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Via Volturno, 15
26900 Lodi, Italy

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ICONS is a non-profit organization whose mission is to bridge the gap between science and society through science communication, social and business innovation. ICONS supports researchers and innovators in maximising their impacts on society through impactful strategies involving citizens, scientists, investors, policy makers and the media.

Via Volturno, 15

26900 Lodi

Italy

+390371091065

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@ICONSinnovation

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Barbara Ricco


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Publications (111)

Shaping the Future of Biomedical Applications
Bio-compatible electrostrictive materials will play a leading role in the future generation of medical micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS)
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Post-2020 common agricultural policy: turning point or greenwa...
EFFECT's researchers state their opinions on post-2020 Common Agricultural Policy
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Nano level microscopy goes into the field
Could your smartphone analyse the coronavirus on surfaces? European researchers are developing a new generation of optical microscopes for mobile phones whe re LEDs and tiny detectors in the camera can analyse very sm...
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Nanotechnologies to help in new cancer treatment strategy
A new project – ULISES – is set to develop an immunologic-based treatment strategy where cancer cells are reprogrammed to become “visible” to the patients’ immune system.
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Giving a glimpse of our future with the bioeconomy at the GBS ...
The BioMonitor project will play a major role at the virtual Global Bioeconomy Summit next week to discuss the role of the bioeconomy in a policy-based context
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Improving communication about Future and Emerging Technologies.
A two-day virtual workshop brought together innovators with experts from policy and media to discuss effective communication of high-risk research and innovation to diverse stakeholder groups
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Do you want to learn more about the BioMonitor project?
BioMonitor has recently published its latest video on the project, the challenges it wishes to address, as well as its impact, solutions and relevance to the people
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MARA: Using nanotechnology to fight antibiotic resistance
DNA nanotechnology has the potential to revolutionise disease therapy and open up a new area in molecular medicine
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How do we make sustainable bioeconomy work for everyone?
Last week the BioMonitor project explored the policies and strategies that govern the bioeconomy within Europe and beyond at the Global Bioeconomy Summit 2020
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Empowering and Engaging European building users for energy eff...
Last eTEACHER paper presents findings on how ICT-based interventions can empower building energy end-users to reduce energy consumption. The report not only focuses on developing further knowledge of user engagement i...
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Optimising the design and operation of local energy communities
A new project – eNeuron – is set to optimise and test the design and operation of local energy communities (LECs) based on multi-carrier energy systems, as part of the EU's climate change mitigation efforts.
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Join our Survey and Help us build narratives of the future thr...
The BioMonitor project is setting up its storylines and narratives that can best reflect our bioeconomy futures. To meet the need of its users, the consortium is asking for your help by participating in a survey
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Lake Constance Foundation awarded at the European Solar Prize ...
An important acknowledgement for the German SocialRES partner
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Future and emerging technologies grow young talents
Current and former early-career scientists share their stories and tell how Europe has bet on them, making their high-risk research possible: from intelligent wireless sensors with vision abilities to RNA-based techni...
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Cutting Costs of Monoclonal Antibodies for Biological Drugs ag...
Proteins in biopharmaceutical productions are usually separated and purificated through the expensive chromatography technique. European researchers are developing an innovative membrane crystallization technology to ...
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Council climate bond: pioneering experiments from the SocialRE...
Residents and municipalities together for a decarbonized future
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Last mile delivery: a greener Santa Claus is coming to town
With the COVID-19 crisis and a booming e-commerce, parcel delivery services have become a challenge in terms of increased traffic and pollution in urban areas. Electric vehicles, drones and even four-legged robots are...
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Energy app to teach energy saving at home, school and work
eTEACHER is the app that teaches a different way to save energy, in your everyday places. It’s designed and developed 100% on users’ feedback to provide all functionalities you want in one single app.
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An Ecological Corridor to reunite the city and nature
The Turkish city of Izmir has inaugurated an Ecological Corridor and a natural area that implements Nature Based Solutions
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Another round of smart and sustainable innovation in Pamplona
The projects that will test-run smart city solutions for the 2nd edition of the “Smart Pamplona Lab” programme have been selected
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Meet ASTRABAT: a chat with Fraunhofer ISC
Catch a glimpse of the work carried out for ASTRABAT by Dr Guinevere Giffin and her team at Fraunhofer ISC. Their research is on anolyte polymers and formulations for polymer-based silicon anodes for solid-state batte...
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From blackwater and biowaste to clean energy
A study by CARTIF Technology Centre shows how to upgrade biogas production from blackwater and biowaste via membrane contactors. The work was performed as part of the EU project HOUSEFUL and can help make the building...
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Bio4Comp: next generation computing powered by muscle proteins
Computer processors powered by proteins found in muscle tissue could provide faster, more powerful and more energy efficient machines
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Probing the European bioeconomy’s development through its dr...
Partners from the BioMonitor project published its latest paper in the Sustainability journal on the drivers and indicators that will measure the development of the bioeconomy
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Comfort Enhancement and Energy Saving through Behavioral Chang...
This scientific paper analyses several European buildings such as schools, office buildings, healthcare centres and residential buildings to quantify the potential on comfort enhancement and energy saving through beha...
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Join the Survey for the BioMonitor study on bio-based products!
The BioMonitor project is investigating bio-based products connected to the forest industry and their role in the future bioeconomy. For this, the consortium is asking for your help by participating in a survey
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Rethinking cultural tourism in Europe
A new EU-funded project, TExTOUR, is set to design innovative and sustainable cultural tourism strategies to reinforce the socio-economic territorial development of less known areas in Europe and beyond.
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Hints and recommendations regarding Digital Tools for Sustaina...
One of the daily challenges of life is, "How do I get people – including myself – to do what I want?". It’s something the app industry has tried to tackle, and it was also one of the questions at the core of eTE...
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When Nature Goes Vertical
A green façade has been installed on an El Corte Inglés department store in Valladolid (Spain). The intervention is part of the EU project URBAN GreenUP and makes Valladolid the first Spanish city with a vertical ga...
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Breast cancer: innovative 3D device to boost research on metas...
European researchers are working on a novel hybrid device to better understand the metastatic process of cancer cells travelling from breast to bone and fast screen new drugs against it
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Tampere keeps pursuing its 2030 carbon neutral dream
On January 2021, STARDUST partners from the Lighthouse city of Tampere participated and organised a handful of sessions during its virtual Tampere Smart City Week
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Shifting to 800-volt systems: Why boosting motor power could b...
The latest results from research on 800-volt battery-driven vehicles show that this could lead to smaller, lighter, and more environmentally friendly motors. Cars using these powertrains could also be charged faster a...
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Electric cars - Making the move from niche to mainstream
Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) are gaining in popularity among Europe’s car buyers, but their high cost is holding them back from wider acceptance. However, developments in technology, particularly in the area of ...
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Brexit and the UK’s decarbonisation efforts: a hit or a miss?
Post-Brexit is a challenging era for the United Kingdom's climate and environmental policy. Some experts believe that the new situation will speed up the country’s plans while others worry it will thwart them
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CellViewer: seeing inside stem cells
A new super-resolution system microscopy can assess the pluripotency and differentiation of live stem cells, spearheading a new era in stem-cell research and systems biology. This technology can help in cancer researc...
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Touching the air may be possible with new research on haptics
The sense of touch has been mostly neglected so far in technology. However, research in haptics applied to virtual and augmented realities is opening up new possibilities in endless fields, from surgery to gaming. Wit...
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Rapid tests for coronavirus and their accuracy
Even with the advent of vaccines, strategies for rapid and affordable testing for COVID-19 are still paramount. The lack of evidence that the current vaccines can completely stop people from being infected and the eme...
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What Tools Do We Need to Make More Sustainable Choices for the...
The BioMonitor project released its first info-pack on its Model Toolbox. This will serve as an explanatory guide for policy makers and industries to better analyse and implement bioeconomy strategies within Europe
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Nature on the roof
A green roof has been installed on the El Campillo municipal market in Valladolid (Spain). The intervention is one of the nature-based solutions implemented by the EU project URBAN GreenUP
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Why reducing drivetrain size can make electric cars even greener
Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) already go some way to reducing air pollution in Europe. The latest developments in electric drivetrain technology, however, are helping to take that one step further
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Hydrotermia in Navarra’s Water Treatment Plant with the Help...
Last month STARDUST partner MCP inaugurated a new thermic and renewable energy system in the Water Treatment Plant located in Navarra-Spain
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Bioeconomy? Easy as can be with AllThings.Bio
Bioeconomy can transform our day-to-day lives in a multitude of aspects: from the way we pack our food, to the clothes we decide to buy and wear.
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Repairing the brain through new technological approaches in ne...
Two FET projects – HERMES and STARDUST – aim to improve the treatment of widespread brain disorders such as Parkinson’s and epilepsy by developing and adopting the latest neurotechnology techniques: “biohybrid...
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What is the state of the bioeconomies in Central and Eastern E...
On March 3, the BioMonitor project showcased its initial results on the state of the bioeconomy and its development over time during POWER4BIO’s Bioeconomy Innovation Week
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The energy transition is underway
How can industries navigate the energy transition? The current paper shows the crucial role of energy flexibility and the key function of variable renewable energy to both stabilize the grid and fulfil the decarbonisa...
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Sun carport off at De Meent car park
Instead of only sustainable sports, athletes can now also park sustainably at De Meent Sport Complex in Alkmaar. Within the POCITYF project, 858 solar panels have been placed above the parking lot on the south side of...
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Peer-to-peer platforms – Shaping a democratic energy model t...
Prosumers are people who both produce and consume renewable energy. New peer-to-peer platforms allow them to share, sell or donate their power surplus to other citizens. This system is becoming crucial for residents o...
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Passports to defend the rights of the building materials
The construction industry is a major source of pollution and building materials should not be wasted but recycled. Architect Thomas Rau even proposed a UN Declaration of Material Rights in this respect. New material p...
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Silicon carbide (SiC) devices for the next-generation of elect...
Before electric cars become a familiar sight on Europe’s roads, the technology behind them needs to evolve to improve the size and efficiency of their drivetrains, the speed that they can be charged and the range th...
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How will the Bioeconomy of the Future look like?
The BioMonitor project released two policy briefs that focused on future-oriented scenarios developed for the analysis with the BioMonitor Model Toolbox. These scenarios present possible future development pathways fo...
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Using topology to build computing devices that resemble our br...
FET project SKYTOP will develop a different set of skyrmionic devices that will ramp up our current computing performance through the help of topological insulators and Weyl semimetals
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Tribolysis as tool for environmental health
Horizon 2020 FET-OPEN project triboREMEDY is building two tribology-based prototypes that aim to decompose hazardous waste safely, and to detoxify contaminated waters from harmful pathogens
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Youth Action against Energy Waste
As part of the STARDUST project, the city of Pamplona launched on February a game-based project that encourages primary school students to create Action Groups against Energy Waste
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Tampere’s IoT Platform Gaining Recognition as one of Finland...
The procurement of Tampere’s IoT platform has been nominated as a finalist for this year’s most skilful procurement competition in Finland
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Non-invasive neuromodulation techniques - A new era for the tr...
From optogenetics to sonogenetics to magnetognetics, scientists around the world are investigating new techniques to treat Parkinson’s disease without the need for invasive surgery
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Using magnates to create new medicines
By controlling polymorphism in pharmaceutical compounds through the use of magnetic fields, the MagnaPharm project opens up new possibilities in the production of drugs
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The cultural heritage challenges a sustainable future
Several heritage organisations reacted to the fact that protected sites don’t play an important role in the EU Green Deal’s strategy against climate change, even though historic buildings represent a significant s...
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A brand new set of factsheets to learn more about the bioeconomy
The four mission themes bio-based food packaging, sustainable fashion and textiles, bio-based products for kids and schools and jobs and careers in the bioeconomy, are the focus of the Allthings.bioPRO project and are...
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The steel industry’s quest for an emissions-free future
As the effects of global warming continue to capture headlines around Europe, many of the region’s major industries from steelmaking to chemical production are responding to the European Union’s call to radically ...
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How Can Forests Help us meet the Carbon Neutrality Goal in Eur...
Last week BioMonitor project partner European Forest Institute highlighted the vital role of forests and wood products in mitigating climate change
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A study identifies the top 50 life and biological sciences and...
Brussels, 21 April 2021 - The study “Life and Biological Sciences and Technologies as Engines for Bio-based Innovation”, funded by the European Commission, DG Research and Innovation has been published and is no...
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What is the bioeconomy’s worth when it comes to agri-food sy...
This June the BioMonitor project will be joining one of the panel discussions at the IAMO Forum on extracting and creating value in the bioeconomy
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Lunch at SocialRES goes live
In the coming months SocialRES will be hosting a series of short live webinars at lunch hour to talk about energy democracy and its importance in meeting Europe’s decarbonisation goals
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New biomaterial implants for spinal cord neuronal regeneration
The NeuroStimSpinal project is developing new a graphene-based and decellularised biomaterial that can foster neuronal regeneration, laying down the foundation for innovative approaches in spinal cord injury treatment
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EU study identifies life and biological sciences and technolog...
EU study identifies life and biological sciences and technologies in support to the EU research and innovation policy for a circular and bio-based economy.
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Measuring the size of the European Bioeconomy using an Input-O...
Researchers from the BioMonitor project proposed a novel approach that provides a comparative analysis of the bioeconomy’s development across different Member States and selected bio-based industries
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A post for bees
Join #Flowers4Bees and help spread the word about one of the most dangerous environmental threats: the progressive extinction of pollinator insects.
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Producing human platelets with a 3D bioprinted bone marrow
The SilkFusion project mimics the bone marrow physiology (using silk) for platelet production with breakthrough applications for transfusions, personalised medicine and drug testing
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Meet ASTRABAT: a chat with Warsaw University of Technology
Read about the role of Warsaw University of Technology in ASTRABAT and discover the work carried out by Prof. Leszek Niedzicki and Dr. Marta Kasprzyk on the synthetization of salts and additives for new generation of ...
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EU study: “Life and Biological Sciences and Technologies as ...
EU study: “Life and Biological Sciences and Technologies as Engines for Bio-based Innovation”: developments and innovation needs for a successful transition towards sustainable bio-based sectors
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Leading the fight against climate change
The URBAN GreenUP city of Valladolid has won the III Edition of the "Climate Leaders Awards" in the category of "Local Administration" for its leadership in the fight against climate change.
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Pollinators play role in renaturing our cities
Bees and other pollinators are under threat from climate change and pollution. Helping them to survive means ensuring food security and maintaining biodiversity. Liverpool, Valladolid and Izmir are among the cities th...
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Bioeconomy: the key driver for sustainable development?
The BioMonitor project organised a webinar, in time for the EU Green Week 2021, to initiate a discussion on how the bioeconomy affects our lives, including our human well-being
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E-Infrastructures to support scientists and supercomputing dev...
With technological developments drastically changing the nature of computing, high-performance computing (HPC) can ease navigation of complex systems for researchers
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Are we able to detect all coronavirus variants?
Variants can affect the sensitivity of tests for SARS-CoV2. To make sure that current tests will still work we need to play hide-and-seek with an evolving virus
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3D printing stem cells to transform neuroscience
The MESO-BRAIN project used human-induced pluripotent stem cells placed on nanoscale 3D-laser-printed structures to replicate the brain’s neural networks
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Using gravity to explore volcanoes
A new gravity imager monitored Etna Volcano in Sicily to develop early-warning systems and better face volcanic eruptions
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FETFX Recommendations Paper: Advising High-Risk Research Proje...
Basic, use inspired research holds the key to solving many of society’s grand challenges - but to win support, strategic outreach, engagement and two-way dialogue are key
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Slashers: the new frontier of the independent workforce
Driven by passion or financial needs, over 10 million Europeans have multiple jobs in various domains. Though highly educated and skilled, they often suffer from poor working conditions and represent a major challen...
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Non wood forest products (NWFPs): hobby or sine qua non?
Researchers from EFI conducted a study on the collection and consumption of non-wood forest products in Europe.
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Capturing fuel from the sun
Artificial leaves and soap bubbles could unleash a new era of “solar fuels” to address increasing energy demand and climate change
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Empowering Rural Communities
“Our goasl is to improve the economic conditions in rural areas, while making it easier for the inhabitants to access the services they need and want” (Jorge Gonzalez Olalla, TICBioMed).
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Doubling lithium battery energy density – A chat with Nobel ...
In 2019 M. Stanley Whittingham won a Nobel Prize for discovering lithium intercalation into electrodes. Now, he forecasts how battery architectures will exploit this phenomenon better, and how the industry can improve...
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An intelligent app to teach people energy efficiency
European researchers have developed a user-friendly smart app to help people improve their energy-saving behaviours
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Designing dynamic metamaterials that imitate nature’s strategies
FET project Boheme will introduce metamaterials that resemble spider webs and woodpeckers, which will help us fix some unresolved issues on transportation, health, and energy
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A smart pacemaker to prevent heart failure and revolutionise b...
The CResPace project is developing a new pacemaker that works in conjunction with small artificial neural networks to better adapt to the demands of the body – replicating a healthy heart
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Two new technologies that could change cancer treatment
By studying the biomechanics of cancer in the breast and bladder, the Mechanocontrol and Edit projects are developing new ways of cancer identification and treatment that could open up new avenues in cancer research
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Monitoring the bioeconomy: an introduction to the Biomonitor p...
The BioMonitor project organized a webinar on June 10th on “Monitoring the bioeconomy: an introduction to the Biomonitor project” to give deep dive into some focal points raised in our policy briefs #1, #2, #3 and...
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Towards Energy Communities
Two weeks ago STARDUST Tampere participated in a webinar on energy communities. The virtual event clarified the concept of energy communities through practical examples. The topic was clearly of interest, as more than...
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Capturing time and predicting human movement
The EnTimeMent project proposes a radically new motion analysis technology with the capacity to predict human movement and use it in areas as diverse as healthcare, the performing arts, sports, video games and films
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New digital tools to change our behaviours and save energy
How do I get people to change their habits? This is one of the challenges faced by developers of apps and ICT solutions aimed at boosting energy savings in our buildings. European researchers embraced this mission
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The FETFX story and the future of emerging deep-techs in Europe
A new video and an interactive storytelling on revolutionary and disruptive innovations to celebrate the conclusion of FETFX
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Environment office measures heat load of day-care centres and ...
Kick-off for the development of the Dresden climate adaptation concept
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Meet ASTRABAT: a chat with Daikin Chemical Europe GmbH
Catch a glimpse of Daikin’s work carried out for ASTRABAT by Dr Alex Friesen and his team. They're developing a suitable polymer electrolyte for the application in the cathode, and on suitable processes to manufactu...
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Discovering sustainable tourism and its opportunities in Europ...
There is a new way to explore Europe and its beauties while promoting social and economic developments of local communities. Find out how in the TExTOUR’s new video.
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New tech recycles domestic wastewater and kitchen waste
In the last few weeks the permit for the small-scale anaerobic digestion (biogas) was approved in Austria. Now it is possible to start implementing the HOUSEFUL solutions in Cambium Leben in Gemeinschaft, where one of...
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Incentivising biodiversity net gain with an offset market
A new policy has been put forward in the fight to preserve biodiversity, calling on the private sector and borrowing from market economics.
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How citizens can become co-creators of sustainable food packaging
The Covid-19 pandemic has driven consumers to order more takeaway food during lockdowns, resulting in increased single-use plastics waste. While momentum is growing among some businesses and governments to tackle the ...
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Agriculture goes green – New bio-fertilisers to make farming...
The European Union has updated its rules on fertilisers, which almost exclusively covered mined or chemically produced materials. While new organic fertilisers will now be able to enter the EU market in 2022, research...
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Nature Based Solutions for Climate Adaptation – Paying Farme...
Streams and rivers break their banks more and more often due to climate change, endangering the people who live in flood risk areas. A system of scheduled flooding of the fields around towns in these areas may be a so...
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Integrated methodology to assess the energy flexibility potent...
Over the last decades, the energy mix has included increasingly more renewable energy, whose sources offer many long-term advantages. However, these energy sources are highly volatile. Wind or solar energy can produce...
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Methodology for integrated modelling and impact assessment of ...
As the largest consumers of energy, cities are set to play a key role in the transition towards a greener and healthier future. And with the global population expected to become 70% urban in the future, the challenge ...
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Habitat and host specificity of epiphytic lichens in a rural l...
The green desert created by the timber forest management is a threat for epiphytes biodiversity that may be partially overcome by exploiting cultural heritage habitats in rural landscapes
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Watch nature reshaping European cities
A set of short explainer videos has been released showing how Nature-Based Solutions can help cities tackle the effects of climate change – examples from the EU-funded URBAN GreenUP project.
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The HOUSEFUL project forges ahead in the building sector
Despite the ongoing pandemic, the HOUSEFUL project pushes on towards the emergence of a circular economy in the building sector.
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Fair and inclusive citizen engagement towards a new city visio...
The projects POCITYF, SPARCS, RESPONSE present the online workshop to be held on the 13th of October, 11:30-13:00, as a partner event of the European Week of Region and Cities
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BioMonitor SMEs and Industry exchange
An interactive event that will take place on October 7 and will focus on the contribution of SMEs and industries in the chemical sector towards the bioeconomy.
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Training programmes to bring together industry and the enviro...
Practical workshops and online seminars starting in October 2021 to improve the energy efficiency and flexibility of heavy industries. For professionals, university researchers and organisations.
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Meet ASTRABAT: a chat with LOMARTOV S.L
Read about the work carried out for ASTRABAT by Dr Herraiz Cardona and Mr Alberola Borràs from LOMARTOV, focused on evaluating and optimising the sustainability of ASTRABAT’s new solid-state battery prototype.
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BioMonitor attended the International Conference of Agricultur...
BioMonitor has participated in the online ICAE conference, that took place from the 17th to the 31st of August 2021 with a dedicated session.
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Long-term effect of different management regimes on the surviv...
Challenges and opportunities of coastal meadow restoration in a long-term, multi- target approach
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Past Events (7)

Lunch at SocialRES: Energy democracy – policy framework
Open
Monitoring the bioeconomy: an introduction to the Biomonitor project
Open
ICONS presents the event EU’s zero pollution ambition Best practice in science communication
Open
Lunch at SocialRES: Behavioural aspects of energy democracy
Open
Lunch at SocialRES: Business models for energy democracy
Open
Webinar: Bioeconomy as an approach towards sustainable development
Open
FETFX Webinar on Funding Opportunities for Emerging Technology
Open