Space

What role - if any - do massive black holes play in the evolution of a galaxy? To find out, an EU-funded project used highly advanced X-ray telescopes to get a closer look at these mysterious celestial bodies. What they discovered greatly expands our understanding of the universe.

The intensification of human-driven activity in space over the past 60 years has led to a proliferation of debris orbiting the Earth. An EU-funded project is pioneering new technology that can clean up this problematic space junk.

An EU-funded project is developing in-water and satellite-based digital monitoring systems that can detect threats to Europe's drinking water supplies, improve water management and guard against dangerous water quality.

Pioneering EU-funded research on new solid-state batteries is paving the way for tiny yet powerful batteries for safer and better space applications. Industry partners are advancing with plans to commercialise the thin-film energy-storage technologies and processes at the heart of the project.

Fish farming has become an important source of high-quality protein. But aquaculture farmers often suffer high losses. A mobile application developed by an EU-funded project offers farmers much-needed, near-real-time support to increase yields - boosting their sustainability and competitiveness.

EU-funded researchers have gleaned important insights into the composition, topography and activity of a comet, helping scientists prepare for the next close encounter with these icy, dusty remnants from the formation of the solar system.

EU-funded researchers have helped generate the most accurate map to date of dark matter, the mysterious substance that makes up 80 % of the universe. The innovative big-data technologies they used will have a significant impact on fields as diverse as astrophysics and biomedical imaging.

How many stars in the Milky Way have at least one planet similar to Earth? A rocky planet that is capable of sustaining liquid water on its surface? More than one in five, say EU-funded researchers who shed new light on the nature of terrestrial exoplanets, boosting Europe's contribution to the advancement of astrophysics.

A 40kg lunar buggy developed by EU-funded researchers could enhance our understanding of the origins of the solar system and make future manned missions to the moon more feasible.

The luminosity of an astronomical object, if known, can be used to measure vast distances in space. A particular type of gamma ray burst could be applied in this way, according to an EU-funded project. It would be the brightest such 'standard candle' yet, opening up new opportunities to advance our understanding of the cosmos.