In the Bavarian Forest National Park a brief, but intense storm event on 1 August 1983 created large windfall areas. The windfall ecosystems within the protection zone of the park were left develop without interference; outside this zone windfall areas were cleared of dead wood but not afforested. A set of permanent plots (transect design with 10 to 10 m plots) was established in 1988 in spruce forests of wet and cool valley bottoms in order to document vegetation development. Resampling shall take place every five years; up to now it was done in 1993 and 1998. On cleared areas an initial raspberry (Rubus idaeus) shrub community was followed by pioneer birch (Betula pubescens, B. pendula) woodland, a sequence well known from managed forest stands. In contrast to this, these two stages were restricted to root plates of fallen trees in uncleared windfalls; here shade-tolerant tree species of the terminal forest stages established rather quickly from saplings that had already been present in the preceeding forest stand. Soil surface disturbances are identified to be causal to the management pathway of forest development, wereas the untouched pathway is caused by relatively low disturbance levels. The simulation model FORSKA-M is used to analyse different options of further stand development with a simulation time period of one hundred years.
Der schnelle Fortschritt der elektronischen Geräte erhöht die Nachfrage nach verbesserten Li-Ionen Batterien. Kommerziell erhältliche Li-Zellen nutzen meist Lithiumkobaltoxid für die positive Elektrode. Doch gerade dieses Material ist ein Hindernis für eine weitere Optimierung, insbesondere für eine Kostensenkung. Vor allem für größere Anwendungen wie Hybrid- oder Elektrofahrzeuge müssen alternative Materialen erforscht werden, die billiger, sicherer und umweltverträglicher sind. Daher wird im ISEA derzeit ein neues Forschungsprojekt ins Leben gerufen und die dafür benötigte Infrastruktur geschaffen. Die Forschung wird sich auf die Untersuchung geeigneter Übergangsmetalloxide und Polyanionen konzentrieren, die besonders gut zur Einlagerung von Li-Ionen geeignet sind. Es werden neue Herstellungsverfahren unter Verwendung wässriger Precurser-Substanzen untersucht, die Verbindungen mit überlegenen Eigenschaften erzeugen und außerdem leicht an eine Massenproduktion angepasst werden können. Ziel der Arbeiten ist, preisgünstiges Elektrodenmaterial zu entwickeln, das eine spezifische Energie von über 200 Wh/kg und eine Leistungsdichte von 400 W/kg aufweist. Außerdem werden Arbeiten im Bereich der physikalisch-chemischen Charakterisierung der neuen Materialien stattfinden sowie elektrochemische Analysen der gesamten Zellen- und Batteriesysteme durchgeführt. Das elektrodynamische Verhalten der neuen Zellen wird u. a. mit Hilfe der elektrochemischen Impedanzspektroskopie analysiert, um präzise und zuverlässige Algorithmen für ein späteres Batteriemonitoring im realen Betrieb zu finden.
Entwicklungs-, Pflege- und Erschließungsmaßnahmen gem. § 13 LNatSchG NRW
The overall aim of this project is to set up and develop a European Network of Excellence, referred to as 'Marine Genomics Europe', for the implementation of high-throughput genomic approaches in the biology of marine organisms. 'Marine Genomics Europe' will promote, develop, and spread throughout the European Union a broad range of genomic approaches, to investigate a wide range of questions related to the functioning of marine ecosystems and to the biology of marine organisms. With this aim in view, we propose to group and network experts in genomics, proteomics, and bioinformatics from several Centres of Excellence in genomics in Europe with marine biologists who can make use of high-throughput genomics data. This will involve the dedication and the development of common research infrastructures, both in genomics and in marine biology. Joining together these distinct scientific communities will establish Europe's lead in marine genomics. The Jointly Executed Research (JER) of 'Marine Genomics Europe' is broken down into Comparative, Functional and Environmental Genomics, three sections which structure more traditional streamlines, leading to various microbial, algal, evolution development and diversity, and fish and shellfish nodes. This research can be applied to the management of marine ressources (prediction of global changes in marine populations, conservation of biodiversity, fisheries management and improvement of aquacultured species) and to gene mining for health and biotechnology. The Integration effort of Marine Genomics Europe is based on the following strategies: i) jointly develop enabling technologies; ii) sharing existing technical platforms iii) collectively gaining access to major Genomic centres; iv) regrouping under a common Bioinformatics Centre; and v), create and develop a Knowledge and Communication System. Spreading activities will include workshops and courses implemented by a Training & Education Council. Prime Contractor: France Innovation Scientifique et Transfert; Paris; France.
High current coated conductors (CC s) have high potential for developing electrical power applications and very high field magnets. The key issues for market success are low cost robust processes, high performance and a reliable manufacturing methodology of long length conductors. In recent years EU researchers and companies have made substantial progress towards these goals, based on vacuum (PLD) and chemical deposition (CSD) methods, towards nanostructuring of films. This provides a unique opportunity for Europe to integrate these advances in high performance conductors. The EUROTAPES project will address two broad objectives: 1/ the integration of the latest developments into simple conductor architectures for low and medium cost applications and to deliver +500m tapes. Defining of quality control tools and protocols to enhance the processing throughput and yield to achieve a pre-commercial cost target of 100 Euro/kAm. 2/ Use of advanced methodologies to enhance performance (larger thickness and Ic, enhanced pinning for high fields, reduction of ac losses, increased mechanical strength). Demonstration of high critical currents (Ic greater than 400A/cm-w, at 77K and self-field and Ic greater than 1000A/cm-w at 5K and 15T) and pinning forces (Fp greater than 100GN/m3 at 60 K). The CSD and PLD technologies will be combined to achieve optimized tape architectures, nanostructures and processes to address a variety of HTS applications at self-field, high and ultrahigh magnetic fields. Up to month 36, 3 types of conductors will be developed (RABiT, ABAD and round wire); at Mid Term 2 will be chosen for demonstration during the final 18 months.
The COMMON SENSE project will contribute to support the implementation of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) and other EU policies (e.g. Common Fisheries Policy), providing easily usable across several platforms, cost-effective, multi-functional innovative sensors to detect reliable in-situ measurements on key parameters by means of methodological standards. This proposal will focus, by means of a multidisciplinary and well-balanced consortium on eutrophication, contaminants, marine litter and underwater noise descriptors of the MSFD. This proposal will first provide a general understanding and integrated basis for sensors cost effective development (WP1 and WP2). Within the following WPs (5-8) the project will design and develop new generation sensors focused on the detection of: (1) nutrient analytes by utilising well-established colorimetric chemistries for phosphate, ammonia, nitrate and nitrite (2) low concentrations of heavy metals (Pb, Hg Cd, Zn and Cu), (3) surface concentration of microplastics (4) underwater noise by means of a bespoke acoustic sensor pod. These sensors, developed onto modular systems, will be integrated into multifunctional packages (WP4). Innovative transversal sensors (e.g. temperature, pressure, pH and pCO2) will be also integrated to provide the variables with a comprehensive reference frame. The Common Sensor Web Platform will be created (WP3) aiming at bringing a more sophisticated view of the environment implementing the sensor web enablement standards but optimising e.g. data acquisition, access and interoperability. The sensors developed will be interoperable with existing and new observing systems and they will also be field tested (WP9) by means of different platforms (e.g. research vessels, racing yachts, buoys). Dissemination and exploitation activities (WP10) will enable to transfer knowledge and technology resulting from the project to be used with commercial, scientific, conservational and strategic purposes.