CORDIS-JRC

The nervous system - made up of the brain, spinal cord and nerves - controls how the body functions. When something goes wrong with this system, the impact can be severe, affecting one's ability to move, speak, swallow and learn. While neurologic diseases - conditions that affect the brain - are more common among the elderly, their prevalence is increasing as life expectancies increase.

For further information: cordis.europa.eu

Microchip implants in the human body have been in the popular imagination for decades. Sci-fi authors often picture these as devices enhancing human capabilities - with the Matrix trilogy being an obvious example - whilst society seems to be slowly moving in that direction too. Electronics first appeared in our home, then in our pockets, and now major companies are starting to compete for the number one spot in the emerging market of wearable electronics.

For further information: cordis.europa.eu

To date, each robot constructed needs to be programmed, or go through its own learning process from scratch. New robots are like newborn babies who need the humans creating them to teach them everything, or learn gradually themselves. However, this could all change. Thanks to ROBOEARTH, robots will soon be able to share knowledge with their peers almost instantly instead of 'living' in a bubble.

For further information: cordis.europa.eu

Air transportation is expected to at least double by 2050. Coping with these needs and the resulting overcrowded sky requires top-notch communication technologies - but the sector is not quite ready yet. The SANDRA project set out to improve aircraft by means of a coherent digital architecture.

For further information: cordis.europa.eu

Many of us probably picture robots as roughly human-shaped - as seen in countless science fiction films - or perhaps as little more than mobile computers. But one EU-funded project is taking inspiration from the smart, efficient strategies of plants in order to develop a new generation of robots and ICT technologies, such as sensing or distributed adaptive intelligence.

For further information: cordis.europa.eu

While research projects often develop new devices - sensors, components, lasers, etc. - it can be difficult to turn these into products ready for market. An EU-funded project has been working on bridging the gap between laboratories and businesses.

For further information: cordis.europa.eu

EU-funded scientists are developing a novel knowledge-based tool to automatically generate build scenarios for small batches of high-tech products. It evaluates various materials and process technologies to optimise manufacturing.

Rotational moulding is used to produce large hollow plastic parts. EU-funded scientists are developing technology to drastically decrease cycle times and energy consumption for a turbo boost to the EU market position.

Production of lightweight aluminium parts is complicated by the formation of pores due to hydrogen gas bubbles. EU-funded scientists are developing an eco-friendly ultrasonic degassing technique to enhance the quality of the casting components produced.

For further information: cordis.europa.eu

Production of lightweight aluminium parts is complicated by the formation of pores due to hydrogen gas bubbles. EU-funded scientists are developing an eco-friendly ultrasonic degassing technique to enhance the quality of the casting components produced.

For further information: cordis.europa.eu

An EU-funded project is turning ordinary computers into parallel processing machines. It will mean a performance improvement and better product development.

Some European small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) feel that the quality of their products suffers because of a lack of computing power. The proposed solution is to develop a system for converting normal computers into parallel processing computers.

For further information: cordis.europa.eu

Researchers on the SOPHIE project are generating new evidence on the effectiveness of structural policies for reducing health inequalities in Europe. They also aim to develop innovative methodologies for evaluating these policies at local, national and European levels.

Further information: cordis.europa.eu

EU-funded research suggests that the manipulation of stem cells could help to repair damaged muscle tissue. Given the wide range of age-related and degenerative diseases that affect our society today, this could represent a significant breakthrough in healthcare.

Further information: cordis.europa.eu

Nearly a quarter of Europe’s adults under 25 are not in education, employment or training. These so-called NEETs are struggling to get on the first step of the employment ladder in this harsh economic climate. Young adults say that they need more confidence to get through job interviews but, with opportunities so scarce, they often go into interviews feeling nervous and underprepared. Now an EU-funded research project that uses virtual reality is helping to change that.

Cast iron machine tools typically contain high levels of hazardous heavy metals. EU-funded scientists are developing substantially stronger and more eco-friendly cast iron parts as a smart alternative.

Further information: cordis.europa.eu

European rice producers use large amounts of water and energy for flooding their fields in order to reduce salinity. An EU-funded initiative is developing an online measurement system to improve crop management and reduce water and energy use.

Further information: cordis.europa.eu

Various solutions are used to improve the management and promotion of small businesses. One initiative is working to develop a resource-planning tool that utilises elements of existing solutions for application to animal and theme parks.

Further information: cordis.europa.eu

Did you ever see pollution level indicators displayed in big European cities? The EXPOSOMICS project is looking to make them obsolete. Not only will their technology determine the exact impact of pollutant exposure on our health, but it could eventually land in your pocket - as a smartphone app.

Further information: cordis.europa.eu

Animal health and welfare is a major concern, particularly in Europe partly due to growing food and sanitary crises. Farmed animals such as fish, bees and livestock are increasingly threatened by endemic and production diseases as well as climate change effects.

Further information: cordis.europa.eu

What is the sound of the Spanish 19th Century, a historically convoluted and unknown time from a musical point of view. Tracing and recovering the soundtrack of the times has been the challenge faced by a group of researchers from the the University of Oviedo for two decades to recover the works of Spanish composers of the 19th Century.