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Europäische Ecodesign-Initiative

Produktentwickler*innen und Designer*innen stellen bei der Entwicklung neuer Produkte und Dienstleistungen die Weichen für die Umweltbelastung eines Produktes über seinen gesamten Lebensweg. Die "Entwicklung einer transnationalen Lernfabrik zur ökologischen Produktgestaltung" im Rahmen eines EU-INTERREG-Projektes im Ostseeraum namens "EcoDesign Circle" hatte zum Ziel, Fragen der ökologischen Produktgestaltung und Kreislaufwirtschaft in einer realen Gestaltungs- und Produktionsumgebung zu demonstrieren und Auswirkungen von Designentscheidungen auf den gesamten Lebenszyklus eines Produktes sichtbar zu machen. Das Konzept und der Inhalt der Lernfabrik Ökodesign wurde in drei Schritten entwickelt: Erfassung der aktuellen Situation (Bedarfe, Angebote) u.a. in den Ostseeanrainerstaaten über Stakeholderinterviews, Entwicklung des Konzeptes und Pilotierung der Lernfabrik in Deutschland und den Ostseeanrainerstaaten. Ergebnisse des Projektes sind das Konzept der Lernfabrik, ein Leitfaden zur Durchführung der Lernfabrik (Workshop-Manual), eine Anleitung zum Aufbau einer Lernfabrik (Guideline) und ein Verstetigungsplan. Die Lernfabrik Ökodesign hat das Ziel, dass Praktizierende und Lehrende aus Design, Ingenieurswesen und Geschäftsentwicklung lernen, wie man Kreislaufsysteme designt. Dabei durchlaufen sie einen Ökodesign-Prozess, bei dem kreative Methoden des Design-Thinking mit analytischen Methoden des Ökodesigns kombiniert werden. Gleichzeitig erhalten sie über einen Feldbesuch in eine Produktionsumgebung einen Einblick, welchen Einfluss Produktentwickler*innen auf die Umweltauswirkungen während der Fertigung haben. Die Ökodesign Lernfabrik wird als Training vom Fraunhofer IZM für Einzelpersonen oder Institutionen angeboten (www.ecodesignlearningfactory.com). Diese Dokumentation als auch die erstellten Materialien sollen auch eine Übertragbarkeit anderswo ermöglichen. Quelle: Forschungsbericht

COSY (EU-RTN): Complex Solid State Reactions for Energy Efficient Hydrogen Storage

Reactive Hydride Composites reveal great potential as hydrogen storage materials as they overcome the thermodynamic limitations hindering the use of light-weight complex hydrides. However, their sorption kinetics is still slow due to the fact that the hydrogen sorption process takes place within complex solid state reactions. It is aim of this project to explore the fundamental mechanisms involved in these reactions. For this, experimental studies on sorption kinetics, thermodynamics, crystal structure and electronic properties of the nano-structured materials are cross-linked to ab-initio calculations and theoretical modelling. The results will provide a basis to improve material properties and to develop new catalysts for hydrogen sorption. Finally, the optimization of synthesis methods and in particular the up-scaling of hydrogen storage materials preparation will be explored in collaboration with manufacturers.

Enhanced plant productivity through control of lifespan (CROPLIFE)

The world-wide demand for primary plant products to be used for food, feed and fuel is increasing dramatically. The foreseen climate changes are expected to have a negative impact on plant productivity in addition. Future agriculture urgently needs new crop plant varieties with enhanced and sustainable productivity. To meet this challenge, CropLife focuses on leaf lifespan as a major determinant of plant productivity and aims to develop new breeding strategies for prolonging leaf photosynthesis and delaying senescence processes. The network focuses on barley and perennial ryegrass, which are excellent models for research and crop development in Europe. The CropLife primary objectives will be addressed in the four work packages. These are: the identification of key factors initiating senescence (1), and proteins regulating leaf lifespan (2), the elucidation of molecular mechanisms of senescence-associated protein degradation and nitrogen remobilization (3), and the analysis of lifespan and exploitation of genetic variation in lifespan in order to breed new varieties with increased productivity (4). CropLife provides cross-sector experience by integrating partners from the public and private sectors. The training programme includes state-of the-art local training activities and network-wide courses, summer schools and workshops. Young researchers will be trained in a range of cutting edge research skills, as well as in complementary skills that will enhance their career prospects. Further benefits will arise from secondments in partner laboratories and cross-sector visits to associated partners from the private sector. To guarantee training at the most advanced level, outstanding scientists in the field will be integrated as visiting researchers. Workshops and a final network conference will provide a platform for dissemination of the network s achievements which are expected to increase the competitiveness of European plant research and agriculture.

PAH Anaerobic Biodegradation Assessment by Stable Isotope Technologies (BASIS)

Hydrocarbon pollution has been recognized to be a major environmental and human health problem that require accurate exposure assessment and remediation. Oil and oily products are extremely complex mixtures, containing hundreds (even thousands) of different compounds, among which polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are of greatest regulatory concern due to their potential toxic, mutagenic and carcinogenic properties. 2- and 3-ring PAHs are water soluble and can be transported over significant distances. Natural attenuation is a low-cost bioremediation option widely accepted for the clean-up of hydrocarbon polluted sites. Many efforts have been made to study and enhance aerobic biodegradation of hydrocarbons. However, anaerobic degradation of oily products is practically unknown, although in many environments, such as aquifers, marshes or intertidal zones oxigen is often a limiting factor. Some studies have proven the ability of microorganisms to degrade aromatic hydrocarbons in different conditions, but there is a significant gap of knowledge regarding in situ anaerobic biodegradation of these compounds (metabolism, key microorganisms involved, etc.). Stable isotope techniques (compound specific stable isotope analysis, CSIA, and stable isotope probing, SIP) are novel techniques which can help overcoming this situation, providing valuable information on biodegradation and coping suitably with linking biodegradation processes to microbial taxa. Despite their clear advantatges these techniques have seldom been applied to field studies. In the light of this situation, the main goals of this proposed project are to assess in situ biodegradation of PAHs under anaerobic environments in marine and fresh water systems, to describe microbial activities and to identify microbial key players. The project will be carried out in the Isotope Biogeochemistry Department at the UFZ (Leipzig), which provide outstanding facilities for the achievement of these objectives.

FP6-POLICIES, Innovative ländliche Entwicklung (RAPIDO)

Innovation ist gemäß der Lissabon Strategie der EU einer der wichtigsten Schlüssel für die Nachhaltige Entwicklung in Europa und insbesondere in ländlichen Räumen. Doch wie entsteht Innovation? Welche Wirtschaftsbereiche in ländlichen Räumen bieten sich für technologische und gleichzeitig umwelt- und sozialfreundliche Innovationen an? Wie verbreiten sich Informationen über Innovationen? RAPIDO analysiert best-practice-Methoden der innovativen Entwicklung in Land- und Forstwirtschaft und im Dienstleistungssektor in verschiedenen ländlichen Gebieten Europas.

FP6-POLICIES, Background Criteria for the Identification of Groundwater Thresholds (BRIDGE)

The Commission proposal of Groundwater Directive COM(2003)550 developed under Article 17 of the Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC) sets out criteria for the assessment of the chemical status of groundwater, which is based on existing Community quality standards (nitrates, pesticides and biocides) and on the requirement for Member States to identify pollutants and threshold values that are representative of groundwater bodies found as being at risk, in accordance with the analysis of pressures and impacts carried out under the WFD. In the light of the above, the objectives of BRIDGE are: i) to study and gather scientific outputs which could be used to set out criteria for the assessment of the chemical status of groundwater, ii) to derive a plausible general approach, how to structure relevant criteria appropriately with the aim to set representative groundwater threshold values scientifically sound and defined at national river basin district or groundwater body level, iii) to check the applicability and validity by means of case studies at European scale, iv) to undertake additional research studies to complete the available data, v) and to carry out an environmental impact assessment taking into account the economic and social impacts. The project shall be carried out at European level, involving a range of stakeholders and efficiently linking the scientific and policy-making communities. Considering the requirement of the diary of the Groundwater Daughter Directive proposal, which implies that groundwater pollutants and related threshold values should be identified before December 2005 and listed by June 2006, the duration of the project should be 24 months. In that way the proposed research will contribute to provide research elements that will be indispensable for preparing discussions on further steps of the future Groundwater Directive. Prime Contractor: Bureau de Recherches Geologiques et Minieres, Service Analyse et Caracterisation Minerale, Paris FR

FP6-INCO, Rural sustainable development through integration of renewable energy technologies in poor European regions (RES INTEGRATION)

Objective: The ultimate goal of the present project is to study the implementation of innovative low cost Renewable Energy and Energy Saving Technologies at selected poor regions of the participating countries. Locally available Energy Resources will be used, with a final goal the regional sustainable socio-economic development. Pathways will be invented for maximising Renewable Energy penetration in the region. Ideally, 100 Prozent renewable energy penetration will be pursued for. Through the project, specific Integrated R enewable Energy Systems (1RES) will be proposed for sustainable development of each Region. By the term 1RES it is meant 'o' energy system with an optimal energetic autonomy including food production and if any excesses, energy exports. Energy production a nd consumption at the region has to be sustainable and eventually based mainly on renewable energy sources. It includes a combination of different possibilities for non-polluting energy production, such as modern wind and solar electricity production, as w ell as the production of energy from biomass and any other renewable sources '. Each partner team (in each of the participating countries) will select a pilot rural region and perform the following tasks: 1. Study the today Energy situation in the region ? Study the sources of energy. ? Consumption by sector. Space and time distribution of the consumption. 2. Study the local Energy Potential. Space and time distribution. 3. Define development scenarios of the region. 4. Develop a prototype model (expert sys tem) for introducing in the regions the 1RES s. 5. Propose specific IRESs and development policy to be applied in the region through the developed model (expert system). 6. Socio-Economie and Environmental considerations. 7. Dissemination activities The re sults of the studies for each region will supply the local governments the plans for region sustainable development. The overall project results will provide

Energy savings from smart operation of electrical, process and mechanical equipment (ENERGY-SMARTOPS)

The drive across the world towards energy efficiency and reduction of CO2 emissions is leading to new industrial processes and new ways of operating existing processes. In particular, the control and operation of processes, rotating machinery and electrical equipment is becoming radically more integrated giving new opportunities for energy saving through equipment management, automation, and optimization. In the light of these challenges, there is a need for new training and research action to address technology gaps at the interfaces between the process, mechanical and electrical domains, and to realize energy savings from integrated operation. The ENERGY-SMARTOPS consortium has detailed plans for cross-disciplinary training of a cohort of Early Stage engineering researchers through personalized programmes which will provide experience of research as an exciting and rewarding career, in-depth training in research projects at the host site and on intersectorial secondments, local and network-wide courses on technical topics, complementary skills training, and participation in workshops and symposia. The research programme is organized into three themes: (i) Equipment and process monitoring integrating multiple measurements from the process, mechanical and electrical sub-systems, (ii) Integrated automation capturing information from all three subsystems, and devising new algorithms that explicitly manage the interfaces and interactions between them, (iii) Optimization to provide energy savings by better integration of operations across the process-mechanical-electrical interfaces. The consortium involves universities and the R and D groups of end-user companies and an industrial technology supplier. Its investigators are experts in electrical machinery and power electronics, compressors and pumps, modeling and optimization, instrumentation, signal analysis, equipment condition monitoring, and automation of oil and gas, steel and chemical processes. Prime Contractor: University London, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine; London; United Kingdom.

Advancing Sustainable In Situ Remediation for Contaminated Land and Groundwater (ADVOCATE)

This project will develop innovative in situ remediation concepts for the sustainable management of contaminated land and groundwater, as required by the WFD. The proposal has 18 academic and industry partners, with expertise in groundwater remediation issues, ranging from pore-scale processes to field-scale application, as well as technology development, water management/treatment, regulation and policy. The research links lab-scale studies of processes with field-scale evaluation and demonstration of novel technology applications, using state-of-the-art methods. It will develop new scientific understanding, performance assessment tools and decision-making frameworks which advance the use of sustainable in situ remediation for contaminated land and groundwater. The network is support by comprehensive knowledge transfer activities. The aim is for more sustainable treatment, to optimise resource investment in environmental restoration, considering technical, social and economic factors. The network will create a comprehensive training environment for early career scientists and engineers in this field. Each academic institution, in cooperation with the industry partners, is well positioned to support the training and professional development of fellows, through existing research training packages and new activities proposed herein. In addition to formal graduate-level instruction and directed research, an innovative package of training initiatives is offered. These include workshops, summer schools, web-based sharing of research and key outputs across the network, complementary training at partner institutions, practical work secondments with industry partners, and participation at national and international conferences. Graduating fellows will benefit from interdisciplinary cooperation and interaction with all sectors of the environmental management community, providing them with the best preparation for a successful career in either academia or industry.

Isotope forensics meets biogeochemistry - linking sources and sinks of organic contaminants by compound specific isotope investigation (CSI:ENVIRONMENT)

The initial training network CSI: ENVIRONMENT aims at training 16 young scientists in the discipline of compound-specific isotope analysis (CSIA) for environmental and forensic investigations. Linking sources and sinks of organic contaminants is a major challenge in contemporary environmental science. Chemicals can be released to the environment when leaving their field of application, intended or accidentally. It is a challenge to relate the origin of spills, transport and subsequent distribution in the environment and to analyse potential sinks and elimination pathways at a local, regional and global scale. This network brings together international experts in the field of isotope chemistry and related fields for training the next generation of young scientists in the field of environmental forensics using stable isotope techniques. Isotope analysis offers a unique opportunity to obtain information of sources, transport, degradation pathways and sinks of contaminants in the environment which will be urgently needed in the future. Multi-element isotope fingerprinting of chemically complex substances can be used to elucidate transformation pathways making use of isotope fractionation processes altering the reactive position and to analyse the isotope composition of an organic molecule to track sources. Concepts and applications are available for the more simple organic contaminants such as BTEX, chlorinated ethenes and MTBE but not for more complex organic contaminants such as pesticides or brominated flame retardants. Thus, the aim of this ITN is to train young scientist in development of concepts for the application of isotope tools to assess the fate of organic chemicals in the environment. Young scientists will be educated in the field of isotope forensics, pushing forward the frontiers of current isotope techniques to develop new areas of isotope applications in both fundamental and applied environmental sciences.

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