Newsletters   Subscription   Contributions       Newsletter issue n° 17 - October 09

The full text of the Newsletter issue no. 17 - October 2009 is now available at the http://circa.europa.eu/Public/irc/rtd/eesdwatkeact/info/data/etr_index.htm website.

EDITORIAL NOTES

FP6 MODELKEY (511237): Achievements and further research needs.

The IP MODELKEY (51123-GOCE, FP6) provided strong evidence that toxic pollutants are a driving force for the insufficient ecological status that was found in many European surface waters (Article 5 reports WFD). In general, water quality improved within the last 30 years and spectacular fish kills are rare events in the EU of today. However, toxic and sub-lethal effects of pesticides, industrial chemicals, personal care products and pharmaceuticals are still an important factor that impact on sensitive species and related ecosystem services. Many of these contaminants affect the hormone status of organisms and thus on their fitness, reproduction and development. Water managers and scientists face the challenging task to diagnose such adverse effects in the ecosystem under multiple stress conditions. MODELKEY supports this diagnosis by developing a conclusive approach of investigative monitoring and modelling tools on different scales... 
 

by Werner Brack, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research UFZ, Leipzig, Germany Guest Editor for the Environmental Technologies Research Newsletter issue no. 17 - October 2009 

OPEN CALLS

FP7-ENV-2010 Environment (including climate change) Call
 
Call Reference: OJ C177 of 30 July 2009 Deadline: 05 January 2010 at 17:00:00 (Brussels local time) The call allocates €175 000 000 million for research topics (49 topics) in all the four activities of the Theme:

Activity 6.1: Climate change, pollution and risks
Activity 6.2: Sustainable management of resources
Activity 6.3: Environmental technologies
Activity 6.4: Earth observation and assessment tools for sustainable development...

FP7-Africa-2010 Africa Call 
 
Call Reference: OJ C177 of 30 July 2009 Deadline: 14 January 2010 at 17:00:00 (Brussels local time) Budget: € 63 000 000
The Africa call represents a great opportunity for strengthening Africa's research capacity to cope with water, food security and health problems. The call is structured around two major issues: Water and Food Security, and, Better Health for Africa. It has a multi-disciplinary approach...

FP7-2010-NMP-ENV-ENERGY-ICT-EeB call  

OJ Reference: OJ C177 of July 30 2009 Deadline: 03 November 2009 at 17:00:00 (Brussels local time) Budget: € 65 000 000  
The indicative budget €65 million from the 2010 budget of which (i) €30 million from Theme 4: Nanosciences, Nanotechnologies, Materials & New Production Technologies; (ii) €15 million from Theme 3: Information and Communication Technologies (ICT); (iii) €15 million from Theme 5: Energy; (iv) €5 million from Theme 6: Environment (including Climate Change). Topics called...

JST Call for Proposals to fund Researchers in Japan participating in EU Research Consortia  

JST has launched a call for proposals for researchers in Japan involved in EU research consortia under 11 topics under “Environment (including Climate Change)", "Biotechnologies, Food and Agriculture", and "Industrial Technologies"  of the FP7. Researchers in Japan who apply to the EC call for proposals should also apply to the JST call for proposal and submit their own research plan to possibly receive JST funding following JST peer-review evaluation. It should be noted that researchers in Japan involved in consortia selected by the EC will not necessarily be supported by JST, as this depends on outcome of JST evaluation. The 11 FP7 research topics concerned...

EUROPEAN INITIATIVES

Mastering key technologies to shape the industrial future of the EU.  

Key Enabling Technologies such as nanotechnology, micro- and nanoelectronics including semiconductors, advanced materials, biotechnology and photonics are of exceptional importance for being at the forefront of managing the shift to a low carbon, knowledge-based economy. Mastering such technologies lays stable foundation for well paid jobs in the EU and allows for sustainable, broadly shared growth. They are the main drivers for innovative goods and services needed for addressing major societal challenges. Therefore the Commission proposes to develop and implement a European vision for the industrial deployment of such technologies...

Investing in the Development of Low Carbon Technologies (SET – Plan).  

Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions. The Commission has approved a communication which is a follow-up to the European Strategic Technology Plan (SET-Plan) approved by the Commission in November 2007 and aims at addressing the key-issue of investing in actions and sectors of Low Carbon Technologies, by, in particular, calling for a European approach, essential to effectively develop these technologies, inviting industry to take up the challenge of developing them, defining key areas where Europe needs to invest in the coming decade and proposing mechanisms for better coordination of existing instruments and funding sources. Details can be found at...

PAST EVENTS

Information Day for the Public Private Partnerships ' Energy Efficient Buildings, Factories of the Future and Green Cars'. Charlemagne Building, Brussels, 13 July 2009

More than 800 participants attended the Information day on the three research PPPs ‘Factories of the Future’, ‘Energy-efficient Buildings’ and ‘Green Cars’. The event was opened by EU Commissioner for Science and Research Janez Potočnik stating: "it is now recognized that investing in R&D is not a luxury when times are easy, but a necessity when times are hard.’ Viviane Reding, EU Commissioner for Information Society and Media, followed with "Joint investment by the Commission and industry represents an important step towards a knowledge-based and low-carbon EU economy.” Afterwards... the presentations can be found at the...

MEDINA in China. The EU-CHINA Workshop at the Academic Exchange Centre of Ocean University of China (Qingdao, China) on September 4th -6th , 2009.  
The main aim of the project was to improve the overall performance of membrane-based water desalination processes by applying an innovative approach based on the integration of different membrane operations in the reverse osmosis (RO) pre-treatment and post-treatment stages accordingly to the philosophy of Process Intensification. The project started its activities three years ago and now is going to its end (foreseen for January 2010), and a concrete dissemination policy has been started for the diffusion and discussion of the results of potential interest for industrial exploitation. The EU-CHINA Workshop on FP6 MEDINA (036997): Membrane-Based Desalination...

Info Day on FP7-ENV-2010 Environment (including climate change) Call. Centre Albert Borschette, Brussels, 17 September 2009  

The Directorate I of the DG Research organised a very popular and successful info day on the FP7-ENV-2010 Environment Call in Centre Albert Borschette in Brussels on 17 September 2009 attracting more than 700 participants. The aim of the Call FP7-ENV-2010 is to continue supporting the main environmental policy and S&T drivers in the area of climate and environmental change, their consequences and the link to other sectors such as energy, transport, agriculture etc. Furthermore, the goal is to address concretely several new policy drivers such as the development of a post-2012 climate agreement, the Adaptation White Paper, the Communications on prevention and disaster risk reduction, the European Economic Recovery Plan, the Energy-Climate Package as well as the Renewed Lisbon Agenda by...

Info Day on FP7-Africa-2010 Africa Call. Centre Albert Borschette, Brussels, 18 September 2009
 
The Directorate I of the DG Research organised a very successful Info Day on the Africa Call in Centre Albert Borschette in Brussels on 18 September 2009 with more than 600 participants. The Plenary Session was opened by Mr. Janez Potočnik the European Commissioner for Science and Research and Mrs. Vera Brenda Ngosi, Director of the African Union Commission. The EU-AFRICA Strategic Partnership has paved the way to this call (implemented jointly by the Themes: ‘Health’, ‘Food, Agriculture and Fisheries, and Biotechnology’ and ‘Environment (including climate change)’ of the 7th Framework Programme), which will fund projects...

COMING EVENTS

International Forum of R&D for Eco-innovation: Research for combining environmental priorities with economic opportunities. ENVITECH-Net International Conference, Katowice, Poland, 22-23 October 2009
 
This one and a half day event is a unique opportunity for researchers as well as eco-innovation programmes managers and funders, representatives of DG RTD and science policy makers to provide ideas, discuss, prioritise and recommend emerging research needs for eco-innovation as a feedback of the international scientific community for planning the future call themes of FP7 Work programme as well as joint actions under the prepared ERA-Net Research for Eco-Innovation proposal. The Forum will also help networking and promoting the existing eco-innovation research potential across Europe. During the thematic sessions...

8th Aachen Conference Water and Membranes, Membranes in water and waste water treatment, Eurogress Aachen, Germany, 27 – 28 October 2009  

The Chair of Chemical Process Engineering (AVT, Aachener Verfahrenstechnik) and the Institute for Water and Waste Management (ISA, Institut für Siedlungswasserwirtschaft) as the organisers invite all interested operators, producers and scientists to the well-known AACHEN CONFERENCE WATER AND MEMBRANES, formerly known as Aachener Tagung Siedlungswasserwirtschaft und Verfahrenstechnik. The conference will focus on the application of membrane technology in the field of drinking water and waste water treatment...

5th EWA Brussels Conference on European Water Management and the Implementation of the Floods Directive. The European Water Association, Brussels, 6th November 2009
 
The 5th EWA Brussels conference will bring you closer to the aspects of flood policy associated with the Water Framework Directive. Directive 2007/60/EC on the assessment and management of flood risks entered into force on 26 November 2007. The Directive requires Member States to first carry out a preliminary assessment by 2011 to identify the river basins and associated coastal areas at risk of flooding. For such zones they would then need to draw up flood risk maps by 2013 and establish flood risk management plans focused on prevention, protection and preparedness by 2015. The Directive shall be carried out in coordination with the Water Framework Directive...

GreenRemediation. Incorporating Sustainable Approaches in Site Remediation. International Conference, Copenhagen, Denmark, November 9-10, 2009.  

The objective of the GreenRemediation Conference is to improve the awareness of green remediation solutions among environmentalists and decision makers. Main topics are Policy Drivers, Decision Support Tools and Sustainable Remediation Technologies. The conference is organized by the Danish EPA, Information Centre on Contaminated Sites - DANISH REGIONS, The Capital Region of Denmark and a number of private organisations. The Scientific Committee is formed by international capacities from Nordic Countries, Austria, France, the UK and the US. The program includes presentations from speakers from 9 countries around the world including...

From research to business. Annual Conference of the Forest-based Industry Technology Platform, Stockholm, 9-11 November 2009 

This is the 6th FTP conference since the start of the Forest-based sector Technology Platform. As it is almost a year and a half since the last conference, it will offer a meeting point for the sector as well as an excellent possibility for networking. From research to business is the theme for the FTP Conference 2009 in Stockholm. A large number of fruitful results from research will be presented. Many of the results are already being used or are close to be implemented by companies and can offer the new possibilities...

Workshop on Strengthening the role of R&D in boosting eco-innovation and eco-efficiency. Covent Garden, Place Rogier 16, Brussels, Belgium, 13 November 2009 

Eco-innovation and eco-efficiency are currently very high on the political agendas of the Commission and of several member states. The measurement of eco-innovation processes and indicators to monitor progress towards an eco-efficient economy plays a crucial role, both in the understanding of eco-innovation drivers, and in paving the way for future policy targets in this field. However, several research gaps exist in this area and need to be addressed coherently, taking into account current initiatives and stakeholders' needs. The Unit on Environmental Technologies and Pollution Prevention of the DG Research is organizing a one-day expert workshop to discuss what kind of research should be funded...

WATEC 09: The 2nd International Conference and the 5th International Water Technologies & Environmental Control Exhibition, Tel Aviv, Israel, 17-19 November 2009  

The conference and exhibition "WATEC 09"is the international showcase of technologies, products, and services to support a sustainable economy. With water and energy challenges at the top of the global agenda, "WATEC 09" features compelling solutions and proven, practical applications in areas such as water and energy efficiency, water quality, desalination, and water supply. Hosting participants from the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Africa, and Australia, the exhibition is a unique opportunity to discover the latest innovations...

NORMAN Workshop on Mixtures and metabolites of chemicals of emerging concern. VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 18-19 November 2009 

This workshop is planned to be a wide-scope workshop, addressing people at the "interface between science and policy", and aimed at providing an overview of the critical issues going from fate of emerging pollutants (methods for studying transformation, metabolisation, etc.), to the progress in: monitoring / analytical techniques, metabolites prediction and validation of predictive models, metabolites toxicity, risk assessment. Given the close link between the two topics, the workshop will start with an overview of the fate, toxicity and emerging research questions in the broader area of mixtures of chemicals. Sessions to be covered are...

PROPAINT: Improved Protection of Paintings During Exhibition, Storage and transit. Final Seminar and Workshop, the National Museum in Krakow, Poland, 20-21 November 2009  

In the FP6 PROPAINT (044254) project, environmental evaluation of microclimate frames (mc-frames) for paintings and study of the potential deterioration effects on varnishes have been performed. The project reports on accelerated ageing studies on natural and synthetic varnishes exposed to inorganic (NO2, O3) and organic pollutants (acetic acid), in addition to exposures for over two years within microclimate frames in major European art galleries. The project reports for the first time the concentrations of oxidizing pollutants and organic acids inside microclimate frames...

Innovation in Construction: Taking the lead in greening the future. The 4th Conference of the European Construction Technology Platform. Brussels, 24-25 November 2009 

After Paris, Versailles and Amsterdam, the European Construction Technology Platform is organizing its 4th Conference in Le Plaza Hotel in Brussels on 24-25 November 2009. The pivotal role played by the construction sector in the new global concepts of sustainable development and economic recovery is now widely recognised. In Europe this has led to reinforced Public Private Partnerships which are targeting innovation in the construction sector and are setting off with the clear objective to take the lead in greening the future. At the conference, experts will highlight research and innovation priorities...

FORWAST Overall mapping of physical flows and stocks of resources to forecast waste quantities in Europe and identify life-cycle environmental stakes of waste prevention and recycling.  

Final Workshop of the FP6 FORWAST (044409 ) project will be held in Alexandersalen, Bispetorvet 1-3, 1167 København K, Denmark on 25 November 2009. FORWAST is a Scientific Targeted Research (STREP) project designed to support policies and to contribute to the EU Strategy for Sustainable Development and the 6^th Environment Action Programme. It addresses the environmental issues of waste generation and management using a life-cycle thinking approach. For detailed information please consult...

MODELKEY - How to assess the impact of key pollutants in aquatic ecosystems. The Final Conference of the FP6 IP MODELKEY project. The Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ in Leipzig, Germany, 30 November to 2 December 2009  

The FP6 IP MODELKEY invites European scientists and stakeholders for its final conference “MODELKEY - How to assess the impact of key pollutants in aquatic ecosystems”. This event will take place from 30 November to 2 December 2009 at the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ in Leipzig, Germany. MODELKEY scientists and outstanding invited experts will provide their view on the highlights of five years of research for linking adverse effects on biological quality elements to environmental pollution in a multiply stressed environment. Novel approaches for the identification and assessment...

PUBLICATIONS and AVAILABLE DOCUMENTS

FP7 Work Programme 2010, Cooperation, Theme 6: Environment (including climate change). European Commission C(2009) 5893 of 29 July 2009. 

In 2010, the aim is to continue supporting the main environmental policy and S&T drivers in the area of climate and environmental change, their consequences and the link to other sectors such as energy, transport, agriculture etc. Furthermore, the goal is to address concretely some new policy drivers such as European Economic Recovery Plan, The Energy-Climate Package as well as the Renewed Lisbon Agenda by taking into account the Strategic Agenda of the Community Lisbon Programme (CLP) (2008-2010) particularly the '10 key objectives' including sustainable consumption and production, renewable energies and low-carbon and resource-efficient products in order to enhance the development and... The FP7 Cooperation Work Programme 2010: Environment (including climate change) is downloadable from the Internet...

The Effects of Air Pollution on Cultural Heritage Eds.: Watt, J.; Tidblad, J.; Kucera, V.; Hamilton, R. Springer, 2009. 299 p. ISBN: 978-0-387-84892-1. 

The book combines the results of recent research of the FP6 CULT-STRAT (501609) Assessment of Air Pollution Effects on Cultural Heritage – Management Strategies project with practical information and provides an important reference manual for researchers, policy makers, economists and historic building managers working in the field of cultural heritage protection. This book examines the impact of air pollution on cultural heritage materials, which is a serious concern because it can lead to loss of important parts of our history and culture. Damage includes corrosion, bio-degradation and soiling... The book can be purchased at...

User Manual for the new version of the 2.7.2 of the SESAM. 

The User Manual for the new version of the 2.7.2 of the SESAM, the European Commission online reporting tool for Research and Technological projects is now available on the Internet. The web based application SESAM, was developed to enable online completion and submission of reporting questionnaires for Science and Society, for Workforce statistics and for Gender Action plans (GAPs). The (i) Science and Society Reporting Questionnaire is obligatory for all IPs, NoEs, STREPs, CAs and SSAs and it should be completed on-line by...

Certificates Issued by External Auditors. Guidance notes for beneficiaries and auditors (Version: 3 September 2009). 

These guidance notes have been compiled to guide research beneficiaries and external auditors in the preparation of Certificates on the Financial Statements and on the Methodology for calculating personnel costs/indirect costs under the European Community's 7th RTD Framework Programme (FP7). In particular, the document considers the following topics and related issues: (i)FP7 model Grant Agreement; (ii) Guide to Financial Issues Relating to FP7 Indirect Actions; (iii) Frequently asked questions (FAQs) received by the European Commission from external auditors, beneficiaries and... The document is downloadable from...

Guidance Notes on Project Reporting. FP7 Collaborative Projects, Networks of Excellence, Coordination and Support Actions, Research for the benefit of Specific Groups (in particular SMEs) Version 10/11/2008. 

This document is the guidance note to help the coordinators and consortia to prepare the periodic and final reports requested in Article II.4 of the Grant Agreement. This is a contractual obligation. It applies to Collaborative Projects, Networks of Excellence, Coordination and Support Actions, and Research for the benefit of Specific Groups (in particular SMEs) under the 7th Framework Programme of the European Community as well as under Euratom with the exception of the IDEAS Programme (ERC/European Research Council) for which a specific guidance note is available...

Guide to Intellectual Property Rules for FP7 projects. Version 2 of 13 February 2009.. 

This document provides an overview of the Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) provisions applicable in the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007-2013). It is a guide to the various issues and potential pitfalls regarding IPR that participants may encounter when preparing and participating in an FP7 project. Overall, participants are strongly encouraged to consider and tackle IPR issues as soon as possible during the preparation...

A more research-intensive and integrated European Research Area. Science, Technology and Competitiveness key figures report 2008/2009. ISBN 978-92-79-10173-1, DOI 10.2777/27864. 

Between 2000 and 2006, R&D investment grew by 14.8 % in real terms in EU-27 compared to 10.1 % in the US. There has been a significant increase in the R&D intensities of more than half of the EU Member States. However, as a result of significant increases in EU-27 GDP and relatively small increases in R&D expenditure by the larger Member States, overall EU-27 R&D intensity has decreased from 1.86 % in 2000 to 1.84 % in 2006. At the same time, R&D intensity in Japan, South Korea and China has increased considerably...

RTD RESULTS: USE, EXPLOITATION AND COMMUNICATION EXPERIENCES

FP6 CULT-STRAT (501609) Assessment of Air Pollution Effects on Cultural Heritage – Management Strategies. 

The overall aim of CULT-STRAT was to identify material indicators and threshold levels of pollutants to be used for development of strategies for sustainable maintenance and preventive conservation of European cultural heritage and air quality policy to reduce damage. The models permitted ranking of the effects of pollutants on corrosion and soiling of material. The stock of cultural heritage materials at risk in selected areas was used for assessment and mapping of areas where cultural heritage objects are endangered. The life cycles and costs for cultural heritage materials at different pollution scenarios served as economic components in the process of selection of indicators and threshold levels. More information can be found...

FP6 AQUAMONEY (022723): Economic Assessment of the Environmental and Resource Costs and Benefits of Water Use and Water Services. 

The European Water Framework Directive (WFD) aims to achieve a good ecological status for all European water bodies and restore heavily modified water bodies to their ecological potential by 2015. The assessment of Environmental and Resource Costs and Benefits (ERCB) plays a central role in the economic assessment surrounding the implementation of the WFD, especially in relation to the cost recovery of water services (Article 9 WFD) and exemptions based on disproportionate costs... The project AQUAMONEY developed practical guidelines for the economic valuation of water resources in the context of...

NEW FP7 RESEARCH PROJECTS

CLEAN WATER (227017):Water Detoxification Using Innovative vi-Nanocatalysts.

The concept of the project is based on the development of innovative nanostructured UV-Visible photocatalysts for water treatment and detoxification by using doped TiO2 nanomaterials with visible light response. The project aims at an efficient and viable water detoxification technology exploiting solar energy and recent advances in nano-engineered titania photocatalysts and nanofiltration membranes for the destruction of extremely hazardous compounds in water. To this aim, the UV-vis responding titania nanostructured photocatalysts will be stabilized on nanotubular membranes of controlled pore size and retention efficiency as well as on carbon nanotubes exploiting their high surface area and unique electron transport properties to achieve photocatalytically active nanofiltration membranes...

FP7 NAMETECH (226791): Development of intensified water treatment concepts by integrating nano- and membrane technologies. 

The Nametech project harnesses benefits of nanotechnology to bring about improvements in membrane filtration for advanced water treatment. The general objective is to strengthen the European membrane market by making nanotechnology available to large scale European membrane manufacturers. A unique feature of the project is the knowledge transfer between the experienced membrane manufacturer Norit and the coating expert and new-comer to the membrane field Agfa Gevaert. The S&T focus is on the use of nano-structured materials to alter the physical and chemical properties of polymeric ultrafiltration membranes and thereby improving the filtration performance at macro-scale installations...

FP7 THESEUS (244104): Advanced bipolar membrane processes for remediation of highly saline waste water streams.  

Coastal areas are vital economic hubs in terms of settlement, industry, agriculture, trade and tourism to mention some key sectors. There are already many coastal problems including erosion, flood risk and long-term habitat deterioration. As economies continue to develop the asset base at risk will grow, while accelerating climate change will increase the likelihood of damaging extreme events, as well as accelerate habitat decline. Existing coastal management and defence approaches are not well tuned to these challenges as they assume a static situation. THESEUS will develop a systematic approach to delivering both a low-risk coast for human use and healthy habitats for evolving coastal zones subject to multiple change...

FP7 TyGRe (226549): High added value materials from waste tyre gasification residues. 

This project is focused on the waste tyres recycling and promotes a thermal process mainly devoted to the production of ceramic materials. The disposal of waste tyres represents a relevant problem within the waste management strategy of the European Community and, despite the attempts of reusing waste tyre in many different ways, a relevant fraction (nearly 23%) is still landfilled. Pyrolysis and gasification are a promising way for alternative high-efficiency material and energy production, since both the processes provide a gaseous and a liquid fraction easily usable as fuels or chemical sources...

FP7 ORCHESTRA (226521): Organising dissemination on results of projects on Chemical evaluation, spreading techniques for Risk Assessment. 

Computer-based "in silico" methods for the environment have a huge potential of dissemination, never experimented for any other method. To invest in this action offers unique opportunities to spread the results of EC funded projects, and attract policy makers and public to use the results of these projects. The main objective is the dissemination and exploitation of ongoing EU research dealing with computer tools, such as "in silico" models used for the predictive assessment of ecotoxicity and environmental properties. These computer tools are important to validate and disseminate because of their multiple advantages over existing methods...

FP7 SUSREF (226858): Sustainable Refurbishment of Building Facades and External Walls. 

SUSREF will develop new sustainable technologies for refurbishment of external walls. SUSREF is based on the premise that 1) Refurbishment of external walls is one of the most efficient ways of reducing environmental impacts from European building stock. 2) European building sector is facing huge refurbishment requirements; refurbishment of external walls is among the most urgent tasks. 3) Although there are technological solutions, the risks and optimal solutions are not understood. 4) External walls have an extensive effect on building performance and several aspects have to be taken into account when developing new concepts...

FP7 PERSUADE (226313): PoroElastic Road SUrface: an innovation to Avoid Damages to the Environment.
 
Low-noise road surfaces are recognized as a cost-effective tool for traffic noise abatement. The best performance can be achieved by optimizing surface texture and porosity. That way, a bottom line of a 3dB lifetime average reduction with respect to ordinary asphalt has been reached. Any progress must resort to another noise-relevant characteristic i.e. elasticity by which the noise due to tyre vibrations can be suppressed. A recently completed European project has shown that, in order to be effective, the elasticity of the road surface must be in the same range as that of the tyre itself. This explains why previous attempts of incorporating a little rubber in an asphalt mix failed to produce significant noise reductions...

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