WRITTEN QUESTION E-3367/03 by Avril Doyle (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Laser technology and radiation emissions.
Date: 2003-11-14
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU financing, EU programme, EU research policy, clean technology, nanotechnology, non-ionising radiation

C 78 E/530

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

27.3.2004

(2004/C 78 E/0551)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3367/03

by Avril Doyle (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(14 November 2003)

Subject: Laser technology and radiation emissions

Laser technology has developed dramatically over the past 10 years for the manufacture of steel parts for
the engineering sector. Is the Commission aware that such laser technoogy is generated by means of Light
Amplification by Stimulated Emissions of Radiation and that the substances included in the process with
electromagnetic dust are expelled into the atmosphere.

By comparison,
slowly. However, this process is totally environmentally friendly and produces no exhaust fumes.

‘Waterjet’ uses only water and sand to carry out exactly the same process, only more

Can the Commission indicate whether any funding is available for such environmentally friendly
engineering processes or indicate any further avenues which might be explored for funding opportunities.

Answer given by Mr Busquin on behalf of the Commission

(19 December 2003)

Concerning Laser and Waterjet cutting applications, the Commission is well aware of the benefits and
drawbacks associated with both technologies.

A search through the Cordis projects database (http://dbs.cordis.lu/search/en/simple/EN_PROJ_simple.html)
reveals that a significant number (more than 20) of waterjet technology related projects have been financed
in various programmes of the past Framework Programmes. Due to the relative maturity of the laser and
waterjet cutting applications, the currently on-going activities in the Industrial Technologies Directorate are
few and they concentrate on more specialised areas (e.g. G1ST-CT-2002, Development of abrasive water
jet removal method for hard coatings to replace environmentally dangerous chemical stripping; G1RD-
CT2002-00746, (Laser) Machining of transparent materials by multiple absorption).

In the Sixth Framework Programme, the Nanotechnologies and nano-sciences, knowledge-based multi-
functional materials and new production processes and devices (NMP) priority could provide funding
opportunities for further Waterjet technology related research, provided that the Research and Tech-
nological Development (RTD) proposals are able to demonstrate sufficient innovation and significant
progress beyond the current state-of-the-art. More generally, the NMP priority work programme includes a
dedicated research domain to improve sustainability of industrial manufacturing as well as to reduce
environmental and health impacts.

(2004/C 78 E/0552)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3368/03

by Koenraad Dillen (NI) to the Commission

(14 November 2003)

Subject: Eurobarometer opinion poll on ‘Iraq and world peace’

The Eurobarometer opinion poll on ‘Iraq and world peace’ which was carried out in October at the request
of the Commission indicates that 59 % of people in Europe regard the State of Israel as a threat to world
peace. The poll was carried out by the institute EOS Gallup Europe. When the results were announced,
Italy’s Foreign Minister Frattini, speaking on behalf of the European Council, distanced himself from them
(Le Figaro, Tuesday, 4 November).