From freak winter storms to summer floods and multi-year droughts, climate change is having an intensifying impact across Europe. Effective adaptation will be essential for countries, societies and industries as they seek to minimise the negative effects and perhaps even harness the potential benefits of a changing climate, according to EU-funded researchers.
EU researchers have developed a new model for collecting data across the manufacturing life cycle and storing it all in one place. Accessing this data, prototype apps have helped to improve metrics by nearly 90 % in SME advanced manufacturing trials, hinting at how apps could transform this sector in Europe.
The Discognosis project developed a tool (the LabDisk) that can diagnose malaria and other febrile infectious diseases simultaneously in just an hour – allowing faster point-of-care treatment and precise drugs administration that could save thousands of lives.
Many industries - and each of our cells - depend on emulsions. An EU-funded researcher has developed a method for studying molecules at the interface between oil nanodroplets and the water-based liquid contained in these substances. Her work advances understanding of liquid interfaces and emulsion stability, and is of great interest to industry.
There is no question that protecting biological diversity is essential to maintaining ecosystems around the world. But what about the human populations that live in these protected environments?
A European consortium has tested a range of advanced technologies for trucks and other heavy vehicles that has the potential to reduce fuel consumption by up to 18 %, lower CO2 emissions by 13 %, and meet increasingly stringent environmental standards.
The FAROS project proposes updated ship designs that address such issues as crew fatigue, sea sickness and stress – all of which can lead to catastrophic accidents, injuries and even death.
Texting while you drive? Don’t. Really. Distraction is a leading cause of accidents, but of course it isn’t the only one.
Most vehicles run on petrol or diesel that pollute our cities while emptying our wallets. But this could be about to change. The EU-funded PLUS-MOBY project has developed an electric urban vehicle and mobile fast food van that can be partially solar powered. Soon drivers should be able to charge their vehicle like they charge their phone and use solar power to drive up to 20 km per day.
Unfortunately greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles on Europe's roads continue to increase, polluting our cities and the air we breathe. EU-funded SyrNemo is developing an electric motor that may help the EU slash its CO2 emissions and reduce toxic emissions detrimental to human health. Prototypes of the motor have been manufactured and could be in cars soon.
The REDDSTAR project is using stem cell therapy to repair the damage induced by high glucose levels, enhancing the health and quality of life of diabetic patients, and improving available treatments.
While the motto 'local problems, local solutions' holds particular sway for environmental problems, is it possible to take one local solution and transfer it to another region? Yes, according to EU-funded researchers who did exactly that in Latin America.
National nuclear energy authorities, operators and researchers continue to collaborate on developing better prevention and mitigation strategies for severe accidents through a network developed by the EU-funded SARNET2 project.
Pilots around the world can practise recovering control of their aircraft after entering a stall, using a simulation model developed by the EU-funded SUPRA project. By simulating such situations, the project fills a gap in current pilot training, and aims to improve air travel safety.
EU-funded project INTERACT has built a network of Arctic research stations, allowing them to coordinate and share resources more efficiently. The network aims to boost the scope and quantity of research on the Arctic, which serves as a bellwether of global changes to climate, biodiversity and land use.
Planes today have many components that produce heat, and aircraft architects must factor this aspect into their designs. To do so, they have to interact with many contributors. EU-funded researchers have developed a system to facilitate this interaction and accelerate the process. It enables all involved to model and optimise thermal behaviour together.
EU-funded project EuroCoord has advanced scientific understanding of HIV by bringing together patient data collected by over 100 institutions. The data are being mined for insight into better prevention and treatment strategies, including for vulnerable groups such as migrants and refugees.
EU researchers have created and tested a range of new polymer composites based on graphene and speciality graphites. They are expected to find early application in the consumer electronics and automotive industries.
EU-funded researchers have developed and patented tools to make photovoltaic generation more reliable, cost-effective and easier to integrate into the grid, providing a boost to solar power SMEs and helping to make sustainable energy more attractive to businesses and end users. Commercial spin-offs are marketing the results in Europe and beyond.
An EU-funded project has developed new ways of converting biomass in Brazil into a range of higher value-added products, helping to cut waste, reduce fossil fuel dependence and strengthen sustainable paper-making practices. Several new technologies are now being exploited by project partners and licensed third parties.
