EU-funded researchers have developed a driver’s seat and seatbelt from smart textiles that measure heart and breathing rates. Detecting if drivers are showing signs of fatigue behind the wheel and somehow alerting them to the fact, the system could prevent thousands of fatalities every year.
For years, the European Space Agency (ESA) has been studying the Earth's magnetosphere – a 'bubble' in which the Earth's magnetic field is present. Huge amounts of supporting data have been gathered. EU-funded researchers have made this data available in an easy-to-use, open-access format, giving scientists the information they need to improve space weather forecasting – important for protecting European satellite and ground-based infrastructure.
EU-funded researchers have used novel carbon materials to make lightweight, energy-efficient supercapacitors, the energy storage devices that supply power to electric vehicles during acceleration. Their work promises to extend the distance electric vehicles can travel before a recharge. This improved performance could boost their appeal on the market, help make EU manufacturers more competitive, and contribute to the EU’s goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
An EU-funded project has extracted enzymes found among Iceland’s volcanoes that could lead to more efficient and greener industrial processes – from making food to biofuels. A number of these enzymes have already been patented, ushering in a new generation of natural catalysts for chemical processes and helping industry become more competitive.
Powerful modelling tools developed by European researchers have been commercialised to provide forecasting services for coastal sea conditions in Europe and beyond. Applications range from storm forecasts for beach and coastal defence management to efficient route planning for shipping, and contingency planning for oil spills.
An EU-funded project’s state-of-the-art approach could accelerate the discovery of new antiviral drugs for some of the world’s deadliest diseases. The project has identified 20 potential antiviral drugs for further development to treat infections such as dengue fever, West Nile encephalitis and hand, foot, and mouth disease.
EU-funded researchers have developed an automated prototype to help farmers monitor and control the amount of water and fertiliser they need for their crops. It has already been successfully tested on 25 hectares of land (an area roughly the size of 35 football pitches), and the SMEs involved are making commercialisation plans – there is currently no such system on the market.
Mycotoxins – produced by fungi – contaminate about 25 % of food crops worldwide, according to the latest estimates. Detecting contamination quickly and reliably is essential for food safety, as mycotoxins could be transferred to bread, for instance, making it unsafe to eat. The MYCOHUNT project developed a system that can sniff out mycotoxins almost immediately. It is expected to be on the market within two years.
With the help of EU research funding, three small businesses have been able to take a concept for more efficient, cheaper types of paints for hazardous, explosive work areas, develop innovative products, and successfully bring them to market. The new paints also eliminate the need for the metal particles and solvents normally used in such products – removing a potential health hazard.
EU-funded researchers have identified the untapped commercial potential of products like wild berries, mushrooms, nuts and plants growing in Europe’s forests for the benefit of rural communities – a way to generate growth and jobs.
Sugar-based biomolecules such as glycoproteins contribute to many cellular processes and interactions on which our health depends. They are also involved in a variety of diseases and could offer leads for new medical breakthroughs — if they could be analysed quickly and accurately on a large scale. EU-funded researchers have found a way.
Bridges are an integral part of today's road and rail transport network, but maintaining them puts significant strain on public finances. The EU-funded project Long Life Bridges has found a way to keep them safe at lower cost. It has also built a prototype of a device designed to extend the lifetime of bridge cables.
EU-funded project MU-STEEL has developed a system to detect radioactive materials hidden away in scrap metal destined for recycling. The system is safer and quicker than ones that use gamma rays or X-rays to detect contamination, the project says. A truckload of scrap can be given the ‘all clear’ in 30 seconds – helping recyclers save time and money while ensuring the safety of their workers.
How can societies provide some level of security for their workforce while adapting to economic change? Faced with new realities, the support mechanisms on which we have come to rely will have to adjust, say EU-funded researchers. They have identified approaches that can help policymakers to maintain an effective safety net in uncertain times.
Biofouling - or biological fouling - is the build-up of plants, algae and other marine organisms on wet surfaces, which can corrode and damage objects such as ships, pipes, and bridge supports. The issue has long defied engineers and scientists. The EU funded research project SEACOAT has developed a novel green technology that applies special coatings on vulnerable surfaces to control biofouling.
Air transport is a growing and increasingly vital part of our rapidly globalising world. At the same time, the aeronautics industry faces an unprecedented set of challenges. Chief among these is the need for greener and more sustainable aviation. For everyone in the industry, the message is clear: successful ‘green’ innovation will be key.
From Pakistan to the Balkans and from Mozambique to Western Europe – images of the misery caused by flooding are a regular feature in the media. While eliminating all risk is impossible, understanding it and adapting buildings, infrastructure and flood defences can save lives and money. EU-funded researchers have developed the tools needed to do just that, and have passed them on to Europe’s policymakers.
An internal clock determines many of our bodily functions. The same is true for tumour cells, EU-funded research suggests. This discovery could point the way to a more efficient, personalised approach to cancer treatment.
Earthquakes can cause huge devastation. An EU-funded project has developed a seismic hazard model that engineers can use to assess how the ground may shake in the event of an earthquake in Europe or Turkey. This will allow engineers to design more earthquake-resistant buildings where needed, with the aim of reducing damage and saving lives.
Climate change poses new challenges for farmers, and for the scientists who try to predict its effects. An EU-funded researcher has developed a computer model for better predictions of environmental impacts on crops and communities.
