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.
Deserts and other sun-drenched regions are the ideal location for concentrated solar power plants, but where sunlight is abundant water tends to be scarce. EU-funded researchers are solving this conundrum by developing technologies to comprehensively reduce water consumption, enabling CSP plants to play an even bigger role in addressing the world’s energy and climate change challenges.
An EU-funded project is developing smart luminaires that are customised, have longer lifespans, and can improve our moods and productivity. This could make us healthier and boost the competitiveness and eco-friendliness of Europe's lighting industry.
A team of EU-funded researchers and industrial partners joined forces to develop new materials and systems for organic LED lighting. The results are already being exploited to make more robust and environmentally friendly products.
An EU-funded project has developed nine innovative products to help integrate homes and businesses into a smart European electricity grid. The aim is to make green energy smarter, easier and cheaper to use at home and work - good for the pocket, the planet and Europe's energy security.
With data centres consuming ever-increasing amounts of energy, the search is on for less profligate processing hardware. An EU-funded project has devised a tool for the rapid creation of customised and energy-efficient computing engines.
An EU-funded project has brought affordable energy-storage technology into people's homes with smart night-storage heaters, helping the EU to meet its renewable electricity targets.
EU-funded researchers are using mathematical models to improve water management in Africa. Their aim is to balance the water, energy and food needs of communities in a sustainable way while allowing for economic development.
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.
An 'artificial leaf' being developed by EU-funded researchers to produce fuel from sunlight, carbon dioxide and water, could tackle soaring global energy demands, the growing impact of climate change, and dwindling supplies of fossil fuels.
