Tackling the energy inefficiency of public buildings, TRIBE developed a mobile game to educate and change behaviour. Its simulation draws on real data to demonstrate the human aspects of building use, such as ingrained attitudes and the pursuit of comfort. According to European Commission figures, approximately 40% of energy consumption comes from buildings, which are also responsible for 36% of the EU’s CO2 emissions.

  Sick or lost dogs cannot call for help, so a new biomonitor interprets their needs as SMS messages to owners. The TAIL collar-mounted device includes temperature and GPS sensors, which monitor health and activity. Having a dog in the family brings many pleasures. Yet the closeness also entails frustration and worry.

In a football game, the most intelligent – and successful – players stand out for their ability to find space where there doesn’t seem to be any, anticipate other players’ future location and make fast decisions. ACE’s IntelliGym technology promises to help mass produce these rare gems. Few would argue against the idea that the best football players are those who combine great technique, physique, tactics and ga...

Epilepsy is a common chronic neurologic disorder that affects 1-3 % of the population. When it comes to childhood absence epilepsy (CAE), a paediatric formulation of an antiepileptic drug is long overdue. A significant proportion of epilepsy syndromes have their onset in childhood and adolescence, and there is a great heterogeneity with respect to syndrome type, causes and prognoses.

EU-funded researchers working within the HELICOID project are using hyperspectral imaging techniques to achieve better localisation of malignant tumours during surgical procedures. Brain cancer is one of the most severe and challenging diseases we face. Despite great advancements in aggressive new treatments that combine surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, treatment for persistent or locally recurrent brain tumours remains elusive.

Recent cyberattacks that target critical infrastructure (CI) are cause for alarm, particularly when such malicious acts are becoming increasingly dangerous. An EU initiative has introduced a methodology and tools to shield gas, water and electricity companies. There is strong evidence to suggest that harmonising risk and vulnerability assessment methods can greatly enhance existing methodological security and prevention frameworks aimed at m...

Thanks to an EU initiative, patients suffering from a variety of ailments are slated to benefit from advanced shoes that can send critical feedback to wearers and to those monitoring them. A revolutionary concept in the form of a high-tech set of shoes is showing much promise for patients who are recuperating from debilitating strokes or sports injuries.

EU-funded researchers have developed user-friendly tools to position and personalise advanced Human Body Models for use in designing safer vehicles. Whenever you get behind the wheel or strap on a seatbelt as a passenger, you are surrounded by passive safety mechanisms. Whether it be the seat belt itself, an air bag or the layout of the passenger area, passive safety refers to all the design measures taken to protect a vehicle’s occupa...

Techniques and coding theories in information sciences have helped to design new concepts for faster and better data storage. Rapid and reliable data storage is crucial for the success of businesses, online platforms, information repositories and research centres. The EU-funded INFO-STORE (Novel data storage by advancing information sciences) project investigated how to overcome challenges and limitations in emerging data storage application...

Researchers have developed smart aeroplane windows able to modify their level of transparency at the request of passengers. Besides making air travel cosier, the new technology promises a significant reduction in energy consumption. Electrochromic windows can contribute to passengers' comfort, allowing them to control the amount of sunlight coming into the cabin. This type of smart window can switch from a colourless transparent state to a d...

The natural properties of bacteria are routinely used in various biotechnological and industrial applications. Overcoming current bioengineering limitations requires the development of novel tools. Until recently, genetic engineering of prokaryotic systems has relied on customary design, which however lacks robustness. There is a consensus towards robust and predictable approaches that facilitate the customisable yet standardised design of e...

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major health threat in human and farm animals. Novel diagnostic kits capable of differentiating between active and latent infections should improve clinical outcome. Diagnosis of human and bovine TB is extremely difficult, time-consuming and inefficient. Currently, there is no diagnostic test that can differentiate between active and latent TB.

European researchers provided a causative association between low oxygen levels in cancer and epigenetic modifications. Their results suggest that restoration of oxygen levels might serve as an effective anti-cancer strategy. Epigenetic modifications such as DNA methylation are central to the regulation of gene transcription and impact genome stability as well as development. The enzymes responsible for DNA demethylation were only identified...

EU-funded researchers have developed advanced coating technology that shows promising potential for composite aircraft wings. Aircraft designers are increasingly turning to composite materials to make their vehicles lighter and therefore more fuel efficient. Although composites offer the advantages of high strength-to-weight ratios, low density and low thermal expansion coefficients, they are susceptible to damage just like any other materia...

Scientists replaced the conventional molten salts in solar technologies with a suspension of solid particles that can capture and store heat at higher temperatures. Solar energy is an important alternative renewable resource that helps mitigate the negative environmental impact from carbon dioxide emissions. Concentrated solar power (CSP) uses mirrors to concentrate sunlight and capture it as heat, which then drives an engine or turbine.

An EU team has created materials for shoes that utilise nanotechnologies, helping control microbe growth and odour, while also improving water resistance, breathability, wearer health and comfort. Asia dominates the world shoe market. European companies, which generally specialise in high-end products, can compete by adapting new high-technology materials to footwear.

Electrical water heaters continue to grow in popularity among consumers, but the conventional types waste energy. An EU initiative developed an energy-efficient alternative. Up until 2020, estimates show that about nine million water heaters will be installed yearly in new buildings. One million of those will be instantaneous electrical water heaters – models that combine a heating element through which hot water is produced on demand.

EU-funded scientists have developed new electric motor prototypes based on a magnetic circuit technology called parallel path. This magnetic force control technology can lead to a substantial increase in magnet motor efficiency. For decades, the internal combustion engine (ICE) has been the dominant automotive powertrain. But, signs of a shift towards electrified powertrains are now apparent.

An EU-funded project, FABULOUS (FDMA Access By Using Low-cost Optical Network Units in Silicon Photonics), has created innovative new components to be used in digital telecommunications including digital radio, television and internet that are lower-cost and more efficient than currently existing technology. The project has demonstrated that its technology will allow higher bit rates – the speed at which basic units of information are proce...

A novel bio-based scaffold promises significantly better clinical performance in hernia operations. Mesh repair of hernias is now standard in most countries. Typically, a non-degradable polymeric mesh is placed at the site of organ protrusion to act as a scaffold for reinforcing tissue growth. However, customarily used non-degradable polymers are often associated with a high rate of foreign body reaction and hernia recurrence. In addition, curren...