Abstract
Innovation Convention 2011
The Innovation Convention, held in Bruxelles on December 5–6, 2011, was an essential part of the Innovation Union flagship initiative.
The Innovation Convention 2011 was led by the President of the European Commission, Mr. José Manuel Barroso, and Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, European Commissioner for Research, Innovation, and Science. It was Europe's premier innovation event, with more than 1,200 selected participants.
The event also featured an area dedicated to career opportunities and advice for researchers on key innovation issues such as patents, IPR, and venture capital, as well as an exhibition of innovative EU-funded research. We continue in this issue with the description of the selected projects, which represent the most innovative European projects (Star Projects).
Star EU-Funded Research and Innovation Projects (Part 2)
11. EuCARD: Novel accelerators for our future
A new type of particle accelerator has been developed and demonstrated for the first time. Named “EMMA,” the “Electron Model for Many Applications” is a prototype electron accelerator, which is now operating in the UK. Due to its unique advantages, this type of accelerator could solve a number of the big challenges identified in the Innovation Union, in particular in the areas of healthy aging, energy, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Come to our stand to learn how EMMA works, see a real section of the accelerator, and discover how it might improve our lives in the future.
Rob Edgecock,
12. FALLWATCH: A miniaturized fall detection device for the elderly
FallWatch enables the miniaturization of a new fall detection device for the elderly. The project seeks to enhance reliability and security of alerts triggered in case of critical falls of elderly persons living alone or in institutions. The exhibition will show our research on the embedded sensor, which is directly set on the skin with a patch, and how the communication with a remote call center works.
At our stand, an interactive prototype of a Vigi'Fall® device developed by the project will be shown. Visitors will be able to watch a demonstration of how FallWatch works during a typical fall situation.
Jean-Eric Lundy,
13. FEMTOPRINT: A printer for three-dimensional microsystems and photonic devices
FEMTOPRINT is to develop a printer for microsystems with nano-scale features fabricated out of glass. Our ultimate goal is to provide a large pool of users from industry, research, and universities with the capability of producing their own micro-systems and photonics devices in transparent substrates, in a rapid manner and without the need for expensive infrastructures and specific expertise
Yves Bellouard,
14. FLY-BAG: Blast-resistant containers for safer transportation
FLY-BAG has developed and successfully tested prototypes of innovative, textile-based luggage containers for civil aviation that are able to protect the aircraft in case of explosion of a bomb hidden inside them.
At our stand, researchers from the workgroup will explain the functioning principles of our invention, highlighting the role of textile and composite elements in making the container strong and light at the same time. Visitors will be able to see a full size prototype of a FLY-BAG container and videos of its test with explosives.
Donato Zangani,
15. FORBIOPLAST: Bio-based products from forest resources
FORBIOPLAST aims to valorize renewable forest resources. For example, thanks to an innovative sustainable synthetic process, wood and paper mill by-products can be used as raw materials for the production of polyurethane foams, saving energy consumption and avoiding the use of petro-derived materials.
The stand will present prototypes based on biodegradable and recycled polymers with wood fibres, as well as rigid and soft polyurethane foams derived from wood by-products, including materials for automotive interior parts (T-bone, spoiler), packaging (trays, containers), and agriculture (tomato yarn, pots, fertilizers).
Prof. Andrea Lazzeri,
16. FTMEMS: Fiber-top sensors: Micro technology on the tip of a fiber
FTMEMS’ fiber-top devices are a new generation of miniaturized sensors obtained by fabricating small mechanical pieces on the tip of an optical fiber. The light sent into the fiber from the opposite end is then used to detect even the smallest movement of those pieces and anything that has caused that movement. Applications range from the detection of chemicals to microscopy, and, in a few years, might extend to the medical arena. The technology, invented at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and brought to maturity via an ERC grant, is now commercialized by our spin-off company Optics11.
Davide Iannuzzi,
17. GEOCOM: Geothermal communities: Let the earth heat your home!
The exhibition will show inspiring examples using geothermal energy to generate heat for communities, implemented under the GEOCOM project in Hungary, Slovakia, and Italy. It will show how innovative and cost-competitive technologies and insulation techniques can minimize utility costs and decrease dependence on natural gas.
The exhibition will demonstrate step-by-step the specific measures implemented in the Galanta (SK) pilot site. GEOCOM is a project under the CONCERTO initiative which addresses the challenges of creating a more sustainable future for Europe's energy needs.
Istvan Pari,
18. GreenBottle: Planet-friendly packaging
GreenBottle is a new type of liquid packaging that is designed as an environmentally superior alternative to plastic bottles and laminated cartons. The exhibition will display the evolution of the bottle from concept to current on-shelf design, as well as the product flexibility in terms of different permutations of developed bottles. It will also show how the product has been successfully marketed to consumers, and how they have been educated in their use and end disposal. Visitors will see a video of this first-of-its-kind technology, which has automated the assembly of the new bottles.
Clare Hirst,
19. HIRESOMI: Cellular-level retinal imaging for advancing ophthalmic research
HIRESOMI was an FP6 project that combined the talents of academic and industrial partners to develop techniques for non-invasive, high-resolution microscopy. During the project, Imagine Eyes focused on adapting a key component, which eliminates blur in images, for integration into medical devices. Incorporating the work from the HIRESOMI project was essential to commercialize the first compact retinal camera capable of visualizing the retina at the cellular level. Visitors will see live demonstrations and visuals comparing its superior performance to that of other imaging techniques.
Mark Zacharria,
20. INTERSTRESS: Interreality in the management and treatment of stress-related disorders
The goal of the Interstress project is to develop innovative technological tools for the assessment and treatment of psychological stress. The project's approach is based on the concept of “Interreality” that integrates assessment and treatment within a hybrid environment, bridging the physical and virtual worlds. The demonstration will include stress management training through virtual experiences and physiological monitoring on different platforms such as a laptop device with a head-mounted display and mobile devices.
Andrea Gaggioli,