Zabusnai

18/03/2022

A team of scientists have developed an innovative predictive model that employs Artificial Intelligence (AI) to calculate the likelihood of viruses spreading from animals.
Created by researchers from the University of Gothenburg, the novel predictive model applies AI to carbohydrates to thoroughly understand the relationship of the infection process between animals and humans. Their research is published in Cell Reports.

The vast majority of the biological processes that take place within our body involve carbohydrates in some capacity; however, despite this, knowledge of how their processes work is still not well understood. Carbohydrates – known as glycans – are vital in making sure our body works as intended, with fluctuations in their levels producing adverse effects. Interestingly, to cause infection, all viruses utilise glycans as their first contact with our cells, with the COVID-19 causing SARS-CoV-2 being no different.

18/03/2022

The European Commission is investing €14.7bn from Horizon Europe towards a healthier, greener, and more digital Europe.
The Commission has approved the main work programme of Horizon Europe for the period of 2021-2022, which delineates the aims and specific topic areas that are to receive a total of €14.7bn in funding.

The aim of this investment is to facilitate the acceleration of green and digital transitions and will offer support to sustainable recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and to EU resistance against future crises.

Moreover, the investment will aid European researchers through fellowships, training, and exchanges, build more united and economical European innovation ecosystems and develop world-class research infrastructures. As well as this, it will promote participation across Europe and from around the world, while strengthening the European Research Area.

Margrethe Vestager, Executive Vice-President for A Europe Fit for the Digital Age, said: “This Horizon Europe work programme will support European researchers, deliver top quality, excellent research and innovation, for the benefit of us all. Covering the full research and innovation cycle, from the lab to the market, it will bring researchers and innovators from all over the world closer together, to address the issues we are facing.”

18/03/2022

Korean scientists have utilised semiconductor technology to effectively increase the safety of electric vehicle batteries which can cause explosions and fires.
The research team from the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) has successfully demonstrated that semiconductor technology can inhibit the danger of explosions and fires in lithium-ion (Li-ion) electric vehicle batteries, a growing concern in the green automotive industry.

The team has efficaciously mitigated the growth of dendrites – combustion causing crystals with multiple branches that instigate electric vehicle battery fires when they construct protective semiconducting passivation layers on the surface of Li electrodes.

In the charging process of Li-ion electric vehicle batteries, Li-ions are transported to the anode, where they are deposited on the surface as Li metal; it is at this stage where destructive dendrites are formed. Uncontrollable volumetric fluctuations are caused by these Li dendrites, resulting in reactions between the solid electrode and the liquid electrolyte, initiating fires and subsequently reducing battery performance and safety.

18/03/2022

WindEurope, the European industry organisation for wind energy, has appealed for a landfill ban on decommissioned wind turbine blades across the continent by 2025.
The new legislation was advocated by Giles Dickson, CEO of WindEurope, and Juan Virgilio Márquez, General Director of AEE, at the Spanish Wind Energy Association (AEE)’s Annual Congress, calling upon the European Commission to implement a Europe-wide ban on landfilling decommissioned wind turbine blades.

The proposal has been made after numerous industry-leading companies in the wind energy sector have revealed their plans to enhance the recycling and recovery of wind turbine blades, aiming to advance the development of sustainable recycling technologies for composite materials.

18/03/2022

17/03/2022