EU-funded researchers are using innovative genomic and microfluidic technologies to identify useful enzymes in nature which could reduce the need for toxic chemicals, save energy, and boost the overall sustainability of a range of industries, from agriculture to pharmaceuticals.
Enzymes could make many chemical conversions more efficient, more sustainable and more affordable - and marine microbes produce an abundant variety of these biological catalysts, say EU-funded researchers who set out to find new ones for use in industry. A vast collection, new knowledge, four patents and a start-up are the result.
Amid an urgent need to cut carbon emissions to combat climate change, EU-funded researchers have developed a new generation of highly efficient power plants for generating heat and electricity from biomass.
Getting people to wear bicycle helmets can be tricky. Many cyclists complain that helmets are just too hot. But EU-funded researchers are now making the headgear a lot cooler, creating an extra incentive to wear it while boosting safety.
Air pollution is a major risk factor for health in Europe. EU-funded research is helping to find innovative, inexpensive and green solutions for improving air quality, particularly in urban environments.
A huge EU-funded project has demonstrated how big data and artificial intelligence could transform Europe's transport sector, cutting costs and fuel consumption on road, rail, air and sea while boosting operational efficiency and improving customer experience.
An EU-and industry-funded research project has provided guidance for ongoing research contributing to the development of a flexible, intelligent real-time traffic management and decision-support system in a bid to help boost the competitiveness and sustainability of European rail.
By building a better picture of the complex activities and relationships between anaerobic microorganisms, EU-funded researchers aim to discover more sustainable ways of cleaning water and curbing greenhouse gas emissions.
Engineers are racing to replace silicon in electronics with a more responsive and energy-efficient alternative. EU-funded researchers have designed new devices with potential applications in communications, Internet of Things technology, and even in detecting coronavirus.
Employees can often have difficulty working with sophisticated machinery in modern factories. EU-funded researchers have now devised a control interface that can adapt to the experience and abilities of any operator.
