An organic molecule composed of simple sugars could become a potent weapon in the fight against rising antibiotic resistance, according to EU-funded researchers who have developed a novel, targeted drug-delivery technique to treat deadly tuberculosis and other lethal pathogens.
More efficient, longer-lasting machine and vehicle components, improved medical implants and novel fluid control technologies are just a few of the potential applications emerging from an EU-funded project inspired by the unique ways in which the skins of some animals interact with water.
The future of driverless cars depends on whether the industry can create reliable systems that make drivers feel safe. That is why an EU-funded project has been applying a human-centric approach to develop software that will reassure people using automated vehicles.
An EU-funded project is developing a super-resolution microscope small enough to fit on to a computer chip that can be used to see changes in living cells in real time. Potential applications include a wide range of science and research fields, as well as consumer goods, with the innovation potential to strengthen European industry.
The EU-funded ENACT project has used a combination of computer simulation and experimental validation to develop more efficient and sustainable chemical processes for the energy and pharmaceutical sectors - good for the environment, health, and the EU's competitiveness.
Many modern drugs are less effective than they could be because they are blocked by the body's own defences. EU-funded researchers have devised ways to bypass these barriers to get drugs to where they are needed.
EU-funded researchers are developing new liquid magnetic materials that convert waste heat into electricity. The long-term aim for these materials, which are both affordable and environmentally friendly, is to use them to harness waste thermal energy to reduce energy consumption and help tackle the global energy crisis.
With the growing use of synthetic nanoparticles in consumer and industrial products, EU-funded researchers are examining how they affect organisms including plants, worms and bivalves, laying the foundations for an integrated approach to environmental nano-safety.
An EU-funded project to develop a super-resolution microscope platform capable of visualising DNA, mRNA and proteins in living cells could advance regenerative medicine, potentially leading to breakthroughs in replacing or restoring diseased or malfunctioning human cells, tissues or organs.
European researchers have found a way to integrate printed electronics and photovoltaics to develop a new kind of solar transistor, ultra-thin yet powerful enough to operate 'smart' windows, clothing and ever-smaller electronic devices. No batteries required!
