Research*eu results supplement. No 1, January 2008.
Date: 2009-05-28
Institutions: CORDIS, Publications Office of the European Union
Subjects: research, research and development, research project, serial publication

European	Commission

no 1  January 2008

ISSN 180-866

the magazine of the european research area
R E S U L T S 	 S U P P L E M E N T

● Biology	and	medicine	5
●	Energy	17		
●	Environment	21
● IT	and	telecommunications	26
●	Industrial	technologies	37

in this issue

●	Identifying	cystic	fibrosis	biomarkers,	
	 page 5

●	Turning	water	and	sunlight	into		
	 hydrogen	energy,	page 17

●	Putting	cleaner	vehicles	on	the	street,	
	 page 21

●	Double	antennas	deliver	double	
	 the	signal,	page 26

●	Inexpensive	polymer-based	optics,	
	 page 37

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R E S U LT S 	 S U P P L E M E N T

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All issues of the research*eu results supplement 
are available online at:
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Th  e research*eu results supplement is 
published by the Oﬃ  ce for Oﬃ  cial 
Publications of the European Communities as 
part of the EU-funded research programmes. 
It is based on two CORDIS information 
services, featuring highlights from the latest 
technology oﬀ ers and project news disseminated 
on the Technology Marketplace and on the 
information and  communication technologies 
results service  (ICT Results service).

Th  e technologies presented in this 
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Please submit your information online at:
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by choosing the ‘submit your result’ option 
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eDIToRIal
We have moved!

Regular readers of the RTD Results Supplement may 
already know that the CORDIS focus supplements have 
been adopted into the research*eu family. Welcome to our 
first issue under the research*eu banner!

 range into the 
The integration of the former CORDIS focus range into the 
European research area magazine translates into two new 
research*eu supplements. One of these is the research*eu 
results supplement which, beginning with this issue, will 
take over from the CORDIS focus RTD Results Supplement 
 RTD Results Supplement 
in bringing you highlights from the project updates recently  
in bringing you highlights from the project updates recently  
published on the CORDIS Technology Marketplace (TMP) 
research*eu focus, 
and on the ICT Results service. The other, research*eu focus, 
will be devoted to the thematic issues previously addressed by 
will be devoted to the thematic issues previously addressed by 
other CORDIS focus supplements. 

The CORDIS focus Newsletter itself, which has kept subscribers informed of the latest news in 
EU research since 1994, has taken its final bow with the December issue. News and views of 
EU-funded research are covered by the  research*eu magazine, which in future will also carry 
links to the main stories on the European Commission’s research information services online.

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In our inaugural issue of the new results supplement, the biology and medicine section opens 
with research into the diagnosis of cystic fibrosis, which may also hold keys for the diagnosis 
of other inherited diseases. The energy section notably explores the potential for producing 
hydrogen energy from two renewable resources: water and sunlight. The lead article in the 
environment section presents a project which helped to put 160 alternatively fuelled vehicles 
on the streets of Bremen in northern Germany, whereas the IT and telecommunications 
section looks into the scope for improved digital television transmission in particularly 
challenging reception environments. Last but not least, the industrial technologies section 
showcases innovative techniques to reduce the cost of producing polymer-based optics.

If you would like more information on the research and on the projects featured this month, 
please access the articles online, where you will also find details of other EU-funded projects 
and their work. To call up a TMP article, key the offer ID number into the ‘offers’ window 
of the TMP’s search engine (http://cordis.europa.eu/marketplace). ICT Results articles are 
available online in the service’s ‘features’ section (http://cordis.europa.eu/ictresults).

Comments and questions will reach us at our new address: 
research-eu-supplements@publications.europa.eu 

We look forward to hearing from you!

The editorial team

Frequent acronyms

community Research and 
Development Information service

© European Communities, 2008

Reproduction permitted, provided the source is acknowledged. 
Neither the Oﬃ  ce for Oﬃ  cial Publications nor any person acting 
on its behalf is responsible for the use that may be made of the 
information contained in this publication or for any errors that 
may remain in the texts, despite the care taken in preparing them.

ERA	
FP5/6/7	

ICT	
IST	
R	&	D	
SMEs	

European	research	area
Fifth/Sixth/Seventh	Framework	Programme	of	the	European	Community	
for	research,	technological	development	and	demonstration	activities
information	and	communication	technologies
information	society	technologies
research	and	development
small	and	medium-sized	enterprises

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Table of conTenTs

Biology and medicine	

Identifying	cystic	fibrosis	biomarkers	

Innovative	cystic	fibrosis	diagnostics	

Magnetism	aids	detection	of	DNA	sequences	

Managing	EU	fishing	fleets	

New	technologies	in	the	fight	against	fish	diseases	

Disease	control	management	for	sea	bream	

Assessing	fleet	and	fishing	distribution	data	

Sole	research	review	

Tropical	tuna	fisheries	for	fishing	model	

Genomic	databases	for	bluetongue	virus		

Midge	population	dynamics	for	bluetongue	virus	control	

New	breakthroughs	against	bluetongue	disease	

Mutant	viruses	provide	clues	to	infectivity	

Shedding	light	on	platelet-related	diseases	

New	generation	of	acidosis	inhibitors	

Assessing	health	care	for	preterm	births	

Evaluating	innovative	food	storage	methods	

Food	spoilage	studies	for	novel	processing	methods	

Electronic	bladder	control	

Manual	for	quality	assurance	of	health	services	

High-sugar	grass	for	nitrogen	efficiency	

Mining	the	oceans	for	cancer-fighting	drugs	

Target	molecules	identified	by	RNA	interference	

Overcoming	tumour	resistance	

Investigating	the	mitogen-activated	protein	kinase	pathway	

Proteome	map	for	mitogen-activated	protein	kinase	cell	division	pathway	

Potential	new	therapy	for	gliomas	

Hyperthermophiles:	too	hot	to	handle?	

Stem	cells	developed	for	Parkinson’s	therapy	

New	breakthrough	for	Parkinson’s	disease	patients	

Iron	and	infections	linked	to	atherosclerosis	

Analysing	biomedical	signals	via	advanced	algorithms	

Water	pressure	for	a	stable	spine	

Physical	training	programme	for	understanding	frailty	

Ageing	gracefully	

Examining	marginalisation	in	elderly	care	service	

energy	

Turning	water	and	sunlight	into	hydrogen	energy	

Guide	for	testing	wind	turbine	blade	material	

Environmental	effects	of	wave	energy	conversion	

Getting	to	the	bottom	of	gettering	

State-of-the-art	facility	for	solar	power	research	in	Europe	

Reducing	the	costs	of	solar	power	plants	

Ultra-low	emissivity	glass	coatings	

Improving	the	thermal	behaviour	of	buildings	

Bringing	solar	technology	to	developing	nations	

Understanding	engine	knock	

Perennial	grasses	as	energy	crops	

environment	

Putting	cleaner	vehicles	on	the	street	

Eliminating	cavitation	in	diesel	engines	

Innovative	noise	information	module	

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Improving	terrestrial	ecosystem	models	

Remote	sensing	products	for	environmental	research	

Satellite	data	to	estimate	oceanic	chlorophyll	

Improving	our	understanding	of	jellyfish	blooms	

Effects	of	climate	change	on	North	Sea	cod	

Database	for	monitoring	eutrophication	conditions	

Environmentally	friendly	plasma	technology	

Novel	biomarker	for	coastal	water	pollution	

Carbon	exchange	in	the	North	Atlantic		

Eco-friendly	conservation	of	archaeological	treasures	

	it and telecommunications	

Double	antennas	deliver	double	the	signal	

Advanced	programming	language	for	global	computing	

A	modular	framework	for	global	computing	

Real-time	videoconferencing	and	media	streaming	

The	go-between:	IT	firms	play	the	dating	game		

Advancing	the	quantum	information	society	

Software	wrapper	for	smarter,	networked	homes	

Making	interactive	domestic	environments	tangible	

Software	for	speech	therapy	support		

Ubiquitous	access	to	entertainment	and	information	

ShapeShifted	narratives:	truly	new	media	for	the	new	millennium		

Empowering	wireless	personal	communications	

Towards	wireless	personal	networks	

Capturing	facial	characteristics	in	3D	

Realistic	augmented	reality	

Marrying	biological	with	computer	vision	

Understanding	the	craft	of	2D	animation	

Two	Bobs	in	a	wireless	world	

Sandwich	technique	eases	3D	optical	chip	fabrication	

industrial technologies	

Inexpensive	polymer-based	optics	

Design	improvements	for	optoelectronics	devices	

Optoelectronics	devices	on	gallium	nitride		

Facing	the	challenge	of	market	fluctuations	in	shipping	

Making	sea	travel	more	comfortable	

Numerical	investigations	of	modern	vessel	designs	

Structural	health	monitoring	for	natural	gas	vehicles	

Revolutionising	public	transport	in	Denmark	

Advanced	filters	for	fewer	emissions	

Improving	air	quality	in	vehicles	

Aiming	for	lead-free	soldering	

Improving	performance	of	machinery	

Automatic	assessment	of	industrial	plant	components	

Wearing	technology	on	your	sleeve		

Novel	non-linear	polymers	

New	techniques	cut	cost	of	producing	textile-reinforced	thermoplastics	

Optimising	processes	for	hydrogen	separation	

Predicting	the	durability	of	high-performance	concrete	

Innovation	steps	in	industrial	machining	processes	

Computer-assisted	design	of	hip	replacement	prostheses	

Cooking	up	new	MEMS:	a	taste	of	microscopic	machines	to	come	

Eco-friendly	adhesive	materials	

Critical	challenges	for	MEMS	

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Identifying cystic fibrosis biomarkers

Th  e study of cystic ﬁ brosis (CF) is important not only for patients, but also for use as 
a model gene for other inherited diseases. Proteins from the expression of CF genes 
were analysed and compared with complementary products from non-CF individuals.

CF	is	one	of	most	common	life-shortening	inherited	diseases.	
The	CF	gene	results	in	the	production	of	a	chloride	ion	channel	
important	in	the	creation	of	sweat,	digestive	juices	and	mucus.	
Mutations	in	this	gene	can	therefore	cause	a	range	of	problems	
in	all	systems	involved	with	these	secretions.

The	original	overall	objective	of	the	EU-funded	CF-CHIP	project	
was	to	develop	a	new	gene	array	technology	platform.	The	aim	
was	high-throughput	diagnosis	of	CF	and	related	diseases	as	well	
as	use	as	a	model	for	other	genetic	disorders.

As	part	of	the	research	consortium,	the	University	of	Lisbon	in	
Portugal	selected	three	cell	lines,	including	nasal	epithelial	cells.	
The	researchers	then	analysed	gene	expression	changes	which	
could	be	linked	to	the	presence	of	a	CF	mutation.	In	order	to	
perform	these	comparisons,	the	human	micro-array	from	MWG-
Biotech	 UK	 Ltd,	 a	 project	 partner,	 was	 used.	This	 comprised	
40	000	genes	of	the	human	gene	and	constituted	the	perfect	tool	
to	identify	new	target	sequences	and	their	functions.	Real-time	
polymerase	chain	reaction	(PCR)	analysis	of	the	genes	provided	
further	veriﬁ	cation	of	the	results	together	with	analyses	based	on	
their	protein	products.

As	a	result,	genes	were	identiﬁ	ed	that	were	consistently	up-	or	
down-regulated	in	CF	tissues	when	compared	to	samples	from	
non-CF	patients.	Further	ongoing	research	based	on	these	results	
is	under	way	to	increase	the	number	of	analyses	and	
tissues	under	study.	This	
may	well	lead	to	a	more	
detailed	 understand-
ing	 of	 the	 CF	 disease.	
In	particular,	the	valid-
ation	of	gene	expression	
changes	 through	 their	
protein	 products	 could	
be	 invaluable	 in	 earlier	
diagnosis	and	therapy.

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Funded under the FP5 programme 
‘Life quality’ (Quality of life and 
management of living resources).

Collaboration sought: further 
research or development support.
research or development support.

Off er ID: 3551
Off er ID: 3551

Innovative cystic fibrosis diagnostics

Disease diagnosis oft en aﬀ ects the overall prognosis. It is therefore 
important to be able to diagnose diseases early on and eﬃ  ciently.

Gene  array  technologies  have  allowed 
the rapid detection of genetic mutations 
that are tell-tale signs of pathologies. The 
same  is  true  for  cystic  fibrosis  (CF)  and 
CF-related conditions. Currently available 
screening platforms detect approximately 
25 CF-linked mutations.

of these diseases. As part of the project, plans 
were made for the development of an inte-
grated, magnetic, sensor-based gene array. 
The diagnostic assays were to be partly based 
on the detection of qualitative or quantita-
tive changes in RNA products resulting from 
mutations in specific genes.

The EU-funded CF-CHIP project focused on 
the development of a new gene array technol-
ogy platform for high-throughput diagnosis 

The new technologies will essentially be able 
to detect abnormalities in gene structures and 
expression patterns. The innovative aspect of 

magnetism aids detection of Dna sequences 

Researchers have devised an innovative method to sequence the 
cystic ﬁ brosis (CF) gene. Th  e result was the development of a fast, yet 
accurate magnetic sensor platform housed in a portable device. 

CF is caused by a 250 000-base-pairs long 
recessive gene on chromosome 7. Accord-
ing to some researchers, there are at least 
900  known  mutations  for  the  gene.  Not 
surprisingly, the effects on the individual, 
or its phenotype, vary with the mutation in 
question.

The aim of the EU-funded CF-CHIP project 
was to help unravel the vast range of muta-
tions  and  phenotypes.  Accordingly,  the 
project developed a sensor platform com-

posed of an electronically addressable micro-
array of magnetic spin valve sensors. The 
main innovation feature was the integration 
of magnetic sensors to detect the presence of 
target DNA sequences labelled with magnetic 
beads. When the complementary sequence 
hybridises, the bead is immobilised, which 
causes a detectable change in voltage.

Consequences of these innovations are that 
the whole process is accelerated and that the 
device is portable as the sensors are in the 

research*eu results supplement — No 1 — January 2008

the new technology is that it employs a panel 
of mutations with global application, and not 
specific to an individual region.

A  series  of  tests,  using  real  patient  sam-
ples (some of which carried extremely rare 
mutations) revealed a 99 % accuracy rate. 
The results indicate that this new technol-
ogy platform could signal a new era in CF 
diagnostics available to physicians.

Funded under the FP5 programme ‘Life quality’
(Quality of life and management of living resources).

Collaboration sought: further research or development support.

Off er ID: 3593

platform biochip. This technology has been 
demonstrated with polymerase chain reaction 
amplified DNA, including different sequences 
to identify a mutation in the CF gene.

As a result of this development, two patent 
applications were made and the results have 
been published in peer-reviewed journals. 
Due to its portability, it is seen as ideal for 
use  at  the  point  of  care.  Furthermore,  it 
is hoped that it will provide the basis for 
sequencing other complex mutations. 

Funded under the FP5 programme ‘Life quality’
 (Quality of life and management of living resources). 

Collaboration sought: further research or development support. 

Off er ID: 3497

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management criteria has been used for a 
selection of EU fleets. 

Applicable  regulations  for  various  fleets 
have been reviewed based on this classifica-
tion system. As a result, one of the key find-
ings is that all fleets function in a context 
of individual access allocation. This can be 
effected either through the control variable 
of effort or catches or both. 

Funded under the FP5 programme ‘Life quality’ 
(Quality of life and management of living resources). 

Collaboration sought: further research or development support. 

Off er ID: 3470

RNA strands to detect the presence of com-
plementary strands in specific tissues.

ISH studies revealed that other myxozoan spe-
cies are present in what was perceived to be 
early stages of infection in at least some fish. 
Furthermore, the presence of E. leei outside the 
target organs was also confirmed.

Supporting this line of research is expected 
to yield further insight into myxidiosis and 
likely ways to combat it.

Funded under the FP5 programme ‘Life quality’ 
(Quality of life and management of living resources).

Collaboration sought: information exchange/training.

Off er ID: 3447

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managing eU fishing fleets 

A typology of management measures for a selection of EU ﬂ eets 
has been designed. Tectac, an EU-funded project, has set out to 
supply ﬁ sheries managers with a modelling tool that can exhibit how 
regulations impact on the dynamics of ﬂ eets and ﬁ shing mortality. 

The primary idea behind this lies in investi-
gating the features of the elements that cause 
fleet dynamics. These include the techno-
logical advances in gears and vessel equip-
ment, as well as the overall tactical adapta-
tion of fishing vessels. In essence, what was 
examined is how and why fleet dynamics 
occur, and what the consequences are on 
resources and their socioeconomics.

Fisheries management consists of various 
kinds  of  regulatory  measures  that  may 
affect  the  behaviour  of  fish  farms  and 
fishing fleets. For example, it may ration 
the production possibilities of vessels or 
give  fishermen  economic  incentives  to 
alter their situation. However, the aims of 
fisheries management tools may have dif-
ferent goals. Therefore, a classification of 

new technologies in the fight 
against fish diseases

Understanding the molecular mechanisms and the epidemiology 
linked to myxidiosis is an important aspect for the development of ways 
to combat this disease, which potentially aﬀ ects ﬁ sh all over the EU.

The EU-funded MyxFishControl project 
studied  the  Enteromyxum  leei  (E.  leei) 
parasite  to  learn  about  the  underlying 
pathology behind myxidiosis in a variety 
of  fish  populations.  Evaluating  the  epi-
demiological aspect of the disease among 
specific fish populations was an important 
parameter of the project, deemed crucial 
in  the  efforts  to  control  the  parasite’s 
spread.

Project partners worked on innovative meth-
ods to detect the E. leei parasite in fish tissues. 
Researchers have found it challenging not 
only to detect early stages of infection, but 
also to differentiate between various stages 
of  parasite  development.  Spanish-based 
project partner Consejo Superior de Inves-
tigaciones Científicas used in situ hybrid-
isation (ISH) to detect specific E. leei stages. 
The ISH method utilises specific DNA or 

Disease control management for sea bream

Intensive farming of any type is associated with inherent problems that can 
potentially be overcome by appropriate management. As a result of a European 
study, project partners have drawn up a list of recommendations to minimise 
the spread of myxosporosis within a maricultural environment.

This epidemiological study conducted by 
the MyxFishControl project was aimed at 
revealing relationships between exposure 
to biological agents, stress or physical envir-
onments with mortality or morbidity caused 
by the parasite Enteromyxum leei (E.leei).

optimum temperature and early marketing 
of the produce. During the research, it was 
discovered that prevalence of the disease 
increased with fish size. Consequently, sale 
of fish as early as economically feasible was 
recommended.

For  disease  control,  perhaps  the  most 
important  phase  is  that  of  prevention  of 
entry of infective stages into the fish culture 
environment. To achieve this, healthy stock 
that has been assayed rapidly and accurately 
and survey of water quality were both rec-
ommended by the report.

The mariculture sector has previously been 
dominated by the gilthead sea bream, but dur-
ing recent years, other species including the 
sharpsnout sea bream Diplodus puntazzo have 
increased in popularity. All the recommenda-
tions of the study apply not only to the gilt-
head, but also to the sharpsnout sea bream.

A strict management regime was also out-
lined to prevent the spread and growth of 
the parasite. The project’s study of the life 
cycle of the parasite and its environmental 
preferences and requisites naturally formed 
the  basis  of  the  recommendations.  Key 
points involved avoidance of the parasite’s 

This study has highlighted chemical-free 
control of the parasite through careful man-
agement of fish stocks, taking into account 
the  natural  requirements  during  the  life 
cycle  of  the  parasite.  Its  implementation 
could avoid such high economic losses for 
the mariculture industry in the future.

Funded under the FP5 programme ‘Life quality’ 
(Quality of life and management of living resources).

Collaboration sought: information exchange/training.

Off er ID: 3472

see also page 23 (oﬀ  er 3500) 

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assessing fleet and fishing distribution data 

A script has been written for the evaluation of auxiliary 
data pertaining to ﬂ eets and ﬁ shing mortality. 

Tectac, an EU-funded project, has provided 
fisheries managers with a modelling tool that 
can assist with evaluating the impact of regu-
lations on the dynamics of fleets and fishing 
mortality. The supporting idea lies in the inves-
tigation of the underlying forces behind the ele-
ments that cause fleet dynamics as well as the 
overall tactical adaptation of fishing vessels.

Thus, the fundamental elements underlying 
the changing aspects of fleets were modelled 

and analysed. Fleet dynamics were related to 
management regulations and to other exter-
nal factors. Finally the impact of manage-
ment on fleet dynamics, fish resources, fleets 
and fishing communities was evaluated.

A script was then designed in order to gen-
erate graphs of data availability. Some ex-
amples  of  such  information  include  the 
number of ships and trips. Parameter ranges 
such as haul duration and time of setting 

sole research review 

Th  e sole is an important economic component of aquaculture. Th  e aptly named, 
EU-funded Solemates project has conducted in-depth research into the continued 
development and reﬁ nement of commercial practices in the industry. 

The sole is an ideal candidate for farming. 
There is a strong market demand from the 
home consumer and the restaurant trade 
together with a shortfall in supply. Further-
more, aspects of the sole life cycle make the 
fish eminently suitable for aquaculture. It 
spawns readily in captivity and, once fertil-
ised, the buoyant eggs are easily collected.

The  two  species  under  study  were  Solea 
(S.) solea and S. senegalensis. Studies at the 
molecular level together with differences 

in morphology and physiology confirmed 
their separation at the species level.

Research  results  recommended  stocking 
density, optimum rearing temperature, feed-
ing and salinity for farmed sole at different 
periods in the life cycle. For example, the 
most effective diet for weaning of the fry was 
found to be a mixture of inert and live food 
with added attractants. The simulated light 
pattern utilised followed the natural pho-
toperiod, but researchers were aware that 

Tropical tuna fisheries for fishing model 

Researchers undertook a study of tuna purse seine ﬁ shing 
in the tropical Atlantic in order to accommodate a multispecies 
situation for a computer simulation framework.

Despite widespread concern, the oceans’ 
wild fish stocks are still being exploited 
at  an  unacceptable  level  to  fill  an  ever-
increasing demand. The oceans and their 
ecosystems  are  vulnerable  to  the  phe-
nomenon  of  overfishing  as  a  result  of 
poor management guidelines and illegal, 
unregulated and unreported (IUU) fish-
ing. Needless to say, all those interested in 
the conservation of the earth’s ecosystems 
see it as essential that changes in manage-
ment strategy be implemented to turn the 
situation around.

However, the results of any modifications 
to management strategies are notoriously 
difficult to predict. Many variables are in 
play including the dynamic environment, 
management and exploitation forces. EU 
project partners from the ‘Framework for 
the evaluation of management strategies’ 
(FEMS)  consortium  therefore  devised  a 
novel computer simulation framework to 

assess the impact of changing management 
strategies and procedures.

As part of this study, to make modifications 
for a multispecies scenario, researchers at 
the  Institute  of  Oceanography  (IEO)  in 
Madrid studied tuna catches in the tropical 
Atlantic. Three species are involved — bigeye, 
skipjack  and  yellowfin.  For  simplicity 
of  analysis,  however,  the  yellowfin  was 
of  analysis,  however,  the  yellowfin  was 
excluded. Assumptions made 
in the fishing model included 
catchability  being  constant 
and  fishing  mortality  being 
proportional to fishing effort.

The software framework devel-
oped is available — please see 
http://www.flr-project.org. It is 
being applied in other projects 
being applied in other projects 
as  well  as  other  assessment 
as  well  as  other  assessment 
working  groups  including  the 
working  groups  including  the 
most established worldwide, the 
most established worldwide, the 

research*eu results supplement — No 1 — January 2008

the net were also applicable from the script. 
Maps  of  catch  according  to  species  and 
effort distribution have been generated as 
well. These can be used for a prompt inven-
tory of the substances of the data table and 
of possible errors in the data. An overlap in 
the data tables can be detected and maps of 
effort dispersion can be compared. 

Funded under the FP5 programme ‘Life quality’ 
(Quality of life and management of living resources). 

Collaboration sought: information exchange/training. 

Off er ID: 3488 

changing the daylight length may hold the 
key to manipulation of maturation time.

For  future  research,  the  project  partners 
intend to continue studying the variation 
of light and temperature settings on juve-
nile growth and weaning time together with 
alternative diet regimes. The project out-
come has been published and broadly dis-
seminated in the press, at conferences and 
in peer publications. 

Funded under the FP5 programme ‘Life quality’ 
(Quality of life and management of living resources). 

Collaboration sought: further research or development support. 

Off er ID: 3468

International Council for the Exploration 
of the Sea (ICES). Looking to the future, 
the assessment methods used in the FEMS 
framework can continue to be developed to 
improve the management strategies used for 
the preservation of the earth’s resources. 

Funded under the FP5 programme ‘Life quality’
 (Quality of life and management of living resources). 

Collaboration sought: further research or development support. 

Off er ID: 3517

see also page 23 (oﬀ  er 3500)

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Genomic databases for bluetongue virus 

Bluetongue virus (BTV) is an increasing threat to the livestock 
industry. A European project has set up genomic databases as a major 
resource in the ﬁ ght against this disease. 

BTV is a devastating disease affecting rumi-
nants. Historically, there have been sporadic 
incursions into the most southern regions 
of Europe. However, since 1998 strains of 
bluetongue have spread north and across 
Europe. Its vector, the midge Culicoides spp, 
has also increased its range, and recently 
there have been reported cases in the United 
Kingdom.

Consequently, this has made the research 
work of the EU-funded ‘Bluetongue vac-
cination’  project  of  prime  importance  to 
the agricultural world. The project partners 
have endeavoured to develop a safe, effica-

cious vaccination strategy to help to stem 
the spread of the disease.

As part of the thrust to achieve control of the 
virus, researchers at the Institute for Animal 
Health in Surrey in the United Kingdom 
have established a database of BTV isolates 
obtained  worldwide.  Furthermore,  using 
sequence  comparisons  for  all  BTV  iso-
lates, primers have been developed to dis-
tinguish between genome segments from 
live attenuated vaccines and European field 
strains. These are listed at: http://www.iah.
bbsrc.ac.uk/dsRNA_virus_proteins/ReoID/
rt-pcr-primers.htm

midge population dynamics 
for bluetongue virus control

Th  e midge Culicoides imicola (C. imicola) is largely responsible for the 
transmission of the bluetongue virus (BTV) in sheep and cattle. Scientists have studied 
the factors responsible for the population dynamics in this important insect vector.

BTV can have devastating effects for the 
livestock industry. It causes severe losses 
financially and is a distressing condition for 
the animal concerned. Control of the dis-
ease is complex and the ‘Bluetongue vaccin-

ation’ project concentrated its resources on 
the development of an efficacious vaccine 
for the virus.

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Another  angle  of  research  came 
from  partners  at  the  Onderste-
poort Veterinary Institute in South 
Africa, who investigated breeding 
sites  and  changes  in  population 
numbers  for  the  primary  vec-
tor,  C.  imicola.  The  researchers 
found that moisture content and 
the speed with which a location 
dries up were the two main fac-
tors responsible for abundance 
of the insect. However, another 
significant  factor  was  that  the 
midge appeared to be nomadic 
and  could  occupy  temporary 

new breakthroughs against bluetongue disease 

Th  e incidence of veterinary diseases can seriously impact European livestock, 
consumer health and economy. New research is targeting the bluetongue virus 
(BTV), which aﬀ ects the livestock industry across the EU.

The development of vaccines against blue-
tongue was the aim of the EU-funded ‘Blue-
tongue vaccination’ project. Project partners 
worked  on  all  aspects  of  BTV,  including 
epidemiology, policy formulation as well as 
scientific research. The project intended to 
develop inactivated vaccines utilising virus-
like-particles (VLPs) and slow-release deliv-
ery systems.

The London School of Tropical Medicine 
and  Hygiene,  a  project  partner,  devel-
oped a new technology for the synthesis of 
BTV  VLPs.  The  researchers  were  able  to 
generate a baculovirus, expressing BTV’s 
four capsid proteins. The baculovirus could 
self-assemble into a VLP inside insects’ cells, 
and it is then removed through a series of 
purification steps.

For information on the possible geographic 
origins of the European BTV strains, please 
access: http://www.iah.bbsrc.ac.uk/dsRNA_
virus_proteins/orbivirus-phylogenetic-
trees.htm

These databases will permit epidemiological 
studies of BTV strains. They will also enable 
sourcing of European infections and early 
detection  of  vaccine  breakdown.  This  in 
turn will aid speedy and effective control of 
future outbreaks. The service is available as 
a free, international resource. 

Funded under the FP5 programme ‘Life quality’ 
(Quality of life and management of living resources). 

Collaboration sought: information exchange/training. 

Off er ID: 3485

breeding  sites.  Populations  could  there-
fore readily transfer to more suitable areas 
when a site became too dry.

The midge is most prevalent in hot, humid 
conditions  in  the  summer  months.  The 
team therefore initiated the establishment 
of a laboratory colony. This would mean 
that vector-host relationships could be stud-
ied all year round. Wild adult midges were 
collected and successfully induced to blood 
feed in the laboratory. Furthermore, their 
larvae survived together with the resulting 
adult progeny.

A more in-depth understanding of the path-
ology of this disease is possible, therefore, 
if a sustainable laboratory population is set 
up. Research in various locations will thus 
be able to continue during the winter period 
or when the midge is absent for any reason.

Funded under the FP5 programme ‘Life quality’ 
(Quality of life and management of living resources).

Collaboration sought: information exchange/training.

Off er ID: 3610

The advantage of this innovative approach 
is that no BTV genetic material is used in 
the final vaccine, rendering the final prepar-
ation extremely safe. The advantage is that, 
with this approach, the risk of infection with 
this vaccine is eliminated. Researchers were 
aiming to further develop this technology in 
order to form the basis for an anti-BTV vac-
cine in sheep. 

Funded under the FP5 programme ‘Life quality’ 
(Quality of life and management of living resources). 

Collaboration sought: information exchange/training. 

Off er ID: 3442

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mutant viruses provide clues to infectivity

Foot-and-mouth disease causes serious economic losses in 
agricultural stock. Researchers have investigated the virus-host 
cell interaction and consequent infectivity of the disease.

The foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) 
causes one of the most contagious animal 
diseases with important losses. It leads to 
high  mortality  in  young  animals  due  to 
myocarditis. After the acute phase, there is 
often a persistent infection without symp-
toms. Carrier animals also arise in those 
vaccinated  and  then  exposed  to  FMDV. 
Obviously, the development of these hidden 
carriers presents an obstacle to any vaccin-
ation scheme implemented to control the 
spread of the disease.

Researchers, as part of the ‘FMD tropism’ 
project,  studied  aspects  of  persistence  in 

carriers together with mechanisms of host 
cell  recognition  by  the  virus.  One  of  the 
teams focused on the receptor binding sites 
of the virus in conjunction with integrins on 
the host cell surface. Integrins are very sig-
nificant cell surface receptors that define the 
cell shape, mobility and cell cycle regulation. 
They are thought to be an important factor 
in infectivity. In order to do this, the team 
created recombinant viruses with mutations 
either side of the receptor binding site.

The  scientists  observed  the  behaviour  of 
the  recombinant  viruses  in  vivo  and  in 
vitro. They discovered, as suspected, that 

shedding light on platelet-related diseases 

Reduced platelet counts are likely to lead to bleeds, 
which in their most severe form can occur in the brain. 

Diagnosing low platelet levels could mean 
the difference between life and death for 
some  patients  at  risk  of  cerebral  bleeds. 
Current research is therefore focused on the 
development of novel, fact-diagnostic prod-
ucts, which can accurately detect the condi-
tion and overall have a favourable impact on 
related conditions.

The Platelets project aimed to develop plate-
let diagnostics, thus reducing the potential 
incidence of cerebral bleeds. Project part-
ner University of Heidelberg, in Germany, 
worked on the analysis of P-selectin. P-selec-
tin is a cell adhesion molecule present in the 
activated platelet cells and thus important in 
the overall function of these cells.

showed  genetic  variations  in  the  corres-
ponding  genes,  possibly  linked  to  the 
disease.

As low platelet levels are sometimes attri-
As low platelet levels are sometimes attri-
buted  to  self-antibodies 
‘attacking’ these cells, stud-
ies also focused on the role 
of  genetic  polymorphisms 
and  the  emergence  of  allo-
antigens.  Alloantigens  can 
essentially  wrongly  instruct 
the immune system to attack 
itself.  Indeed,  P-selectin 
variants  were  considered  as 
variants  were  considered  as 
likely  candidates  as  possible 
likely  candidates  as  possible 
alloantigens.

The studies compared the genes involved in 
the P-selectin production between healthy 
individuals and those suffering from coro-
nary heart disease (CHD). CHD patients 

Further  research  is  needed  in 
Further  research  is  needed  in 
order to create diagnostics able 
order to create diagnostics able 
to  detect  the  presence  of  anti-
to  detect  the  presence  of  anti-
bodies to such alloantigens and 
bodies to such alloantigens and 

new generation of acidosis inhibitors

Diet has a great eﬀ ect on the general well-being of ruminants and, in 
particular, on the amount of methane and nitrogenous products they excrete.

The Rumen-up project focused on the devel-
opment of plant-extract-based dietary sup-
plements to replace chemical additives. The 
aim was to reduce overall methane forma-
tion as well as bloating and lactic acidosis.

The  University  of  Reading,  a  project  part-
ner, analysed the risks of the condition lac-
tic  acidosis.  Under  normal  feeding  condi-
tions, lactic acid is produced only at low levels. 

However, lactic acid production by bacteria 
can be life-threatening for a number of animals.

High levels of lactic acid result in a significant 
drop in pH, disrupting the normal fermen-
tation process. This can occur to a degree 
that a balance cannot be reached again and 
the animal dies. In most cases, lactic acidosis 
is manifested as a milder pathology causing 
some distress, but not leading to death.

research*eu results supplement — No 1 — January 2008

the amino acids on the viral coat and their 
arrangement were crucial for infectivity. In 
some cases, the arrangement on the virus 
coat was found to have changed in order to 
accommodate the mutations on the virus 
shell. Furthermore, the level of modified 
infectivity  was  linked  to  the  particular 
change in the site.

To elucidate the nature of the virus-host cell 
interaction and its role in infectivity is a big 
step. Further R & D can aid the successful 
implementation of a vaccination programme 
to help the eradication of this disease.

Funded under the FP5 programme ‘Life quality’ 
(Quality of life and management of living resources).

Collaboration sought: further research or development support.

Off er ID: 3547

thus warn about possible drops in platelet 
counts. 

Funded under the FP5 programme ‘Life quality’ 
(Quality of life and management of living resources). 

Collaboration sought: further research or development 
support, ﬁ nancial support, private-public partnership. 

Off er ID: 3486

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The most efficient way to reduce the symptoms 
and alleviate the condition is by suppressing 
the growth of lactic-acid-producing bacteria. 
Researchers showed that the plant species Lac-
tuca sativa and Urtica dioica displayed lactic-acid-
lowering activities by suppressing bacterial activ-
ity. These results could form the basis of a new 
generation of plant-based additives that could 
benefit livestock across the EU and beyond.

Funded under the FP5 programme ‘Life quality’ 
(Quality of life and management of living resources).

Collaboration sought: licence agreement.

Off er ID: 3635

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assessing health care for preterm births

Mosaic, an EU-funded project, supplies eminent empirical data 
on care conditions for very preterm babies in Europe.

Health  professionals  are  faced  with  the 
challenge of providing the best access to 
intensive  care  for  very  preterm  infants. 
These births are responsible for the most 
deaths and cases of severe handicap from 
the prenatal period. Thus, specialised care 
is vital for their survival and future qual-
ity of life.

When  very  preterm  babies  are  born  in  a 
maternity  ward  with  neonatal  intensive 
care,  their  chances  of  survival  increase. 
Several countries have specialised prenatal 

units where these babies should be deliv-
ered. The problem, however, is that in most 
European countries, assessment of the care 
of these babies is not possible due to a lack 
of comparable data. Additionally, there is no 
clear consensus regarding the key structural 
features of a prenatal centre.

In light of this public health issue, Mosaic 
offers information regarding the place of 
very preterm births in terms of the struc-
tural characteristics of the maternity and 
neonatal  units.  Moreover,  it  covers  the 

evaluating innovative food storage methods

Storage is a very important aspect of food processing in today’s 
industrialised food sector. Th  e methodologies that are used should 
be safe both in the short and in the long term.

Evaluating the effects of the different stor-
age methods that can be used is the topic 
of research across Europe. The EU-funded 
‘Safe ice’ project focused on the effects of 
pressure in low-temperature food storage 
conditions. Specific parameters that were 
examined  were  quality  aspects,  thermo-
physical properties and overall stability of 
food products.

Project partners studied the behaviour of 
specific enzymes at high-pressure, low-tem-
perature conditions and how these enzymes 
might affect overall food quality. Enzyme 
inactivation is usually achieved through the 
application of a specific heat treatment for a 

short time period. Heat-treating food prod-
ucts, however, might also negatively impact 
other parameters, lowering the nutritional 
other parameters, lowering the nutritional 
value of these products.

The evaluation of high-pres-
sure, low-temperature treat-
ments following the ‘conven-
tional’ freezing processes was 
deemed a necessary aspect of 
this research project. Although 
not conclusive, studies showed 
favourable  results  for  at  least 
favourable  results  for  at  least 
one enzyme, polyphenoloxidase 
one enzyme, polyphenoloxidase 
(PPO).  Freezing  and  thawing, 
(PPO).  Freezing  and  thawing, 
in the presence of the pressure, 
in the presence of the pressure, 

health outcomes of babies in regard to the 
different models of organisation. The results 
are necessary in acknowledging that Euro-
pean countries can accomplish common 
goals using different models of care, and 
that research helps to identify the charac-
teristics resulting in poor outcome. This 
information is of interest to health policy-
makers, regional governments, professional 
societies and clinicians alike.

Funded under the FP5 programme ‘Life quality’ 
(Quality of life and management of living resources).

Collaboration sought: further research or development support.

Off er ID: 3498

seemed not to result in an increase in enzy-
matic activity.

Funded under the FP5 programme ‘Life quality’ 
(Quality of life and management of living resources).

Collaboration sought: information exchange/training.

Off er ID: 3493

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food spoilage studies 
for novel processing methods

Th  e eﬀ ects of high pressure combined with low-temperature food processing 
on the viability of important food spoilage microbes have been studied.

In the wake of increasing popularity of pro-
cessed foods, it is essential that the interests 
of the consumer are met, not only in terms 
of  quality,  but  also  with  regard  to  safety. 
New  refinements  in  techniques  for  food 
preservation  are  constantly  being  devel-
oped, including the use of high pressure, low 
temperature (HPLT) for freezing. The use of 
high pressure during freezing can create a 
higher quality food product. Researchers in 
the ‘Safe ice’ project investigated the scien-
tific and technological hurdles related to this 
process. As part of the consortium, scientists 
at Unilever in the Netherlands investigated 
the viability of two important microorgan-
isms that cause food spoilage.

The first, Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis), is an 
important model microbe. By itself, it can 
induce  ‘ropiness’  in  bread  products,  i.e. 
a soft, stringy brown mass that smells of 
fruit. The Unilever research team observed 
B.  subtilis  using  flow  cytometry,  staining 
techniques  and  membrane  permeability 
to assess damage to the cells. The microbe 
showed  heterogenous  resistance  to  the 
HPLT treatment. The researchers discov-
ered the range of pressures combined with 
–25 °C that were most likely to cause inacti-
vation in B. subtilis.

Lysteria monocytogenes, responsible for lis-
teriosis, was also studied. As an important 

and  highly  dangerous  pathogen,  it  was 
observed under different conditions in one 
of its habitats, smoked salmon. The syner-
gistic effects of high-pressure processing, 
sub-zero temperature and varying pH were 
monitored.

The  ultimate  goal  of  the  project  was  to 
develop process and product technologies 
during the phases of freezing, thawing, chill-
ing and storage of HPLT-processed foods. 
Viability data for food spoilage organisms 
under these conditions will provide a basis 
for continuing the production of safe, high-
quality food for consumer protection.

Funded under the FP5 programme ‘Life quality’ 
(Quality of life and management of living resources).

Collaboration sought: information exchange/training.

Off er ID: 3530

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electronic bladder control

Bladder incontinence exacts a high price in terms of quality 
of life for the patient. An EU-funded project has investigated 
the development of an electronic system for bladder control.

All too often, spinal cord injury results in 
neurogenic incontinence. This is a debili-
tating  condition  where  the  bladder  can 
empty without the conscious control of the 
patient. Project partners of the consortium 
‘REBEC neuromodulation’ have investigated 
the development of an electronic device to 
detect when there are signals for the bladder 
to empty involuntarily.

being used to suppress the resulting contrac-
tion. This stimulation is termed ‘conditional 
neuromodulation’ and is therefore only ini-
tiated when required. It involves electronic 
circuitry to detect the onset of the contrac-
tion that would empty the bladder together 
with  a  feedback  pathway  to  prevent  it. 
Implementation would significantly increase 
bladder capacity.

The system operates on the basis of the so-
called detrusor signals to empty the bladder 

The team’s intentions are to continue research 
using this project as a base and achieve com-

manual for quality assurance of health services

A manual based on the theory of planned behaviour has been designed as a 
tool to help researchers and health workers in providing quality assurance.

Quality  improvement  (QI)  measures  are 
designed to improve health services. The 
problem, however, is that most strategies 
remain  theoretical  and  do  not  alter  pro-
fessional practice or improve patient care. 
In order for this to change, the ‘Research-
based education and quality improvement’ 
(Rebeqi) project set forth to narrow the gap 
between research and practice by designing 
a research-based approach to QI.

The  way  the  Rebeqi  project  went  about 
this  was  by  using  the  theory  of  planned 
behaviour  (TPB)  as  the  foundation  for  a 
practical manual. TPB is based on a psy-
chological model of behaviour change. The 
manual arose from a request from health 

service researchers wanting to understand 
behaviour. This provides support in creat-
ing  health  care  interventions.  It  can  also 
help researchers or health workers involved 
in quality assurance to create a question-
in quality assurance to create a question-
naire for assessing the attitudes and 
beliefs  inherent  in  health-related 
behaviour. Furthermore, responses 
from the questionnaires can be util-
ised in planning the development of 
interventions.

The manual has been used in a broad 
array of reviewing and testing proced-
ures.  Specifically,  it  has  been  tested 
in the Netherlands and in the United 
in the Netherlands and in the United 
Kingdom to examine management of 
Kingdom to examine management of 

High-sugar grass for nitrogen efficiency

Th  e livestock industry is an important component of the European 
agricultural economy. Sweetgrass, an EU-funded project, has 
investigated the increase of nitrogen utilisation eﬃ  ciency (NUE) 
in ruminants under a regime of high-sugar grass feed.

In terms of environment, economics and 
sustainable  systems  of  livestock  produc-
tion, the efficient conversion of nitrogen 
in plant protein to milk and meat products 
is  essential.  Higher  efficiency  of  conver-
sion also means less loss of nitrogen to the 
environment. This would remove a source 
of nitrogen from waterways and reduce the 
phenomenon of eutrophication. Excessive 
plant growth in rivers is particularly acute 
when nitrogen, not incorporated into meat 
and milk and excreted via urine and faeces, 
leaches into waterways.

To study the increase in NUE, the Sweetgrass 
project investigated new conventionally bred 

varieties  of  grass  selected  specifically for 
high sugar content. This was on the premise 
that high-sugar feed can increase the NUE. 
Furthermore, this is particularly important 
in  upland  areas  of  northern  Europe,  for 
example alpine regions, where it is difficult 
to grow supplement forage with high sugar 
content, for example maize.

Workers at the Institute of Grassland and 
Environmental Research in Wales worked 
on the use of the highly water-soluble carbo-
hydrate (WSC) ryegrass AberDart. Trials 
performed used realistic grazing and con-
servation settings. Nitrogen utilisation and 
reduction in nitrogen pollution from fae-

research*eu results supplement — No 1 — January 2008

plete bladder control. To accomplish this, 
stimulation of an anterior nerve root is also 
required for emptying of the bladder.

The outcomes of this continued research 
will help to improve the quality of life for 
people with traumatic spinal cord lesions. 
As a result, it can improve the chances of 
rapid rehabilitation after such injuries. Fur-
thermore, it could be used in any signalling 
device  where  implantable  electrodes  are 
required.

Funded under the FP5 programme ‘Life quality’ 
(Quality of life and management of living resources).

Collaboration sought: information exchange/training.

Off er ID: 3612

diabetes in support of designing methods to 
prioritise and choose intervention elements.

Funded under the FP5 programme ‘Life quality’ 
(Quality of life and management of living resources).

Collaboration sought: further research or development support.

Off er ID: 3571

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ces and urine were the primary parameters 
measured. Also monitored were the conser-
vation of WSC in silage (fermented grass) 
and the ability of AberDart to accumulate 
WSC during large field trials.

Results  were  encouraging  overall.  It  was 
demonstrated that under appropriate con-
ditions, particularly in extensive grassland, 
it was possible to increase the efficiency of 
production response. There was therefore a 
corresponding reduction in environmental 
nitrogen  pollution.  Moreover,  this  was 
the case for both fresh and ensiled grass, 
important when fresh feed is unavailable.

Funded under the FP5 programme ‘Life quality’ 
(Quality of life and management of living resources).

Collaboration sought: further research or development support.

Off er ID: 3602

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mining the oceans for cancer-fighting drugs 

For ages, man has turned to nature not just for sustenance, but also 
for medicine. Heading into the 21st century, increasing attention is being 
focused on the vast reserves of raw biological material in the oceans.

One objective of the Miracle project was to sift 
through the enormous marine microbial bio-
diversity to find new compounds that could 
potentially be exploited for medical purposes. 
Instituto Biomar in Spain, a project partner, 
performed a series of advanced analyses in 
the laboratory to detect cytotoxic substances 
in samples collected during the project.

Marine bacteria were fermented in broths 
and inspected with mass spectrometry (MS) 

dereplication via electrospray (both posi-
tive and negative) and atmospheric pres-
sure chemical ionisation (both positive and 
negative). The aim was to remove already 
known compounds.

The remaining unknown compounds were 
subjected  to  additional  fermentation  and 
MS  dereplication steps.  Phase  separation, 
increased  volumes  and  different  solvents 
were employed in order to encourage elevated 

Target molecules identified by Rna interference 

Th  e unravelling of biochemical pathways may well hold the key 
to understanding cellular mechanisms in tumours. As part of this 
drive, a European project has investigated RNA interference as 
a basis for molecular target validation technology.

The production of certain proteins as a result 
of gene expression in tumour cells can influ-
ence the development of a cancer. RNA inter-
ference (RNAi) is a means by which gene 
expression can be regulated, in some cases 
inhibited altogether. During this pathway, 

short RNA fragments known as small inter-
fering RNA (siRNA) are produced. These are 
exactly complementary to the genes they are 
suppressing. Suppression, or the reduction of 
the levels of key proteins in the development 
of malignant cells, is an exciting area in anti-

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cancer drug development.
cancer drug development.

Apoptosis, or programmed 
cell death, is another path-
way that can be utilised in 
the fight against malignant 
cells.  Partners  in  the  EU-
funded  Impaled  project 
researched these cell sui-
cide  cascades  and  their 
molecular  constituents. 
In conjunction with this, 
scientists  at Eirx  Thera-
peutics in Ireland worked 
on  a  novel  validation 
platform  using  siRNA. 

overcoming tumour resistance 

One of the main obstacles to the success of anticancer therapies is tumour 
resistance to chemotherapeutic agents and radiation. Rendering these tumours 
sensitive to treatment would signal a new era in the cancer ﬁ eld. 

The Impaled project studied the molecular 
interactions of the p53 family of proteins, the 
major sensor of DNA damage in the cells, 
with the mitochondria. Sensing DNA dam-
age is the first step towards the initiation of a 
cascade of events leading the cell to apoptosis, 
rather than uncontrollable cancer growth.

The project aimed to elucidate the mech-
anisms that lead to tumour resistance with 
the  ultimate  goal  of  developing  method-

ologies  that  could  reverse  the  situation. 
Project partners EIRX Therapeutics focused 
their efforts on the study of the role played 
by the cytochrome P450 (Cyp450) group of 
enzymes on the metabolism of anticancer 
drugs. It has been shown that their enzy-
matic activity can enhance or impede the 
overall effect of anticancer regimens.

Researchers studied the expression pattern 
of a number of Cyp450 family members in 

growth rates. This led to enhanced isolation 
and identification of the target compounds.

The Spanish scientists found steroids such 
as  Ergosterol  as  well  as  cyanobacteria 
with  promising  levels  of  cytotoxicity,  an 
important  characteristic  of  cancer-fight-
ing drugs. Instituto Biomar is examining 
patent-related  issues  for  these  and  other 
compounds discovered during Miracle with 
a view to commercial exploitation. 

Funded under the FP5 programme EESD 
(Energy, environment and sustainable development).

Collaboration sought: further research or development support. 

Off er ID: 3527

This aimed to study the consequences of 
knocking out molecular targets as identified 
by other project partners. The objective was 
to identify the proteins not produced as a 
result of the RNA interference technology.

Knock-out rates for the proteins targeted by 
siRNA designed by Eirx were significantly 
high. The western blotting technique was 
used to confirm the reduction of protein 
expression  from  these  target  genes.  Fur-
thermore, the team at Eirx also developed 
a speedy method to deliver siRNA into the 
cells with a resultant limited toxicity due to 
the fast transfection rate.

The  identification  of  these  apoptotic 
molecular components can form the basis 
of  the  bid  to  determine  the  role  of  pro-
grammed cell death in cancer. It may also 
shed light on the reasons for resistance of 
cancerous cells to chemotherapy and radio-
therapy treatment.

Funded under the FP5 programme ‘Life quality’ 
(Quality of life and management of living resources).

Collaboration sought: further research or development support. 

Off er ID: 3544

a series of lung cancer cell lines. Given their 
function in a number of key metabolic steps, 
the goal was to establish whether Cyp450 
expression was somehow linked to tumour 
resistance. Further studies are likely to be 
instrumental in the identification of specific 
molecular targets for the reversal of tumour 
resistance in lung cancer. 

Funded under the FP5 programme ‘Life quality’ 
(Quality of life and management of living resources). 

Collaboration sought: further research or development support. 

Off er ID: 3504

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Investigating the mitogen-activated 
protein kinase pathway

Th  e mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway is one of 
the most important signalling pathways at the cellular level. Its role 
covers a wide spectrum of functions, but certain questions regarding 
the actual mechanism behind signal transduction still persist.

The EU-funded ‘MAPK signalling’ project 
combined a number of disciplines including 
proteomics and knock-out technology in 
order to shed light on the complexity of the 
MAPK pathway. The ultimate goal is to gain 
enough knowledge to isolate new targets for 
therapeutic  intervention  in  a  number  of 
pathologies.

Understanding the protein expression pat-
terns throughout the MAPK pathway has 
been a goal of project partner University of 
Manchester. Studies revealed new informa-
tion regarding protein function within the 
MAPK pathway. Further insight was gained 
in terms of internal protein organisation and 
interaction within the pathway.

Proteome map for mitogen-activated 
protein kinase cell division pathway

Raf-1 is an important protein in the mitogen-activated protein kinase 
(MAPK) pathway, a molecular cascade frequently involved in the cell cycle. 
Researchers have identiﬁ ed and studied Raf-1 complexes formed by this 
molecule on its journey through this pathway.

The MAPK pathway is a means by which 
many cells promote the start of cell division. 
It fulfils this function by coupling responses 
within the cell to the binding of growth fac-

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tors to cell surface receptors. The pathway is 
extremely complex and involves many pro-
teins. Its importance in research includes 
cancer and many immunological disorders 
when the cascade becomes deregulated in 
some way.

Partners  of  ‘MAPK  signalling’,  an  EU-
funded project, focused their research on 
one protein in particular, Raf-1. In order 
to isolate and characterise Raf-1 signalling 
complexes, researchers at the Beatson Insti-
tute for Cancer Research used mass spec-
trometry to identify the components of the 
complexes formed during the cascade.

Three  strategies  were  used  to  identify 
important Raf-1 complexes during the exe-
cution of this molecular cascade. First, the 
products of the pathway were compared with 

Potential new therapy for gliomas

Development of eﬀ ective anticancer therapies oft en involves combining 
innovative treatments with groundbreaking delivery systems.

The  Scavidin  project  focused  on  a  treat-
ment against malignant glioma. The aim was 
to develop a target-specific delivery system, 
based on the fusion gene-therapy approach. 
The fusion gene that was cloned successfully by 
the project partners was termed Scavidin, con-
taining avidin-binding domains. The Scavidin 
protein acts as a membrane-spanning receptor, 
with extra- and intra-cellular domains.

The goal was to ensure that cells carrying 
the Scavidin protein on their membranes 

would  be  able  to  specifically  bind  bioti-
nylated  anticancer  therapies.  The  overall 
system could ensure specific delivery to the 
target with reduced side-effect impact and 
increased efficiency.

Using gene therapy methods, target tumour 
cells were transfected with the Scavidin 
gene. Expression of the gene resulted in 
tumour  cells  carrying  the  avidin-bind-
ing domains. The Scavidin system could 
find application as a targeted therapy for 

research*eu results supplement — No 1 — January 2008

The study results can provide information 
on the suitability of the potential drug tar-
gets within the pathway and data relating 
to each protein in particular. Specifically, 
scientists learned more about the potential 
side effects of therapeutics targeting specific 
proteins, following their proteomics studies. 
The university created a series of models 
mimicking the MAPK pathway, which again 
could find great application in the drug dis-
covery and development process.

Funded under the FP5 programme ‘Life quality’
 (Quality of life and management of living resources).

Collaboration sought: further research or development support.

Off er ID: 3512

those formed by mutants of Raf-1. Secondly, 
the conditions for the MAPK pathway were 
varied, an example being serum starvation. 
Interestingly,  this  uncovered  a  molecule 
that can induce apoptosis, programmed cell 
death, in response to stress signals. Lastly, 
the isolation of Raf-1 complexes in different 
subcellular compartments yielded the iden-
tification of at least five Raf-1 complexes.

Identification of the myriad of protein com-
plexes in the MAPK pathway could well be 
a major gateway to the identification of pro-
tein targets for therapy for cancer and other 
syndromes linked directly or indirectly to 
the cell cycle. The unravelling of the com-
plex nature of the MAPK pathway can also 
lead to identification of side effects of such 
therapies. Project partners are interested in 
further collaboration and have already coop-
erated with other related research projects 
associated with the MAPK pathway.

Funded under the FP5 programme ‘Life quality’ 
(Quality of life and management of living resources).

Collaboration sought: further research or development support.

Off er ID: 3495

malignant  glioma  and  other  neoplastic 
diseases.

Further application of the Scavidin approach 
might include in vivo purposes and studies 
related to biotin metabolism and functions. 
The  researchers  are  seeking  further  col-
laboration on this patent-protected line of 
investigation in order to reap the full bene-
fits of their approach.

Funded under the FP5 programme ‘Life quality’ 
(Quality of life and management of living resources).

Collaboration sought: further research or development support.

Off er ID: 3496

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Hyperthermophiles: too hot to handle?

For a wide range of microorganisms, high temperatures of above 80 °C provide 
the perfect conditions for growth. Th  ese microorganisms, termed hyperthermophiles, 
can provide answers to a number of key biotechnology questions.

Using  biological  material  for  a  series  of 
applications,  whatever  they  may  be,  is  a 
broad  definition  of  biotechnology.  Over 
recent  years,  biotechnology  applications 
have progressed to a high state of precision 
and scope. Materials ranging from enzymes 
to whole cells are used for a great number 
of functions.

Hyperthermophiles exhibit a more favour-
able profile compared to their ‘normal-tem-
perature’ counterparts. However, produc-
tion of hyperthermophilic material (such as 
enzymes and other proteins) on a large scale 
is still underdeveloped. Therefore, the EU-

funded Hypersolutes project explored ways 
to  engineer  a  system  for  the  production 
of  mannosylglycerate,  a  widely  used  sol-
ute sourced from hyperthermophiles. This 
was considered to be one of the first key 
steps towards the wide-scale exploitation of 
hypersolutes and their benefits.

The role of mannosylglycerate is essentially 
to stabilise peptide structures in high-tem-
perature environments, therefore protecting 
the microorganisms from the effects of the 
heat. However, using mannosylglycerate in 
an in vitro setting in order to fully charac-
terise its profile has been greatly hampered 

stem cells developed for Parkinson’s therapy 

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a very distressing condition for all those aﬀ ected. 
Researchers have succeeded in developing a means of producing replacement 
neurons that could provide a basis for an eﬀ ective therapy. 

by the inability to produce this solute in suf-
ficient quantities.

Project  partners  devised  a  new  method, 
whereby mannosylglycerate could be pro-
duced using non-hyperthermophilic micro-
bial systems. The genes responsible for the 
production of mannosylglycerate were isol-
ated and then transfected into Saccharomyces 
cerevisiae, a commonly used microbial sys-
tem. The end result was a newly engineered 
Saccharomyces  cerevisiae-based  system, 
which  could  produce  mannosylglycerate 
in vivo.

Funded under the FP5 programme ‘Life quality’ 
(Quality of life and management of living resources).

Collaboration sought: further research or development support.

Off er ID: 3573

patient and the carer. It is also expensive in 
terms of cost to the community health care 
system. Further research is expected to yield 
cell lines suitable for the conduction of clinical 
trials and a possible effective therapy for PD. 

In the normally functioning brain, dopamin-
ergic  (DAergic)  cells  produce  dopamine 
(DA) which causes the transmission of sig-
nals for the smooth operation of muscles. In 
PD, the DA-producing cells die or degener-
ate, leaving patients unable to control their 
movements.

Although feasible, the use of primary foetal 
tissue to replace the faulty neurons is prob-
lematic due to ethical and practical reasons. 
As a result, partners from the EU-funded 
‘Development of human dopaminergic neu-
ronal cell lines for transplantation’ (DANCE) 
project worked on one possible alternative 
source: human neural stem cells (hNSCs). 
Previous  work  on  these  lines  had  been 

restricted because of the inherently low yield 
of DAergic cells from stem cells coupled with 
a limited survival rate for the neurons.

Funded under the FP5 programme ‘Life quality’ 
(Quality of life and management of living resources). 

Collaboration sought: further research or development support. 

Researchers at the Autonomous University of 
Madrid in Spain worked on the ‘survival pro-
tein’ Bcl-XL, famous for its properties of cell 
death repression. They discovered that this 
molecule had the overall effect of increasing 
the frequency with which the human stem 
cells differentiate into DAergic cells. These 
encouraging results appeared to be attribut-
able to the ability of Bcl-XL to enhance the 
survival of these crucial neurons.

PD affects more than a million people in the 
EU and is a very difficult condition for the 

Off er ID: 3514

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new breakthrough 
for Parkinson’s disease patients 

Th  e treatment of neurodegenerative disorders like Parkinson’s 
disease (PD) has been particularly challenging due to the inability 
of nerve cells to regenerate. 

The  EU-funded  ‘Development  of  human 
dopaminergic neuronal cell lines for trans-
plantation’ (DANCE) project concentrated 
on the development of expandable human 
dopaminergic  neuronal  cell  lines,  thus 
allowing transplantation into large number 
of PD patients. 

Transplanting aborted foetal nerve cell grafts 
to PD patients has been shown to restore 
function, something that medications have 

been unable to achieve. It is, however, mor-
ally and even logistically impossible to apply 
this approach for the large-scale treatment 
of PD. It is therefore imperative to mimic 
the effects of these grafts and create other 
solutions  which  can  address  the  existing 
need for efficacious treatment of this disease 
on a large scale.

Project partners therefore concentrated on 
the creation of neuronal cell lines, based 

on initial neural stem cells of foetal origin. 
Project partner NSGENE A/S developed a 
protocol which was shown to result in dif-
ferentiated stem cells expressing tyrosine 
hydroxylase.

The creation of neuronal cell lines in vitro 
could  signal  an  important  breakthrough 
in the treatment of PD and other neuro-
degenerative diseases. Further research is 
required, however, in order to optimise the 
maturation  process  of  cells  and  improve 
their survival in vivo post-transplantation.

Funded under the FP5 programme ‘Life quality’ 
(Quality of life and management of living resources). 

Collaboration sought: licence agreement. 

Off er ID: 3513

1

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Iron and infections linked to atherosclerosis

It is thought that iron may be one of the culprits causing inﬂ ammatory 
diseases like atherosclerosis. Researchers have attempted to elucidate links 
between excess iron and the development of these conditions.

Chronic inflammation of the lining of blood 
vessels, or endothelium, is a precursor of dis-
eases like atherosclerosis. Researchers from 
the ‘Nutrient iron toxici’ project looked into 
potential catalytic agents that initiate the 
cytokine cascade, giving rise to the damag-
ing inflammation.

Researchers  at  the  Medical  University  of 
Utrecht investigated whether there may be 
more than one factor acting as a catalyst for 
atherosclerosis. Several pathogens, notably 
Chlamydia pneumoniae (Cp) and cytome-
galovirus  (CMV),  are  known  to  have  an 
inflammatory effect. It is also well known 

that iron plays a role in infections, and the 
scientists postulated that this mineral could 
complicate the endothelial activation.

As an indication of endothelial activity, the 
team measured levels of intercellular adhe-
sion molecules present during an immune 
response. It was discovered that iron addi-
tively upregulated the expression of these 
immune response molecules when Cp or 
CMV were present. To implicate the role 
of iron further, it was discovered that the 
effects of the mineral could be reversed by 
use of chelators that attach to the iron and 
effectively inactivate it.

analysing biomedical signals 
via advanced algorithms 

Th  e ‘Blind source separation and applications’ (BLISS) project 
studied and improved advanced signal processing techniques before 
applying them in biomedical signal analysis. 

Under  the  auspices  of  the  BLISS  project, 
the theoretical, algorithmic and application 
aspects of important signal analysis tech-
niques were extensively explored. The so-
called blind source separation (BSS) allows 
separation of a signal set from a mixture 
of  signals  without  requiring  information 
about their nature. Another computational 
method for signal separation is the inde-
pendent  component  analysis  (ICA)  that 
provides the additive subcomponents of a 
multivariate signal.

ear and non-linear ICA, as well as for separa-
tion of non-independent signals. Theoretical 
work and developed algorithms found useful 
applications in the analysis of biomedical sig-
nals and acoustic mixtures. Biomedical appli-
cations included detection and elimination of 
artefacts, validation of ICA decomposition 
and identification of relevant sources. In add-
ition, preliminary results were also collected 
concerning functional magnetic resonance 
imaging (fMRI), analysis and foetal electro-
cardiogram (ECG) extraction.

More specifically, the project work focused 
on developing theory and algorithms for lin-

Application of the promising ICA method 
in  the  analysis  of  electro-  and  magneto-

Water pressure for a stable spine

Mechanical and biological integrity of intervertebral discs is vital for 
eﬀ ective and pain-free functioning of the spine. Eurodisc, a European 
project, studied spinal discs in the young and in the elderly to ascertain 
the importance of water pressure in relation to load-bearing function.

The structure of a disc is simple, but ingeni-
ous and very effective in the fulfilling of its 
function. It consists of a soft spongy mid-
dle surrounded by rings of tough fibrous 
material, the annuli fibrosi. This enables the 
two seemingly opposed properties, support 
and flexibility, to occur together.

The project team at the Israel Institute of 
Technology measured internal water pressure 
in the annuli fibrosi under applied load. The 
swelling pressure, from a biochemical point 

of view, is due to a group of molecules called 
the proteoglycans. As a result of their struc-
ture, they attract and hold water molecules, 
thus increasing the hydrostatic or osmotic 
pressure within the disc. The scientists used 
low-angle x-ray scattering and techniques to 
measure osmotic stress to give an indirect 
measure of water content. Subjects studied 
ranged from 25 to 77 years old.

The researchers discovered that the water 
content depended on age, external osmotic 

research*eu results supplement — No 1 — January 2008

These findings could have important impli-
cations for those with disorders involving 
iron  metabolism  and  individuals  with  a 
high  dietary  intake  of  the  mineral,  espe-
cially in populations positive for Cp or CMV 
infections.

Funded under the FP5 programme ‘Life quality’ 
(Quality of life and management of living resources).

Collaboration sought: further research or development support.

Off er ID: 3581

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encephalograms  (EEG  and  MEG  respec-
tively) and fMRI has a considerable impact 
on human brain mapping research. Concen-
trating on neuroscience, researchers were 
able to analyse brain responses to external 
stimuli using both MEG and fMRI mapping 
modalities. Other applications involved the 
analysis of the haemodynamic response of 
the brain to auditory stimuli using fMRI. 
Structural MRI technique was also employed 
for brain tissue segmentation and classifica-
tion. For further information, please visit: 
http://www.lis.inpg.fr/pages_perso/bliss

Funded under the FP5 programme IST 
(User-friendly information society).

Collaboration sought: further research or development support. 

Off er ID: 3533

pressure and tissue location. Furthermore, 
it appeared that disc tension in the annuli 
fibrosi plays only a minor role in the state of 
balance of the disc under load.

Artificial disc transplantation requires that 
physical  and  chemical  parameters  of  the 
prosthesis are within a certain range. Project 
results of this nature can contribute to the 
effectiveness of disc replacement for suffer-
ers of chronic back pain.

Funded under the FP5 programme ‘Life quality’ 
(Quality of life and management of living resources).

Collaboration sought: further research or development support.

Off er ID: 3624

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Physical training programme 
for understanding frailty

A study was conducted in order to investigate modiﬁ cations 
in muscles and tendons in relation to age.

Motor system condition becomes frailer as 
people get older, making mobility, balance 
and  endurance  limited.  Frailty  is  associ-
ated with falls, inability to perform certain 
daily activities and a loss of independence. 
Therefore, it is imperative to know more 
about this phenomenon in order to lessen 
its impact so the elderly can lead safer and 
more socially inclusive lives.

In light of this, the Better-ageing project has 
researched causes of and remedies for physical 
frailty. One of the ways in which it has done 
this is by evaluating the effects and benefits 
of a 12-month physical training programme. 

A total of 58 older people and 31 young adults 
were selected for comparisons.

One of the major findings was that sarco-
penia (loss of muscle mass) is related to a 
decrease in fibre fascicle length as well as 
stiffness in the lower tendons of older peo-
ple. Also, neural drive to the muscle was not 
like that of young adults because muscle vol-
untary activation was reduced in the older 
individuals. It is changes like these which 
make up approximately 50 % of the loss in 
peak muscle power and 70 % of the loss in 
isometric strength. This shows deterioration 
in muscle quality in old age.

Overall, the findings show that muscle weak-
ness in old age is not only caused by a loss 
of muscle mass, but also by changes in the 
internal architecture of skeletal muscle. This 
is intensified by a decline in tendon stiff-
ness as well as alterations in neural drive. It 
is important to note, however, that physical 
activity, such as aerobic, concentric/eccen-
tric strength and proprioceptive exercises, is 
effective in reversing or lessening such age-
related changes. If performed at least twice 
a week, these exercises can help to improve 
muscle quantity, quality and functional per-
formance. Thus they can be recommended 
for future training programmes designed for 
older individuals.

Funded under the FP5 programme ‘Life quality’ 
(Quality of life and management of living resources).

Collaboration sought: further research or development support.

Off er ID: 3597

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ageing gracefully

Ageing aﬀ ects physiological processes at all levels. 
Th  e immune system is no exception to the rule.

The EU-funded ‘T cell immunity and ageing’ 
(T-CIA) project studied the ageing process of 
human T lymphocytes. Project partners car-
ried out comparisons between young and old, 
very healthy and less healthy individuals. The 
aim was to elucidate which characteristics 
can be attributed to the ageing of the immune 
system and which could be due to pathogenic 
causes, thus gaining a clearer understanding 
of the underlying processes.

The University of Tübingen, a project partner, 
set out to develop a series of in vitro models 
of T cell ageing, in an effort to define appro-
priate biomarkers for the process. Biomarkers 
predictive of T cell dysfunction as a result of 
ageing could pave the way for the develop-
ment of remediation approaches in vivo.

Researchers observed that the genetic char-
acteristics of healthy aged donors are indica-
tive  of  superior  immune  responsiveness 
even  in  chronic  antigenic  stress.  In  vitro 
models  could  provide  evidence  of  these 
characteristics,  which  include  polymor-
phisms in the genes encoding for cytokines 
and cytokine receptors. As such, this infor-
mation could be of particular importance to 
healthy ageing initiatives at different levels 
of development.

Funded under the FP5 programme ‘Life quality’ 
(Quality of life and management of living resources).

Collaboration sought: further research or development support.

Off er ID: 3603

examining marginalisation in elderly care service

A report concerning elderly care and the interactions between service providers 
and service clients has been produced in the hope of eliminating marginalisation.

The CARMA project has set out to improve 
the  well-being  of  the  increasing  elderly 
population  in  Europe.  It  has  done  so  by 
gathering various resources. The informa-
tion is from academic research institutions, 
social  service  providers  and  educational 
institutions.  Current  social  care  services 
for the elderly were examined from various 
angles.

A conference was held in Graz in April 2005 
with approximately 81 participants, consisting 
mainly of practitioners of social work with the 

elderly and senior care workers. The theme of 
the conference was dealing with social exclu-
sion of elderly people. Keynote speakers and 
workshop leaders devised a draft version of a 
report. The study particularly explores clients 
who are marginalised, also known as deviant 
cases. Deviance is described as the behaviour 
or condition of the client which can prevent 
admission, lead to discharge or cause friction 
in providing service.

Studying  deviant  cases  of  users  brought 
to  light  the  preconditions  which  a  client 

is required to meet in order to receive the 
appropriate service and support. Further-
more, pinpointing the appearance of fric-
tion or the exclusion of a particular type of 
client allowed the marginalisation process to 
be uncovered. Finally, the way in which the 
exclusion process may affect elderly individ-
uals who are more vulnerable due to poor 
health or lack of economic, social or cultural 
resources was examined.

Funded under the FP5 programme ‘Life quality’ 
(Quality of life and management of living resources).

Collaboration sought: further research or development support.

Off er ID: 3583

16

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CRTD_69.indd   16

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Turning water and sunlight into hydrogen energy

A technologically advanced reactor can turn ordinary water and sunlight into hydrogen 
energy, unlocking the door to an endless source of carbon-free energy for humankind.

eneRGY

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Using	hydrogen	as	a	source	of	energy	for	transport,	electricity	
production	and	other	applications	is	environmentally	attractive.	
Currently,	 however,	 the	 most	 feasible	 methods	 of	 hydrogen	
production	are	linked	with	emissions	to	the	atmosphere	that	
negatively	impact	air	quality	and	contribute	to	climate	change.	
Unfortunately,	this	means	hydrogen	has	little	advantage	over	
conventional	fossil	fuels.

Cutting-edge	research	funded	through	FP5	could	turn	things	
around.	The	Centre	for	Research	and	Technology	Hellas	(CERTH)	
coordinated	the	Hydrosol	project	with	the	goal	of	making	hydro-
gen	from	two	renewable	resources:	water	and	sunlight.

Combining	their	expertise	with	that	of	researchers	from	three	
other	EU	Member	States,	the	CERTH’s	scientists	designed	and	
tested	a	novel	solar	reactor.	The	incident	solar	radiation	is	used	to	
superheat	water	to	the	point	where	it	dissociates	to	form	hydro-
gen	and	oxygen.	A	special	catalytic	coating	inside	the	reactor	
helps	to	reduce	the	temperature	that	must	be	reached	for	water	
splitting	to	occur.	Ceramic	components	and	a	honeycomb	mono-
lith	structure	further	enhance	the	reactor’s	eﬃ		ciency.

The	CERTH	and	its	Hydrosol	
partners	have	applied	for	a	
patent	for	the	new	reactor,	
which	is	similar	in	size	and	
shape	 to	 the	 catalytic	 con-
shape	 to	 the	 catalytic	 con-
verters	 on	 most	 automo-
verters	 on	 most	 automo-
biles.	The	new	reactor	could	
biles.	The	new	reactor	could	
transform	 hydrogen	 into	 a	
transform	 hydrogen	 into	 a	
more	 viable	 form	 of	 energy,	
more	 viable	 form	 of	 energy,	
especially	in	southern	Europe	
especially	in	southern	Europe	
where	sunshine	is	plentiful	all	
where	sunshine	is	plentiful	all	
year	round.	Furthermore,	this	result	can	contribute	to	Europe’s	
goals	of	energy	production	from	renewable	energy	sources	and	
reductions	in	carbon	emissions.

Funded under the FP5 programme EESD (Energy, environment and sustainable development).

Collaboration sought: further research or development support.

Off er ID: 3628

see also pages 18 (oﬀ  ers 3608, 3634 and 3562), 
19 (oﬀ  er 3648) and 44 (oﬀ  er 3560)

Guide for testing wind turbine blade material

Th  e ‘Optimat blades’ project has designed OptiDAT, a database used for its 
information and methodology, as a guide for testing wind turbine blade materials.

The need to expand the installed capacity of 
wind turbines is increasing. Therefore, reli-
able and structurally optimised blades are 
also needed. The material used for the blades 
of larger wind turbines needs to be optimal 
because blade mass increases disproportion-
ately to the capacity of blade energy output.

The ‘Optimat blades’ project has provided 
precise  design  recommendations  for  the 
best use of materials for wind turbine rotor 
blades in order to achieve improved reliabil-
ity. These relate to the design of new blades, 

but  also  the  prediction  of  their  residual 
strength and duration.

The OptiDAT database contains results of 
various tests performed on two material sys-
tems. Both of these material systems are made 
up of glass-fibre-reinforced epoxy, but with 
a slight variation in resin systems. Results of 
fatigue and tests for various loading conditions 
are part of the database. Specific information 
on thermal expansion coefficients as well as 
the fibre volume fraction and glass transition 
temperatures were recorded and reported.

environmental effects of wave energy conversion

A life cycle analysis (LCA) has been carried out to assess 
the environmental impact of a wave energy converter.

The Labbuoy project has focused on mathe-
matical and physical model testing of a novel 
wave power converter. This is a floating wave 
converter which has power transmission and 
power  conversion  systems  mounted  on  a 
breakwater or a pier. Its construction results 
in more power production, because of wave 
reflection on the breakwater frontage, as well 
as in greater reliability and operational safety.

One  of  the  project’s  main  objectives  con-
cerned the assessment of feasibility, socioeco-
nomic aspects and environmental impacts of 

the technology for representative sea states in 
Europe. Before obtaining public approval in 
the EU, an environmental impact assessment 
(EIA) must be conducted to examine poten-
tial impacts on the environment, focusing on 
human beings, fauna and flora, soil, water, 
air, climate, landscape and material assets as 
well as cultural heritage.

Given that wave energy technologies are still 
in their early phase, only a few large-scale pro-
totypes are operating worldwide to date. Thus, 
experience  with  the  environmental  effects 

research*eu results supplement — No 1 — January 2008

The results were reported in a single work-
sheet.  The  database  also  contains  sheets 
explaining  use,  plate,  geometry  and  test 
type details as well as project participants’ 
contact information. Since the results were 
readily available, test progress was easier 
to  track.  The  database  included  several 
progress-tracking  features.  OptiDAT  is 
available free of charge to members and stu-
dents and with a small maintenance fee for 
the general public.

Funded under the FP5 programme EESD 
(Energy, environment and sustainable development).

Collaboration sought: further research or development support.

Off er ID: 3606

of  wave  energy  converters  is  very  limited. 
Responding to this need, LCA is a method 
for quantitative analysis of the environmental 
effects related to a product during its life cycle. 
This technique emerged due to further envir-
onmental  awareness  of  the  general  public, 
industry and governments. From such analysis, 
quantitative results have been obtained and the 
impact of the technology on specific areas of 
major environmental concern can be quanti-
fied. These technology component configur-
ations may be reconsidered in future projects.

Funded under the FP5 programme EESD 
(Energy, environment and sustainable development).

Collaboration sought: further research or development support.

Off er ID: 3605

17

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Getting to the bottom of gettering

Armed with new equipment, the University of Milano-Bicocca in Italy was able to 
closely observe how silicon-based solar cells evolve during the production process.

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The NESSI project aimed to exploit waste 
materials from the semiconductor industry 
to address a shortage of raw materials in the 
solar cell industry.

The Department of Materials Science from 
the University of  Milano-Bicocca  was an 
integral partner in the project. The funding, 
provided by the EESD programme, enabled 
the university to upgrade its laboratory with 
new equipment. Specifically, a photolumi-
nescence bench was outfitted with a mono-
chromator, and an electron beam induced 

current (EBIC) tool was added to an existing 
scanning electron microscope (SEM).

With the aid of these new tools, the Italian 
team was able to analyse material properties 
in detail during the production of new solar 
cells. The investigation bore fruit, particularly 
with respect to the mechanisms of internal get-
tering, a critical process which helps to isolate 
impurities and limit their damaging influence.

Another  important  aspect  of  the  NESSI 
project is the experience it afforded young 

state-of-the-art facility 
for solar power research in europe

Europe has put itself on the solar map with the establishment 
of the Plataforma Solar de Almería direct solar steam (PSA DISS) 
test facility in sun-drenched southern Spain.

The idea of harvesting energy from the sun has 
been around for some time. Only recently have 
advances in technology made solar energy 
more economically competitive compared to 
conventional forms of energy production.

The EESD programme invested in R & D 
projects to further improve the feasibility 
of solar solutions. The Inditep project, for 
example, sought to implement direct steam 
generation (DSG) technology in a full-size 
test facility. DSG improves efficiency and 
reduces  operating  costs  by  using  water 
instead of oil inside the absorber tubes of 
the parabolic trough solar collectors.

Inditep partner Plataforma Solar de Almería 
of the Center for Energy, Environment and 
Technological Research (CIEMAT) in Spain 
constructed the PSA DISS test facility in 
Almería, Spain. The site was chosen because 
of the ideal climate and intense sunshine. 
Subsequent testing of DSG technology at 
the PSA DISS test facility during Inditep 
revealed that additional gains can be made, 
especially in the optimisation of operating 
and maintenance parameters.

PSA/CIEMAT offers the PSA DISS test facil-
ity to organisations looking to test new com-
ponents and processes related to DSG tech-

Reducing the costs of solar power plants

Th  e engineering design of the direct steam generation (DSG) 
process in a solar power plant of 5 MWe has been detailed, aiming 
to further exploit its capacity for energy supply.

The share of renewable energy systems in 
the  energy  supply  is  expected  to  double 
by 2010 as dictated by EU directives. The 
introduction  and,  most  importantly,  the 
widespread use of renewable energy sources 
is one of the most efficient ways for green-
house gas mitigation. Yet, the abundance of 
solar energy, particularly in the southern 
European countries, has not been exploited 
to its full extent mainly due to related costs.

Aiming  to  reduce  the  cost  of  solar  power 
plants, the Inditep project focused on imple-
menting DSG in the absorber pipes of para-
bolic trough solar collectors. This is expected to 
bring a 26 % reduction in the cost of electricity 

produced by these power plants. On the basis 
of previously gained experience, the Inditep 
project partners joined forces to introduce the 
DSG technology into the energy market.

To this end, an engineering detail design of 
a 5 MWe pre-commercial DSG power plant 
was developed. This involves basic electrical, 
mechanical, control, instrumentation and 
civil engineering of a DSG solar field. The 
detail of the design is necessary as it sets the 
key requirements for procuring components 
and implementing the first commercial plant. 
The basic design concept was the coupling of 
a DSG solar field to a power cycle delivering 
5 MWe net electrical power.

researchers at the University of Milano-Bic-
occa.  Three  undergraduates  participated 
in  the  ingot  characterisation  phase  and 
produced relevant theses further to their 
efforts. Complementing theoretical studies 
with hands-on laboratory work enhances 
the educational experience of the research 
scientists  of  tomorrow.  This  will  help  to 
maintain Europe’s edge in this very com-
petitive industry.

Funded under the FP5 programme EESD 
(Energy, environment and sustainable development).

Collaboration sought: further research or development support.

Off er ID: 3608

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nology. This state-of-the-art facility, which 
is the culmination of more than seven years 
of dedicated R & D, will help to keep Europe 
at the forefront of solar power research.

Funded under the FP5 programme EESD
 (Energy, environment and sustainable development).

Collaboration sought: licence agreement.

Off er ID: 3634

In accordance with the requirements of the 
steam turbine, parabolic trough collector 
loops were sized and process values were 
defined. Through an iterative process, solar-
to-electric efficiency of the power plant was 
maximised. Power cycle/solar field integra-
tion issues were carefully studied in order 
to identify specific equipment that is closely 
related to start-up and shut-down proced-
ures  for  the  power  plant.  By  adopting  a 
hybridised Rankine cycle, a thermodynamic 
cycle that uses steam as working fluid and 
exploits heat, the design of the first DSG 
power plant was accomplished.

Funded under the FP5 programme EESD 
(Energy, environment and sustainable development).

Collaboration sought: joint venture agreement.

Off er ID: 3562

see also page 17 (oﬀ  er 3628)

18

research*eu results supplement — No 1 — January 2008

CRTD_69.indd   18

4-02-2008   16:47:42

 
 
Ultra-low emissivity glass coatings

European R & D is developing advanced glass coatings today 
to ensure that the buildings of tomorrow are more energy eﬃ  cient.

Windows are often responsible for the great-
est thermal losses in buildings. Glassmak-
ers have been successful in reducing these 
losses by applying special coatings, but there 
is always room for improvement.

The  EESD  programme  charged  the  ‘3rd 
Genlac’  consortium  with  taking  coat-
ing  technology  to  the  next  level.  Semco 
Glastechnik  in  Germany  and  Scheuten 
Glasgroep in the Netherlands teamed up 
to  produce  coated  glass  with  emissivity 
(E) values below 5 %. Comprehensive test-

ing of the ‘3rd Genlac’ prototypes revealed 
enticing results.

For example, the new coating can withstand 
heat treatment above 600 °C without ser-
iously altering its emissivity and other ther-
mal properties. This is important, since heat 
treatment is often applied to improve other 
glass characteristics, such as strength.

In addition, with respect to aesthetics, the 
new  low-E  coating  does  not  induce  any 
undesirable colour shifts in the visible spec-

Improving the thermal behaviour of buildings

Advanced materials science research funded under FP5 
led to the development of a new silver-based glass coating 
that can decrease thermal losses from buildings.

Buildings consume considerable amounts of 
energy for lighting, heating, cooling, venti-
lation and other needs. Reducing the impact 
of buildings on climate change will require 
major improvements in energy efficiency.

Significant potential for savings has been 
identified in the field of glass coatings and 
treatments.  The  EESD  programme  sup-
ported an initiative in this area by a con-
sortium of six different organisations from 
across Europe.

The objective of the project, entitled ‘3rd 
Genlac’, was to create a new generation of 
coatings with optimal thermal behaviour. 
Experts with project partner Scheuten Glas-

groep BV in the Netherlands contributed by 
developing a new silver-based (Ag) coating 
using a jumbo sputter coater in combination 
with zinc-aluminium-oxide targets.
with zinc-aluminium-oxide targets.

Quantification  of  various 
energy efficiency indicators 
in  the  laboratory  revealed 
that the new double-Ag coat-
ing significantly reduces the 
amount of energy lost through 
the glass surface. This means 
that less energy is required to 
heat the building in the winter, 
heat the building in the winter, 
or cool it in summer. Scheuten 
or cool it in summer. Scheuten 
Glasgroep BV and its ‘3rd Gen-
Glasgroep BV and its ‘3rd Gen-
lac’ partners are following up on 
lac’ partners are following up on 

trum. This applies even when several glass 
components are combined in a stack.

The ‘3rd Genlac’ partners have applied for 
patent protection for their discovery. Com-
mercialisation of glass products bearing the 
new low-E coatings will help homeowners 
and businesses to reduce their heating bills 
in winter and their cooling bills in summer. 
Significant environmental benefits will also 
be achieved in tandem with the financial 
savings.

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Funded under the FP5 programme EESD 
(Energy, environment and sustainable development).

Collaboration sought: licence agreement.

Off er ID: 3627

this result, which represents a remarkable 
improvement in comparison with currently 
available glass products.

Funded under the FP5 programme EESD
 (Energy, environment and sustainable development).

Collaboration sought: further research or development support.

Off er ID: 3643

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bringing solar technology 
to developing nations

Exploiting photovoltaic technology to bring electricity to rural regions 
is an admirable ambition, but Innovation Energie Développement (IED), 
a partner in the Taqsolre project, learned that it cannot be realised 
without properly addressing the issues of quality assurance.

It is in everyone’s best interests that develop-
ing nations develop in a sustainable manner, 
avoiding where possible negative impacts on 
the environment. In this context, energy pro-
duction is a hot topic. As developed nations 
try to migrate away from carbon-rich fossil 
fuels to cleaner renewable energy sources, 
they have the opportunity to transfer this 
new technology to developing nations.

This  was  the  idea  behind  the  Taqsolre 
project supported by the EESD programme. 
IED, a member of the Taqsolre consortium, 

helped to deliver photovoltaic technology 
to Mauritania, a country in western Africa 
where sunshine is abundant.

IED paid special attention to quality issues 
associated with the installation of several 
thousand  solar  home  systems  (SHS)  in 
Mauritania. The team examined all the rele-
vant phases of the project, starting with the 
tender procedure. Quality control tests were 
performed on specific components in pre-
production, following delivery and installa-
tion, and upon system initialisation.

What IED learned is that support to end-
users as well as local representatives is crit-
ical to ensuring a successful SHS installa-
tion. Furthermore, developing countries can 
benefit from the creation of the necessary 
infrastructure for quality assurance. This 
would comprise a national testing facility 
attuned  to  national  standards  and  a  staff 
of  accredited  professionals.  The  know-
ledge gained by IED and its partners during 
Taqsolre has been recorded in the form of 
quality assurance guidelines.

Funded under the FP5 programme EESD 
(Energy, environment and sustainable development).

Collaboration sought: information exchange/training.

Off er ID: 3648

see also page 17 (oﬀ  er 3628)

research*eu results supplement — No 1 — January 2008

19

CRTD_69.indd   19

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Understanding engine knock

Th  e EESD programme funded a comprehensive study 
of ﬂ ame behaviour inside automobile engines in order to 
learn about engine knock and how it can be prevented.

The  problem  of  engine  knock  has  been 
around since the inception of internal com-
bustion  engines.  The  premature  ignition 
of  the  air-fuel  mixture  causes  unneces-
sary  engine  wear,  reduces  power  output 
and  increases  emissions  of  harmful  air 
pollutants.
pollutants.

The Minknock project sought to address 
the  lack  of  knowledge  regarding  engine 
knock — a complex issue involving engine 
geometry, fuel characteristics and flame pro-
pagation, to name but a few factors. Mech-
anical engineers with the Instituto Superior 
Técnico  in  Portugal  constructed  an 
Técnico  in  Portugal  constructed  an 
experimental  set-up  complete  with 
particle image velocimetry equipment 
to  closely  monitor  the  conditions 
inside the combustion chamber.

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Data collection and analysis focused 
on  the  flame-wall  interaction  for 
three types of flames: hemispher-
ical, symmetrical and non-symmet-
rical. New post-processing software 
enabled  the  estimation  of  flame 
velocity  and  the  flame  stretch 
factor.

Perennial grasses as energy crops

Th  e potential of multi-cropping cultivation and successive 
harvesting of perennial crops has been explored to make 
the availability of environmentally friendly biomass energy 
meet the corresponding demand.

The Minknock experiments showed that, 
contrary to popular belief, stagnation points 
do exist in the flow field inside the combus-
tion chamber. The positions of the stagna-
tion  points,  where  regions  of  unburned 
fuel exist, were determined for each type of 
flame geometry. In addition, a high correl-
ation between flame velocity and stretch fac-
tor was observed. Finally, and most import-
antly, the research revealed that flames are 
remarkably  robust,  able  to  survive  large 
positive  and  negative  stretching  without 
being extinguished.

The Minknock consortium will use this new 
knowledge to improve engine design with 
the aim of reducing engine knock, helping 
Europe’s legendary automobile industry to 
remain globally competitive.

Funded under the FP5 programme EESD 
(Energy, environment and sustainable development).

Collaboration sought: further research or development support.

Off er ID: 3644

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In the European Commission’s White Paper 
Energy for the future: renewable sources of 
energy, an ambitious goal of doubling the 
share  of  renewable  energies  in  the  total 
energy demand was set. Furthermore, bio-
mass broken down into biogas, residues and 
energy crops was envisaged to produce more 
than  80 %  of  the  total  renewable  energy 
sources additional contribution by 2010.

Consequently,  considerable  efforts  and 
funds have been devoted to research into 
bioenergy  chains,  starting  from  biomass 
production to biomass thermochemical con-
version for energy production. The objec-
tive of the ‘Bioenergy chains’ project was to 
measure and evaluate the performance of 
measure and evaluate the performance of 

energy  crops  and  define 
an  integrated  bioenergy 
chain specifically suitable 
for southern Europe.

To fulfil this objective, four 
To fulfil this objective, four 
perennial energy crops were 
perennial energy crops were 
carefully  selected.  Due  to 
carefully  selected.  Due  to 
their different seasonal har-
vest times, these crops can provide all-year-
round raw material for subsequent energy 
production. The four species — cardoon, giant 
reed, miscanthus and switchgrass — have 
also been chosen because of the availability of 
information about their cultivation in several 
countries with different climates.

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Information on the estab-
lishment, cultivation, har-
vesting and packaging of 
all  four  species,  using 
conventional equipment, 
were collected in small- 
and large-scale fields in 
Greece,  Spain,  France 
and Italy. For compari-
sons with results of pre-
vious trials in northern 
European  countries, 
the  biomass  yields 
and  environmental 
impacts  of  growing 

perennial grasses were also considered in 
order to fully characterise them.

Technical,  environmental  and  economic 
aspects will be considered by the ‘Bioenergy 
chains’  project  partners  to  identify  the 
most promising combinations of biomass 
resources, cropping practices and cutting-
edge  biomass  energy  technologies.  The 
results  will  provide  scientists  working  in 
this field, biomass producers, manufacturers 
and users of biofuels with sufficient means 
to optimise both the production chains and 
energy conversion processes.

Funded under the FP5 programme EESD 
(Energy, environment and sustainable development).

Collaboration sought: information exchange/training.

Off er ID: 3585

see also pages 39 (oﬀ  er 3556) and 
40 (oﬀ  ers 3621, 3579 and 3546)

20

research*eu results supplement — No 1 — January 2008

CRTD_69.indd   20

4-02-2008   16:48:07

 
 
 
 
 
 
envIRonmenT

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Putting cleaner vehicles on the street

A successful campaign implemented in the framework of the Vivaldi project helped to 
put more than 160 alternatively fuelled vehicles on the roads of Bremen, Germany.

While	 not	 all	 approved	
applicants	 proceeded	
with	a	vehicle	purchase,	
the	Vivaldi	 project	 man-
aged	to	put	over	160	CNG	
aged	to	put	over	160	CNG	
vehicles	 in	 circulation	 in	
vehicles	 in	 circulation	 in	
Bremen.	 Special	 signage	
Bremen.	 Special	 signage	
on	these	vehicles	will	pro-
on	these	vehicles	will	pro-
mote	 additional	 visibility	
mote	 additional	 visibility	
for	the	project.

Emissions	from	vehicles	not	only	degrade	local	air	quality,	they	also	
contribute	to	global	climate	change.	Engineers	are	constantly	striving	
to	reduce	these	emissions	and	to	make	transport	more	sustainable.

Impressive	emission	reductions	have	been	achieved	with	alternative	
fuels	such	as	compressed	natural	gas	(CNG),	yet	the	market	has	been	
slow	to	adopt	this	technology.	The	Growth	programme	charged	the	
Vivaldi	consortium	with	boosting	CNG	usage	across	all	sectors.

ECOLO,	a	Vivaldi	partner	based	in	Bremen,	has	implemented	an	
extensive	campaign	in	its	hometown.	The	ﬁ	rst	goal	was	to	edu-
cate	the	public	about	the	environmental	and	other	beneﬁ	ts	of	
CNG	versus	conventional	fuels	(e.g.	gasoline).	ECOLO	targeted	a	
wide	range	of	stakeholders,	ranging	from	car	dealers	to	taxi	com-
panies	to	service	stations	and	even	driving	schools.

In	addition	to	raising	public	awareness,	it	was	also	necessary	to	
provide	ﬁ	nancial	incentives	since	CNG-powered	vehicles	are	still	
slightly	more	expensive	than	their	gasoline-powered	counter-
parts.	ECOLO	subsequently	surpassed	its	original	goal	of	receiv-
ing	at	least	250	applications	for	new	CNG	vehicles.

The	majority	of	new	CNG	vehicle	owners	are	businesses	rather	
than	private	citizens,	probably	due	to	the	higher	allowance	they	
were	granted.	Future	actions	will	target	increased	private	sector	
participation	as	well	as	expanding	the	vehicle	range	to	include	
freighters	and	light	trucks.	Given	its	success,	ECOLO	also	under-
lined	the	need	to	continue	and	enhance	the	CNG	campaign.

Funded under the FP5 programme Growth (Competitive and sustainable growth).

Collaboration sought: information exchange/training.

Off er ID: 3554

eliminating cavitation in diesel engines

Th  e University of Ljubljana in Slovenia improved upon existing 
knowledge of cavitation in diesel engines through the use 
of an innovative experimental set-up and modelling tools.

The Prevero project aimed to reduce emissions 
of pollutants from diesel automobile engines 
that impact both human health and the global 
climate. The approach involved redesigning 
fuel flow geometry with the hope of eliminating 
cavitation, i.e. bubble formation, thus improv-
ing the durability of the new components.

The  Laboratory  for  Fluid  Dynamics  and 
Thermodynamics (LFDT) of the  Univer-
sity of Ljubljana was the Prevero partner 
assigned to this task. The laboratory used 

a special vacuum chamber to observe the 
behaviour of both single bubbles and bubble 
conglomerations known as bubble clouds.

To deal with the complex nature of the fuel 
flow and bubble development, the Slovenian 
mechanical engineers turned to a computa-
tional fluid dynamics (CFD) model. The spe-
cific code used, named FIRE, was developed by 
the Prevero coordinator, Advanced Simulation 
Technologies. Simulations were performed for 
both single and multiple bubble cases.

Innovative noise information module

A module has been created as an innovative way to exploit the noise information 
measured by remote monitoring stations surrounding an airport control area.

The Monster project focused on an inex-
pensive system and a set of services geared 
toward assisting airports and neighbouring 
communities with airport noise problems. 
The project’s technical goal was to design 
and test a modular system consisting of a 
streamlined network of monitoring sensors, 
dedicated models and supporting software. 
In this way, noise effects brought about by 
flight operations in areas near airports can 
be evaluated.

One of the project’s main components is the 
Monster optimisation environment (MOE), 

an offline design environment offering sup-
port for optimal design of sensor networks. 
It is innovative in that it is founded on a 
novel approach for exploiting information 
created by several remote noise monitoring 
stations. In its final stages, MOE is made up 
of microphones distributed throughout the 
area aimed at airplane noise monitoring. 
One of its objectives is to lessen the number 
of microphones. The ability to employ infor-
mation regarding noise recorded by micro-
phones is useful in obtaining information 
on the position the airplane is occupying 
and the related route. Since the reduction 

research*eu results supplement — No 1 — January 2008

The LFDT used FIRE to evaluate several 
features of cavitation, including structural 
function,  void  fraction,  bubble  number 
density, bubble clusters and bubble collapse. 
The resulting dataset will assist the Prevero 
consortium in their efforts to redesign the 
fuel delivery system for diesel engines. The 
exercise also helped to validate the suitabil-
ity of FIRE for such applications.

Funded under the FP5 programme EESD
 (Energy, environment and sustainable development).

Collaboration sought: further research or development support.

Off er ID: 3589

see also pages 39 (oﬀ  er 3556) 
and 40 (oﬀ  ers 3621, 3579 and 3546)

of noise levels near airports is made up of 
restricting the access to and from the runway 
of specific gates, this function is crucial.

Microphones can measure noise levels ren-
dered by the flight of an airplane. When the 
source of the noise is located, noise propa-
gation algorithms are employed to approxi-
mate  noise  levels  in  each  requested  point 
of the control surface. Thus, time-averaged 
noise indexes like sound exposure level (SEL) 
can then be easily supplied. Finally, the sys-
tem can estimate whether or not the airplane 
flight track follows noise abatement routes.

Funded under the FP5 programme Growth 
(Competitive and sustainable growth).

Collaboration sought: further research or development support.

Off er ID: 3561

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Improving terrestrial ecosystem models

Scientists with the Camels project applied inversion techniques 
to increase the precision of terrestrial ecosystem models (TEMs), 
which are important tools in environmental research.

TEMs  simulate  the  exchange  of  heat, 
momentum,  water,  carbon  and  so  forth 
between the soil, plants, trees and the sur-
rounding atmosphere. Like other models, 
TEMs are imperfect, but scientists continu-
ously strive to improve their accuracy.

During the Camels project, the Max Planck 
Institute of Biochemistry teamed up with 
the United Kingdom’s Met Office and Le 
laboratoire  des  sciences  du  climat  et  de 
l’environnement (LSCE) to apply new tech-
niques in TEM validation. More specific-
ally, these partners inverted TEM variables 

against measurements of the net ecosystem 
exchange (NEE) of carbon dioxide (CO2) 
and the latent heat flux (LE).

The biosphere energy transfer and hydrology 
(BETHY) as well as the organising carbon and 
hydrology in dynamic ecosystems (Orchidee) 
TEMs  were  employed.  Sensitivity  experi-
ments were performed to test the assumptions 
required for the inversion procedure.

The team learned that careful selection of 
high-quality, representative data produced 
the best results. However, the reproduction of 

Remote sensing products 
for environmental research

A database of great value to the environmental research community 
was established from remote-sensing data during the Camels project.

The fraction of absorbed photosynthetic- 
ally  active  radiation  (FAPAR)  is  a  very 
important environmental indicator, denoted 
by its status as a global climate observing 
system (GCOS) variable. It is measured by 
special  instrumentation  aboard  satellites 
and provides insight into the amount and 
productivity of surface vegetation within a 
given area.

One of the objectives of the Camels project 
was to exploit FAPAR data to estimate car-
bon dioxide sequestration by the biosphere. 
The  Joint  Research  Centre  (JRC)  of  the 
European Commission, a Camels partici-
pant, contributed to this task by construct-

ing an extensive database of FAPAR data 
for Europe.

Data are available from 1998 through to 2004 
at various projections. The data are stored in 
the common hierarchical data format (HDF) 
and boast a high spatial resolution. Database 
users can construct maps of FAPAR for differ-
ent regions and periods of time. In addition, 
they can also access FAPAR by-products pro-
vided in 10-day and monthly composites for 
the more than 20 Camels sites across Europe 
and the United States.

The  JRC  and  its  Camels  partners  have 
already begun utilising the comprehensive 

some seasonal cycle and phenology param-
eters was still less than optimal. The group 
recommended that a sufficient number of 
monitoring sites be used per plant type in 
order to avoid misleading results.

In  general,  following  some  tweaking,  the 
inversion  technique  led  to  greater  agree-
ment between TEM output and observations. 
Some weaknesses were identified, for example 
Orchidee’s inability to account for the effects of 
extreme hydrological events, such as droughts. 
The Camels modellers are working to update 
the TEMs to address these flaws.

Funded under the FP5 programme EESD 
(Energy, environment and sustainable development).

Collaboration sought: information exchange/training.

Offer ID: 3586

dataset. For instance, the JRC investigated 
the effects of a severe drought in Europe in 
2003 on vegetation and published their find-
ings in an international journal.

More information about the Camels project 
as well as the publicly available FAPAR data, 
documentation and additional data products 
are available at: http://fapar.jrc.it/WWW/
Data/Pages/FAPAR_Projects/FAPAR_
Projects_CAMELS_Download.php

Funded under the FP5 programme EESD 
(Energy, environment and sustainable development).

Collaboration sought: information exchange/training.

Offer ID: 3604

satellite data to estimate oceanic chlorophyll

A new algorithm developed at the University of Oslo allows scientists 
to estimate chlorophyll levels in the ocean from satellite data.

The North Sea is home to some of Europe’s 
richest  fishing  grounds.  The  fish  rely  on 
phytoplankton as their basic food source, so 
ensuring a healthy future for the fishing indus-
try entails close monitoring of phytoplankton 
activity. In contrast, and equally important, 
chlorophyll  is  an  important  water  quality 
parameter indicative of algal blooms that can 
be harmful, primarily in coastal waters.

In this context, the Revamp project, funded 
under FP5, aimed to exploit data from the 
medium-resolution imaging spectrometer 
(MERIS) aboard the earth-observing satel-
lite Envisat. More specifically, reflectance 

data collected by MERIS is fed to a water 
quality algorithm to retrieve measurements 
of chlorophyll-a (CHL), a primary indicator 
of phytoplankton health.

The research was led by the University of 
Oslo, which moved beyond previous sim-
plistic  approaches  and  implemented  the 
Hydrolight radiative transfer code. The code 
accounts for all relevant optical phenomena, 
including reflectance, absorption, scattering 
and transmission. Subsequently, the Leven-
berg-Marquardt  non-linear  optimisation 
scheme is applied, and modelled data are 
fitted to observations.

The  advantages  of  the  Revamp  solution 
include speed, thanks to high-degree poly- 
nomial  approximation  techniques,  and 
straightforward calibration. Furthermore, 
a measure of the quality of any particular 
set  of  CHL  concentrations  produced  by 
the algorithm lets users know how well the 
model is performing.

During Revamp, the algorithm was used to 
map CHL throughout the North Sea. The 
University of Oslo is now seeking copyright 
protection for the new algorithm.

Funded under the FP5 programme EESD 
(Energy, environment and sustainable development).

Collaboration sought: further research or development support.

Offer ID: 3607

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Improving our understanding of jellyfish blooms

Th  e Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientíﬁ cas (CSIC) populated 
a database with information drawn from all available scientiﬁ c 
literature addressing outbreaks of jellyﬁ sh in coastal lagoons.

Most  jellyfish  are,  in  general,  harmless 
inhabitants of the sea. Yet, when their num-
bers multiply out of control during blooms, 
they can become a real threat to the sur-
rounding ecosystem. Given the economic 
importance of coastal regions to the fishing 
industry, including aquaculture, as well as 
to tourism and other industries, protecting 
these areas against outbreaks is imperative.

In  the  framework  of  the  Eurogel  project, 
10 universities and research institutes from 
seven Member States gathered to address this 
concern. The CSIC led the development of an 

extensive database of all known jellyfish out-
breaks occurring in coastal lagoons, which 
are particularly vulnerable ecosystems.

Data were collected from all over the world, 
from the Caribbean to Australia and back to 
the Mediterranean. The CSIC enriched the 
database with information, not just about 
the outbreak, but about observed environ-
mental parameters that could have triggered 
the event. They found that the variety of 
jellyfish species associated with blooms is 
on the rise. Human influence on the coastal 
lagoon is also an important factor.

effects of climate change on north sea cod 

Short-term stock biomass recovery and longer-term sustainable 
management strategies for North Sea cod were evaluated for 
their robustness in diﬀ erent plausible climatic change scenarios. 

Fishery systems and the interaction which 
occurs between management, exploitation, 
environment and biology are complex in 

nature. Thus, foreseeing responses to certain 
management actions is not always possible. 
The ‘Framework for the evaluation of man-
agement strategies’ (FEMS) project 
has created a computer simulation 
framework allowing the perform-
ance of management strategies to 
be evaluated.

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The North Sea is an area in which 
climate appears to impact growth 
and  recruitment.  It  was  found 
that  in  the  short  term,  climate 
change  had  only  a  small  effect 
on stock recovery. Instead, this 
depends upon reduced fishing 
to allow existing year classes to 

Database for monitoring 
eutrophication conditions

A database has been created which contains information 
on sea surface reﬂ ectance, concentrations of chlorophyll-a, 
suspended matter and properties such as phytoplankton 
absorption, particle absorption and particle backscattering.

By assembling data for all known events into 
one central database, the CSIC has greatly 
facilitated future research in this field. It is 
hoped that through analysis of the contents 
of the database, academics will have a more 
thorough understanding of the dynamics 
involved in jellyfish outbreaks. The next step 
will be to develop predictive tools and meas-
ures to avoid or at least reduce the negative 
impacts of blooms.

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Funded under the FP5 programme EESD
 (Energy, environment and sustainable development).

Collaboration sought: information exchange/training.

Off er ID: 3649

survive to maturity. However, in the longer 
term, climate change has a larger impact on 
stock status, yet higher yields and biomass 
are likely if fishing mortality is lessened.

The significance that climate change has on 
biological reference points depends largely 
on the mechanism through which tempera-
ture acts on recruitment. Some examples of 
this include juvenile survival and carrying 
capacity. It was found that reference points 
stemming from fishing mortality seem more 
impervious against uncertainty than those 
based on biomass. 

Funded under the FP5 programme ‘Life quality’
 (Quality of life and management of living resources). 

Collaboration sought: further research or development support. 

Off er ID: 3500

see also pages 6 (oﬀ  ers 3470, 3447 and 
3472) and 7 (oﬀ  ers 3488, 3468 and 3517)

Numerous  publications  have  utilised  the 
information in the database. Furthermore, it 
can provide an immense amount of informa-
tion to case 2 water researchers in Europe and 
throughout the world. The documentation 
is available to the public, and the database 
is accessible online at: http://www.mumm.
ac.be/datacentre/Databases/Revamp

The  Revamp  project  has  supported  the 
monitoring  of  the  eutrophication  condi-
tion of the North Sea through assessing and 
verifying  chlorophyll  (CHL)  concentra-
tion, a key biogeophysical parameter. Due 
to regional fluctuations in North Sea water 
composition, CHL products have been orig-
inated and validated.

Data  were  derived  from  various  areas  of 
the North Sea, the Celtic Sea and the Eng-

lish Channel and arranged into a database 
in three parts. These include historical data 
as well as project data gathered in 2002 and 
2003. The database is essentially a relational 
database  system  with  certain  additions 
designed as a subset of tables and a special 
user interface permitting data retrieval in dif-
ferent formats. It is unique in that it has data 
from nearly 10 years of research in coastal 
waters, with parameters that are difficult to 
assess due to the methods and logistics.

Funded under the FP5 programme EESD 
(Energy, environment and sustainable development).

Collaboration sought: further research or development support.

Off er ID: 3626

see also page 24 (oﬀ  er 3647)

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environmentally friendly plasma technology

A three-year project has uncovered a number of prospects 
for environmentally friendly plasma technology in the transport, 
energy and textile sectors.

Nearly 40 organisations across Europe gath-
ered  to  form  the  Plasmatech  network  of 
excellence under the auspices of the Growth 
programme.  Aside  from  networking  and 
knowledge transfer, the Plasmatech consor-
tium also wanted to identify and promote 
specific plasma technologies that benefit the 
environment.

Environment Park, an Italian science and 
technology  park  involved  in  Plasmatech, 
researched existing patents as well as the 

relevant literature accordingly. They focused 
on plasma applications that reduce pollutant 
emissions to the environment, for instance 
during  fuel  combustion,  or  that  remove 
existing pollution.

For  example,  Environment  Park  found 
multiple  research  results  showing  that 
atmospheric pressure plasmas and plasma 
catalysis can limit emissions of particulate 
matter, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), 
greenhouse gases and so forth from engine 

novel biomarker for coastal water pollution

Pollution of marine ecosystems oft en poses detoxiﬁ cation problems for 
the inhabitants. Based on this, a protein from ﬁ sh liver has been modiﬁ ed 
so that it can be used as an eﬀ ective biomarker for organic pollution.

The  pollution  of  oceans  and  rivers  is  of 
increasing concern. The concentrations and 
content of the biological and chemical com-
ponents of our water systems are dynamic 
and  constantly  changing.  To  be  able  to 
determine levels of pollution on an ongoing 
basis with a reliable yet easily applied test 
is therefore crucial. The overall aim of the 
Genipol project therefore was to develop 
genomics-based tools to identify and quan-
tify organic pollutants in coastal waters.
tify organic pollutants in coastal waters.

The assays were developed on the assump-
tion  that  organisms  living  in  a  habitat 
express certain genes according to the pollu-
tant  they  encounter  and  hence  detoxify. 
Scientists at the Oceanographic and Limno-
logical Research Laboratory in Israel investi-
gated the detection and quantification of 
the protein cytochrome P4501A in the liver 
of the striped sea bream. This protein is a 

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exhaust. In addition, combustion efficiency 
and fuel economy could also be improved 
by  introducing  plasma  ignition.  Finally, 
replacing chemical surface treatments with 
plasma-based  counterparts  can  help  to 
reduce hazardous waste generation.

Looking to capitalise on these opportun-
ities, Environment Park and its Plasmatech 
partners are pursuing additional funding 
at  regional  and  national  levels  as  well  as 
through FP6.

Funded under the FP5 programme Growth 
(Competitive and sustainable growth).

Collaboration sought: further research or development support.

Off er ID: 3481

sensitive indicator of organic pollution and 
can therefore be used to detect low levels of 
pollutants.

The  analytical  method  selected  was  the 
enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) 
which is based upon the production of an 
antigen-antibody complex. The procedure 
involved is simple, but the problem was that 
cytochrome P4501A is a membrane protein 
and therefore unsuitable in its original form 
for the ELISA test. The team therefore pro-
duced a modified version of the protein that 
was soluble and thus could be targeted in the 
first part of the test. The native protein could 
then be used in the second part of the test 
when its concentration is determined.

There is considerable scope for biomonitor-
ing using biomarkers of this nature. By sup-
plying the modified protein and antibodies 
necessary for the tests, commercial kits can 
be produced for specific pollutants.

Funded under the FP5 programme EESD 
(Energy, environment and sustainable development).

Collaboration sought: information exchange/training.

Off er ID: 3647

see also page 23 (oﬀ  ers 3649 and 3626)

carbon exchange in the north atlantic

Th  e NOCES project has provided a better insight into the variability 
of air-ocean carbon dioxide (CO2) ﬂ uxes in the North Atlantic, leading 
to improved predictions of future atmospheric CO2 variability.

In line with the Kyoto protocol, the assess-
ment of carbon fluxes relies heavily on the 
reliable estimation of carbon budgets over 
different continental and oceanic regions. 
Until  recently,  estimates  for  inter-annual 
variability of air-sea CO2 fluxes in the North 
Atlantic were potentially contradictory.

The conflict came from predictions from 
two different models, that is, inverse atmos-
pheric models foresaw very large variability, 
while ocean models predicted a small vari-
ability in CO2 flux. Moreover, the large vari-
ability was also underpinned by data col-
lected in the subtropical gyre of the North 

Atlantic. Based on the assumption that these 
data constituted a good representative sam-
ple, they were further extrapolated across 
the entire basin.

On the basis of analysed simulations, the 
NOCES project research work showed that 
the subtropical gyre was not representative 
of  the  entire  North  Atlantic.  There  were 
also multipolar anomalies at multiple fre-
quencies  in  the  subpolar  and  intergyre 

continued on page 25

2

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eco-friendly conservation 
of archaeological treasures

Tackling the conservation problem for bronze archaeological artefacts, 
the Efestus project employed the plasma-enhanced chemical vapour 
deposition (PECVD) technique of organosilicon thin ﬁ lms to protect 
the artefacts for long-term exhibition purposes. 

The  Efestus  project  adopted  the  PECVD 
technique  for  producing  new  corrosion-
resistant organosilicon thin films with pro-
tective  barrier  effects  against  aggressive 
agents on bronze archaeological artefacts. 
This  eco-friendly,  reliable  and  effective 
method was implemented in a home-made 
reactor.  It  started  from  such  organosil-
icon  precursors  as  hexamethyldisiloxane 
(HMDSO),  tetraethoxysilane  (TEOS), 
tetramethoxysilane (TMOS), and with dif-
ferent oxygen-argon mixtures and differ-
ent input power values. This took place in 
the Department of Materials Science and 
Chemical Engineering of the Politechnic of 
Turin. 

The  innovative  coatings  similar  to  silicon 
dioxide (SiO2) were tested and optimised on 
copper-based reference alloys produced by 
ISMN-CNR, the Institute for the Study of 
Nanostructured Materials in Montelibretti, 
Rome. This was done in the conditions in 
which they were received and aged in dif-
ferent soils. The reference alloys, possessing 
microchemical and microstructural charac-
teristics similar to the ancient alloys, allow a 
reliable optimisation of the PECVD coatings 
proposed for the later stage of restoration and 
protection of bronze archaeological artefacts.

Extensive  testing  of  the  used  parameters 
resulted in the optimisation of the PECVD 

treatment technique. Moreover, the plasma 
phase, the characteristics of the obtained 
deposits and all possible operative scenarios 
were extensively explored. This information 
was significant for successive process scale-
up and for the in situ process control. 

Research  work  showed  that  variations  in 
the process conditions are highly related to 
the process conditions are highly related to 
the chemical composition and the 
properties of the deposit. 

In  summary,  the  corrosion  pro-
tection properties similar to SiO2 
thin films are strongly affected by 
the  variation  of  the  plasma  pro-
cess parameters. There is a marked 
increase in the protective effective-
ness of the coatings obtained with 
ness of the coatings obtained with 
the increase of the discharge input 
the increase of the discharge input 
power. This leads to the formation 
power. This leads to the formation 
of more inorganic films. Plasma pre-
of more inorganic films. Plasma pre-
treatment processes play an important 
treatment processes play an important 
role  in  determining  the  inhibiting 
role  in  determining  the  inhibiting 
properties of the deposited film. The 
properties of the deposited film. The 
pretreatment  removes  the  surface 
pretreatment  removes  the  surface 
contamination, thereby reducing the 
contamination, thereby reducing the 
defectiveness degree of the coating and 
defectiveness degree of the coating and 
enhancing its adhesion to the substrate. 
enhancing its adhesion to the substrate. 
By performing the deposition process in 
By performing the deposition process in 
oxygen-rich plasma, a further increase 
oxygen-rich plasma, a further increase 
of the protective properties of the layers 
of the protective properties of the layers 
is achieved. 

continued from page 2  ‘carbon exchange in the north atlantic’

regions. Thereby, being both high and low, 
these contributions displayed a tendency 
to cancel each other out as far as the basin-
wide air-sea CO2 flux was concerned.

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Within  this  context,  the  NOCES  project 
research offered a validated explanation of 
the reasons of disagreement between ocean 
and  atmospheric  inverse  models.  It  was 
shown  that  atmospheric 
shown  that  atmospheric 
inverse  models  over-pre-
inverse  models  over-pre-
dict the variability of North 
dict the variability of North 
Atlantic air-sea CO2 fluxes. 
In comparison, the higher 
resolution  of  ocean  mod-
els allows compensation of 
variability between regions, 
such as the subtropical and 
subpolar gyres.

The potential deficiencies 
of the inverse approach 
were mainly due to insuf-
ficient spatial resolution. 
Moreover,  ‘leakage’  of 
high  variability  from 

research*eu results supplement — No 1 — January 2008

The versatility of the PECVD may be exploited 
in numerous coating applications with various 
substrates, ranging from metals and paper to 
textiles and polymers. This is due to the low-
pressure and low-temperature operative con-
ditions employed. The analysis of the envir-
onmental impact justifies the great interest of 
performing PECVD treatments on metallic 
substrates also from an industrial point of view. 
For further information, please visit the project 
website: http://www.efestus.just.edu.jo/index.jsp

Funded under the FP5 programme INCO 2 
(Conﬁ rming the international role of Community research).

Collaboration sought: further research or development support.

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Off er ID: 3629

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adjacent terrestrial grid cells also contrib-
uted to the high air-sea CO2 flux variability 
over the North Atlantic. Identification of the 
problematic areas of the atmospheric inverse 
approach  and  the  mechanisms  by  which 
these may occur facilitates the improvement 
of their future predictions.

Furthermore,  optimisation  of  the  ocean 
component  of  coupled  carbon-climate 
models is expected to be exploited in the 
prediction of future changes in air-sea and 
air-land CO2 fluxes. For more project infor-
mation, please visit: http://www.ipsl.jussieu.
fr/projets/NOCES

Funded under the FP5 programme EESD 
(Energy, environment and sustainable development).

Collaboration sought: further research or development support.

Off er ID: 3564

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IT anD TelecommUnIcaTIons 
Double antennas deliver double the signal

Digital television transmission techniques that deliver most beneﬁ t in the worst reception environments have been 
developed by a consortium of European researchers. Th  e technologies promise to reduce the network infrastructure needed 
for mobile television, while minimising the power demands and complexity of mobile television receivers of the future.

In	 a	 typical	 broadcast	 transmission,	 radio	 signals	 bounce	 off	
objects	in	the	environment,	reaching	the	receiver	over	multiple	
paths.	Distortion	from	multipath	signals	can	produce	fading,	
resulting	in	temporary	failure	of	reception.	Most	of	us	have	expe-
rienced	this,	moving	a	mobile	phone	around	a	room	to	get	the	
strongest	signal.

Modern	broadband	wireless	technologies	like	WiMAX,	DAB	for	
audio,	 DVB-T	 and	 DVB-H	 for	 video	 use	 a	 modulation	 scheme	
called	orthogonal	frequency-division	multiplexing	(OFDM).

An	OFDM	transmission	is	spread	across	thousands	of	diﬀ	erent	
subcarriers,	 each	 carefully	 organised	 at	 slightly	 different	 fre-
quencies	within	the	channel.	Spreading	the	transmission	across	a	
high	number	of	subcarriers	increases	the	probability	of	maintain-
ing	error-free	transmission.

Researchers	have	demonstrated	that	splitting	the	transmit	power	
between	multiple	antennas	can	provide	substantially	more	eﬀ	ec-
tive	coverage	than	using	a	single	antenna.	Signal	simulations	
carried	out	for	the	‘Physical	layer	DVB	transmission	optimisation’	
(PLUTO)	project	show	that	a	gain	of	up	to	5	decibels	could	be	
achieved.	The	PLUTO	project	comprises	a	consortium	of	academ-
ics,	equipment	manufacturers,	propagation	experts	and	broad-
casters	from	Germany,	France,	Finland	and	the	United	Kingdom,	
co-funded	by	the	European	Commission.

The	 transmission-splitting	 technique	 under	 development	 by	
PLUTO,	known	as	‘transmit	diversity’,	beneﬁ	ts	the	worst	environ-
ments	most.	Reception	can	be	spectacularly	improved	indoors,	
or	whilst	walking	or	driving	in	cities.	Fewer	transmitters	and	less	
power	are	required	to	achieve	economical	coverage.

‘This	technique	does	not	require	revision	of	any	WiMAX,	DVB	or	
DAB	standards,’	says	Maurice	Bard	of	the	company	Broadreach	
Systems	in	the	United	Kingdom,	the	technical	leader	of	PLUTO.	
‘The	great	advantage	is	that	it	can	be	exploited	by	existing	in-ser-
vice	receivers	without	modiﬁ	cation.	All	you	need	is	an	additional	
box	that	can	split	the	signal.’

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‘The	transmit	antennas	need	to	be	spatially	separated	by	between	
10	and	20	wavelengths	and	a	delay	applied	to	one	antenna	to	
achieve	eﬀ	ective	de-correlation.	The	amount	of	separation	and	delay	
depends	on	the	type	of	environment	to	be	covered,’	Mr	Bard	says.

Coverage	 can	 be	 further	 improved	 if	 there	 are	 two	 or	 more	
antennas	at	the	reception	end,	he	explains:	‘For	receive	diver-
sity,	you	need	to	separate	the	receive	antennas	by	at	least	half	a	
wavelength,	which	is	approximately	25	cm	at	UHF	frequencies.	
If	this	can	be	achieved,	then	transmit	and	receive	diversity	can	
work	 together	 to	 deliver	 even	 greater	 benefits.	The	 benefits	
of	 receive	 diversity,	 however,	 can	 only	 be	 exploited	 in	 terms	
of	network	design	if	all	receivers	in	the	network	have	diversity	
implemented.’

Even	with	the	reception	improvements	promised	by	transmit	
diversity,	there	will	be	reception	black	spots,	particularly	indoors,	
where	 on-channel	 repeaters	 will	 be	 needed.	 An	 on-channel	
repeater	receives	a	signal	from	a	distant	transmitter	and	retrans-
mits	it	at	the	same	frequency.	The	repeaters	are	prone	to	instabil-
ity	caused	by	the	feedback	of	echoes	from	the	transmitter	to	the	
receiver.	Here,	the	academics	at	Brunel	University,	led	by	PLUTO	
project	coordinator	Professor	John	Cosmas,	have	developed	an	
innovative	method	to	remove	these	echoes.

‘A	pseudo-random	sequence	is	buried	deep	in	the	retransmitted	
DVB-H	signal,’	Professor	Cosmas	explains.	‘The	sequence	acts	as	
a	signature,	allowing	the	repeater	to	diﬀ	erentiate	the	unwanted	
echoes	from	the	wanted	original	signal	and	remove	them	from	
the	retransmission.	The	method	can	work	for	repeaters	of	any	
OFDM-based	network.’

Broadreach	Systems	has	provided	equipment	to	process	signals	
at	the	transmitter	and	monitoring	stations	that	intercept	and	
measure	transmitted	DVB	signals.	The	monitor	stations	are	net-
worked	to	a	control	centre,	developed	by	Brunel,	enabling	the	
eﬀ	ects	of	diversity	to	be	evaluated	in	real	time.

There	 are	 still	 some	 hurdles	 to	 be	 overcome	 before	 PLUTO’s	
transmit	diversity	solution	is	suitable	for	all	types	of	broadcast	
networks.	Transmit	diversity	actually	results	in	a	degradation	
in	reception,	where	the	receiver	is	in	clear	line	of	sight	with	the	
transmitter	and	the	signals	from	each	antenna	are	received	at	
exactly	the	same	power	level.

The	line-of-sight	reception	loss	may	not	prove	to	be	a	problem	
for	many	networks.	In	a	mobile	television	network,	all	receivers	
will	be	in	a	non-	or	near-line-of-sight	situation,	very	few	will	have	
rooftop	antennas.	But	‘good	enough’	is	not	a	position	that	the	
PLUTO	consortium	is	prepared	to	stop	at	if	they	are	to	change	
traditional	thinking.

‘We	need	to	show	that	the	performance	we	saw	in	the	lab	can	be	
achieved	in	all	real	situations,	rain,	snow,	cities,’	Professor	Cosmas	
says.	‘And,	we	have	to	convince	the	broadcasters	who	designed	
traditional	 analogue	 networks,	 where	 multipaths	 had	 to	 be	
avoided,	that	multipaths	are	good.’

http://cordis.europa.eu/ictresults/index.cfm/section/news/tpl/article/BrowsingType/Features/ID/89327

Promoted through the ICT Results service.

26

research*eu results supplement — No 1 — January 2008

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advanced programming language 
for global computing

Urged on by the global computing initiative, the Mikado project 
developed a new distributed and mobile programming language for 
increased mobility, ubiquity, dynamicity and interactivity.

Global computing research is focusing on 
the generation of general-purpose computer 
systems to satisfy and exceed the needs of 
a distributed world. Developed global com-
puting  techniques  have  possible  useful 
applications in various domains including 
web services, ambient intelligence or grids. 
Independently of the application domain, 
the  global  availability  of  computational 
infrastructures  may  be  exploited  to  offer 
uniform  services  for  secure,  mobile  and 
ubiquitous computation.

Aiming to advance global computing, the 
Mikado  project  specified  and  produced 
prototypes of new formal models for pro-
gramming of highly distributed and mobile 
systems. In addition, new specification and 
analysis  techniques  were  introduced  in 
order to improve the safety and trustwor-
thiness of computer systems. All these were 
built  on  the  basic  concept  of  domain  for 
reliable, distributed, mobile computation. 
Moreover, the domain element formed the 

mathematical basis for a secure standard for 
distributed computing in open systems.

One of the key project results involved the 
kernel language for agent interaction and 
mobility  (KLAIM),  an  experimental  lan-
guage for global computing. It constitutes a 
unique paradigm for moving processes, for 
example to move data from one comput-
ing environment to another, and supports 
ing environment to another, and supports 
programming with explicit 
localities.  It  is  comprised 
of  a  Linda  coordination 
model  with  multiple  dis-
tributed tuple spaces, which 
are  multisets  of  sequences 
of information items and a 
set of operators for building 
processes.

Based  on  KLAIM,  a  full-
Based  on  KLAIM,  a  full-
fledged  programming  lan-
fledged  programming  lan-
guage  called  X-KLAIM  was 
guage  called  X-KLAIM  was 
implemented on top of a run-
implemented on top of a run-

a modular framework for global computing

To speed up the development of prototype applications over global 
computers and relieve programmers of low-level details, a Java 
soft ware framework has been developed within the Mikado project.

Technological advances in telecommuni-
cation  networks  and  the  development  of 
more efficient communication protocols are 
leading to an ever-increasing integration of 
computing systems. Massive networked and 
dynamically reconfigurable infrastructures 
interconnecting heterogeneous, autonomous 
and mobile components can now operate on 
the basis of limited information.

These  network  components  have  insti-
gated the proposal of new techniques for 
the development and deployment of global 
computational environments. To support 
the implementation of languages designed 
for  distributed  programming  fostered  by 
these ‘global computers’, a generic software 
framework called integrated mobile calculi 
(IMC) has been introduced.

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The basic idea and motivation of the Mikado 
project partners was to provide for all the 
functionalities and abstractions required for 
arbitrary components to communicate and 
move in a distributed setting. IMC there-
fore  provides  concrete  implementations 
for the standard functionalities of the Java 
mobile framework, such as code mobility, 
node topology, naming and binding, among 
others.

In this respect, IMC is straightforward to 
use if there is no need for specific advanced 
features.  Nevertheless,  the  framework  is 
open to customisations if this is required by 
the mobility system to be implemented. The 
user can customise parts of the framework 

research*eu results supplement — No 1 — January 2008

time system developed in Java for reasons of 
portability. X-KLAIM combines the bene-
fits  of  programming  various  distributed 
applications with agent and code mobility, 
along with the capability of running over 
different platforms due to its compilation 
in Java. This language allows exchange of 
data and processes as well as programming 
mobile agents to retrieve information over 
the net. For more information, please visit: 
http://mikado.di.fc.ul.pt

Funded under the FP5 programme IST 
(User-friendly information society).

Collaboration sought: further research or development support.

Off er ID: 3632

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by  providing  their  own  implementations 
for all the interfaces used within the IMC 
package.

It  enables  platform  designers  to  custom-
ise communication protocols and network 
architectures.  At  the  same  time,  it  pro-
vides  language  designers  with  primitives 
to develop run-time supports for languages 
oriented towards global computing. Within 
the  IMC  framework,  the  most  recurrent 
notions  of  network-aware  programming 
were packed together to permit developers 
to concentrate on the specificities of their 
system.

A primordial version of the IMC framework 
was initiated within the Mikado project and 
released  as  open-source  software.  Since 
then, it has been completely redesigned and 
reimplemented  to  improve  usability  and 
to provide many additional features. The 
actual code of the different IMC compon-
ents  can  be  found  at:  http://sourceforge.
net/projects/imc-fi

Funded under the FP5 programme IST 
(User-friendly information society).

Collaboration sought: further research or development support.

Off er ID: 3596

27

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Real-time videoconferencing 
and media streaming

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Aiming to meet the continued growth of the Internet, Internet protocol (IP) 
multicast conferencing technologies and applications have been developed to 
support collaborative research, technical development and distance education.

Innovative Internet services promise to pro-
vide users with the essential means to hear 
and see each other in real time, to share infor-
mation and learn, as well as to be entertained. 
Users, coming together in pairs for intimate 
conversations or forming large groups, can 
be located anywhere in the world, while their 
image and voice are transmitted instantly.

With the use of software technology that is 
readily available for all modern computer 
systems, videoconference sessions are sup-
ported  on  specific  networks  around  the 
world. Partners of 6NET, the largest Inter-
net research project related to IP version 
6 (IPv6), came together to develop intra-
domain multicast services for a native IPv6 
network throughout Europe, North America 
and the Asia-Pacific region.

The 6NET infrastructure connects more 
countries  and  delivers  higher  capacity 

bandwidth than any other native IPv6 net-
work  deployed  ever  before.  It  therefore 
offered the necessary test bed for MBone 
videoconferencing  tools.  The  dedicated 
versions of videoconferencing tools, to be 
made available with IPv6 multicast sup-
port, were produced or recommended by 
the University College London’s Networked 
Multimedia Research Group.

The robust audio tool (RAT), based on the 
Internet  Engineering  Task  Force  stand-
ards, is an open-source audio conferen-
cing and streaming application. It allows 
users to participate in audio conferences 
over the Internet without requiring spe-
cial features for point-to-point communi-
cation — just a network connection and a 
soundcard. On the other hand, IP multi-
cast technology and network design for 
multicast support is needed for multiparty 
conferencing RATs.

The go-between: IT firms play the dating game

Th  e single market and EU enlargement are just what Europe’s ambitious 
SMEs need to develop new business. But while ICTs should theoretically 
pave the way for rapid transition into new markets, many smaller ﬁ rms are 
struggling to scale up and out without costly enterprise resource planning 
(ERP) systems. Th  at may soon change, if one research team gets its way. 

With the EU going up a shoe size, the single 
market now has a bigger footprint for enter-
prises  to  step  into.  In  theory,  this  means 
smaller firms should be able to branch out 
into other countries like their larger broth-
ers, the multinationals. But in reality, SMEs 
lack the financial clout or reliable contacts 
on the ground.
on the ground.

One  of  the  major  hurdles  they  face  is 
resource management between plants and 
branches, giving a more complete and timely 
picture of their operations. Of course, big 
IT firms like SAP, Oracle or Microsoft can 
develop a customised solution, but they are 
usually out of smaller firms’ league. So, the 

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The  videoconference  tool,  covering  the 
entire chain from video capture to full-
screen  and  high-quality  video  delivery 
over the Internet, allows users to partici-
pate in videoconferences. For the simul-
taneous  editing  of  a  shared  text  during 
the conference session, the network text 
editor tool can be employed as a support 
tool  rather  than  as  the  only  channel  of 
communication.

Having  benefited  from  testing  and  use, 
both  for  demonstration  and  communi-
cation  purposes  throughout  the  6NET 
project, all conference tools are available 
for a wide range of operating systems. With 
improvements incorporated and bugs fixed, 
the  core  tools  and  the  common  library 
they depend on are accessible through the 
6NET  website:  http://www-mice.cs.ucl.
ac.uk/multimedia/projects

Funded under the FP5 programme IST 
(User-friendly information society).

Collaboration sought: further research or development support.

Off er ID: 3568

solution is to use affordable national soft-
ware developers. That is where the prob-
lems can begin, because SMEs need gold-
strength enterprise resource planning on 
tin-pot budgets.

SMEs contact local or national IT firms first 
to help them to implement an ERP across 
borders,  but  they  struggle  to  understand 
and develop them in other countries — local 
customs, language problems, different oper-
ations stand in the way. What’s more, the 
costs can quickly mount up as consultants 
travel back and forth.

‘So, we are a matchmaker of sorts, between 
the ERP community — ERP vendors and 
dealers, IT firms and IT consultants — which 
is  obviously  keen  to  expand  markets  in 
Europe  while  trying  to  keep  their  SME 
clients happy,’ says Iakovos Delioglanis of 
Q-PLAN North Greece, the coordinating 
partner in a European research consortium 
called PANDA.

The idea is actually to help the IT firms and 
consultancies (ERP vendors and their deal-
ers), not the expanding SMEs themselves. 
‘It’s unique: we’re the only ones targeting IT 
firms that specialise in smaller ERP deploy-
ments,’  Mr Delioglanis  says,  Exploitation 
Manager of PANDA.

continued on page 29

28

research*eu results supplement — No 1 — January 2008

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advancing the quantum information society

Under the Atesit project, the process of stimulated emission generated by a 
single photon into an optical parametric ampliﬁ er (OPA) led to the successful 
development of two machines. Th  ese are the universal NOT (U-NOT) gate and 
the optimal quantum cloning that can be utilised in quantum information 
processing and communications.

The Atesit project focused on teleportation 
and entangled state information technology 
aiming to develop new methods for gener-
ation and exploitation of different types of 
two-  and  multi-particle  entangled  states. 
These could be further employed in quantum 
communication protocols. Furthermore, the 
project work concentrated on fundamental 
protocols such as universal quantum clon-
ing, demonstrating their scalability.

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Researchers  aimed  to  produce  an  oper-
ational universal optimum quantum clon-
ing machine, but there were certain limita-
tions. Due to the linearity aspect of quantum 
mechanics, it was difficult to ‘clone’, that is 
to reproduce, an arbitrary quantum state 
perfectly. In addition, the realisation of a 
universal NOT gate, that may flip any qubit 
into an orthogonal one, was unachievable.

The  cloning  effect  in  quantum  optics 
relates to the photon amplification process 
in an optical parametric amplifier (OPA). 
Thereby, identical photons that are gener-
ated in an arbitrary quantum polarisation 
state are further injected into the amplifier 
on the input mode. The amplifier on the 
output ‘cloning mode’ provides ‘clones’ of 
the input qubit. On the output ‘anticloning 
(AC) mode’, the OPA realises a quantum 
NOT gate that performs the operation to 
flip a qubit.

Based on this process, the U-NOT trans-
formation, that is the performance of the 
best possible approximation of an anti-uni-
tary operation using a universal quantum 
machine, was demonstrated. The U-NOT 
gate is highly associated with the quantum 
estimation of an unknown state. The sys-
tem that was employed in the experimental 
demonstration was a quantum self-injected 
optical parametric amplifier (QI-OPA) of 
entangled photon states.

The universal cloning method can be used 
in the design of new algorithms and proto-
cols. Quantum cloning allows redistribu-
tion of the initial information content into 
many parts and forms the basis of quan-
tum cryptography. Quantum cryptography 
bases  its  security  on  the  impossibility  to 
clone unknown quantum states, and opti-
mal quantum cloning is considered as the 
best eavesdropping attack on some quantum 
cryptography protocols.

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Funded under the FP5 programme IST 
(User-friendly information society).

Collaboration sought: information exchange/training.

Off er ID: 3613

continued from page 28  ‘the go-between: it ﬁ rms play the dating game’

negotiating, developing and implementing 
cross-border ERPs. And we’re investigating 
applying this principle to other sectors, such 
as construction, where systems can be easily 
customised for their own value chain. This 
is also a possible extra revenue stream that 
we may integrate in our business model,’ 
Mr Delioglanis tells ICT Results. 

Chief among PANDA’s goals is to provide a 
robust platform for its ‘value-chain mem-
bers’ to manage their ERP projects. A work-
ing prototype is being launched in Novem-
ber  2007  with  what  Mr Delioglanis  calls 
‘more enhanced intelligence’.

partners will act as an important potential 
(internal) market and then as ‘multipliers’ 
by promoting the platform to others in their 
current value chain, he says.

A  series  of  workshops  are  also  planned 
between February and June 2008 to pro-
mote  the  platform  in  partner  countries 
across Europe.

Promoted through the ICT Results service.

http://cordis.europa.eu/ictresults/index.cfm/section/
 news/tpl/article/BrowsingType/Features/ID/89331

PANDA’s e-collaboration platform matches 
IT firms on the ground to carry out the work 
reliably and to the satisfaction of their clients. 
It works as a prototype B2B web platform 
that cost-effectively serves international e-
collaborations among actors in the Euro-
pean ERP industry, Mr Delioglanis says.

IT firms and consultants can, in effect, get 
to know one another before cooperating for 
real. They can establish ground rules in the 
relationship and discuss prior experience, 
performance availability and so on, before 
talking about dowries!

As any good go-between should, PANDA 
provides  the  necessary  communication 
channel  for  helping  the  parties  come  to 
an arrangement. This includes ‘intelligent 
agents’ helping to lay down basic terms of the 
service agreement related to ERP partner-
ship deals — a prenuptial of sorts — with 
human interaction to finalise them.

The character in L. P. Hartley’s Go-Between knew 
when he was not needed any more. So, too, 
PANDA stops short of issuing detailed techno-
legal templates (i.e. telling people how to run 
their relationships). And PANDA is thoroughly 
modern in its approach to relationships.

‘The  concept  we’re  working  with  here  is 
“short-lived  tie-ups”  for  the  purpose  of 

research*eu results supplement — No 1 — January 2008

‘Like all newborns, we expect some 
teething problems with it, so we’ll 
gather feedback from the consor-
tium and trusted partners to iron 
them out and assess what additional 
services can be put in before rolling 
out  the  platform  to  a  wider  com-
munity  of  ERP  vendors  and  deal-
ers in January or February 2008,’ he 
confirms.

After  that,  Mr  Delioglanis  envis-
After  that,  Mr  Delioglanis  envis-
ages  a  fee-paying  service  could  be 
ages  a  fee-paying  service  could  be 
introduced, whether it be licensing, 
introduced, whether it be licensing, 
fixed annual fees or variable fee struc-
fixed annual fees or variable fee struc-
tures based on use. PANDA is keen to 
tures based on use. PANDA is keen to 
tap other sectors as well. The current 
tap other sectors as well. The current 

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software wrapper for smarter, 
networked homes

Homes today are ﬁ lled with increasing numbers of high-tech gadgets, 
from smart phones and PCs to state-of-the-art television and audio 
systems, many of them with built-in networking capabilities. Combined, 
these devices could form the building blocks of the smart homes of the 
future, but only if they can be made to work together intelligently. 
European researchers are addressing the challenge.

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Although the idea of creating intelligent, 
networked home environments as a way to 
make life easier, safer and more enjoyable 
has been around for some time, the tech-
nology has yet to catch up with the vision. 
Home  automation  systems  have  become 
more commonplace and consumer electron-
ics have more networking capability, but no 
one has, so far, gotten all the high-tech and 
not-so-high-tech gadgetry cluttering mod-
ern homes to work together in an intelli-
gent way. It is not yet common for fridges 
to talk to your television set to warn that the 
door has been left open or for heating sys-
tems to turn on when you return home, for 
example.

‘People are finding themselves with all these 
networkable  devices  and  are  wondering 
where the applications are that can use these 
devices to make life easier, and how they 
could be of more value together than indi-
vidually,’ says Maddy Janse, a researcher for 
Dutch consumer electronics group Philips.

There are two fundamental obstacles to real-
ising the vision of the intelligent networked 
home:  lack  of  interoperability  between 
individual devices and the need for context-
aware artificial intelligence to manage them. 
And, to make smart homes a reality, the two 
issues must be addressed together.

The EU-funded Amigo project, coordin-
ated by Dr Janse, is doing just that, creating 
a middleware software platform that will get 
all networkable devices in the home talking 

to  each  other  and  providing  an  artificial 
intelligence layer to control them.

‘With the Amigo system, you can take any 
networkable device, create a software wrap-
per for it and dynamically integrate it into 
the networked home environment,’ Dr Janse 
explains.

The  project,  which  involves  several  big 
industrial and research partners, is unique 
in that it is addressing the issues of inter-
operability and intelligence together and, 
most significantly, its software is modular 
and open source.

By steering away from creating a monolithic 
system and making the software accessible 
to all, the partners believe they can over-
come the complications that have held back 
other smart home projects. For consumer 
electronics companies and telecoms firms, 
the  system  has  the  additional  benefit  of 
providing a test bed for new products and 
services.

‘What we are trying to do is so large and so 
complex that it has to be broken down into 
smaller parts. By making it open source and 
letting third-party developers create appli-
cations, we can ensure the system addresses 
whatever challenges arise,’ Dr Janse says.

The Amigo architecture consists of a base 
middleware layer, an intelligent user services 
layer, and a programming and deployment 
framework that developers can use to cre-
ate individual applications 
ate individual applications 
and services. These indi-
and services. These indi-
vidual software modules 
vidual software modules 
form the building blocks 
form the building blocks 
of  the  networked  home 
environment, which has 
the flexibility to grow as 
and  when  new  devices 
and  applications  are 
added.

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Interop erabi lity  is 
ensured through sup-
port  for  and  abstrac-
t i o n   o f   c o m m o n 
interaction and home 
automation standards 
and  protocols,  such 
as Universal Plug and 

Play (UPnP), while the definition of appro-
priate ontologies enables common under-
standing at a semantic level.

‘A  lot  of  applications  are  already  avail-
able  today  and  more  will  be  created  as 
more developers start to use the software,’ 
Dr Janse says.

A  video  created  by  the  project  partners 
underscores their vision for the future, in 
which  homes  adapt  to  the  behaviour  of 
occupants, automatically setting ambient 
lighting for watching a movie, locking the 
doors when someone leaves or contacting 
relatives  or  emergency  services  if  some-
one is ill or has an accident. In an extended 
home environment, the homes of friends 
and relatives are interconnected, allowing 
information and experiences to be shared 
more easily and setting the stage for the use 
of tele-presence applications to communi-
cate and interact socially.

Initially, Dr Janse sees such networked sys-
tems being employed in larger-scale envir-
onments  than  an  individual  home  or  for 
specific purposes. Some subsets of applica-
tions could be rolled out in hotels or hos-
pitals or used to monitor the well-being of 
elderly or infirm users, for example.

‘With the exception of people with a lot of 
money building their homes from scratch, it 
will be a while before intelligent networked 
homes become commonplace,’ the coordin-
ator notes. ‘In addition, this isn’t something 
average consumers can easily set up them-
selves; currently some degree of program-
ming knowledge is needed and installers 
need to become familiar with the concepts 
and their potential.’

Even so, the project is hoping to continue 
to  stimulate  the  growth  of  the  sector.  In 
October 2007, it launched the ‘Amigo chal-
lenge’, a competition in which third-party 
programmers were invited to come up with 
new applications using the Amigo software. 
Dr Janse expects the initiative will lead to the 
software being used in even more innovative 
and possibly unexpected ways.

Promoted through the ICT Results service.

http://cordis.europa.eu/ictresults/index.cfm/section/
news/tpl/article/BrowsingType/Features/ID/89362

0

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making interactive domestic 
environments tangible

A soft ware platform has been developed in the form of 
a tangible toolkit which will enable users to conﬁ gure their 
interactive domestic environments easily in the future. 

The EU-funded Accord project has created a 
tangible toolbox that enables people to con-
vert a physical environment into an active 
tangible  environment.  This  allows  func-
tionality by combining numerous devices 
in practice. 

The  first  step  was  to  realise  the  required 
facilities for administering and managing 
complex activities within a domestic envir-
onment. This involves dynamic and adaptive 
methods, techniques and facilities so that 
inhabitants may develop their own envir-
onment. Thus, the project needed to deter-
mine current and new forms of applications 
and which home activities need support.

In light of this, the ‘Tangible toolbox’ was 
created. It consists of communication and 
configuration infrastructures as well as a 
set  of  editorial  tools.  Furthermore,  there 
are template components which can assist 
developers in creating new components that 
can easily be integrated into the toolbox. 

Scientific papers about the ‘Tangible tool-
box’  have  been  published  and  presented 
at  international  conferences.  The  tool-
box is also available at the project website 
(http://www.sics.se/accord) for free down-
load and use. These different forms of docu-
mentation  can  support  several  different 
potential user groups. Research labs have 

software for speech therapy support

Th  e Ortho-logo-paedia (OLP) project has created an integrated 
computer-based system for speech therapy support.

The  project’s  software  system  has  supple-
mented conventional therapy to aid individ-
uals with speech disorders. OLP offers visual 
feedback to assist in improved articulation. 
Furthermore, it provides automatic speech 
recognition  to  assess  improvement  and  to 
supply an interface for assertive technology or 
speech synthesis. OLP permits therapy to be 
conducted off-site via the Internet. In this way, 
it tailors the type of feedback and the recogni-
tion element to a specific group or individual.

The  use  of  OLP  software  is  helpful  for 
therapists in using computers to assist with 

speech therapy in various ways. It contains 
phonetic maps which display target speech 
sounds. The speech which clients produce 
is plotted on a phonetic map in real time, 
including the targets for direct comparison. 
In this way, articulation success can be indi-
cated and there can be a gradual movement 
toward correct articulation. Maps can be 
made to fit the needs of individual clients. 
Another way OLP software is helpful is that 
it automatically recognises spoken words 
and assesses each one by comparing it to a 
target word set by the therapist. Finally, OLP 
assists in controlling phonation by display-

Ubiquitous access to entertainment 
and information

Under the auspices of the Broadway project, suitable infrastructure 
for robust, mobile broadband communications was developed.

The ever-increasing demands for video or 
data services in modern telecommunica-
tions have imposed a need for robust infra-
structure for wireless high data rate systems. 
Broadband is a signalling technique over a 
wide range of frequencies; in data commu-
nications, multiple pieces of data are sent 
simultaneously to increase the effective rate 
of transmission. The term refers to high-
speed connectivity communications where 
telephone, Internet and television are com-
bined to offer communication, entertain-
ment and information to users.

Orthogonal  frequency  division  multiplex 
(OFDM) communication is considered to be 
the most popular scheme of all the modern 
high  data  rate  systems.  These  include  ter-
restrial or digital audio broadcast or broad-
band radio access networks (Hiperlan/2 and 
IEEE802.11a). Yet, at high Doppler spreads that 
normally occur when the user is moving fast, 
for instance while travelling, OFDM modu-
lation may become low performing. Motivated 
by this, the Broadway project focused on build-
ing a system for broadband communications 
that is designed for all, anytime and anyplace.

research*eu results supplement — No 1 — January 2008

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already expressed an interest, and the hope 
is that the toolbox will be used elsewhere in 
different R & D labs around the world.

Funded under the FP5 programme IST 
(User-friendly information society).

Collaboration sought: further research or development support.

Off er ID: 3329

ing  the  loudness  and  pitch  of  the  client’s 
voice in visual form.

Speech  therapists  can  maintain  a  client 
record and create an exercise schedule for 
each client. They can choose and design the 
practice exercises that are most appropriate 
for the client as well as the therapist. Thera-
pists can then monitor client progress and 
identify weaknesses. In this way, more cli-
ents can be served without compromising 
the effectiveness of the therapy.

Funded under the FP5 programme ‘Life quality’ 
(Quality of life and management of living resources).

Collaboration sought: further research or development support.

Off er ID: 3575

Part of the project work involved the develop-
ment of new pseudo-random postfix OFDM 
multi-carrier modulation schemes to accom-
modate effective transmission at high carrier 
frequencies. At such frequencies (60 GHz), 
the Doppler phenomena are frequent and 
channel variations occur, but the new modu-
lation schemes have been tested and proved 
powerful in mobile connections. Moreover, 
the pseudo-random postfix OFDM modu-
lation can be effectively applied at all fre-
quencies and is also suitable for lower bands 
under  various  indoor  and  outdoor  oper-
ations. For further information, please visit: 
http://www.ist-broadway.org

Funded under the FP5 programme IST 
(User-friendly information society).

Collaboration sought: further research or development support.

Off er ID: 3619

1

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shapeshifted narratives: truly 
new media for the new millennium

Media has changed and proliferated beyond all recognition in the past 
10 years, but the message, the storytelling, has stayed the same. Th  e ‘New 
millennium, new media’ (NM2) project developed tools for a new kind of 
storytelling whose interactive, non-linear approach is to old millennium 
storytelling as theatre is to television.

The changes wrought by the Internet, by 
broadband and by Internet protocol tele-
vision  (IPTV)  on  media  distribution  are 
immense. User experience, too, is undergo-
ing a sea change: high-definition, flat-panel 
displays with surround sound are becoming 
the norm, and the industry is struggling to 
adapt its business models to the new world.

Yet, peculiarly, storytelling remains quite 
the same. The standard, linear narratives 
free of interaction or personalisation from 
the user remain, well, standard. Story arcs 
and plot points are pretty unchanged since 
Shakespeare’s time, or Beowulf ’s in the 12th 
century for that matter, though the effects 
are prettier. Stories are mainly fixed; one size 
fits all.

But  not,  perhaps,  for  much  longer.  NM2 
set out with the extremely grand vision to 
create new tools for storytelling in the new 
media landscape. Stories that are non-linear, 
interactive, multimedia, and personalised to 
the taste and interests of the viewer.

NM2 calls them ShapeShifted narratives, 
a term created by NM2 to describe media 
made to adapt to user choices on the fly.

It is a huge challenge, particularly on the 
creative side. Imagine a story that evolves 
to satisfy the curiosity of millions of view-
ers, each with their own interests. ‘Imag-
ine someone with 10 spare minutes plug-
ging  into  the  news  for  the  first  time  in 
three weeks:  they  want  all  the  relevant 

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updates  quickly,’  says  Doug  Williams, 
Technical Director of NM2.

One pilot programme for NM2, Accidental 
Lovers, told the love story of a man in his 
30s and a woman in her 60s. It is a challen-
ging topic and, most challenging of all, the 
viewer decided how the story developed. 
That means writers must develop multiple 
plotlines.

This  is  a  simple  example,  but  it  already 
presents a major task to develop useful pro-
duction tools, for editing and storyboarding. 
Ultimately, though, the NM2 vision calls for 
simple tools so storytellers can create narra-
tives that users can change on a whim. The 
story  elements  must  be  capable  of  being 
mixed  and  matched,  and  by  a  machine. 
And that’s where the scope of NM2’s vision 
shines through.

NM2  has  developed  a  toolbox:  a  range 
of  tools  that  producers  can  use  to  create 
ShapeShifted media productions. ‘The tools 
are derived from a close understanding of 
the workflow in developing interactive nar-
rative. They are designed to augment current 
production practice, so work with existing 
media asset management systems and non-
linear editors,’ Mr Williams emphasises.

So  NM2’s  script  logging  tool  annotates 
scripts and rushes — the raw film — with 
relevant,  structured  descriptions.  An 
authoring tool, easily used by people with 
little or no technical background, describes 
the narrative structure of ShapeShifted pro-
grammes.  A  description  tool  tags  media 
objects, while a preview tool can test the 
effects of user input, to make sure every-
thing works.

Central  to  the  new  tools  is  the  ability  to 
describe  narratives.  NM2  developed  a 
way to describe story elements and media 
objects. ‘We’ve developed a narrative struc-
ture language with its own syntax and rules. 
It enables people to describe a story in which 
users can shape the narrative,’ Mr Williams 
explains.

The tools support the concept stage, before 
any recordings are made, with placeholder 
narrative objects defining and represent-
ing storyboard elements. Story creation and 
editing uses NM2 tools working alongside 

non-linear editors (NLEs) — film editing 
software importing metadata and media.

‘Plot frameworks are created on a narra-
tive canvas; on playback these frameworks 
are populated with media using narrative 
rules that respond to choices made by the 
viewer, but also on chance operations that 
could, for example, show any three of nine 
possible clips illustrating a particular point 
in the narrative. It ensures constructed nar-
ratives make sense and are visually appeal-
ing but also that they can remain surprising 
and  non-declarative,’  Mr Williams  notes. 
The  workflow  is  rounded  out  with  a  test 
function that allows creators to test viewer 
choices and preview the emerging story.

So  far,  it  sounds  like  standard  software 
development,  but  the  practical  approach 
taken by NM2 belies the wealth of creativ-
ity and ingenuity of the project. Conceiving 
a  new  way  of  storytelling  is  almost  like 
locating a position on a blank map, without 
gridlines, landmarks or physical features. 
There is no frame of reference for conceiving 
the unimagined.

So NM2 created one. And then developed 
the tools to execute it.

It was a major effort. The project regroups 
13 partners, 6 technical, 5 in media produc-
tion and 1 apiece in consumer research and 
project management. At EUR 7.5 million, 
it is one of the largest concerted efforts to 
develop a new way of storytelling.

But does it work? Well, yes, perhaps better 
than could be expected. Feedback indicates 
the tools need more refinement, particularly 
the user interface. In some areas, it is already 
very strong, like an interactive, truly multi-
media encyclopaedia. In other areas, it could 
be  very  important.  But,  vitally,  NM2  has 
created a suite of tools and a workflow that 
makes new ways of storytelling possible.

And as the history of storytelling shows, that 
is just the beginning — it is a tale of evo-
lution. From the early oral tales of Homer 
through  to  the  frenetic  editing  of  The 
Bourne Supremacy or the layered scriptwrit-
ing of Toy Story, storytelling always evolves 
to push the capacities of its medium — the 
human voice, the written word, the moving 
image — to the furthest of its capabilities.

Digital  storytelling  faces  a  long  evolu-
tion  before  its  limits  are  fully  conceived, 
never mind explored, but NM2 has already 
taken new media storytelling a giant step 
forward.

Promoted through the ICT Results service.

http://cordis.europa.eu/ictresults/index.cfm/section/
news/tpl/article/BrowsingType/Features/ID/89371

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ical and media access control (MAC) layers 
in terms of energy consumption and low 
latency mechanisms. On the other hand, in 
community area networks (CANs), routing 
plays a key function that has to be carefully 
analysed.

For ad hoc routing enhancements and trans-
mission control protocol/Internet protocol 
(TCP/IP) stack boosting, pieces of informa-
tion must be made available to the upper 
layers to proceed with cross-layer optimisa-
tion. The PAN and CAN optimisation layer 
(PCOL) can be embedded just below the 
TCP/IP stack as an add-on functionality to 
control information traversing all the proto-
col stack layers.

The  approach  adopted  within  the  Pac-
woman project is only a starting point, since 
optimally, there should be more standard-
ised application programming interfaces to 
access wireless interfaces that enable WPN 
building.

Funded under the FP5 programme IST 
(User-friendly information society).

Collaboration sought: further research or development support.

Off er ID: 3618

used. In addition to lower latency and less 
hardware, the number of memory accesses, 
and  thus  power  consumption,  were  also 
reduced.

The proposed scheme has sacrificed back-
wards compatibility to existing standards 
for flexibility; however, it could be a prom-
ising candidate for future OFDM systems. 
This line of research work will be continued 
to investigate whether the flexibility in the 
OFDM transmitter can be matched in the 
receiver.

Funded under the FP5 programme IST 
(User-friendly information society).

Collaboration sought: further research or development support.

Off er ID: 3595

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empowering wireless 
personal communications

Th  e importance of wireless communication networks is increasing as wireless and 
embedded computing technologies continue to advance. Within the Pacwoman 
project, a middleware entity was designed to enhance location sensitivity 
and achieve eﬃ  cient energy management for adaptive embedded sensors.

One of the main impacts of wireless per-
sonal  networks  (WPNs)  comes  from  the 
evolution of intelligent spaces populated by 
sensors. Wireless embedded sensors com-
bine high-performance sensing, computa-
tion and communication capabilities in a 
single, tiny, resource-constrained device. Up 
to now, these have been used for very spe-
cific applications, but they are likely to play 
a fundamental role in near-future personal 
communication environments.

Their  future  usage  scenarios  range  from 
monitoring  environmental  conditions  to 
ubiquitous computing environments, allow-
ing people to interact with various compan-
ions and embedded computers in their close 
vicinity. Focused on proposing a workable 
architecture  to  cope  with  heterogeneity 
issues, the Pacwoman project designed  a 
generic platform to leverage information 

sharing between different layers and com-
munication protocol entities.

Within the WPN, basic and more advanced 
devices belonging to a single person and 
cooperating  for  a  certain  period  of  time 
constitute  this  individual’s  personal  area 
network (PAN). A higher topological level 
arises  if  communications  are  established 
between terminals belonging to different 
PANs. If the establishment of a direct con-
nection between them is impossible, other 
nodes  could  relay  the  information  from 
the source to the destination, resulting in a 
multi-hop network.

Optimisation could be carried out at the 
lower levels of the open system interconnec-
tion (OSI) model implemented for PANs. In 
particular, special attention was devoted to 
the improvement and balance of both phys-

Towards wireless personal networks

Future generations of mobile and wireless communications will be 
user-centric, enabling access to personalised services anywhere, 
anytime. Research within the Pacwoman project targeted technological 
breakthroughs necessary to realise personal area networks.

Along with the advance of wireless commu-
nication technology, the personally centred 
communication paradigm has evolved to 
meet the concept of a wireless personal area 
network (WPAN). Tethered to an individual, 
the personal operating system (POS) intro-
duced by WPAN enables personal devices to 
communicate in an ad hoc manner, as well 
as with other devices within its communica-
tion range.

To fully exploit the available spectrum for 
wireless communication systems, the orth-
ogonal  frequency  division  multiplexing 
(OFDM) scheme was introduced within the 
Pacwoman project. Chosen for the outgoing 
communication through the WPAN gate-
way, OFDM will enable terminals to handle 
a wide range of different applications, from 
voice communication to high-speed data 
transfer.

The  strength  of  the  OFDM  resides  in  its 
spectrum efficiency (bps/Hz) and, just as 
importantly, its ability to cover multipath 
channels which appear in wireless envir-
onments. Computationally demanding and 
therefore power consuming, it was not until 

recently that technological advancements 
made  it  possible  to  build  mobile  OFDM 
devices with an adequate operation time.

Researchers  at  the  University  of  Lund 
sought to design a flexible application-spe-
cific integrated circuit (ASIC) that would 
enable  OFDM  transmitters  to  be  config-
ured to function with different standards. 
A signal mapper and a signal-reordering 
unit that can insert a cyclic prefix and reor-
der data flow through a fast Fourier trans-
form (FFT) processor were included in the 
form (FFT) processor were included in the 
OFDM chip.

When  focus  was 
turned  from  trans-
mitter to transceiver, 
a higher level of per-
formance  optimisa-
tion  achieved  hard-
ware  savings.  More 
than half of the mem-
ory needed to insert a 
ory needed to insert a 
cyclic prefix could be 
cyclic prefix could be 
removed  if  a  bidirec-
removed  if  a  bidirec-
tional  FFT  processor 
tional  FFT  processor 
and  cyclic  suffix  was 
and  cyclic  suffix  was 

research*eu results supplement — No 1 — January 2008

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capturing facial characteristics in 3D

A three-dimensional (3D) model has been designed which can capture 
the behaviour of salient points on the face and head for use in animation.

The Custodiev project has designed artistic 
shaping technology through the process of 
creative pull which focuses on innovative 
ways of creating animation. One of its results 
is a 3D dynamic capture system which has 
tackled the challenging application of non-
contact real-time 3D capture.

The system captures video from as many as 
24 cameras in real time and post-processes 

the combined video streams. It then creates 
a 3D model that matches the subject’s behav-
iour and appearance. The goal is to capture 
the characteristics of prominent points on the 
face and head to be used for MPEG-4 facial 
animation parameters (FAPs). In turn, these 
drive an animated face and head model. The 
FAPs are also able to include points which are 
difficult to capture in other motion capture 
means, such as the iris of the eye.

Realistic augmented reality

Within the context of the Benogo project, a new image-based rendering 
(IBR) technology was employed to bring a new insight into presence.

The Benogo project focused on develop-
ing new tools that would offer people the 
experience  of  presence  of  real  and  pos-
sibly unknown places without actually going 
there. In order to achieve this, innovative 
camera technologies were further developed 
to allow realistic three-dimensional visual-
isation of real and possibly known places for 
a moving observer.

On the basis of advanced image-based ren-
dering  (IBR)  technology,  the  developed 
techniques allow generation of new images 
from other images instead of graphics. The 

employed IBR techniques imitate the illum-
ination conditions of the real scene when 
rendering the augmented virtual objects. 
Thereby, the virtual objects that are not pro-
vided with illumination will not be as distin-
guishable as the augmented ones.

Emulation of the illumination environment 
for a static scene, relighting images of real 
scenes and estimation of the changing illum-
ination of outdoor scenes were three key areas 
that were addressed. All developed subtech-
niques are applicable in interactive, real-time 
augmented reality systems that may be used 

marrying biological with computer vision

Researchers have studied the neural selectivity of the visual 
pathway of primates for pictorial three-dimensional (3D) shape and 
material properties for implemention in computer processing.

The  Insight2+  project  consortium  was  a 
research  team  covering  a  broad  range  of 
fields including neuroscience, perceptual 
studies,  psychology,  mathematics,  com-
puter and information sciences. Drawing 
expertise from this multitude of disciplines 
focused the project’s research on investigat-
ing the neural selectivity in visual pathways 
of the ventral visual pathway of primates. 
of the ventral visual pathway of primates. 

Key regions studied were TE and V4. The 
neural coding of pictorial 3D shape cues and 
material properties was compared against 
the corresponding features of human per-
ception.  This  mapping  forms  the  theor-
etical basis for processing of pictorial cues 
and material properties in computers.

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The  human  vision  system  uses 
two-dimensional retinal images 
to reconstruct the 3D structure 
of an object. Research prior to 
the project had proved that the 
inferior  temporal  neurons  of 
the macaque employ binocular 
disparity gradients to code for 
depth.  The  inferior  temporal 
neurons belong to the ventral 
visual stream. The project work 
showed that the same neurons 
may also code for depth using 
a  monocular  depth cue,  the 
texture gradients.

The main reason the dynamic capture sys-
tem was developed was to facilitate the por-
trayal  of  historical  figures  in  animation. 
Although faces are easy to animate, retain-
ing a specific character of facial behaviour 
is quite difficult. Following some additional 
streamlining, dynamic capture can possibly 
result in new styles of facial animation in the 
future.

Funded under the FP5 programme IST 
(User-friendly information society).

Collaboration sought: further research or development support.

Off er ID: 3617

for entertainment, education, even design 
prototyping and interactive apparatus repair.

A prototype augmented reality system was 
built that allows exploration of a real scene 
through  panning  and  tilting  a  flat  panel 
screen that is pole mounted. The screen dis-
plays a video stream of the real world along 
with arbitrary augmentations, such as his-
toric buildings or events. In all augmenta-
tions, the emulating illumination conditions 
are those of the real scene, rendering them 
almost photo-realistic.

Funded under the FP5 programme IST 
(User-friendly information society).

Collaboration sought: further research or development support.

Off er ID: 3655

The  individual  neurons  were  not  found 
selective in terms of the tilt preferences of 
the defined surfaces. That is, this was inde-
pendent of the means of definition, whether 
by texture or disparity cues. However, single 
inferior temporal neurons showed selectivity 
for the tilt of texture-defined surfaces. More-
over, the tilt preference appeared invariant for 
several different textures and slants, indicat-
ing an abstract representation of the surface 
tilt in the ventral visual cortex.

These interesting findings provided a bet-
ter understanding of the neuronal vision 
perception that may be applied in further 
developments  for  more  intelligent  and 
flexible artefacts and robots. Furthermore, 
detailed knowledge of the visual perception 
of  humans  or  non-human  primates  may 
also contribute to the design of more effec-
tive interfaces between artificial vision sys-
tems and people, for instance people with 
disabilities.

Funded under the FP5 programme IST
(User-friendly information society).

Collaboration sought: information exchange/training.

Off er ID: 3567



research*eu results supplement — No 1 — January 2008

CRTD_69.indd   34

4-02-2008   16:50:06

 
 
 
 
Understanding the craft of 2D animation

Funded under the FP5 programme IST 
(User-friendly information society).

A new book explores the understanding of two-dimensional (2D) animation in the form 
of  2++ D animation, a technology developed by the Custodiev project,  and its future.

Collaboration sought: further research or development support.

Animation technology is often developed 
without the artist’s needs in mind. The EU-
funded Custodiev project has created art-
ist projects and artists shaping technology 
through a process known as creative pull. 
The focus was on new methods of design-
ing animation, narrative drawing and per-
formance-driven art.

As an outcome of this effort, a book enti-
tled The Art and Science of Drawn Anima-
tion was written. It covers 2D animation in 
the form of 2++ D animation with examples 
taken from the many production strands 
within the project. A highlight of the book 
is the connection between the artwork, the 

styles, and the story theme, as well as the 
relationship among them. In essence, the 
book is not about methodologies so much 
book is not about methodologies so much 
as it is about stylistic tech-
niques and support for these 
techniques.

The book hopes to unite the 
research efforts of the part-
ners and co-authors. Its con-
tents include the traditional 
approach  to  animation,  the 
use of computers in non-3D 
use of computers in non-3D 
animation, and the extension 
animation, and the extension 
of digital animation technol-
of digital animation technol-
ogy to live action.

Two bobs in a wireless world

Th  e ‘Wireless world initiative’ (WWI) has developed prototype user-centred 
systems that will potentially enable millions of people to make the most of 
third-generation (3G) and beyond mobile technology to work, relax and play 
anytime, anywhere. ICT Results reports back from the WWI’s crowning event.

It is Monday morning in the not-too-distant 
future and two neighbours, Bob the builder 
and Bob the businessman, are getting ready 
for work. The builder has to drive to a job in 
a nearby town, and the businessman needs 
to take the train to the office. They switch 
on their televisions and request information 
on road and rail conditions.

Outside their front doors, the two Bobs wish 
each other a good morning and head their 
separate ways. On the train, the businessman 
watches the financial news on his palm pilot, 
while the builder tunes in his phone to his 
favourite digital radio channel and relaxes in 
the morning traffic to some classical music.

Meanwhile,  the  businessman  phones  his 
secretary and tells him through his earpiece 
that he forgot his PowerPoint presentation 
and  speech.  Bob  the  businessman’s  palm 
pilot bleeps as he enters the state-of-the-
art conference centre where he is to give 
a speech and presentation. It informs him 
that he has entered a high data rate zone and 
asks him whether he would like to switch to 
‘superbroadband’.

He sits in the conference building’s lounge 
area and notices a message from his secre-
tary in his inbox. He begins to download the 
documents he requested and surfs the web 
to do some last-minute research.

In the evening, both Bobs decide to go out. 
The builder checks the opera programme on 
his phone while the businessman checks the 

cinema schedule, and they buy their tickets 
online. Their phones’ e-signatures authen-
ticate who they are. As they enter the opera 
house and cinema, their phones automatic-
ally switch to mute.

The  EU-backed  WWI  has  developed  the 
prototype user-centred systems that have 
brought  these  future  Bobs  a  lot  closer  to 
the present. The integrated architecture the 
initiative’s five projects — MobiLife, SPICE, 
Winner, Ambient Networks, E2R — have 
developed will potentially enable millions of 
people to make the most of 3G and beyond 
mobile technology to work, relax and play 
anytime, anywhere. And, to top it all off, 
their experience will not just be wireless but 
also seamless.

Funded under the previous framework pro-
gramme (FP6), the WWI has worked over 
the past few years to develop ambient net-
works which will enable the seamless transi-
tion and interaction between services across 
a range of currently distinct and disjointed 
technology domains.

‘In the future, Bob and millions like him will 
be able to benefit from and enjoy lots of wire-
less services,’ describes France Télécom’s Mar-
ion Duprez, who heads WWI’s Cross-issue 
Validation Team. ‘The technology underpin-
ning all this is very complex and sophisti-
cated, but this does not matter to Bob.’

Off er ID: 3594

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matter greatly to WWI. Each of the initia-
tive’s projects focused on a particular tech-
nical challenge that needs to be overcome 
in  order  to  enable  mobile  technology  to 
come of age. At the same time, the projects 
worked closely together to ensure that their 
platforms and systems fit together seam-
lessly. This is what the WWI calls ‘transpar-
ent seamless mobility through distributed 
architecture’.

‘Our  team  was  in  charge  of  creating  the 
scenarios to show that the ... projects could 
work together to provide integrated services,’ 
Ms Duprez explained in the demonstration 
area of WWI’s final conference, which took 
place  in  Brussels  on  13  November  2007. 
‘Creating this end-to-end system was a real 
challenge. It required a lot of brainstorming, 
coordination and experimentation.’

But, as the Brussels demonstrations amply 
illustrated, they pulled it off. ‘It has been 
very  valuable  to  have  this  cooperation 
between telecom operators, manufacturers 
and universities. [European] Commission 
support was also invaluable in ensuring that 
the projects were well led and coordinated,’ 
Ms Duprez noted.

Both  industry  and  operators  are  already 
showing  signs  of  interest.  ‘At  France 
Télécom,  we  have  invested  a  lot  of  effort 
into these systems as part of our commit-
ment to offer new services to our customers,’ 
Ms Duprez stressed.

A new batch of WWI projects, which aim 
to continue the good work, will be funded 
under FP7.

Promoted through the ICT Results service.

Although they do not concern Bob, these 
platforms and how they relate to one another 

http://cordis.europa.eu/ictresults/index.cfm/section/news/tpl/
article/BrowsingType/Features/ID/89335

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sandwich technique eases 3D 
optical chip fabrication

Complex three-dimensional (3D) integrated circuits involving both 
optical and electronic elements are now easier to make, thanks to a 
wafer bonding technique developed by a European research consortium. 
With the right commercial backing, the new technology will help Europe 
to stay competitive in communications and sensor technology.

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Photonics is the science of controlling pho-
tons — the particles that make up light. Pho-
tonic devices are essential in telephone and 
computer networks, where they manage the 
flow of information along optical fibres. Pol-
lution monitors, laser rangefinders, surgical 
lasers and DVD players are other examples 
of photonics in action.

Photonic  devices  are  made  on  chips,  in 
a  similar  way  to  electronic  circuits,  by 
combining elements such as laser diodes, 
waveguides and detectors. Some of these 
circuits use purely optical technology, but 
most are hybrids that include both photonic 
and electronic components.

The  problem,  as  Helmut  Heidrich  of  the 
Fraunhofer Institute for Telecommunica-
tions in Berlin explains, is that the growing 
complexity of these devices is pushing the 
limits of current manufacturing technol-
ogy. In particular, photonic components are 
based on special semiconductors such as 
gallium arsenide (GaAs) or indium phos-
phide  (InP),  while  most  electronic  com-
ponents use silicon. Working with two fun-
damentally different materials on the same 
chip is difficult and expensive.

Instead of using two types of semiconductor 
in the same process, an alternative might be 
to fabricate separate slices, each made from 
one basic material, and then stick the slices 
together. In June 2004, a team of European 
scientists set out to show that this ‘wafer 
bonding’ technique could be an effective 
way to make complex multi-layer photonic 
devices.

The  EU-supported  Wapiti  project  was 
coordinated by the Fraunhofer Institute for 
Telecommunications  and  had  four  other 
academic  partners:  Romania’s  National 
Institute for R & D in Microtechnologies, 
the Max Planck Institute of Microstructure 
Physics in Germany, the University of Ath-
ens, and the University of Cambridge in the 
United Kingdom. A fifth partner, the EV 
Group in Austria, contributed its expertise 
in processing and machinery for full wafer 
bonding. Wapiti began in June 2004 and fin-
ished in September 2007.

To show the potential of wafer bonding, the 
project partners set out to build optical ele-
ments  known  as  active  microring  resona-
tors. Microrings, which act as power storage 
devices, are a key part of the lasers which allow 
high-bandwidth communications signals to be 
spread across a wide range of laser frequencies. 
They also have great potential as wavelength 
converters  for  telecommunications  and  in 
monitoring applications, such as the detection 
of biological or chemical substances.

Using InP and GaAs wafer substrates, the 
Wapiti team created various kinds of micro-
rings with radii down to 10 µm. The two-
layer  technique  allowed  them  to  create 
microrings with vertical connections to the 
transparent waveguides that carry light in 
and out of the microrings. Compared to the 
standard technique of horizontal coupling 
on a single layer, vertical coupling allows the 
production of smaller microrings, which in 
turn means higher data rates. The research-
ers tested their microring lasers with sev-
eral channels of wavelength division multi-
plexing,  at  data  rates  up  to 
plexing,  at  data  rates  up  to 
7 Gbit/s.
7 Gbit/s.

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Accurate  alignment  is  one 
of the biggest challenges in 
wafer bonding. Each wafer 
is a slice of semiconductor 
material  large  enough  to 
hold  thousands  of  chips; 
only towards the end of the 
process are the individual 
chips separated and pack-
aged. With the width of the 
smallest electronic circuit 
elements  now  down  to 
45  nm  or  less,  accurate 
alignment  across  the 
whole wafer is crucial.

Maintaining  alignment  is  hard  enough 
over a single wafer, but even trickier when 
two wafers are made separately and then 
bonded. Different wafer materials have dif-
ferent rates of thermal expansion, so tem-
perature  changes  during  processing  can 
distort the alignment of the tiny multilayer 
circuit elements.

Using electron beam lithography, the Wapiti 
partners achieved good results in aligning 
wafers of InP and GaAs 50 mm in diam-
eter  —  currently  the  standard  wafer  size 
for  these  materials.  Future  development 
will bring the need to bond 50 mm InP and 
GaAs wafers to full-size (300 mm) silicon 
wafers. For this more difficult task, ‘step-
and-repeat’ masking techniques may replace 
the current system of fabricating each layer 
as a single unit, Mr Heidrich believes.

Although  the  project  did  not  include  an 
end-user, Mr Heidrich is confident that the 
technology developed during Wapiti is very 
marketable. The partners are now looking 
for a commercial company with an interest 
in taking their devices to the next level.

He is particularly upbeat about potential 
applications in environmental monitoring. 
Because of their small size, the microring 
lasers developed by the project have out-
put powers of less than 1 mW, so they are 
not suitable for long-distance communica-
tions, which requires powers of 6–30 mW. 
Their high-quality resonators are, however, 
extremely sensitive to surface modifications, 
so they should have many applications as 
novel detectors for biological or chemical 
substances, Mr Heidrich believes.

Promoted through the ICT Results service.

http://cordis.europa.eu/ictresults/index.cfm/section/
news/tpl/article/BrowsingType/Features/ID/89356

6

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InDUsTRIal TecHnoloGIes

Inexpensive polymer-based optics

Within the context of the ‘Development of technologies for SMEs aiming at 
applying thermal infrared devices for detection and imaging’ (TECH-TIR) 
project, low-cost, complex-shaped and multifaceted polymer optics were used 
in thermal infrared device applications intended for detection and imaging.

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The	TECH-TIR	project	introduced	several	innovations	in	the	ﬁ	elds	
of	optics,	optomechanics,	actuation	and	sensor	technologies	to	
develop	two	new	products.	One	of	these	innovations	involved	
the	development	of	low-cost,	high-density	polyethylene	(HDPE)	
lenses.

Until	this	development,	the	HDPE	material	had	not	been	used	as	
an	optical	material	in	high-end	imaging	applications,	despite	its	
extensive	use	in	low-end	non-imaging	applications.	This	limita-
tion	was	mainly	due	to	its	poor	transmittance	properties	com-
pared	to	semiconductor	crystals	or	chalcogenide	glasses.	A	key	
prerequisite	for	the	production	of	HDPE	lenses	as	thin	Fresnel	ele-
ments	of	less	than	1	mm	was	to	bring	the	radiation	throughput	to	
its	maximum	potential.

Two	manufacturing	techniques	can	be	employed	for	fabrication	
of	HDPE	Fresnel	lenses:	hot	pressing	and	injection	moulding.	The	
ﬁ	rst	one	is	suitable	for	ﬂ	at	lenses	and	oﬀ	ers	a	good	moulding	
accuracy,	while	the	second	is	more	appropriate	for	curved	lenses	
with	limited	accuracy.	The	limited	accuracy	of	the	second	tech-
nique	comes	from	shrinkage	of	the	material	that	results	in	round-
ing	of	the	microreliefs	and	deformation	of	the	substrate.

Answering	 this	 need,	 hot-
pressed	 chalcogenide	 glasses	
were	 utilised;	 more	 particu-
were	 utilised;	 more	 particu-
larly,	a	doublet	of	chalcogenide	
larly,	a	doublet	of	chalcogenide	
material	 was	 used	 for	 a	 lower	
material	 was	 used	 for	 a	 lower	
cost	 product.	 Lenses	 based	 on	
cost	 product.	 Lenses	 based	 on	
chalcogenide	material	cost	less	
chalcogenide	material	cost	less	
than	those	based	on	crystalline	
than	those	based	on	crystalline	
semiconductors	 because	 of	 the	
inexpensive	raw	materials	used	and	the	cost-eﬀ	ective	manufac-
turability	(through	moulding).

The	outcome	was	the	design,	testing	and	manufacture	of	low-
cost	HDPE	solutions.	The	huge	cost	reduction	in	the	production	
of	optics	using	plastic-based	micro-optical	parts	opens	new	ave-
nues	in	imaging	and	detection	capabilities.	These	can	ﬁ	nd	numer-
ous	applications	ranging	from	medical	imaging	to	surveillance.

Funded under the FP5 programme Growth (Competitive and sustainable growth).

Collaboration sought: further research or development support, 
manufacturing agreement, venture capital/spin-off  funding.

Off er ID: 3557

Design improvements for optoelectronics devices

Advances in polymer-based optoelectronics materials oﬀ er solutions 
to today’s increasing demand for light-emitting diode (LED) products 
with greater light output, eﬃ  ciency and reliability than ever before.

Polymer light-emitting diodes (PLEDs) have 
been introduced as promising candidates 
for next-generation displays, particularly 
for portable electronic devices. A number of 
inherent qualities, including full-spectrum 
colour displays and high brightness at low 
drive voltages, render PLEDs ideally suited 
for mobile phones, digital cameras and MP3 
players.

However,  one  of  the  major  concerns  for 
their large-scale commercial exploitation 
remains their power efficiencies, since these 
are  directly  dependent  on  battery  usage. 
High-quality  devices  are  continuously 
emerging through the use of new polymer-

based optoelectronics materials; and there-
fore an explicit description of the contact 
(metal/polymer) region has become necessary.

To accurately evaluate the current-voltage 
characteristics  of  organic  material-based 
LEDs,  a  theoretical  approach  has  been 
adopted within the ‘Optical amplification 
in  polymer-based  materials  and  devices’ 
(OPAMD)  project  for  the  analysis  of  the 
contact  phenomena.  Researchers  at  the 
Technion  Israel  Institute  of  Technology 
considered the contact region as an intrinsic 
part of the device and provided numerical 
simulations of the charge distribution for 
the entire device.

optoelectronics devices on gallium nitride

Th  e growth of free-standing gallium nitride (GaN) substrates 
for light-emitting devices can be facilitated with the production line 
established in the laboratories of Linkoeping University, Sweden.

GaN and its related alloys have opened up 
the road to efficient solid-state lighting with 
white light-emitting diodes (LEDs) replacing 
conventional fluorescent tubes. GaN-based 
high-frequency electronic devices for wire-
less applications have already been launched 

on  the  open  market.  Currently,  they  are 
beginning to revolutionise the field of high-
capacity data storage with blue laser diodes.

Nevertheless, the hetero-epitaxial growth 
on  foreign  substrates,  such  as  sapphire 

research*eu results supplement — No 1 — January 2008

On the basis on their results, LEDs that can 
operate at a voltage as low as 3 V and dem-
onstrate fast switching times of a few nano-
seconds were designed and manufactured. 
Technion researchers, moving one step further, 
explored the possibility of using a new gener-
ation of polymers exhibiting high mobility.

At extremely high modulation frequencies 
of at least 500 MHz, doped PLEDs manu-
factured at Technion offered high photo-
luminescence efficiency combined with a 
long operating lifetime. In the next phase 
of research, demonstrators of visible PLEDs 
will be benchmarked for future commercial 
exploitation.

Funded under the FP5 programme Growth 
(Competitive and sustainable growth).

Collaboration sought: further research or development support.

Off er ID: 3622

or  silicon  carbide  (SiC),  results  in  high 
defect density, limiting the luminous effi-
cacy of GaN-based devices. On account 
of the recognised potential of GaN-based 
devices, the ‘Development of low dislo-
cation density gallium nitride substrates’ 
(DENIS)  project,  funded  through  FP5, 
aimed  to  develop  a  technique  suitable 
for  large-scale  production  of  GaN  thin 
wafers.

continued on page 8

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facing the challenge of market 
fluctuations in shipping

Modelling techniques for evaluating a ship’s dynamic response to waves 
are neither in their infancy, nor are they perfectly formulated. It is therefore 
essential that these are applied with expertise case by case.

The passenger ship sector is of significant 
importance for European shipyards and is 
also showing signs of growth, even though 
the bulk of shipbuilding is moving to Asia. 
Modern tanker industry trends are putting 
pressure on shipbuilders’ competitiveness, 
design and construction methods, as well as 
on efficient use of human resources.

Design- and engineering-cycle times have 
been  significantly  reduced  due  to  shorter 
delivery times dictated by heavy market com-
petition. At the same time, project size has 
grown and technical demands are becoming 
more challenging. As one of Finland’s larg-
est shipyards, Aker Finnyards has been active 
within FP5 in several R & D projects. The 
Finnish shipyard is renowned for 
its ability to carry out demanding 
shipbuilding projects.

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Within  the  Effort  project, 
research targeted the refinement 
of the Finflo-ship code used for 
solving  viscous  flows  around 
ships’  hulls  and  propellers. 
The team primarily aimed to 
speed up execution times and 
improve the user-friendliness 
of  the  Finflo  software  pack-
age, which allows fast model-
ling and easy checking.

making sea travel more comfortable

A modelling system incorporating onboard integrated passenger comfort tools 
has been designed to improve overall passenger services in ship operations.

Motion sickness is a common problem in 
sea transportation. While ships can operate 
during severe weather conditions, they are 
obliged to stop operating for many months or 
operate well under their capabilities in order 
to ensure passenger safety and comfort.

The Compass project has designed a new 
motion  sickness  prediction  model  along 
with realistic standards for motion sickness 
and passenger comfort in sea transporta-
tion. The highest technological goal was to 
improve passenger and crew safety as well 

as the reliability, operational efficiency and 
competitiveness of passenger and cruise ves-
sels in Europe’s shipping industry.

Under these auspices, a combined software 
and  hardware  tool  can  integrate  motion 
sickness assessment software with onboard 
measurement systems. This enables onboard 
continuous measurement of the motions, 
vibrations, temperature and air quality of 
the ship. It can also provide the observation 
and prediction of motion sickness and pas-
senger comfort in different sections of the 

continued from page 7  ‘optoelectronics devices on gallium nitride’

The development of this Navier-Stokes flow 
equations solver dates back to 1987, when 
a  research  project  in  computational  fluid 
dynamics (CFD) modelling techniques started 
at the Helsinki University of Technology, Fin-
land. The validity of up-to-date versions of 
the code was tested thoroughly by evaluating 
the viscous flow around the hull of a modern 
research vessel at full-scale Reynolds num-
bers. The main validity issues addressed were 
the wake, resistance and thrust, in addition to 
the elevation of the free surface.

Equipped with a strong bulbous bow, stern 
and  transom,  the  selected  vessel  was  a 
challenging case characterised by strongly 
curved lines and therefore high demands on 
the grid generation. Results demonstrated 
the need for attention to be paid to the influ-
ence of the grid resolution in order to obtain 
grid-independent solutions. Future efforts 
will be focused on speeding up computa-
tions by means of effectively parallelising 
the Finflo-ship code and using large parallel 
computers.

Funded under the FP5 programme Growth 
(Competitive and sustainable growth).

Collaboration sought: further research or development support.

Off er ID: 3614

ship. Furthermore, a decision support sys-
tem was designed which assists the captain 
in executing the proper actions to lessen 
discomfort.

This  tool  is  suitable  for  the  activities  of 
consultants, designers and shipyards. New 
motion  sickness  and  passenger  comfort 
standards specifically cater to passengers 
and crew of sea transportation and can be 
used in a broad array of vessels including 
cruise ships.

Funded under the FP5 programme Growth 
(Competitive and sustainable growth).

Collaboration sought: information exchange/training.

Off er ID: 3559

The use of substrates with closely match-
ing thermal expansion coefficients and lat-
tice constants would provide the optimal 
solution to improving the performance and 
lifetime of GaN-based devices. The DENIS 
project  has  come  to  an  end,  having  pro-
duced a range of positive contributions to 
the  establishment  of  GaN  technology  in 
Europe.

wafers can be produced has been developed 
at Linkoeping University. More specifically, 
the hydride vapour phase deposition tech-
nique was successfully used for the growth 
of  GaN  substrates  of  up  to  2  inches  in 
diameter and a thickness of 2 mm. Growth 
of bulk GaN material was performed in a 
vertical hot-walled reactor at atmospheric 
pressure.

A technique and a reactor suitable for the 
growth  of  GaN  boules  from  which  thin 

When combined with the laser-induced lift-
off for substrate delamination, the antici-

pated improved performance of light-emit-
ting devices compared to the use of sapphire 
substrates was demonstrated. However, crit-
ical questions remain to be solved as well as 
the need to clarify the effect that the use of 
such substrates has on devices’ properties.

Funded under the FP5 programme Growth 
(Competitive and sustainable growth).

Collaboration sought: further research or development support.

Off er ID: 3642

8

research*eu results supplement — No 1 — January 2008

CRTD_69.indd   38

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numerical investigations 
of modern vessel designs

Already ﬁ rmly embedded in the design process of modern vessels, 
computational ﬂ uid dynamics (CFD) soft ware tools have enabled the 
modelling of turbulent ﬂ ows for handling complex vessel geometries.

Among the remaining challenges in modern 
vessel design are the long computing times 
needed for numerical simulations of flows 
around the vessel’s hull at full scale. Only 
recently have predictions of viscous flows at 
model-scale Reynolds numbers been made 
possible by means of increased parallel com-
puting capacities.

The Effort project made significant contri-
butions to the refinement and validation of 
CFD tools for simulating the flow around 
real ships. Focusing on the applicability of 
Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) 
methods  to  viscous  flow  computations, 
project  partners  from  Poland  provided 
measurements of different flow parameters 
and collected existing data.

model tests conducted at the Ship Design 
and Research Centre, Poland, were supple-
mented with full-scale flow measurements 
around existing vessels.

For velocity measurements needed to investi-
gate the hull wake, a 3D particle image veloci-
metry technique that does not interfere with 
the field structure was deployed, in addition 
the field structure was deployed, in addition 
to laser Doppler veloci-
metry.  Furthermore, 
resistance and powering 
performance,  domin-
ant  criteria  for  the  hull 
design, were evaluated by 
means of traditional self-
propulsion and nominal 
wake tests.

Scale effects and differences in the accuracy 
of  available  CFD  codes  were  estimated 
in  order  to  increase  confidence  in  their 
prediction  capabilities.  For  this  purpose, 

Experimental  data  from 
Experimental  data  from 
several  vessels  accumu-
several  vessels  accumu-
lated at the Hamburg Ship 
lated at the Hamburg Ship 
Model  Basin,  Germany, 
Model  Basin,  Germany, 

structural health monitoring 
for natural gas vehicles

A technique based on ﬁ bre optics that may potentially provide 
an indication of developing hazardous conditions in composite 
fuel tanks has been developed within the ‘Zero-hazard gas storage 
by multisensing optical monitoring system’ (ZEM) project.

With the potential added benefit of reducing 
hazardous emissions into the environment, 
the  promotion  of  alternative  fuels  in  the 
transportation industry can reduce Europe’s 
dependence on oil. However, different factors 

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inhibit the market growth of vehicles running 
on compressed natural gas, although they are 
considered to be the cleanest internal com-
bustion vehicles available today.

Full  composite  tanks  used  to  store  com-
pressed natural gas onboard feature high 
manufacturing costs. Furthermore, despite 
their extended lifespan, safety and main-
tenance issues remain a challenge for their 
widespread use in vehicles. The ZEM project 
aimed to develop a monitoring system, based 
on fibre-optic sensors, to simplify periodical 
control and to facilitate detailed evaluation 
of the structural integrity of tanks.

To offer online interrogation during refuel-
ling, the system has been designed to be per-
manently installed on natural gas tanks. In 
particular, advanced fibre-optic sensors were 
developed for embedding in the composite 
fuel  tank  material.  Research  work  at  the 
University of Strathclyde, United Kingdom, 
focused  on  changes  in  fibre  attenuation, 
which are a significant source of inaccura-

along with flow measurements of the cor-
responding models, were added to the data-
base delivered to all project partners. Com-
parisons between measured and simulated 
results for all these case studies will provide, 
for the first time, a real indication of the pre-
diction capabilities of RANS methods used 
for practical simulations.

Funded under the FP5 programme Growth 
(Competitive and sustainable growth).

Collaboration sought: further research or development 
support, information exchange/training, private-public 
partnership — available for consultancy.

Off er ID: 3592

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cies and mainly result from microbending 
of the fibres during tank pressurisation.

In order to overcome this problem, a well-estab-
lished technique based on subcarrier phase 
measurements of radio frequency modulated 
light was selected and introduced for strain 
measurements of gas tanks. Using both in-phase 
and quadrature mixing and taking the ratio of 
the  outputs,  the  method  is  independent  of 
optical power levels over a wide range of values.

Since power levels can change because of com-
ponents ageing and a wide range of external 
environmental factors, the improved fibre-
optic strain sensors can be applied for different 
strain measurements. Moreover, they can be 
used in either transmissive or reflective mode 
to remotely interrogate units sequentially in a 
multiplexed fibre-optic sensor network. Sen-
sors offering precision and stability in  the 
microstrain range and suitable for mass pro-
duction at an economical cost are envisaged  
by the ZEM project partners for the future.

Funded under the FP5 programme Growth 
(Competitive and sustainable growth).

Collaboration sought: further research or development 
support, ﬁ nancial support — available for consultancy.

Off er ID: 3556

see also pages 20 (oﬀ  ers 3644 
and 3585), 21 (oﬀ  er 3589) and 40 
(oﬀ  ers 3621, 3579 and 3546)

research*eu results supplement — No 1 — January 2008

9

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Revolutionising public transport in Denmark

A plan has been created to implement bus priority and real-time passenger 
information (RTPI) in order to advance public transportation in Denmark.

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The  ‘City  vitality  sustainability’  (Civitas) 
project  has  provided  innovative  ways  to 
improve public transportation in the areas of 
clean vehicles, access management, pricing 
strategies and telematics solutions, amongst 
others.  Under  these  auspices,  drivers  of 
public transportation can have an improved 
working environment, and operators can 
have options for planning and monitoring.

priority at signalised junctions. This allows for 
improved service, provides less stressful driv-
ing and is more economically efficient for the 
operator. Until now, there have been no large-
scale implementations of bus priority and RTPI 
in Denmark. Part of this effort also included 
a new public transport plan with a new local 
train service. This should significantly alter the 
image of public transport in Aalborg.

An  example  of  telematics  solutions  is  the 
employment of real-time information for bus 

Given this, a new group of users is hoped 
for. These are people who do not currently 

advanced filters for fewer emissions

New ﬁ lter materials and an improved ﬁ lter design particularly 
suited for catalytic coated units have been developed for reducing 
particulate mass emissions from heavy-duty engines.

In  line  with  European  directives  for  fur-
ther  reductions  in  emissions  levels,  the 
‘Coated  sintered  metal  trap’  (COMET) 
project focused on a new technological fil-
ter concept. The new improved particulate 
filter system has been specifically designed 
to cover the needs of heavy-duty applica-
tions. It may also be employed in combin-
ation with exhaust gas recirculation (EGR), 
a nitrogen oxide (NOx) reduction technique 
employed in the majority of gasoline and 
diesel engines.

ities meeting requirements of mechanical 
properties including weight, size, coating 
ability and thermal resistance to soot com-
bustion. At the second stage, another set of 
new material variants was further developed 
aiming at better porosity, pore diameter and 
permeability according to the catalytic coat-
ing requirements. In combination  with a 
favourable permeability characteristic, fer-
rierite coatings with higher wash-coat load-
ing levels were found to be a very promising 
solution.

Project partner PUREM provided a wide 
range of new material variants to be tested 
for the new design concept. These mater-
ials feature appropriate filtration capabil-

A  new  filter  design  technology,  highly 
suitable  for  catalytic  coated  filter  units, 
was also developed. This new design dis-
plays size advantages in respect to con-

Improving air quality in vehicles

A new catalytic formulation oﬀ ering ozone removal and toluene conversion 
in vehicles is expected to ﬁ nd applications in a wide range of mobile cabins.

Aiming to provide a healthy, comfortable 
and safe environment for the driver and the 
passengers, the Cleanrcab project generated 
a novel, cost-efficient and modular air qual-
ity management system in vehicles. The sys-
tem is based on an innovative plasma-based 
catalytic process for destruction of gaseous 
pollutants  and  an  advanced  electrostatic 
technology for removal of fine aerosol par-
ticles.  Moreover,  the  system  involves  air 
monitoring  and  enhanced  driver/vehicle 
interfaces for air quality awareness as well 
as preventive maintenance information.

Research work involved the formulation of 
suitable catalysts for purifying the cabin envir-
onment  from  harmful  gaseous  pollutants, 
such as ozone and the volatile organic com-

pound (VOC) toluene. Four different cata-
lysts were developed and located downstream 
to the plasma reactor. These were porous alu-
mina (Al2O3 ), manganese oxide supported 
over  porous  alumina  (MnO2/Al2O3 ),  gold 
supported over zinc oxide (Au/ZnO) and an 
industrial catalyst (N150).

Extensive  testing  showed  that  the  best 
ozone removal was achieved with the Au/
ZnO catalyst, and for toluene removal, the 
MnO2/Al2O3 was best suited. These find-
ings showed that nanodispersed gold par-
ticles are suitable for CO2 selectivity and 
ozone  removal,  while  MnO2  can  lead  to 
toluene conversion. The powerful combin-
ation of catalyst-plasma technology is highly 
suitable not only for automotives, but also 

use public transportation because they con-
sider it too slow and out of date. Providing 
new IT solutions and an improved travel 
rate thanks to bus priority, it is quite likely 
that this will change in the future.

Funded under the FP5 programme Growth 
(Competitive and sustainable growth).

Collaboration sought: information exchange/training.

Off er ID: 3621

struction  volume  and  has  undergone 
extensive  testing  including  bench  tests 
and ash cleaning investigations. PUREM 
will  release  such  filter  systems  into  the 
market for various applications meeting 
future emission levels, such as those set 
by the Environmental Protection Agency 
(EPA) in its 2010 requirements for heavy-
duty engines.

Funded under the FP5 programme Growth 
(Competitive and sustainable growth).

Collaboration sought: further research or development support, 
information exchange/training — available for consultancy.

Off er ID: 3579

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for larger vehicles such as trucks, buses and 
trains. This is mainly due to the reduction 
of constraints imposed by the size and the 
energy consumption of the system.

Funded under the FP5 programme Growth 
(Competitive and sustainable growth).

Collaboration sought: further research or development support, 
information exchange/training, private-public partnership.

Off er ID: 3546

see also pages 20 (oﬀ  ers 3644 
and 3585), 21 (oﬀ  ers 3554 and 
3589) and 39 (oﬀ  er 3556)

0

research*eu results supplement — No 1 — January 2008

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aiming for lead-free soldering

Within the context of the ‘Environment-friendly soldering 
technology’ (EFSOT) project, innovative solder paste for lead-free 
soldering was developed for use in many industrial applications.

Directive 2002/95/EC on the restriction of 
the use of certain hazardous substances in 
electrical and electronic equipment (RoHS 
Directive) bans the use of lead from solders 
and finishes. Motivated by this, the EFSOT 
project focused on a next-generation, envir-
onment-friendly soldering technology. For 
an  easy  transition  to  lead-free  soldering 
technologies, current industrial processes 
need  to  adapt  and  possibly  adopt  new 
methodologies.

To improve the competitiveness within the 
technology, the EFSOT project promoted reli-
able, efficient and sustainable lead-free solder-
ing techniques. One of the key results was an 
innovative solder paste for lead-free soldering 
that was further optimised for a robust per-
formance and a reliable solder joint. It was 
developed on the basis of SnAgCu alloys for 
fine pitch soldering. This innovation is suitable 
for numerous applications, ranging from the 
consumer to critical automotive electronics.

Improving the performance of machinery

Th  e ‘Nanostructured coatings for engineering tribological applications’ 
(TRIBO) project extensively studied the micro-properties of advanced coatings 
deposited by diﬀ erent technologies along with their tribological behaviour.

The  performance  of  machinery  in  terms 
of quality and reliability is strongly associ-
ated with the tribological behaviour of the 
materials used. Tribological problems are 
quite common in various industrial sectors, 
such as aerospace, paper, machinery, build-
ing and in the automotive industry, to name 
only a few.

The developed high-performance SLCs have 
been extensively studied in terms of their 
tribological behaviour. The wear and fric-
tion tests covered a broad range of condi-
tions including typical working conditions 
of components, such as choice of counter-
face materials, contact pressure, speed and 
temperature.

Motivated  by  this,  the  TRIBO  project 
focused on improving the performance of 
friction joints under harsh environments 
including high-contact loads and tempera-
ture. Thereby, new advanced solid lubricant 
coating  (SLC)  materials  were  developed 
with the aid of suitable energy sources and 
deposition strategy.

The conducted experiments involved tests 
of friction behaviour and erosion resistance. 
The assessment of the friction behaviour of 
the coatings was based on two tribometers 
allowing testing under different loads and 
working temperatures. For testing erosion 
under different impingement angles, a spe-
cially adapted test-bench was employed.

automatic assessment 
of industrial plant components

Th  e newly developed XpectionTool is an automatically operating 
soft ware for evaluation and assessment of a material’s real structure 
from data involving two-dimensional x-ray diﬀ raction patterns.

Under the auspices of the ‘Innovate residual 
service time assessment of industrial plant com-
ponents using real structure analysis by onsite 
x-ray diffraction’ (Xpection) project, an innova-
tive material ageing characterisation method 
that employs onsite x-ray diffraction was gen-
erated.  The  novel  inspection  methodology 
can be easily integrated into the infrastructure 
of inspection and maintenance of industrial 
plants. The method includes hardware and soft-
ware for obtaining data, evaluation of residual 
life-time and process simulation.

The XpectionTool experimental prototype 
covers  all  operations  from  evaluation  of 

two-dimensional x-ray diffraction data to 
monitoring materials properties. The tool 
is very flexible and may be easily adapted 
to any infrastructure. Using raw data format 
as an input, its use does not require any spe-
cialisation skills in crystallography.

Although  the  main  application  area  is 
inspection and maintenance, it may be also 
used for quality control in production and 
material research using two-dimensional x-
ray diffraction. The XpectionTool is highly 
suitable  for  fossil-related  electric  power 
generation and petrochemical industries. 
Other  potential  applications  include  all 

research*eu results supplement — No 1 — January 2008

The new solder paste displays excellent per-
formance properties similar to the common 
SnPb solder paste. These include printabil-
ity, wettability under air and reliability of the 
chemical behaviour of residues after reflow 
joints. The trademarked product is widely 
available not only in Europe, but also over-
seas. For further information, please visit: 
http://www.efsot-europe.info/servlet/is/1

Funded under the FP5 programme Growth 
(Competitive and sustainable growth).

Collaboration sought: further research or 
development support, marketing agreement.

Off er ID: 3615

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The  experimental  data  obtained  for  the 
micro-properties  of  the  materials,  which 
were deposited with the aid of various tech-
nologies, were found to be satisfactory for 
further exploitation of the coatings. More-
over, they constitute a valuable repository 
for future research on SLCs’ potentialities 
that  may  lead  to  further  optimisation  of 
materials and real parts.

Funded under the FP5 programme Growth 
(Competitive and sustainable growth).

Collaboration sought: information 
exchange/training — available for consultancy.

Off er ID: 3582

types of electric power generation, aircraft 
manufacturing and maintenance, pulp and 
paper, chemical, food, foundries, cement 
and concrete.

The XpectionTool is unique in its develop-
ment since the user is able to complete all 
the evaluation steps involved using only one 
tool in the simplest way possible. There are 
no requirements for data formatting, which 
is both time and resource consuming. Its 
adoption may significantly benefit industries 
performing inspection, manufacturers of x-
ray  diffraction  components  and  research 
organisations. For further information on 
the  project,  please  visit:  http://projects.
tecnatom.es/xpection/index.html

Funded under the FP5 programme Growth 
(Competitive and sustainable growth).

Off er ID: 3641

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Wearing technology on your sleeve

You think the switch from typewriter to computer was a revolution? Th  e next 
stage could see many of us interacting with computers inserted into our very 
clothes. A new project is exploring a range of applications where wearable 
technology could signiﬁ cantly improve productivity and even help save lives.

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‘Assimilate,  assimilate!’  You  trekkies  out 
there  will  recognise  the  Borg  mantra  for 
the bloodcurdling ‘assimilation’ of humans 
by machines. On the other side of the sci-fi 
divide, many may recall Star Wars’ recently 
revived  Darth  Vader,  the  half-man,  half-
machine dark lord of intergalactic evil.

From science fiction to science fact, the pair-
ing of man and machine has always been at 
the forefront of our fears of what the techno-
logical future might have in store. But it has 
also been the basis of many of our concep-
tions for dealing with the challenges of the 
future: efficient multimedial communications, 
improved ecologically friendly transport and 
revolutionary medical applications. After all, 
for every space villain, there is a light sabre 
ready to be used to chop his head off.

Today’s instances of the association between 
man  and  technology  are  perhaps  not  as 
impressive to the jaded cinema-goer, but 
just as ambitious for the impact they could 
have on our daily lives. The focus, though, 
is perhaps not so much on assimilation as 
it is on integration and usability. European 
researchers have been carrying out wide-
ranging testing of new wearable technology 
with applications in a variety of fields and 
with the potential of protecting and even 
saving lives. The vital innovation is that the 
technology facilitates a new form of human-
computer interaction comprising small, eas-
ily accessible body-worn computers that are 
always on and always responsive.

‘If you have a desktop application, then there 
is always a screen, a keyboard and a com-
puter unit, but if you have a wearable com-
puting solution, then it can be completely 
different,’  says  Michael  Lawo,  technical 
manager of the WearIT@work project. ‘You 
can  have  speech  control  in  one  instance, 
can  have  speech  control  in  one  instance, 

gesture control in another, though the appli-
cation should always be the same,’ he says. 
The open wearable computing framework 
being  developed  essentially  comprises  a 
central, easily wearable and hardware-inde-
pendent computing unit which gives access 
to an ICT environment. Some of the basic 
components include wireless communica-
tion, positioning systems, speech recogni-
tion, interface devices, and low-level soft-
ware platforms or toolboxes allowing these 
features to work together.

The pattern of this EU-funded project is 
woven as much out of applications as it is 
technology. It uses a number of commercial, 
off-the-shelf components and brings them 
together to create a new tool with the poten-
tial to revolutionise the way we work.

‘Wearable computing is a completely new 
working paradigm,’ Mr Lawo says. ‘It is a 
technology which can support you in a par-
ticular environment. Instead of working at 
the computer, you are directly supported by 
the technology, a bit like when you are driv-
ing a car and you get information from the 
navigation system supporting you in your 
primary tasks.’

WearIT@work, the largest civilian wearable 
computing effort worldwide, is currently 
being tested in four different fields. These 
include  aircraft  maintenance,  emergency 
response, car production and health care. 
Pilot projects in the areas of bush-fire pre-
vention, e-inclusion and cultural heritage 
have also been launched recently.

In  most  cases,  the  technology  is  being 
applied to people who are not accustomed 
to using computers at the workplace, such 
as blue-collar workers. ‘The basic idea was 

to  make  the  technology  available  to  the 
workers and directly improve productivity,’ 
Mr Lawo says.

‘We address fields where there are no similar 
applications today. Take the example of an 
aircraft technician. There is a person doing 
paperwork who has to find the relevant docu-
mentation  on  a  computer.  He  has  to  find 
the  aircraft  maintenance  manual  and  the 
parts manual, and produce a printout. These 
documents are handed over to the technician 
who then goes to the aircraft to do his work. 
He then has to write a report on a sheet of 
paper. And that is the way things work today. 
What we are doing is giving the worker sup-
port and direct access to the ICT system from 
the workplace. We get rid of the paper.’

With a considerable number of applications 
potentially possible, perhaps the most chal-
lenging test case for the project is the one 
involving emergency response teams, in col-
laboration with the Paris fire brigade. The 
technology helps to support the communi-
cation, collaboration and information pro-
cesses of rescue forces.

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The  efficiency  and  safety  of  firemen  can 
be considerably improved by a number of 
light, easy-to-use and resistant devices, such 
as biosensors monitoring their physiological 
condition and improved localisation of haz-
ards, personnel and retreat paths.

The  technology  has  largely  been  well 
received by workers. ‘They recognise that 
this  is  a  new  technology  where  you  can 
monitor working activities, but they do not 
hesitate to use it, and they see the advan-
tage of it,’ Mr Lawo says. Difficulties might 
nonetheless emerge in the future. ‘As soon 
as you come to the actual introduction of 

continued on page 

2

research*eu results supplement — No 1 — January 2008

CRTD_69.indd   42

4-02-2008   16:51:13

 
 
 
 
 
novel non-linear polymers

Within the context of the ‘Polymer molecular modelling at integrated 
length/time scales’ (PMILS) project, a new methodology produced 
branched polymeric structures from non-linear molecular architectures.

Aiming to reduce costly experimental trials 
and errors in the polymer industry, PMILS 
addressed the issue of effectively predict-
ing the macroscopic properties of polymer 
materials. Based on knowledge of molecular 
constitution  and  processing  history, 
researchers have developed suitable meth-
odologies and tools for polymer molecular 
modelling.

One of the project results involved a state-of-
the-art Monte Carlo algorithm for the simu-
lation of long-chained polyethylene melts 
with a linear and a non-linear molecular 
architecture. The algorithm is based on an 
advanced set of chain-connectivity altering 
moves and may be used for both mono- and 
poly-disperse systems.

H-shaped polyethylene systems that include 
polyethylene chains with a main backbone 
trapped between two branch points, each of 

which is linked to two dangling arms, were 
used for testing purposes. The test results 
offered  numerous  uncorrelated  and  fully 
equilibrated  configurations  at  all  length 
scales for subsequent molecular dynamics 
studies.

Apart  from  the  rigorous  estimates  of  the 
thermodynamic and conformational prop-
erties of H-polymers, the algorithm was also 
erties of H-polymers, the algorithm was also 
found  capable  of  accurately 
predicting several key prop-
erties. These included branch 
point  friction,  diffusivity  of 
chain  centre-of-mass,  spec-
trum  of  relaxation  times  and 
zero shear rate viscosity.

The key innovative aspect with 
the  new  code  rests  in  its  abil-
the  new  code  rests  in  its  abil-
ity to simulate the viscoelastic 
ity to simulate the viscoelastic 
properties of polymers bearing 
properties of polymers bearing 

long/short branches along their backbone. 
The algorithm would be very useful in non-
equilibrium  molecular  dynamics  simu-
lations when interpreting the strain-hard-
ening properties of branched polyethylene 
melts. In addition, it may be able to prove 
the better performance of branched poly-
mers in fluid-flow processing operations in 
comparison to linear ones.

Funded under the FP5 programme Growth 
(Competitive and sustainable growth).

Collaboration sought: further research or development support.

Off er ID: 3620

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new techniques cut cost of producing 
woven textile-reinforced thermoplastics

Two new technologies have been developed to improve textile processing 
techniques, thereby making the production of woven textile-reinforced 
thermoplastics both more economical and better for the environment.

The previously used production process of 
heating resin and textile in a metal mould 
and  then  quickly  cooling  it  used  a  huge 
amount of energy to produce large thermo-
plastic composite parts. This was both very 
expensive and harmful to the environment.

The  partners  in  the  Amiterm  project 
improved  the  energy  balance  in  the  pro-
duction of the thermoplastic parts by heat-
ing the resin and textile but not the mould, 
leading to a faster production cycle. They 
achieved this with two new technologies, 
the JETex process and  the HTex process. 
With the JETex process, a low-viscous pre-
polymer  is  injected  into  a  non-metallic 

mould and heated by microwave energy and 
then polymerised. The HTex process uses 
pre-impregnated 2D or 3D textile inserts 
which are put in a specific mould. The yarn 
is heated with the inserts, compressed and 
the thermoplastic resin forms the solid ther-
moplastic composite.

The aims of the project were lower produc-
tion costs, an improvement in production 
flexibility and a reduction in negative envir-
onmental impact. These have been achieved 
and, as a consequence, the project partners 
are now in a position to improve their com-
petitiveness in the market. The new produc-
tion process is available in several European 

countries and will therefore be supporting 
Europe in the global economy.

Benefits to the European economy will com-
prise more SME inclusion in the industry as 
their competitiveness potentially increases. 
This is due to the new techniques that mean 
less harmful effects for the environment, 
significant energy savings and safer working 
conditions for staff as they are less exposed 
to fumes and fibre dust, as well as easier 
transportation due to lighter parts. Another 
very positive result was that technical staff 
in the partner companies gained a lot of new 
experience and training, which could have 
a very positive effect on the moulding and 
manufacturing industry in Europe.

Funded under the FP5 programme Growth 
(Competitive and sustainable growth).

Collaboration sought: information exchange/training.

Off er ID: 3640

continued from page 2  ‘Wearing technology on your sleeve’

the technology and start negotiating with 
the unions, privacy will undoubtedly be an 
issue,’ Mr Lawo says.

WearIT@work already has some 42 part-
ners, including IT giants Microsoft, Hewlett-
Packard and Siemens, but Mr Lawo says the 
project  is  always  on  the  lookout  for  new 
ventures.

‘Research will continue for components or 
for positioning systems. There is  a lot of 
further research that can be carried out, but 
you can basically already do quite a lot with 
the application and with the technology that 
already exist,’ he confirms.

period where the focus will shift to exploit-
ation. ‘What we really want to do is intro-
duce  the  system  into  everyday  working 
methods,’ Mr Lawo says.

Promoted through the ICT Results service.

Testing is due to continue until mid-2008 
and will be followed by an initial 12-month 

http://cordis.europa.eu/ictresults/index.cfm/section/
news/tpl/article/BrowsingType/Features/ID/89322

research*eu results supplement — No 1 — January 2008

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optimising processes for hydrogen separation

Aiming to realise a membrane-based hydrogen (H) separation technique, 
the ‘Ceramic membranes for hydrogen separation’ (Cerhysep) project 
developed suitable methods and tools for process optimisation.

Separations are widely used in the chemical 
industry for purification of the feedstock 
and removal of impurities from a mixture. 
Basically,  separation  is  used  to  improve 
process efficiency, yet most separation pro-
cesses display a poor thermodynamic effi-
ciency, particularly distillation. As modern 
industry moves towards sustainable growth 
and  development,  a  new,  more  efficient 
separation technology which is more envir-
onmentally friendly has to be realised. Fur-
thermore, the development must be readily 
applicable and available.

Due  to  improved  efficiencies  and  huge 
energy and cost savings, membranes con-
stitute  a  good  alternative  to  distillation. 
Membranes have the potential to be used 
in  many  processes,  including  pervapora-
tion, dehydrogenation reactions, water-gas 
shift reaction and steam reforming. Urged 

by this, the Cerhysep project focused on a 
membrane/membrane module toolbox for 
H separation from various process streams 
within the (petro)chemical industry.

H may be derived with the aid of the water-
gas shift reaction in combination with cata-
lytic partial oxidation or steam reforming. 
This innovative technology can be employed 
in numerous useful applications even under 
harsh  environments.  Most  importantly, 
it  may  be  exploited  to  promote  the  eco-
friendly  H-based  economy,  i.e.  H-based 
fuel cells.

The assessment of the technical and eco-
nomic potential of employing membranes 
and  membrane  reactors  in  processes 
requires time-consuming and costly experi-
mentations.  In  order  to  minimise  these 
experiments, project researchers propose 

Predicting the durability 
of high-performance concrete

Within the context of the ‘Life cycle management of concrete 
infrastructures for improved sustainability’ (Lifecon) project, new 
degradation models for high-performance concrete (HPC) were 
developed and tested to oﬀ er reliable service life prediction.

Durability of building materials is a very 
important  issue  that  depends  heavily  on 
exposure to different climatic conditions. 
Investigation of the damage behaviour of 
individual  materials  provides  a  basis  to 
assess the lifetime of constructions such as 
roadways,  bridges,  tunnels  and  standard 
buildings.

In  particular,  the  manufacture  of  HPC 
involves  a  combination  of  ultra-strength 
concrete with industrial by-products and 
admixtures, such as silica fume or fly ash. 

This  extends  the  limits  of  the  HPC  as  a 
structural material, which makes prediction 
of its lifetime a very difficult task.

Motivated  by  this,  the  Lifecon  project 
focused on systematic studies of the dur-
ability of different concrete design concepts, 
exposed to various climatic conditions in 
Europe.  By  correlating  laboratory  data 
against  data  coming  from  in-field  tests, 
researchers  were  able  to  analyse  deteri-
oration  mechanisms  for  development  of 
degradation models.

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More  specifically, 
More  specifically, 
test  results  were 
coupled  with  data 
f r o m 
d e r i v e d  
observations of in-
service  structures 
in  order  to  assess 
the  behaviour  of 
the different HPC 
mixtures  in  the 
field.  The  latter 
were  correlated 
with  laboratory 
studies  offering 
an assessment of 

to use process engineering and flow-sheet-
ing  calculations  for  a  rapid  and  effective 
assessment. A wide range of tools has been 
developed, from an MS Excel spreadsheet to 
flow-sheeting package ASPEN+ with new 
codes implemented.

The new codes provide descriptions of the 
membrane and reactor performance as well 
as combined heat and mass transfer for dehy-
drogenation and water-gas shift reactions. 
The sophisticated toolbox has already been 
successfully tested in the evaluation process 
of several different processes. The models 
used are easily extendable to include other 
types of reactions, such as steam reforming 
and esterification reactions. For more infor-
mation on the project, please visit: http://
www.sintef.no/cerhysep/partnerschs.htm

Funded under the FP5 programme Growth 
(Competitive and sustainable growth).

Collaboration sought: further research or development support.

Off er ID: 3560

see also page 17 (oﬀ  er 3628)

the durability behaviour of HPC mixtures 
against different exposure classes.

On the basis of the deviations in the behav-
iour of the various HPC mixtures exposed 
to  different  climatic  conditions,  models 
were designed and analysed to describe the 
degradation processes. The deterioration 
models comprised several damage mech-
anisms in relation to the HPC mixtures and 
the exposure classes of the concrete stand-
ard EN 206.

Aided by these modelling tools, mixtures 
with  an  improved  resistance  to  different 
climatic conditions can be evaluated. Such 
estimations can provide the basis for devel-
oping recommendations for HPC produc-
tion with constituents falling within fixed 
limits and acceptance criteria according to 
EN 206 exposure classes.

Apart  from  contributing  to  lifetime  pre-
diction of HPC as far as durability is con-
cerned,  guidelines  were  also  generated. 
These guidelines refer to service life evalu-
ation, classification to EN 206 service class, 
and recommendations to industry for HPC 
applications. Potential partners for further 
use of the results include designers, material 
suppliers and other research organisations 
in the construction sector.

Funded under the FP5 programme Growth 
(Competitive and sustainable growth).

Collaboration sought: further research or development support.

Off er ID: 3566

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Innovation steps in industrial 
machining processes

Widely used in the automotive, aeronautical and capital goods 
sectors to obtain the accuracy required, grinding processes are 
considered among the most polluting machining processes.

Innovative grind-hardening tools developed 
in the framework of the ‘Development of 
low-energy and eco-efficient grinding tech-
nologies’ (ENGY) project aim to improve 
the quality of steel hardened components 
and address efficiency issues for their entire 
manufacturing cycle.

In current manufacturing practice, work-
pieces  after  short  machining  need  to  be 
transported to the surface hardening bay, 
cleaned and subjected to heat treatment. 
They  are  then  discharged,  moved  back 
and incorporated into the production line 
for a final precision surface finish. During 
grinding, undesirable changes of the mech-
anical properties generated by heat treat-
ment can result from thermo-mechanical 
processes.

Experimental  studies  demonstrated  that 
heat generated in the contact zone between 
conventional grinding wheels and the work-
piece can be used to induce metallurgical 
transformations  necessary  to  harden  the 
material’s surface. The workpiece surface 
is locally heated above the austenitisation 
temperature and is subsequently quenched 
to increase surface hardness.

The  final  hardening  was  substantially 
dependent on the material properties and 
the grinding wheel specifications, but could 
be controlled by the grinding parameters. 
Within the ENGY project, researchers at the 
University of Bremen, Germany, evaluated 
a wide range of suitable machining param-
eters in order to achieve a uniform hardness 
penetration depth of > 0.5 mm.

computer-assisted design 
of hip replacement prostheses

Longer life expectancy, an increasingly active population and scientiﬁ c advances 
are fuelling a tremendous demand for new and improved biomedical devices.

As  technology  evolves,  researchers  and 
manufacturers  cooperating  within  the 
Biograd project faced the enduring task of 
delivering biomaterials that combine high 
quality and lifelong performance.

The  availability  of  natural  and  synthetic 
biomaterials  has  permitted  the  develop-

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ment  of  the  bone  and  joint  replacement 
techniques which are now in current use. 
Such implanted prostheses provide restored 
mobility and relief from suffering for thou-
sands  of  patients;  they  are,  however,  still 
generally based on materials selected from 
engineering practice. Combining the abil-
ity to be tolerated by the human body with 
mechanical properties sufficient to with-
stand anticipated physiological stress, they 
offer an effective immediate solution.

To improve long-term performance while 
reducing stress on hip joint replacements, 
the Biograd project demonstrated the use 
of functionally graded ceramics. With the 
variation of the composition from a tough 
zirconia-rich core to a hard, chemically and 
wear-resistant surface layer of alumina, a 
unique combination of properties could be 
offered.

The particular interest in these materials 
lies  primarily  in  the  high  hardness  and 
chemical resistance of alumina, which is 
too brittle for many structural applications. 
Zirconia, on the other hand, is one of the 
toughest  ceramic  materials,  but  it  does 
not retain its excellent mechanical prop-
erties  in  the  presence  of  water  and  high 
temperature.

research*eu results supplement — No 1 — January 2008

In addition to cutting speed, feed and infeed 
rate, different methods for the application of 
coolant lubricants were examined in order to 
determine the optimum machining strategy. 
Furthermore, test-tapered workpieces were 
developed by means of which the definition 
of  the  optimum  machining  parameters 
could be significantly shortened.

Past structural investigations and hardness 
measurements as well as residual stress and 
fatigue  analyses  have  proved  that  grind-
hardening can be a cost-effective alternative 
to conventional surface layer hardening pro-
cesses. Besides high precision and life-long 
performance, grind-hardening tools devel-
oped by the ENGY project partners can pro-
vide for shorter process chains for the manu-
facture of steel hardened components.

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Funded under the FP5 programme Growth 
(Competitive and sustainable growth).

Collaboration sought: further research or development support, 
information exchange/training — available for consultancy.

Off er ID: 3555

To compensate for the tendency of ceramics 
to fail suddenly with local plastic deform-
ation,  project  partners  from  Italy  sought 
to identify the optimum conical coupling 
between  stem  and  femoral  head.  Finite 
element methods were used to investigate 
the effects of changing parameters, such as 
material properties and contact geometry, 
on the evolution of surface shear stresses 
within the ceramic femoral head.

These numerical analyses incorporate the 
principles of Newtonian mechanics. They 
are applied to models and animate the real-
istic behaviour of the femoral head coupled 
with the prosthetic acetabular component in 
the patient’s pelvis. Residual stresses devel-
oped in different parts of the fully graded 
ceramic structure were implemented into 
subsequent processes of the grinding and 
assembly  to  simulate  the  entire  manu-
facturing cycle.

The  results  indicated  the  importance  of 
fixation between the head and the stem to 
withstand torque likely to be transmitted 
through the prosthesis in use. Specific defi-
nitions of the functionally graded materials’ 
operating conditions will contribute, in the 
future, to superior mechanical properties 
and  better  wear  resistance  for  prosthesis 
components.

Funded under the FP5 programme Growth
 (Competitive and sustainable growth).

Collaboration sought: further research or development support.

Off er ID: 3590

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cooking up new mems: a taste 
of microscopic machines to come

Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) are tiny components 
etched from silicon. Production is extremely complex, sometimes 
with hundreds of steps, each with dozens of parameters.

The  EU-funded  Promenade  project  has 
developed software that can test, simulate, 
track  and  share  new  manufacturing  pro-
cesses.  It  could  slash  development  times 
and  pave  the  way  for  innovative  MEMS 
designs.

If you could shrink yourself smaller than a 
dust mite and explore the innards of a mod-
ern car, you would discover some amazing 
microscopic machines. Carefully etched out 
of silicon wafers are microscale accelerom-
eters to trigger airbags, gyroscopes to detect 
and correct dangerous yaw, and pressure 
sensors to monitor tyre inflation.

The automotive industry is one of the big-
gest consumers of MEMS. These tiny com-
ponents link the worlds of electronics and 
mechanics. Using the same manufacturing 
principles employed to produce microchips, 
it is possible to etch silicon into electrical 
devices with moving parts.

MEMS manufacturing is extremely com-
plex,  sometimes  involving  hundreds  of 
different steps. Each step may be control-
led by a dozen or more parameters, includ-
ing temperatures, pressures and chemical 
compositions.

‘Trying to come up with a manufacturing 
recipe for a new MEMS component is so 
complicated it would be impossible without 
ICT support. You just couldn’t keep up with 
all the variables and their impact on the final 
outcome,’ explains Dirk Ortloff, co-origina-
tor of the Promenade project.

A difference of 5 °C may have little effect on 
the production of silicon chips, because they 
only depend on the electrical properties of 

the  material.  MEMS,  however,  also  have 
mechanical properties. A small variation in 
any manufacturing parameter at any step 
could  alter  the  performance  of  the  final 
product.

Promenade brought together some of the 
foremost experts in process development 
for MEMS devices. The project consisted of 
seven partners, including industry, research 
institutes, universities and software vendors 
from Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, 
Austria and the United Kingdom. The aim 
of  the  project  was  to  build  software  that 
could support the design of MEMS manu-
facturing sequences.

Working closely with Bosch and the Interuni-
versity Microelectronics Center (IMEC) in 
Belgium as potential end-users, the research 
partners  focused  on  three  modules.  The 
design  module  lets  manufacturers  input 
and  edit  the  sequence  of  manufacturing 
steps using a graphical interface. The mod-
ule can really cut down development time 
by performing consistency checks on the 
assembled process flow. These checks help 
to avoid common errors like wrong or for-
gotten pre- or post-processing.

Each step and its related parameters and 
other  data  are  stored  in  a  database  in  a 
standardised format. Dr Ortloff says this is 
an important breakthrough for the MEMS 
industry.  ‘Currently  it  is  not  possible  to 
transfer complex MEMS recipes together 
with their support data electronically. By 
making  this  information  available  in  a 
standard format, it will be much quicker for 
manufacturers to transfer the information 
and to set up fabrication in different units.’

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The  second  module 
The  second  module 
allows  designers  to 
allows  designers  to 
simulate  the  manu-
facturing  sequence. 
This module is based 
on  a  commercially 
available  simulation 
package  by  Silvaco, 
one  of  the  project 
partners.  Develop-
ment  work  within 
t he  proje c t  has 
adapted  Silvaco’s 
software to account 
f o r   t h e   p h y s -
ical  structure  of 
MEMS.  Reliable 

simulations are essential for MEMS designs 
so that as many problems as possible can be 
ironed out prior to expensive experimental 
and prototype production.

The final module developed by the Prom-
enade consortium is a tracking component 
that documents the entire manufacturing 
process — every parameter of every step, 
along with images and scans of the device.

‘Capturing experimental data is routine in 
the industry,’ Dr Ortloff says, ‘but there is 
no system that captures all of it, then organ-
ises the data in a way that finds the relations 
between the data. We help to turn all the 
data into knowledge and, again, speed up 
the development process because you don’t 
need to gather all the knowledge again every 
time you design a new MEMS.’

The project’s results have been welcomed 
by MEMS manufacturers and several com-
mercial  products  will  be  made  available. 
Silvaco will offer a tool for full 3D process 
flow  simulation  analysis,  incorporating 
models for MEMS processing.

What’s  more,  Promenade  team  members 
at Cavendish Kinetics in the Netherlands 
and the University of Siegen in Germany 
have started a new spin-off company, called 
Process Relations GmbH. The start-up has 
already completed its first round of funding 
and is approaching a second round as it pre-
pares the worldwide launch of Promenade’s 
commercial successor, named XperiDesk.

XperiDesk will provide the first-ever process 
development and execution system (PDES) 
in the area of microelectronics and MEMS, 
and later also for other high-tech industries 
like solar and biomedical equipment manu-
facturers. Dr Ortloff estimates the market 
for PDESs at EUR 100 million per year.

‘XperiDesk  will  really  speed  up  process 
development and the transfer of the pro-
cesses, perhaps by two or more weeks for 
any  one  transfer,’  Dr Ortloff  says.  ‘It  will 
also  allow  novel  devices  and  ideas  to  be 
tested and taken into development, whereas 
previously they would have been cancelled 
because no one could work out how to make 
them. For high-tech companies with their 
fast product life cycles, this can be a real 
competitive advantage.’

Who knows what magnificent machines you 
might soon discover exploring the insides of 
that automobile?

Promoted through the ICT Results service.

http://cordis.europa.eu/ictresults/index.cfm/section/
news/tpl/article/BrowsingType/Features/ID/89367

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eco-friendly adhesive materials

Under the auspices of the ‘Interconnection materials for environmentally 
compatible assembly technologies’ (Imecat) project, new, advanced, environmentally 
friendly materials have been developed for ﬂ ip-chip assembly technologies.

The Imecat project has developed intercon-
nection materials, such as lead-free solders 
and adhesives for assembly technologies of 
electronic systems. The new, environmentally 
compatible technology concerns isotropic con-
ductive adhesives (ICAs) and non-conduc-
tive adhesives (NCAs). These materials can be 
exploited in numerous fields including the auto-
motive industry, liquid crystal display (LCD), 
telecom systems, smart card or smart label and 
portable telecommunication applications.

With the emphasis on advanced flip-chip 
technologies, innovative, very fast curing 

NCA  materials  were  generated.  Having 
tested several epoxy materials such as res-
ins and curing agents, a bisphenolic and a 
cycloaliphatic resin as well as a cationic cur-
ing agent were found to be most promising. 
These were further explored to assess their 
capabilities regarding their interaction with 
system components as well as their suitabil-
ity for application.

The adhesive developed for the NCA sys-
tem,  namely  the  NCA4-020,  displayed 
a  very  fast  curing  time  at  about  180  to 
200 °C. The system allows a fast connec-

critical challenges for mems

Promising predictions that the future of microelectromechanical systems 
(MEMS) is ‘just around the corner’ have proven to slowly come true. Within the 
‘Process for hydrophobisation of surfaces’ (Hydrosurf) project, self-assembled 
monolayer (SAM) coatings have been developed for surfaces of contacting 
MEMS’s micro-components to help them interact and function smoothly.

MEMS, although built using semiconduc-
tor technologies, are not integrated circuits 
and demonstrate a different set of failure 
mechanisms and reliability concerns. Reli-
ability concerns for these very small devices 
combining mechanical components, micro-
sensors, micro-actuators and electrics on a 
common silicon-based substrate focus on 
mechanical rather than on electrical failure 
modes.

The Hydrosurf project, which was partly 
financed by the EU, aimed to reduce or elim-
inate adhesion-related phenomena during 
fabrication of MEMS devices, responsible 
for their limited lifetime. Due to their high 
surface  area-to-volume  ratio  and  surface 

smoothness of the micro-machined struc-
tures  of  most  micro-mechanical  devices, 
strong static friction and adhesion forces 
can be developed.

The magnitude of these interfacial forces is 
sufficient to deform and attract these struc-
tures to the substrate, causing the device’s 
failure. Chemists, microsystems engineers 
and manufacturers collaborated with ori-
ginal equipment manufacturer customers to 
successfully hydrophobise the microstruc-
tures’ surface by coating them with a SAM 
and abate deleterious effects of adhesion.

Since liquid-phase monolayer deposition 
is accompanied by the production of large 

tion of flip chips on different substrates, 
including  chip-on-flexible  (COF)  chro-
mium-on-glass (COG) substrates. Com-
pared to anisotropic conductive adhesive 
technology, it is less expensive while it may 
be employed in similar applications. Work 
is under way to further decrease its cost 
in  high-volume  production  applications 
of smart labels. Producers of smart cards, 
smart labels and LCDs are sought for fur-
ther collaborations.

Funded under the FP5 programme Growth
 (Competitive and sustainable growth).

Collaboration sought: further research or development 
support, joint venture agreement, licence agreement, 
information exchange/training.

Off er ID: 3565

amounts  of  environmentally  hazardous 
waste (including heptane), research efforts 
focused on the implementation of a vapour 
phase coating process. For the surface char-
acterisation of the SAM, dedicated contact 
angle measurement tools were developed 
by engineers at the Technical University of 
Denmark.

Wafer-shaped substrates of different mater-
ials, such as silicon, sapphire, quartz and 
pyrex, were coated with dedicated test SAM 
layers to evaluate the accuracy of measuring 
contact angles, which reached 0.1 °. In com-
bination  with  suitable  surface  treatment, 
contact angle measurements can lead to the 
optimum  coating  process  recipes  for  the 
industrial application of SAMs, specifically 
designed for MEMS micro-components.

Funded under the FP5 programme Growth 
(Competitive and sustainable growth).

Collaboration sought: further research or development support.

Off er ID: 3598

further information on the research results featured in this issue and 
on the projects which have delivered them is available on coRDIs.

oﬀ ers articles are disseminated by the coRDIs Technology marketplace: 
http://cordis.europa.eu/marketplace
To view individual articles online, key their ID number in the ‘oﬀ ers’ search 
window on the service’s homepage. To read up on the project presented 
in the article, select ‘view related result’ at the end of the text, then scroll 
down on the next page for a link to the project description. 

IcT Results articles were sourced from the IcT Results service:
http://cordis.europa.eu/ictresults
for more details on these projects and on their work, please access 
the articles online using the URl provided in reference.

research*eu results supplement — No 1 — January 2008

7

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