http://ec.europa.eu//research/index.cfm?pg=whatsnew en Wed, 22 May 2013 07:45:05 GMT http://ec.europa.eu/research/index.cfm?pg=rss For more RSS news feeds click the link above. Wed, 22 May 2013 07:45:05 GMT http://ec.europa.eu/research/index.cfm?pg=rss http://ec.europa.eu/research/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/star/index_en.cfm?p=ss-fantom&calledby=infocentre&item=Infocentre&artid=29974 To make modern aircraft ever lighter, faster and more fuel efficient, manufacturers are continually introducing new advanced materials, composites and super lightweight structures. Before using them on a plane, the integrity and performance of these materials have to be tested in a non-destructive way, to see how they would perform in the real-life pressure and temperature conditions of flight. Among the techniques aero-space testing facilities currently rely on are two important tests: one using laser beams and one using thermal imaging to see inside the material under stress and detect problems in structures caused by hidden defects. European researchers have found a way to replace these two with a single test. ]]> Tue, 14 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT tag:ch,2013-05-14:/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/star/index_en.cfm?p=ss-fantom&calledby=infocentre&item=Infocentre&artid=29974 http://ec.europa.eu/research/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/star/index_en.cfm?p=ss-one-p&calledby=infocentre&item=Infocentre&artid=29936 A radio made completely of plastic? We might see them in the near future, claim scientists. In 1977 researchers discovered that certain types of plastic can conduct electricity, just like metals. Initially these plastics remained a curiosity, but by improving their electrical properties researchers have now opened the way for their use in a large number of electric and electronic devices. ]]> Fri, 10 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT tag:ch,2013-05-10:/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/star/index_en.cfm?p=ss-one-p&calledby=infocentre&item=Infocentre&artid=29936 http://ec.europa.eu/research/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/star/index_en.cfm?p=ss-syscilia&calledby=infocentre&item=Infocentre&artid=29916 A world without hearing, sight or smell; without music, the light of the day or the scent of a delicious meal. This is the reality for those who suffer from congenital cilia diseases, a condition stemming from genetic defects; they go through life missing one or more senses. ]]> Tue, 07 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT tag:ch,2013-05-07:/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/star/index_en.cfm?p=ss-syscilia&calledby=infocentre&item=Infocentre&artid=29916 http://ec.europa.eu/research/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/headlines/news/article_13_05_04_en.html&item=Infocentre&artid=29893 Every time a firefighter braves an inferno, a scientist wonders if a new material or special flame-resistant coating could be created to protect him. Today, armed with nanocomposite techniques and insights into bio-based materials, new classes of smart, adaptable super-surface coatings are possible, according to European researchers.]]> Sat, 04 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT tag:ch,2013-05-04:/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/headlines/news/article_13_05_04_en.html&item=Infocentre&artid=29893 http://ec.europa.eu/research/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/star/index_en.cfm?p=ss-esoa&calledby=infocentre&item=Infocentre&artid=28935 Over the last few decades the use of wireless devices such as cell phones, car keys, and GPS systems has increased enormously. All these devices transmit and receive data at high speed through antennas. "Antennas are where the bottle neck is in all these communication technologies, and with a better antenna you can transmit more data," says Stefano Maci of the Department of Information Engineering at the University of Siena in Italy. This is why students at technical universities and engineering departments of universities need courses in the theory and application of antennas. ]]> Thu, 10 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT tag:ch,2013-01-10:/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/star/index_en.cfm?p=ss-esoa&calledby=infocentre&item=Infocentre&artid=28935 http://ec.europa.eu/research/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/star/index_en.cfm?p=a25&calledby=infocentre&item=Infocentre&artid=25473 Protecting maritime and land borders is a daily challenge for Europe. Researchers have been examining how to use lasers, gamma rays and neutron beams to address that challenge. ]]> Tue, 26 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT tag:ch,2012-06-26:/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/star/index_en.cfm?p=a25&calledby=infocentre&item=Infocentre&artid=25473 http://ec.europa.eu/research/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/star/index_en.cfm?p=a23&calledby=infocentre&item=Infocentre&artid=24453 European scientists are sharing a sweet new solution to one of the bitter enemies of chocolate making. Getting the recipe just right to produce the perfect praline is a tricky process. All kinds of chemical, physical and structural problems can occur inside chocolate, including what is known as fat bloom.]]> Fri, 06 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT tag:ch,2012-04-06:/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/star/index_en.cfm?p=a23&calledby=infocentre&item=Infocentre&artid=24453 http://ec.europa.eu/research/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/star/index_en.cfm?p=a22&item=Infocentre&artid=24214 Water is a precious commodity, especially in regions where rainfall is scarce. For farmers, smart irrigation means better crops for less outlay.]]> Fri, 16 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT tag:ch,2012-03-16:/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/star/index_en.cfm?p=a22&item=Infocentre&artid=24214 http://ec.europa.eu/research/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/star/index_en.cfm?p=a14&item=Infocentre&artid=23595 Lasers are everywhere - from laptops to satellites, they are a vital part of modern life. The power and compact nature of fibre lasers means they are great for industry, but now French firm Quantel is looking to take them into a whole new spectrum of applications.]]> Tue, 17 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT tag:ch,2012-01-17:/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/star/index_en.cfm?p=a14&item=Infocentre&artid=23595 http://ec.europa.eu/research/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/star/index_en.cfm?p=a15&item=Infocentre&artid=23594 They call it the 'Heathrow Pod', and it is a new way of getting around the urban jungle. Rather than waiting for a bus, business travellers just take one a futuristic taxi.]]> Tue, 17 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT tag:ch,2012-01-17:/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/star/index_en.cfm?p=a15&item=Infocentre&artid=23594