulting
images showed the different shapes
and sizes of the flocs and revealed the
formation of micro-colonies of ammonia-oxidising bacteria and nitrateoxidising bacteria.
The information was used to create a
first-generation multi-scale computational model showing the formation of
activated sludge flocs at the micro
scale. It also revealed reactor performance at the macro scale. These
results were used to develop a multiscale multi-species model of the activated sludge wastewater treatment
system.
Modelling techniques developed under
the auspices of FLOMAS can be
applied to other engineered biological
systems such as in an upward flow,
anaerobic sludge blanket reactor. They
can also help scientists gain a clearer
understanding of natural systems,
such as ‘marine snow’ — the continuous shower of particulates from the
upper layers of the ocean.
FLOMAS
Coordinated by the Politehnica
University of Bucharest in Romania.
Funded

under FP7-PEOPLE.
http://cordis.europa.eu/project/

rcn/94615_en.html
Project

website:
http://flomas.chim.upb.ro
MEASURING YOUR WAY TO A HEALTHIER
ENVIRONMENT
Air and noise pollution are among the most
insidious threats to our health. But what if we could
monitor both from our smartphones? The AirProbe
and Widenoise apps, developed by an EU-funded
research project called EVERYAWARE, have made
this possible. Partners from Belgium, Germany,
Italy and the UK have developed this system to
increase people’s awareness of their environment.
T
he EVERYAWARE (Enhance environmental awareness
through social information technologies) project
embraced the challenge of helping people to work out
exposure to air pollution and make informed choices
regarding the best times to be out and about, all this with
cheap, reliable and easy to use equipment.
Five partners combined their expertise, from social through
to computer and environment sciences. EUR 2 million of EU
funding was invested in the project to create the tools and
organise various case studies.
Two smartphone apps were developed: AirProbe to monitor
exposure to air pollution and Widenoise to measure noise
levels. Both apps include social games for sharing information and impressions as well as interactive maps.
Engaging citizens with AirProbe
The AirProbe app, which is not yet available to the public,
works in conjunction with a small battery-operated sensor
box that can easily be carried in a knapsack or bicycle basket. This connects to the phone via Bluetooth. After sucking
in air, the box sends readings rating the level of ozone,
black carbon and other pollutants to a central server, which
then bounces helpful information about the town’s polluted
areas as well as peak pollution times to avoid.
‘AirProbe is easy for everyone to use and realising just what
we are breathing can be a real eye-opener,’ says EVERYWHERE
project coordinator Vittorio Loreto, research leader at the
ISI Foundation in Turin and physics professor at Sapienza
University of Rome.
Not only will the apps help vulnerable people such as children, the elderly and asthma sufferers to make healthy
choices, but they are also fun to use, making their uptake
more probable.
During the project, researchers recruited people to test the
AirProbe app and sensor box by launching challenges in
four cities — London, Antwerp, Kassel and Turin. This
research*eu results magazine N°36 / October 2014
29
ENVIRONMENT AND SOCIETY
Science on the go
Scientists can also use the information gathered to analyse
pollution trends and post this information online for urbanites and public authorities. This could serve, for example,
for combating traffic congestion. ‘It is still too early to draw
any conclusions, but it will be interesting to see how people
change their behaviour as their awareness of the environment increases,’ says Professor Loreto.
Once the sensor box is available at a larger scale, AirProbe
users will be able to access Experimental Tribe and the various games — which can give social scientists unique
insights into human behaviour and decision-making.
AirProbe, as well as online game platforms akin to Experimental
Tribe using EVERYAWARE’s open-source technology.
‘If you want to have innovation, you have to give everyone the
possibility to build on what you have constructed,’ says
Professor Loreto. ‘The next step will be to find someone who
can mass-produce the sensor box so that everyone has the
opportunity to buy and use it.’
EVERYAWARE
Coordinated

by the ISI Foundation in Italy.
Funded

under FP7-ICT.
http://cordis.europa.eu/result/rcn/147384_en.html

Project

website:
http://www.everyaware.eu/

http://bit.ly/WLoqQa
© EVERYAWARE
allowed interested members of the public to become Air
Ambassadors, recording levels of pollutants at various
locations.
Making the technology available to all
‘For the time being, I imagine a much smaller, ideally wearable
sensor box integrated into our clothes and objects,’ says
Professor Loreto. ‘The integration with the smartphones is of
course also envisioned, though on a longer timescale. It all
depends on which companies are interested in producing the
sensor box, and how much smartphone makers are willing to
invest,’ he said.
Once the sensor box is made available to the broader public,
it is expected to lead to the release of several apps similar to
TOOLS TO CONTROL ANIMAL DISEASES
Effective identification of existing technology relevant to disease control is vital for guiding research
efforts and funds towards the development of novel tools. To this end, the DISCONTOOLS consortium
established a searchable database that could be utilised to prioritise the development of veterinary
medicines based on importance.
O
utbreaks of infectious diseases
highlight the necessity of producing new vaccines and developing novel diagnostic tools. In turn,
this requires a coordinated research
and development effort to transfer
the appropriate technology from the
bench all the way to market.
© Ershova_Veronila, Thinkstock
The key objective of the EU-funded
DISCONTOOLS (Development of the
most effective tools to control infectious diseases in animals) project was
to prioritise research and funding for
the control of animal diseases.
Scientists focused on developing and
improving tools such as diagnostics,
vaccines and pharmaceuticals. The
general idea was to identify research
gaps and advise on the most effective
allocation of resources.
To this end, the consortium established expert groups which put
together separate disease analysis
documents for a total of 52 different
animal diseases. These analyses
included a comprehensive description
of the disease, its zoonotic potential,
available tools as well as the economic impact.
The information was subsequently
used in gap analysis models as the
basis for scoring and prioritising the
different diseases. The scoring system
entailed point collection in five sections, namely disease knowledge,
impact on the wider society, impact on
public health, impact on trade and animal welfare. The existence of control
tools or effective vaccines earned
negative points and thus low priority
for a given disease.
A key activity of the project was to
identify technological tools that could
be exploited to improve the ability to
control infectious animal diseases.
The overall work was disseminated
through publications, reports and
seminars as well as two international
conferences.
The DISCONTOOLS study produced an
online database where research
funders and policymakers could find
essential information regarding a particular disease. This will enable optimal allocation of resources and
research capacity to ensure successful outcomes in defined priority areas.
DISCONTOOLS
Coordinated by the International
Federation for Animal Health Europe
in Belgium.
Funded

under FP7-KBBE.
http://cordis.europa.eu/project/

rcn/87793_en.html
Project

website:
http://www.discontools.eu/
30
research*eu results magazine N°36 / October 2014
ENVIRONMENT AND SOCIETY
TOMATO AND POTATO ISOPRENOID FACTORIES
‘Isoprenoids’ (ISOs) are natural components of cosmetics and flavours, colourants and nutritional
supplements in foods. Currently, ISOs are produced in low yields by slow-growing plant species that are
not suitable for agricultural production.
I
SOs, also called terpenoids, are a
large and diverse class of naturally
occurring lipids. These organic chemicals can be found in all classes of living things, and are the largest group
of natural products. Plant ISOs are
“30 peer-reviewed publications
have been generated with
several featuring in highimpact journals such as
Science, PNAS and Plant Cell.”
useful secondary metabolites in
plants.
Genetic engineering approaches were
demonstrated for astaxanthin formation and crocin production using
tomato and potato. These crops are
commonly grown and are produced
worldwide and thus amenable to
modern agricultural practices. Most of
the fundamental reactions involved in
the ISO formation pathway have been
previously established.
popular for their aromatic qualities.
They are used in traditional herbal
remedies and are under investigation
for antibacterial, antineoplastic and
other pharmaceutical applications.
Project results show that secondary
metabolism is not a separate entity,
but rather a component linked to primary and intermediary metabolism. It
also became apparent that biosynthesis and sequestration are interlinked
and changes in metabolite composition can alter cellular structures used
for deposition.
The global market for ISOs is in the
range of USD 1 billion per annum. The
EU-funded METAPRO (The development of tools and effective strategies
for the optimisation of useful secondary METAbolite PROduction in planta)
project aimed to optimise the production of several useful ISOs to demonstrate the tools and strategies
developed for generic production of
During trials, both enzymatic and nonenzymatic degradation of synthesised
ISOs occurred. To overcome this problem, a down-stream encapsulation
was developed to facilitate product
stability. Implementation of the new
strategies led to the generation of
exceptionally high levels of ISOs.
The prototypes are now available
to perform production, technical and
economic feasibility studies with
a wide range of ketocarotenoidproducing varieties.
METAPRO is continuing dissemination
of its findings at every opportunity to
the scientific community, general public, schools and government agencies.
Over the duration of the project,
30 peer-reviewed publications have
been generated, with several featuring in high-impact journals such as
Science, PNAS and Plant Cell.
The project advanced fundamental
scientific knowledge and highlighted
potential improved sustainable bio
production. It has illustrated how compounds typically generated by chemical synthesis can potentially be
produced in renewable bio sources at
competitive levels.
METAPRO
Coordinated by the Royal Holloway
and Bedford New College in the United
Kingdom.
Funded

under FP7-KBBE.
http://cordis.europa.eu/project/

rcn/92953_en.html

http://bit.ly/1qbMb0H
EFFECT OF SPECIES LOSS ON MARINE
ECOSYSTEMS
© IPGGutenbergUKLtd, Thinkstock
Scientific studies have traditionally used the
number of species as a means of describing the
relationship between the composition of relatively
simple biological communities and their function.
An EU-funded initiative investigated more complex
systems on a larger scale, with greater consideration
of the role of organisms in ecosystems.
T
he FISHECO (Fish community structure and ecosystem
properties in a global change context) project analysed
the relationship between community structure and the
function of coastal ecosystems. Rather than viewing fish as
a food resource, the initiative examined the role of fish in
coastal ecosystems, within the context of global change.
FISHECO investigated if all the species found on coral reefs or
coastal ecosystems are needed for the system to function, or
whether the ecosystem can cope with species loss. Results
indicated that even in species-rich tropical systems, such as
coral reefs, the erosion of species diversity cannot be
discounted.
This is because species tend to be concentrated disproportionally around a few activities, rather than being spread evenly,
with many functions being performed by a single species. In
addition, it was shown that rare species go extinct more
research*eu results magazine N°36 / October 2014
rapidly when faced with pollution, habitat degradation and
fishing activity. Ecosystem function is therefore fragile,
remaining susceptible to biodiversity loss, including rare
species.
on the taxonomic and functional diversity of fish communities
across the Pacific.
“Results indicated that caution should be
used when using species richness to measure
the condition of ecosystems.”
Results indicated that caution should be used when using species richness to measure the condition of ecosystems. This is
because they are less responsive to changes in human population density than when using species function as a barometer. When dramatically reduced by human activity, the loss of
functional diversity may threaten the performance of
ecosystems.
FISHECO’s second objective was to assess the severity and
type of disturbances caused to ecosystems as a result of
human activity. This is traditionally determined by measuring
the decline in populations or the loss of vulnerable habitats
and species.
The FISHECO project highlighted the role of rare or threatened
species and the unique and irreplaceable functions they perform in coastal and coral reef ecosystems. As such, project
results can play a valuable role in guiding future conservation
strategies and new experiments for determining the role of
rare species in ecosystems and for conserving biodiversity.
However, ecosystems do not need to suffer species loss in
order to react to disturbance from human activities, for example the loss of some traits from the ecosystem, such as fish
with large body size, when under pressure from fishing.
Therefore, FISHECO investigated the effect of human activity
FISHECO
Coordinated

by Montpellier 2 University in France.
Funded

under FP7-PEOPLE.
http://cordis.europa.eu/project/rcn/94055_en.html

SENSING ANTIBIOTICS IN OUR ENVIRONMENT
Despite the EU ban on indiscriminate antibiotics usage in the animal industry, it is suspected that significant
amounts still leak into the environment. To this end, European researchers worked on novel chemical
technologies to generate improved sensors for detecting traces of antibiotics in environmental samples.
A
The increasing emergence of antibiotic
resistance and hypersensitivity has
alerted authorities. In 2006, the EU
banned the feeding of all antibiotics and
related drugs to livestock for growth
promotion purposes. To maintain citizen
health, sensitive monitoring methods for
antibiotics are urgently required.
Scientists from the EU-funded project
SOLGELSENS (Sol-gel materials synthesis and characterization for optical sensing) proposed the use of optical sensors
as alternatives to chromatographic
methods of analysis. They focused on
developing hybrid films composed of silica oxide and ‘polyelectrolytes’ (PE) as
well as nanostructured and nanosized
materials for antibiotic detection, especially tetracycline.
They employed sol-gel technology to
generate such hybrid materials and dyeconjugated materials for detecting volatile organic compounds such as
formaldehyde. With respect to antibiotic
© PeterHermesFurian, Thinkstock
ntibiotics are excessively used in
the livestock production industry
for veterinary therapy. A substantial proportion of these compounds is excreted unaltered in the
urine and faeces of treated animals.
This implies that the manure used as
fertiliser in many land applications
may be rich in antibiotics and antibiotic residues with serious health
implications.
detection, PE-silica hybrid films exhibited promising properties for optical sensors. Immobilisation of Europium
complexes was also considered for the
luminescent detection of antibiotic
residues.
To enhance the sensor adsorption
capacity and resistance, researchers utilised various surfactants during the
organic coating production. Cyanine
dyes incorporated on the surface of the
silica matrix further improved the detection sensitivity of the sensor through
photoluminescence. To extract traces of
tetracycline from aqueous solutions,
functionalised ferrous oxide magnetic
nanoparticles were prepared. This
method provided a simple and selective
approach for directly monitoring the levels of tetracycline in solution.
Collectively, the SOLGELSENS project
offered important technical knowledge
on molecular imprinting technology and
hybrid silica materials for optical sensor
applications. Implementation of the project deliverables in antibiotic detection
applications will improve the overall
safety of food and water.
SOLGELSENS
Coordinated by the University
of Oviedo in Spain.
Funded

under FP7-PEOPLE.
http://cordis.europa.eu/project/

rcn/95880_en.html
Project

website:
http://www.solgelsens.com/
31
research*eu results magazine N°36 / October 2014
© mycola, Thinkstock
32
IT AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS
IT AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS
BUILDING HIGH
PERFORMANCE, LOW COST
RADAR SYSTEM
Since the ancient Greeks first began collecting rainwater in pots in
about 500 BC, little has changed in how basic rainfall records are
made. While there are more precise measurement methods, for
example by using parts of multi-purpose radars operated by large
weather services, they are complex and expensive for local users.
Now, an alternative is possible thanks to an EU-funded research
project developing an accurate, affordable, real time and userfriendly system to monitor both the spatial distribution and the
intensity of rain.
T
he project, called MARG
(Development of a high resolution, low cost, short range precipitation radar system), uses a variety
of new technologies to collect commercial weather data. It combines
state-of-the-art microwave technology, digital signal processing and geographic information systems
(technology used to capture, analyse
and manage all types of geographical
data) with novel algorithms to measure precipitation.
A range of areas, from agriculture to
flood defence, depend on reliable rainfall data. ‘Estimates of rainfall play a
vital role in the performance of sewer
systems, water treatment plants, irrigation requirements, and advanced
warnings of developing flood threats,’
says MARG’s project coordinator
Miklós Budai, who also works at the
Budapest office of engineering group,
Ateknea Solutions.
Climate change, especially the
increasingly frequent flash floods, has
made accurate local rainfall measurements even more important. ‘We
know, of course, that heavy rain frequently overwhelms urban sewage
systems, which can cause rapid flooding in cities,’ says Budai. MARG can
thus provide reliable data for the private water sector operators and
municipalities responsible for distributed water systems, sewages and
treatment plants that cost billions of
euros, he says.
MARG identifies rain types using
Doppler spectrum data and morphological information from radar rainfall
maps. The project partners have
already developed the novel radio
frequency electronic parts and are
using parabolic antennas in C band
(5.6 GHz), which can provide high
accuracy even in heavy rainfall.
“One potential beneficiary of
MARG is agriculture, where
unnecessary use of water for
irrigation on farms increases
costs significantly.”
It can cost as much as EUR 1 100 a
month to own and operate an individual rain gauge, so a network of
50 gauges means annual costs of
around EUR 660 000. With long-range
weather radars working as very
research*eu results magazine N°36 / October 2014
IT AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS
densely situated rain gauges, costs
start around EUR 500 000. By contrast, the target price range of the
MARG radar is around EUR 30 000.
Budai stresses the economic importance of the project: in Europe alone,
annual investments of EUR 9.5 billion
in meteorological data lead to a
EUR 68 billion return in economic
value. In the United Kingdom alone,
precipitation is responsible for the
collapse of up to 5 000 sewage systems each year.
One potential beneficiary of MARG is
agriculture, where unnecessary use of
water for irrigation on farms increases
costs significantly. Budai says that
improving the scheduling of watering
and applying fertilisers could save up
to 25 % for agricultural holdings in
farming costs. ‘The system can further
support hydropower companies in
optimising production capacity, insurance companies in investigating
weather claims, and leisure planners
in protecting people and goods from
damage,’ he says.
Budai says MARG is progressing on
schedule: the mechanical design is
almost finalised, the integration of the
system began in February 2014, and
the product is set to be launched by
the end of 2015. ‘Accurate, local level
rainfall data is critical for customers
of weather data service providers,
as they can save millions of euros
on rainfall-related investment for
improving these systems,’ Budai adds.
MARG
Coordinated by Ateknea Solutions
Hungary in Hungary.
Funded

under FP7-SME.
http://ec.europa.eu/research/infocentre/

article_en.cfm?artid=32496
Project

website:
http://marg-project.eu/
ASSURING PRIVACY IN ASSISTED
LIVING SOLUTIONS
‘A
mbient assisted living’ (AAL) is one such solution for
individuals with physical and cognitive challenges,
which the aged population frequently has to deal
with. It relies on information and communication technologies to help a person remain active and socially connected
and live independently. Worn by the person, or embedded
in objects or in the environment, sensing technology thus
promotes health and enhances well-being with captured
data used to detect activity or infer knowledge about a
physical or cognitive situation.
With video cameras increasingly being used in AAL, the
CARING4U (A study on people activity in private spaces:
towards a multisensor network that meets privacy requirements) project was established to address issues of privacy, and to design and develop intelligent vision systems
that take ethical criteria into account. Adopting a privacyby-context approach, the project proposed a level-based
visualisation scheme. With different levels of alarm triggering different visualisations, a personal sense of privacy is
assured.
Project research focused on human action recognition and
visual privacy preservation techniques. For the first area,
conventional (RGB) cameras were used, with work progressing to the incorporation of sensors providing a depth
image (D). The resulting RGB-D data can be used to learn
and classify human poses, actions or even daily activities.
For the area of privacy preservation, CARING4U implemented different visualisations for association with a specific context. The RGB-D device can perform in real-time on
a standard PC, and various filters, including blur, pixelating,
solid silhouette and 3D virtual avatar, are used.
An end-of-project survey showed that people will be more
likely to install home cameras if there is an increased level
of protection. As such, a system that uses a virtual avatar
may prove an acceptable solution for privacy preservation
and user acceptance.
The CARING4U project efforts contribute to the use of ethical vision systems for AAL and promise a breakthrough in
services and technologies enabling self-adaptive environments. The advantages of supporting independent living in
this way have important societal and economic implications for Europe and its increasing elderly population.
CARING4U
Coordinated by Kingston University Higher Education
Corporation in the United Kingdom.
Funded

under FP7-PEOPLE.
http://cordis.europa.eu/project/rcn/101180_en.html

Project

website:
http://staffnet.kingston.ac.uk/~ku48824/projects/caring4U.html
© monkeybusinessimages, Thinkstock
As Europe’s elderly population continues to burgeon,
associated challenges require new research and
new technologies. A European project answered
this call, focusing on assistive solutions that
enhance quality of life without overstepping the
bounds of privacy.
33
research*eu results magazine N°36 / October 2014
IT AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS
MIND OVER MATTER FOR PEOPLE
WITH DISABILITIES
People with serious physical disabilities are unable to do the everyday things that most of
us take for granted despite having the will — and the brainpower — to do so. This is
changing thanks to European projects such as TOBI. People with limited mobility can write
emails and even regain control of paralysed limbs through thought alone.
T
OBI (Tools for Brain-Computer
Interaction) received EUR 9 million
in EU research funding to develop
practical technology for braincomputer interaction to improve the
quality of life of people like 20-year-old
Francesco and 53-year-old Jean-Luc.
Jean-Luc Geiser suffered a stroke
which left him completely paralysed
and unable to speak.
Thanks to TOBI, Jean-Luc was able to
communicate by typing email messages via a computer cursor controlled
through his brain waves. ‘Participating
in this project allowed me to see that I
can still be useful to society,’ he said in
a statement read by his sister at the
project’s final workshop.
‘There are many people suffering from
different levels of physical disability
who cannot control their body but
whose cognitive level is sufficiently
high,’ said project coordinator José del
R. Millán, a professor at the Ecole
Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne.
‘We want them to be part of our
society.’
In contrast to similar experiments
which usually involved able-bodied
patients or invasive brain implants,
TOBI broke new ground by developing
non-invasive prototypes. By using inexpensive and readily available equipment, the project could also achieve a
great deal in a relatively short time.
Brain power in practice
TOBI involved at least three kinds of
brain-to-computer dialogue which
meant paralysed patients could communicate and even move.
The first involved sending brain signals
to a computer cursor via electrodes
attached to a cap worn on the head.
Simply by thinking about what they
wanted to type, patients could remotely
control the computer cursor to surf the
web and write emails and texts.
In the second experiment, patients sent
brain signals to control a small robot
with video, audio and obstacledetection sensors. They could then use
the robot to take a ‘virtual’ walk around
the hospital or even hook up with loved
ones in different places.
Other patients were able to regain control of their paralysed limbs just by
thinking about moving them. This was
done using computer software
designed to detect a patient’s intention
to perform a certain motor function. In
some cases, intensive training and
rehabilitation helped them to keep that
control even after the electronics were
removed.
Throughout the project, researchers
relied on patient feedback to fine-tune
the technology they were working with.
The users became part of the research
team.
‘There was no black magic,’ said
Professor Millán. ‘We listened to the
feedback of all the patients to correct
design mistakes and made any changes
right away. We also took into consideration the feedback of professional end
users who worked with the patients in
hospital.’ Many patients also got a
sense of satisfaction from feeling part
of something important, even those
unable to continue past the first initial
experiments.
A ray of hope
The project ended last year and the
systems are still being tested and further developed. Some of the equipment
is being used at clinics and hospitals
which are TOBI partners.
Healthcare professionals have also run
many of the brain-to-computer interactions independently or with little remote
assistance from researchers and tests
have been carried out in homes, outside the well-controlled laboratory
conditions.
‘Altogether, this is proof of the degree
of robustness and possibilities of
today’s “Brain-computer interaction”
(BCI) technology,’ said Professor Millán.
‘Hopefully our research will encourage
further work in this field to improve the
lives of disabled patients with healthy,
functioning brains.’
© TOBI project
34
TOBI
Coordinated by the Swiss Federal
Institute of Technology in Lausanne
in Switzerland.
Funded

under FP7-ICT.
http://cordis.europa.eu/result/

rcn/147142_en.html
Project

website:
http://www.tobi-project.org/

http://bit.ly/1yQugMg
research*eu results magazine N°36 / October 2014
35
IT AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS
DESIGNING INDOOR WIRELESS NETWORKS
EU-funded scientists have addressed the need for a
new generation of radio ‘planning and optimisation’
(P&O) tools to meet the growing demand for
in-building coverage.
C
Funded by the EU, the IPLAN (Indoor radio network planning
and optimisation) project focused on developing indoor
radio network P&O methods and tools. These should provide up to 30 % performance improvements, and reduce
power usage and radio wave pollution, as well as improve
information security.
The quality of such tools relies on developing fast and
accurate radio propagation models. By coupling two methods based on ray-tracing and finite elements, project partners simulated indoor-outdoor propagation. Efficient
propagation models were also very useful for studying
interference between femtocells and outdoor macrocells.
“These should provide up to 30 %
performance improvements, and reduce
power usage and radio wave pollution,
as well as improve information security.”
To minimise impact on outdoor macrocells and neighbouring femtocells, algorithms for femtocell auto-configuration
were developed. Handover techniques between femtocells
and macrocells were also investigated for optimising the
handover process. Project partners developed a long-term
© Maria Kazanova, Thinkstock
urrent surveys show that more than 60 % of voice and
90 % of data services take place indoors. Therefore, there
needs to be a shift from outdoor to indoor radio access
network P&O, as there is a lack of reliable indoor tools.
evolution system-level femtocell that uses simulation predictions of small-cell efficiencies.
Based on realistic signal coverage simulations, the IPLAN
automatic indoor radio network P&O tool is expected to fill
the existing gap in the European market. It will minimise
the number of low-power base stations and reduce leakage
to outside stemming from in-building small cells, as well
as reduce base station transmit power.
IPLAN
Coordinated

by INSA Lyon in France.
Funded

under FP7-PEOPLE.
http://cordis.europa.eu/project/rcn/90830_en.html

Project

website:
http://iplan.project.citi-lab.fr/
NEW WAYS OF EXPLORING BIG DATA
In a society that has to understand increasingly big and complex datasets, EU researchers are turning to
the subconscious for help in unravelling the deluge of information.
B
ig Data refers to large amounts
of data produced very quickly by
a high number of diverse sources.
Data can either be created by people
or generated by machines, such as
sensors gathering climate information, satellite imagery, digital pictures
and videos, purchase transaction
records, GPS signals, etc. It covers
many sectors, from healthcare to
transport and energy.
Whether it is geographical information, statistics, weather data, research
data, transport data, energy consumption data or health data, the need to
make sense of ‘Big Data’ is leading to
innovations in technology, development of new tools and new skills. This,
indeed, is one of the important challenges in the ICT part of the EU’s new
Horizon 2020 research and innovation
programme.
Data has become a key asset for the
economy and our societies, similar to
the classic categories of human and
financial resources. Analysts today
are confronted with vast inflows of
data they need to sift through to find
solutions to modern challenges.
There may also be help at hand in
evaluating Big Data and our handling
of it from an unlikely source… our subconscious. Since we are only aware of
about 10 % of our brain activity, the
CEEDS (Collective Experience of
Empathic Data Systems) project has
been looking at ways to unlock the
other 90 %, to see if it can in some
way help us find what we are looking
for.
Using virtual reality tools to
enter large datasets
CEEDS is trying to make the subconscious ‘visible’ by gauging our sensory
and physiological reactions to the flow
“Possible applications for
CEEDS abound, from
inspection of satellite
imagery and oil prospecting,
to astronomy, economics
and historical research.”
research*eu results magazine N°36 / October 2014
IT AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS
© SPECS (Synthetic, Perceptive, Emotive and Cognitive Systems Group)
Universitat Pompeu Fabra and CEEDS
36
of Big Data before us. Researchers
from the project have built a machine
that uses virtual reality tools to enter
these large datasets. Employing a
range of visual, audio and tactile sensor systems, it also monitors users’
responses to the experience to find
out what they focus on and how they
do it.
The CEEDS ‘eXperience Induction
Machine’ (XIM), located at the Centre
for Autonomous Systems and
Neurobiotics directed by Professor
Paul Verschure at Universitat Pompeu
Fabra in Barcelona, is designed to help
analysts assimilate Big Data better.
But by monitoring their reactions, it
also provides feedback that could be
useful in designing data presentations
that are more accessible in the future.
Neuroscientists were the first group
the CEEDS researchers tried their
machine on. It took the typically huge
datasets generated in this scientific
discipline and animated them with
visual and sound stimuli.
The immersive 3D chamber examining
users’ reactions to data contains a
panoply of devices. Motion sensors
track postures and body movements.
An eye tracker tells the user where to
focus and checks pupil dilation for
signs of stress. A glove ‘feels’ hand
movements and measures grip and
skin responses. Cameras analyse
facial expressions. Voice equipment
detects emotional characteristics in
what a user says or utters. And a
specially-developed vest is worn to
monitor heartbeat and breathing
patterns.
The neuroscientists’ reactions to the
data were measured. And, by providing
them with subliminal clues, such as
flashing arrows they were not aware
of, the machine guided them to areas
that were potentially more interesting
to them. It also helped when they were
getting tired or overloaded with information by changing the presentation to
suit their moods. CEEDS coordinator,
Professor Jonathan Freeman, a psychologist at Goldsmiths, University of
London, explained: ‘It helps users by
simplifying visualisation of the data
when it is too complex or stressful for
them to assimilate, and intensifying
the presentation when the user appears
bored.’
Speeding up data analysis
has great value
This CEEDS approach is novel in that,
although many of its components are
already available separately, no one
has brought them together before
with one purpose: to optimise human
understanding of Big Data.
Possible applications for CEEDS abound,
from inspection of satellite imagery and
oil prospecting, to astronomy, economics
and historical research. ‘Anywhere
where there’s a wealth of data that
requires either a lot of time or an incredible effort, there is potential,’ added Prof.
Freeman. ‘We are seeing that it’s physically impossible for people to analyse all
the data in front of them, simply
because of the time it takes. Any system
that can speed it up and make it more
efficient is of huge value.’
Future development of CEEDS might
also go over Big Data; it can help with
gathering feedback from users in physical environments such as shops,
museums and libraries. Performing artists and DJs also now realise that they
could get real-time feedback from
audiences wearing, say, wristbands
gauging their dance intensity, body
temperatures and sweat levels. And in
the classroom, professors could teach
students more by linking them up to
their own subconscious reactions to,
say, diagrams. Another application
CEEDS researchers have studied is how
they can feed the experience of archaeologists in identifying, for instance,
2000-year-old pottery pieces, back
into databases to speed up their
matching potential in the future.
CEEDS, which has 16 partners in nine
countries, received EUR 6.5 million
from the EU’s 7th Framework
Programme as a ‘Future and emerging
technologies’ (FET) project.
CEEDS
Coordinated by the University
of London
in the United Kingdom.
Funded

under FP7-ICT.
http://cordis.europa.eu/result/

rcn/147385_en.html
Project

website:
http://ceeds-project.eu/

http://bit.ly/1lPBv6A
© Carther, Thinkstock
research*eu results magazine N°36 / October 2014
C
onductive inks are reported to be
one of the most profitable businesses in printed electronics
lately, and make up the largest percentage of product cost. Nevertheless,
there is a need to decrease production
prices to enable the coming wave of
futuristic products to gain widespread
use.
Although silver has excellent electric
properties, even when oxidised, it is
expensive as ink. Researchers from the
EU-funded CLIP (Enhancing printed
electronics applications by SMEs) project focused on alternatives to silver
nanostructures. Furthermore, they
addressed a whole set of parameters
that come into play when attempting
to drive down the total process costs.
These include printing volume and resolution, and printing and curing
IT AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS
INKS FOR NEXT-GENERATION
ELECTRONICS
Most conductive inks for printed electronics are based on silver.
EU-funded scientists aimed to develop low-cost ink alternatives to help
European companies address a wide range of applications and also to
accelerate the time-to-market for flexible electronic products.
technology availability as well as cost
and printability of low-cost substrates.
micro-copper flakes could not be used for
inkjet printing.
Project partners developed and combined different ink compositions with certain printing and curing technologies.
Copper nanoparticles made by wet processing were tested in inkjet and ‘Aerosol
jet printers’ (AJPs). Furthermore, silvercoated copper nanoparticles were developed for obtaining thermal curable inkjet
ink compositions.
Tests on AJPs and laser curing of nanosilver and nano-copper inks showed
exceptionally low conductivities. Microcopper inks based on micro-copper flakes
could not yet be printed with an AJP.
The focus was also put on a low-cost ink
composition based on micro-copper
flakes and copper nanoparticles for combining screen or flexography printing with
thermal curing. Screen ink compositions
were successfully printed on different
substrates, whereas flexographic ink
required several consecutive layers to be
highly conductive. Because of their insufficient oxidation stability, silver-coated
Considering a total low-cost process,
the project team had to limit the inkcomposition variants to specific printing
and curing combinations. CLIP is expected
to produce and test the demonstrators
based on the developed ink compositions
and printing technologies.
CLIP
Coordinated by the European Specialist
Printing Manufacturers Association in
Belgium.
Funded

under FP7-SME.
http://cordis.europa.eu/project/

rcn/94543_en.html
AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL: SAFETY FIRST
‘Air traffic control’ (ATC) in Europe urgently needs modernising in order to reduce congestion, but most
importantly to boost safety. To fill the gaps of current ATC systems, an EU-funded project developed new
technology to identify potential threats and improve the security of citizens against terrorist attacks.
T
he ARGUS 3D (Air guidance and surveillance 3D) project
developed a multi-sensor system able to return detailed
three-dimensional (3D) maps of the area under surveillance. By analysing information data from multiple sensors,
it provides information about the nature of non-cooperative
aircraft and the level of threat they present.
The ARGUS 3D system combines the advantages of conventional surveillance systems with those of two nonconventional radar-based systems. It analyses data
received from 3D primary surveillance radars to determine
the altitude of an aircraft. At the same time, a network of
passive radar sensors allows for viewing targets from different perspectives.
The combination improves the accuracy with which an
object’s position is determined as well as the extent of the
area covered, thus reducing the blind areas while increasing safety in sensitive areas. The ARGUS 3D system is
expected to provide a significant upgrade to the air traffic
picture in critical situations like terrorist activities.
From tests carried out under real-life conditions in the area
around Rome, researchers determined the accuracy with
which the position of non-cooperative aircraft can be estimated. There is room for improvement, especially through
the use of antennas able to more accurately steer the
emitted beams. However, in those cases analysed by
ARGUS 3D, the altitude was estimated within an accuracy
of 300 metres.
By analysing data from ground sensors, instead of solely
relying on data transmitted by aircraft, alerts can also be
provided in a timely manner. Once an incoming threat is
detected, the ARGUS 3D system can assist the operator by
suggesting the most effective countermeasure in the area
under surveillance.
The ARGUS 3D system, with further improvements, could
be applied beyond civil ATC which is challenged by the
steadily growing number of aircraft. It has paved the way
towards applications in the battle over airspace, in the control of vessel traffic, and also in monitoring cars in open
spaces. These applications will no doubt be further investigated within future projects.
ARGUS 3D
Coordinated

by Selex ES in Italy.
Funded

under FP7-SECURITY.
http://cordis.europa.eu/project/rcn/93528_en.html

Project

website:
http://www.argus3d.eu/
37
research*eu results magazine N°36 / October 2014
© A.C. Fischer
38
INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGIES
INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGIES
THE NEXT GENERATION
OF 3D PRINTERS
3D printers are emblematic of what the future of technology could
look like. Versatile, flexible and highly adaptable, they promise to
produce everything from customised furniture to transplantable
organs. Yet the concept of the 3D printer, its place in our imagination,
has outstripped its current technical capacity.
A
t the Royal Institute of
Technology in Sweden, Professor
Frank Niklaus and his research
team have set themselves a challenge: to engineer a 3D printer fitted
to the modern manufacturing world,
capable of producing micro- and
nano-structures and, ultimately, superior micro-materials.
A member of Prof. Niklaus’ team,
Dr Andreas Fischer, is presenting
their research at the event ‘New
Technologies from the ERC’ in Brussels
on 4 July. Assessing their preparations
for pitching at this event, they comment: ‘We found the transition from
identifying applications in research
terms to potential “killer” industrial
applications a complex one. We have,
however, identified many promising
leads for our technology: even in surprising areas such as high-end watch
making.’
Scaling up research on
micro- and nano-materials
Research into expanding the capabilities of 3D printers was the natural
extension of Prof. Niklaus’ ERC Starting
Grant. His EU-funded project M&M’S+
(3D Printer for Silicon MEMS & NEMS)
tackled a systems engineering conundrum: how can materials be manufactured at the micro- and nano-scale
when manufacturing systems insist
that production scale (and costs) follow an established pattern? Discussing
his research, Prof. Niklaus comments:
‘The development of a suitable 3D
printing tool is vital if the research
findings are to have a greater impact’.
As part of his Starting Grant, Prof.
Niklaus examined the constrictions
operating on silicon micro- and nanofabrication technologies. The ambition
was to develop new fabrication processes adapted to the needs of
micro- and nano-devices, pave the
way for new industrial applications,
and increase competitiveness.
With his team, he now explores the
burgeoning possibilities of ‘Micro- and
nano-electromechanical systems’
(MEMS and NEMS), which are used in
applications as diverse as hearing
aids’ microphones, automotive safety
systems and smartphones. Their wider
application is held back by the rigidity
of current manufacturing models,
which rely on integrated circuit system
manufacturing technologies. These
technologies demand an operational
scale which hinders innovation.
Prof. Niklaus’ contention is that opportunities are being lost in the adherence to the old established way of
doing things. Modernised, flexible
manufacturing processes would cut
costs, and would open out new
research*eu results magazine N°36 / October 2014
39
INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGIES
innovative technological potential:
which would no longer be inhibited
by the need to think in terms of a
factory-sized setup, and factory-scale
outputs.
Printing silicon
Prof. Niklaus has established the technical feasibility of printing silicon to
the requisite thinness. He explains:
‘The new technology uses a layerby-layer process: the 3D patterns are
defined in the silicon by using focused
ion beam writing, followed by silicon
deposits. The structure is built up by
repeating these two processes again
and again. At the end of the process,
excess silicon is dissolved using etching.’ These findings have implications
for both the medical and industrial
fields, as well as for photonics, and
engineering research more broadly.
This innovative system would not only
be a step-change in terms of flexibility: it would be less resource intensive,
and as such operate with much
reduced overheads. A customised,
integrated single tool would allow
users to print 3D silicon micro- and
nano-structures directly from computer generated designs.
Prof. Niklaus emphasises that the ERC
grant has enabled his laboratory to
‘address more fundamental research
questions than would otherwise have
been possible.’ Not only this: ‘Funding
from the ERC has brought much prestige for the group which motivates us
to go even further in the pursuit of
high-impact research.’ He adds: ‘The
Proof-of-Concept grant is a seed
funding which allows researchers to
follow through their findings and prepare to meet the market. This support
is instrumental in ensuring that
excellent ideas are not lost for want of
support in the often daunting predevelopment stage: the “valley of
death” between discovery and its
application.’
“A customised, integrated
single tool would allow users
to print 3D silicon micro- and
nano-structures directly from
computer generated designs.”
Ultimately, his goal is to establish the
commercial potential of the research
findings, and to identify suitable
industrial partners.
M&M’S+
Coordinated

by KTH in Sweden.
Funded

under FP7-IDEAS-ERC.
http://erc.europa.eu/erc-stories/

next-generation-3d-printers
ENZYMES TO REPLACE CLASSICAL CHEMISTRY
There is an ongoing quest for safer and cleaner
chemical methods to synthesise various
compounds. European researchers designed
enzymatic cascades that could complement or
replace classical chemistry in the development of
amine-containing products.
was the co-factor regeneration during the multi-step process without the need for intermediate isolation. Overall,
this simplified the synthesis of 6-aminocaproic acid in six
enzymatic steps.
A
Given the high activity and selectivity of enzymes, the
AMBIOCAS enzyme-based method holds significant economic benefits with the cleaner synthesis of desired products. This technology will limit the exposure to toxic,
flammable and explosive hazards commonly encountered
in the chemical industry.
The conventional chemical synthesis route entails the use
of phenol and has a significant energy and waste pattern.
To resolve this, scientists from the EU-funded AMBIOCAS
(Amine synthesis through biocatalytic cascades) project
proposed to synthesise amines by exploiting the catalytic
activity of transaminase enzymes.
AMBIOCAS
Coordinated by the University of Manchester
in the United Kingdom.
Funded

under FP7-KBBE.
http://cordis.europa.eu/project/rcn/93230_en.html

Project

website:
http://www.ambiocas.eu
mines are important chemical intermediates that are
extensively exploited in the production of polymers,
pharmaceuticals and other chemicals. A very popular
example is 6-aminocaproic acid, a compound used in the
production of polyamide polymers in applications such as
textiles, floor coverings or other nylon-type products.
Following the identification of the transaminase enzymes
that would catalyse the conversion to amines, enzymatic
cascades were designed for obtaining extra chemical functionality. A series of issues had to be overcome first, including the unfavourable thermodynamic equilibrium of
converting a ketone to an amine. Detailed analysis of the
kinetics and energy parameters of the reaction led to the
optimisation of reaction conditions and enzyme properties.
A key innovative step in the AMBIOCAS enzymatic cascade
© gheatza, Thinkstock
To this end, various mutant transaminases were genetically
engineered and a library was created. These mutants were
designed based on the elucidation of the three-dimensional
structures of several transaminases by protein X-ray crystallography. The long-term plan was to use these enzymes
in biotechnology applications to synthesise amine functional groups in various commercial products.
40
research*eu results magazine N°36 / October 2014
INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGIES
ONLINE CLEANING FOR BETTER HYGIENE
© Rgtimeline, Thinkstock
A consortium of European ‘Small- and medium-sized enterprises’ (SMEs) and research organisations
developed a ‘Process analytical technology’ (PAT)-compliant cleaning unit. The PAT device will enable the
online verification of ‘Clean-in-place’ (CIP) processes employed in the pharmaceutical and food industries.
T
he PAT unit device was developed
by the EU-funded PATOV (Process
Analytical Technology Unit for
Online Verification of the CIP Process
in the Pharmaceutical Industry) project. It is based on a continuous sampling device combined with a new and
innovative laser-based infrared
absorption technique. This allows the
continuous checking of the cleaning
cycle of pharmaceutical equipment
such as tanks and pipe systems.
Moreover, this can be integrated with
existing equipment in accordance with
European Hygienic Engineering and
Design Group standards.
PATOV represents a major shift from
sporadic laboratory tests for cleanliness towards continuous in situ verification for every cleaning cycle by
pharmaceutical industry end users.
Furthermore, the technology corresponds with future verification
techniques for the pharmaceutical
industry, as recommended by the
European Food Safety Authority and
the United States Food and Drug
Administration.
Integrating PAT into the production
process will help the pharmaceutical
and food processing industries to
increase product safety through
reduced contamination from compromised cleaning cycles. In addition, it
will also reduce production costs,
water consumption and problems with
wastewater.
Project results can be applied to existing CIP technology and cleaning
regimes in the pharmaceutical industry. They can also be part of a fully
integrated CIP solution developed by
SME members of the consortium as an
addition to or replacement for in situ
cleaning procedures.
The cleaning unit is suitable for those
industries that insist on high standards
of hygiene. This will improve product
quality in the food processing, breweries, dairy and pharmaceutical industries, with particular benefits for the
public. It also has environmental benefits through the reduction of water
and energy consumption and the optimisation of cleaning cycle time.
PATOV
Coordinated by Vienna University
of Technology in Austria.
Funded

under FP7-SME.
http://cordis.europa.eu/project/

rcn/97326_en.html
Project

website:
http://patov.eu/
TITANIUM AIRCRAFT PARTS WITHOUT DIES
Titanium facilitates important weight reductions and provides exceptional properties to aircraft components
operating under extreme conditions. New cost-effective and flexible processing technology will propel the
EU ahead of the competition.
C
onventional sheet metal processing methods
are time- and energy-intensive, particularly for
hard materials like titanium alloys. Development
of technology based on asymmetric incremental sheet
forming within the EU-supported project INMA (Innovative
manufacturing of complex Ti sheet aeronautical components) will strengthen the EU aeronautical industry through
savings in cost, time and energy. Through elimination of
custom dedicated tooling, the process also enhances
flexibility.
Asymmetric incremental sheet forming is a relatively new
computerised processing technique based on an older
localised deformation processing method. A computer
numerical control-driven tool forms the asymmetric sheet
metal part in a stepwise fashion without
“This technology has the
the need for costly
potential to revolutionise
supporting dies.
Thus, the final part is
sheet metal forming.”
produced from a
series of localised deformations. This technology has the
potential to revolutionise sheet metal forming. INMA is
making sure the EU aeronautical sector will be among the
first to benefit from commercialisation.
Scientists have focused on the titanium alloy Ti6Al-4V.
Experimental activities to determine processing parameters
were supported by finite element modelling to simulate hot
forming of large and complex shapes. After characterising
the deformed alloys and applying advanced data mining
techniques, researchers optimised the tool path to reduce
distortion and increase geometrical accuracy. Two technology demonstrators will showcase the benefits of this innovative technology.
INMA has made an important contribution to knowledgebased flexible manufacturing through process development and materials characterisation for titanium alloy
sheet metal forming. The aerospace industry is under heavy
pressure to reduce costs, time and energy consumption.
Further optimisation of asymmetric incremental sheet
forming could provide the solution for hard-to-form titanium alloy parts.
INMA
Coordinated

by Tecnalia Research & Innovation in Spain.
Funded

under FP7-TRANSPORT.
http://cordis.europa.eu/project/rcn/96396_en.html

Project

website:
http://www.inmaproject.eu
research*eu results magazine N°36 / October 2014
41
INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGIES
BETTER PROCESS SCHEDULING AIDS INDUSTRY
An advanced software solution promises to revolutionise process scheduling in industry, leading to
reduced costs and higher profit margins.
P
rocess scheduling is a pivotal component for the efficiency of ‘Small- and
medium-sized enterprises’ (SMEs) in
many industries. By overcoming process
scheduling issues, improved schedule
optimisation can bring financial rewards
to companies and spell the difference
between success and failure. The
EU-funded project CAP2M-SCHED
(Consolidation, industrial Alignment and
Performance verification for Movement to
Market of a SCheduling solution featuring
Heuristics-enhancED simulation & optimisation) worked on improving process
scheduling for SMEs.
Building on previous efforts and an earlier
EU-funded initiative in this direction, the
project sought to overcome the limitations of current scheduling software.
Generally, the latter relies on a human
operator to simulate scheduling scenarios
and identify a suitable solution. CAP2MSCHED promoted the solution of the predecessor CAP-SCHED project that enabled
operators to set parameters based on
their insight regarding the process, but
also using novel software based on
heuristics.
Project members built confidence regarding the solution and verified its performance in typical industrial processes.
They assessed and refined the capabilities of the CAP-SCHED software solution
to tackle different real-life conditions.
Efforts to promote the scheduling solution included improved market analysis,
business modelling and associated marketing strategy to help businesses
improve efficiency gains.
The solution is meant to bring quicker
development and distribution of schedules, enhancing effectiveness through
higher throughput, reduced operating
costs and lower inventories. This is particularly important in industry supply
chains where the path from the raw
material to the finished product is highly
process-dependent. Benefits of implementing the solution include higher profit
from improved transformation of raw
source material, enhanced volume
throughput per unit time and reduced
“Project members built confidence
regarding the solution and verified
its performance in typical
industrial processes.”
costs through better use of resources in
transforming products.
From refining crude oil to producing pharmaceuticals, the software tool developed
is set to revolutionise continuous or semicontinuous industrial processes, bringing
a host of benefits to consumers, SMEs in
industry and the economy. Detailed project dissemination and exploitation strategies will no doubt contribute significantly
to achieving this aim.
CAP2M-SCHED
Coordinated

by Princeps in France.
Funded

under FP7-SME.
http://cordis.europa.eu/result/

rcn/147143_en.html
Project

website:
http://www.cap2msched.eu/
RECYCLABLE PLASTIC HEATING PIPES
T
he EU-funded NANOFLEX (A Universal Flexible Lowcost Plumbing and Heating pipe system fully
Environment-compatible by using innovative
Nanoparticle technology) project developed plastic pipes
for the construction industry that comply with EU directives
concerning landfill and waste management. It created a
universal, flexible and low-cost plumbing and heating system for both hot and cold water systems, including underfloor heat and the distribution of drinking water.
Conventional non-recyclable pipes for heating and plumbing systems are manufactured from non-recyclable crosslinked ‘polyethylene’ (PEX). They are also made of PEX/AL,
which comprises a layer of aluminium sandwiched between
two PEX layers. The pipes have inner and outer layers to
prevent corrosion and scaling and a centre layer that provides a necessary oxygen barrier layer.
Researchers developed a thermoplastic pipe without PEX
and without bonding of layers and with no aluminium layer
in order for the pipe to be 100 % recyclable. This was
achieved by replacing the aluminium or expensive oxygen
barrier materials with innovative nanocomposites together
with a redefined wrapping technology.
The project partners developed nanoparticle compounds of
montmorillonite clay for use with low-cost thermoplastic
pipes. A process was also developed that enables the extrusion of the inner pipe and its wrapping with previously
developed nanoparticle-coated tape. In addition, the team
advanced a process for coating the outer layer and a surface treatment for improving slip properties and reducing
noise impact.
NANOFLEX technology provides a number of benefits for
pipe manufacturers and distributors, beginning with the
economic gains of selling a new, fully recyclable pipe system. Indirect economic benefits include avoiding financial
penalties for using non-recyclable plastics, faster installation times and water cost savings.
NANOFLEX
Coordinated

by NRL in Norway.
Funded

under FP7-SME.
http://cordis.europa.eu/project/rcn/96677_en.html

Project

website:
http://www.greenflextube.org/
© Zoonar RF, Thinkstock
Europe’s building sector is faced with the challenge
of finding a 100 % recyclable alternative to multilayered pipes encapsulated with aluminium. The
pipes are for use in underfloor heating, radiator
heating and sanitary plumbing systems.
research*eu results magazine N°36 / October 2014
SPACE
© 1YanLev, Thinkstock
42
“CELLS was eager to gain from Stutte’s vast
experience, which has included stints with
the renowned Dynamac Corporation at the
Kennedy Space Center, USA.”
SPACE
SPACE — THE FINAL
FRONTIER FOR FOOD
Armstrong, Aldrin, Gagarin… all giants in space exploration.
US scientist Gary Stutte may not be in this league, but in
the world of ‘space agriculture’, he is a legend. His work on
hydroponics and how crops adapt and grow in controlled
environments — such as space — fills volumes. Now, thanks
to an EU exchange programme, he has shared his expertise
with European scientists.
T
he CELLS (Controlled Environment Laboratory
for Life Sciences) project at Limerick Institute
of Technology in Ireland welcomed news that
the EU would fund a two-year senior fellowship
exchange for Dr Gary Stutte, a leader in hydroponicbased controlled environments, space agriculture
and horticulture.
Stutte’s experience helped put the Limerick Institute
on the map as a controlled plant-production environment. He has also helped to develop CELLS’
capacity to produce bioactive ingredients in functional foods — products with potential health benefits beyond basic nutrition — from such sources
as agricultural plants, algae, bryophytes and lichen.
research*eu results magazine N°36 / October 2014
43
SPACE
This included the PESTO (Photosynthesis experiment system testing operation) project — arguably the most complex plant-growth experiment that the US National
Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has ever
conducted in space. The research, conducted in 2002 onboard the International Space Station, led to the publication of highly referenced papers in major plant biology
journals, such as Planta.
Stutte has also put his theories into practice by adapting
specialised growth chambers for research into how environmental conditions affect the productivity of plants and
their nutraceutical value.
A typical example of a recent nutraceutical — a food
product that provides health and medical benefits — is
omega-3 fatty acids, which are added to margarine to
help keep brains healthy.
But all this sci-fi-sounding work has very earthly applications, addressing the growing demand for safer, healthier,
higher-quality food to meet the expanding list of specific
consumer dietary needs.
Space is like a laboratory for studying how living organisms respond in the absence of gravity, explains Stutte,
which ultimately reveals how they have adapted to conditions on Earth. This understanding leads to methods for
increasing crop yields, promoting healthier organisms, and
improved products.
‘For example, by learning how beneficial bacteria and
fungi identify a host plant in the absence of gravity, we
hope to develop tools for promoting those relationships
on Earth. These mutually beneficial relationships are critical to maintaining food supplies by improving plants’
stress tolerance, reducing losses to disease, and minimising the need for chemical fertiliser,’ Stutte continues.
On the map
As a relatively new centre for controlled environment horticulture, CELLS was eager to gain from Stutte’s vast
experience, which has included stints with the renowned
Dynamac Corporation at the Kennedy Space Center, USA.
Before securing Stutte as a fellow, CELLS had acquired
four customised lab-quality plant growth chambers. So
the news in 2011 that CELLS had obtained EU funding to
bring Stutte to Ireland was a unique opportunity for
matching some of the best facilities with the best brains
in the business.
‘By using controlled environment technology, organisms
such as moss, algae and lichens can be studied, and techniques developed to use them as sustainable sources of
protein for food and feed, oil for biofuel, and bioactive
compounds to support the biopharmaceutical and nutraceutical markets in the EU and beyond,’ notes Stutte.
He applies the plant growth chamber facilities to the biochemical and biological analysis of plants. Along with the
CELLS Research Group, Stutte has advanced capabilities to
assess and monitor bioactive quality during the growth process using such research techniques as biochemical profiling and biometric tools.
The CELLS Marie-Curie project was funded by the EU as an
International Incoming Fellowships activity.
CELLS
Coordinated

by Limerick Institute of Technology in Ireland.
Funded

under FP7-PEOPLE.
http://ec.europa.eu/research/infocentre/

article_en.cfm?artid=32538
Project

website:
http://www.cells.ie/
© CELLS
His CV reads like the captain’s log for the USS Enterprise
in the Star Trek TV series. He led research to define the
impacts of space flight and controlled environment conditions on the growth, development, physiology and
molecular biology of certain plants.
research*eu results magazine N°36 / October 2014
SPACE
READING THE SPACE WEATHER
FORECAST
You received a ‘no service’ notification on your mobile phone? One explanation, scientists
suspect, may be the weather — the weather in space, that is.
“Space weather is far more dynamic
than models predict, and there are
many different ways that charged
particles can wreak havoc on a
satellite’s electronics.”
© Jupiterimages, Thinkstock
44
S
olar flares, coronal mass ejections and other forms of electromagnetic radiation generated by
the Sun can send highly energised
charged particles speeding towards
Earth. These solar storms can also
damage satellites due to charged particles’ build-up over time resulting in
internal charging. Despite the satellites’ protective shielding, this could
damage electronic systems used for
relaying signals to Earth.
With EU funding, the AFFECTS
(Advanced forecast for ensuring communications through space) project
sought to forecast the arrival of
severe solar storms. With their
expected impact estimated with the
highest possible degree of reliability,
measures to secure the technology at
risk can be implemented in time.
Today, engineers design satellites with
space weather in mind, using theoretical models to predict how much radiation a satellite may be exposed to over
its lifetime. However, a satellite’s radiation exposure may vary depending
on its orbit and some orbits are more
dangerous than others.
Moreover, space weather is far more
dynamic than models predict, and
there are many different ways that
charged particles can wreak havoc on
a satellite’s electronics. The biggest
difficulty is that when something goes
wrong, engineers cannot analyse it to
determine what happened.
To establish a better understanding of
the space weather effects on satellites, the AFFECTS scientists analysed
space weather data from space missions currently in operation. These
include Proba 2, Stereo, the Solar
Dynamics Observatory, Advanced
Composition Explorer missions and
the International Space Station.
The analysis in real time allowed
researchers to derive properties such
as strength, direction, speed and
course of a solar storm. This information can be made available within as
little as an hour after the occurrence
of a solar storm through the project
website.
Using 3D maps of the distribution of
charged particles’ density in the
Earth’s upper atmosphere, estimates
of the geomagnetic indices are also
provided. Satellite engineers incorporate these indices into radiation models to anticipate space conditions for
a particular spacecraft’s orbit.
Bridging the gap between engineers
and space weather forecasters could
help design more robust systems and
components for the next generation of
communications satellites.
AFFECTS
Coordinated by the University
of Göttingen in Germany.
Funded

under FP7-SPACE.
http://cordis.europa.eu/project/

rcn/97994_en.html
Project

website:
http://www.affects-fp7.eu

http://bit.ly/1rW8E3t
research*eu results magazine N°36 / October 2014
SPACE
SAFER SPACECRAFT LANDING ON PLANETS
One of the biggest technological challenges of planetary exploration is the entry of
space vehicles at supersonic speeds into the planet’s atmosphere. To support the heat
shield design, EU-funded scientists have developed theoretical models that allow for
reliable predictions of the heat released.
T
he PHYS4ENTRY (Planetary entry integrated models)
project was motivated by poor knowledge of the landing phase of a space mission. Landing is a vital aspect
of unmanned planetary exploration. Without a successful
landing, there could be no robotic mission even if a spacecraft succeeds in reaching the target planet.
As expected, each planet and moon in the solar system has
different characteristics and presents different challenges to
the entry, descent and landing stages. Differences in atmospheric density features all play a part in determining the best
landing method. Therefore, the more engineers know about
a planet, the better chances they have of successfully
approaching its surface.
“A database with rates of
elementary processes and physical
properties of species relevant to
(re-)entry into atmospheres of
Earth, Mars and Jupiter has been
released.”
The PHYS4ENTRY project’s aim was a thorough analysis of
the physics behind supersonic entry into a planet’s atmosphere. When a spacecraft reaches the atmosphere, a shock
wave is formed ahead of the nose, heating the gas in this
region to a very high temperature. As it plunges deeper in the
atmosphere, the spacecraft is heated by the surrounding
atmosphere.
PHYS4ENTRY scientists developed theoretical models to
describe elementary processes that play a role in the high
temperature mixture of nitrogen, carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. Electron-molecule collisions, molecule-molecule collisions, atom-molecule surface interactions and
photon-induced processes were the elementary processes
included in investigations of the expanding entry flow.
Their impact on the overall heat flux to the spacecraft surface was estimated by computational fluid dynamics simulations. Furthermore, the ability of theoretical models for
predicting the non-equilibrium kinetics of the high temperature mixture was assessed against experimental measurements. The expanding flow conditions were examined in the
induction coupled plasma wind tunnel (Plasmatron) of the
Von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics.
PHYS4ENTRY
Coordinated

by the University of Bari Aldo Moro in Italy.
Funded

under FP7-SPACE.
http://cordis.europa.eu/project/rcn/94466_en.html

Project

website:
http://users.ba.cnr.it/imip/cscpal38/phys4entry/
© Paul Fleet, Thinkstock
A database with rates of elementary processes and physical
properties of species relevant to (re-)entry into atmospheres
of Earth, Mars and Jupiter has been released. Publicly available through PHYS4ENTRY, the database is expected to have
a significant impact on modelling efforts using approaches
different to aerothermodynamics. The database will contribute to more efficient heat shield designs with profound
impact on the success of planetary missions.
45
46
research*eu results magazine N°36 / October 2014
EVENTS
OCT./NOV.
OCTOBER
30
30▶01
Leuven, BELGIUM
Brussels, BELGIUM
SYMPOSIUM
CONFERENCE
13TH INTERNATIONAL
SYMPOSIUM ON
INTELLIGENT DATA
ANALYSIS
THE ‘STANDARDS —
YOUR INNOVATION
BRIDGE’ CONFERENCE
The 13th International Symposium on
Intelligent Data Analysis (IDA 2014) will
be held from 30 October to 1 November
2014 in Leuven, Belgium.
The scientific programme of the symposium cuts across multiple disciplines to
provide a first look at research that covers a variety of data modelling and
analysis techniques.
The event will draw on the knowledge
and expertise from a pool of computer
scientists, programmers and developers
who seek to take intelligent support for
data analysis beyond standard algorithmic offerings.
For further information, please visit:
http://www.ida2014.org/
The ‘Standards — Your Innovation
Bridge’ conference will be held on
30 October in Brussels, Belgium.
The event will offer participants the
opportunity to engage with leading
experts on innovation and standardisation issues and to discuss how standardisation can enhance the impact of
innovation in Europe. The conference will
focus on the link between standards,
innovation and competitiveness and on
the role of standards in disseminating
knowledge and bringing research results
to the market.
The conference is supported by the
European Commission and EFTA.
Speakers will include representatives of
standards bodies and researchers at
national and European levels. The
DemoZone will provide an exhibition
space for European research projects.
For further information, please visit:
www.cencenelec.eu/news/events/
Pages/EV-2014-02.aspx
NOVEMBER
03▶04
London, UNITED
KINGDOM
CONFERENCE
INTERNATIONAL TRADE
AND ACADEMIC
RESEARCH CONFERENCE
The ‘International Trade and Academic
Research Conference’ will be held from
3 to 4 November 2014 in London, United
Kingdom.
The conference aims to focus on a wealth of
issues in all aspects of business management, health and social care sciences, management education, teaching and learning
methodologies and other fields. In the wake
of the recent global financial crisis, the
dynamics of international trade have taken
on added significance. Therefore, getting an
insight into the theories and processes that
have helped certain economies weather this
storm is key.
The conference will be a platform for
academics, research experts, business
leaders and practitioners to share their
knowledge and experiences. Early bird
registration will be available until
15 August and will cost up to EUR 375,
while registration thereafter will rise to
EUR 435.
For further information, please visit:
http://www.abrmr.com/conference_
detail.php?id=95
NOV.
02▶06
Glasgow, SCOTLAND
EVENT
HIV DRUG THERAPY
An event on ‘HIV Drug Therapy’ will be held from 2 to 6 November 2014 in Glasgow,
Scotland.
© Andriy Muzyka, Thinkstock
In Europe, 2.3 million people are living with HIV, yet 1 in 3 of them is not aware that
he or she is HIV positive. If HIV infection is confirmed, timely linkage to care and
treatment can provide a diagnosed individual with the ability to live a long and healthy
life.
The event’s aim is to provide a relevant, meaningful and topical scientific programme
reflecting recent progress in the research and treatment affecting the management
of HIV infection. It will provide practical advice and guidance to clinicians in the
day-to-day treatment of their patients.
For further information, please visit:
http://hivglasgow.org/
research*eu results magazine N°36 / October 2014
47
EVENTS
For more forthcoming events:
http://cordis.europa.eu/events
NOVEMBER
NOVEMBER
NOVEMBER
17▶19
17▶20
20▶22
Seville, SPAIN
Vienna, AUSTRIA
Monte Carlo, MONACO
CONFERENCE
EVENT
SUMMIT
SEVENTH INTERNATIONAL
CONFERENCE OF
EDUCATION, RESEARCH
AND INNOVATION
GOING GREEN CARE
INNOVATION 2014
13TH EVOLUTION
SUMMIT
An event entitled ‘Going Green Care
Innovation 2014’ will be held from 17 to
20 November 2014 in Vienna, Austria.
The 13th Evolution Summit will be held
from 20 to 22 November 2014 in Monte
Carlo, Monaco.
Substantial reductions in motor vehicle
emissions will be required to combat the
negative effects of climate change.
To address this, manufacturers and
researchers are collaborating in finding new
approaches to eco-efficient vehicle design.
This conference will be discussing the
issues and challenges that the pharmaceutical industry is currently facing when
it comes to getting drugs to the market. It
will bring elite buyers and sellers together
and will offer clinical research leaders and
global CROs an intimate environment for
focused discussion of key new drivers
shaping drug development strategies.
There will be keynote presentations, reallife case studies and a series of interactive
sessions over the course of the summit.
The Seventh International Conference of
Education, Research and Innovation
(ICERI2014) will take place from 17 to 19
November 2014 in Seville, Spain.
The conference provides the perfect platform to discuss the latest developments in
the field of teaching and learning methodologies, educational projects and new technologies applied to education and research.
Participants will be given the opportunity to
present projects and experiences in the
area, with more than 700 delegates from
80 different countries expected to attend.
For those interested in contributing to the
event, abstract proposals will be accepted
until 17 July. Otherwise early registration is
available until 18 September for EUR 430,
whilst registrations thereafter will cost
EUR 490 (until October 19) and EUR 530
(up until the start of the conference).
For further information, please visit:
http://iated.org/iceri/
The conference and exhibition will focus on
electronics and the environment. They
intend to showcase the most up-to-date
technology in sustainable design.
Presentations and discussion topics include
clean manufacturing, resource efficiency,
reuse and recycling.
The event aims to bring together developers, researchers and business groups
to present their latest processes and
models while discussing the future of
eco-friendly design.
The event will be invitation only. However
if you are interested in attending you can
register your interest through the website
by filling out a form. Priority will then be
given to senior figures at leading pharma
and biotech companies throughout
Europe.
For further information, please visit:
www.care-electronics.net/CI2014/
For further information, please visit:
http://www.evolution-summit.com/
NOV.
17▶20
Brussels, BELGIUM
SUMMIT
SIXTH EUROPEAN INNOVATION SUMMIT
The Sixth European Innovation Summit (EIS) will take place in Brussels, Belgium from
17 to 20 November 2014.
© danymages, Thinkstock
The event offers participants the opportunity to meet the newly elected MEPs, learn
about their plans for the future of Innovation in Europe and present your ideas,
achievements and solutions. Participants can organise their own event as part of the
summit agenda and speak alongside Commissioners and MEPs.
The Sixth EIS will take place in venues in the European Parliament in Brussels.
Participants will include representatives from the EU’s political, business, academic
and scientific sectors.
For further information, please visit:
http://www.knowledge4innovation.
eu/6th-european-innovation-summit-17-november-20-november-2014
ZZ-AC-14-008-EN-N
A comprehensive overview
of European energy research
at your fingertips!
http://setis.ec.europa.eu/energy-research/
Aiming to support cutting-edge projects, the Energy Research
Knowledge Centre (ERKC) is a community portal that allows
energy researchers and policymakers across Europe to share
ideas and findings and identify potential partners and resources.
The ERKC web portal collects and organises validated, referenced
information on energy research programmes and projects being
currently undertaken in Europe and beyond. It is also a source of
news on innovative work being carried out in the EU.
ERKC publications analyse the policy implications of energy
research results and provide an overview of innovative research
across the spectrum of energy technologies. One such overview
— a Thematic Research Summary on Bioenergy — will be available on the portal in the near future.
The ERKC was set up under the umbrella of the European
Commission’s Strategic Energy Technologies Information
System (SETIS). A recent publication of SETIS also deals with
bioenergy and is available here: http://setis.ec.europa.eu/
setis-magazine/bioenergy
Free subscriptions, orders and downloads
The research*eu magazines are free of charge.
To subscribe to either research*eu results magazine or research*eu focus, please go to:
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