On this page you can read about ongoing EU-funded projects, involving the members of GAME network. The projects are listed alphabetically, according to the acronym.
If you are a member of GAME network and would like to add a project to the list, please contact Jonas Norrman at GAME network:
Telephone: +46 766 365 301
Email: jonas.norrman(at)gamenetwork.se
- Establishment of a Co-operation Network of Passive House Promoters
Description
The project aims at the promotion and diffusion of the passive and very low energy houses and technologies in Europe, including a focus on new member states.
Given the huge energy and CO2-saving potential and the low recognition of the passive house standard, the project will offer independent information on financing, construction, and planning matters In some countries there has been a positive uptake of this standard and these experiences need to be transferred to other countries.
This will strengthen co-operation and the exchange of know-how between the participating countries (Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Germany, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden and the U.K.) and will encourage new initiatives Europe-wide.
The project activities include promotion and awareness raising as well as training activities for specialists and the dialogue with public authorities. The most important benefit should be an European wide passive house database promoting best practice objects.
Web site
»http://www.pass-net.net/
GAME member
IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute
- Pathways to renewable and efficient energy systems
Description
PATH-TO-RES is an Intelligent Energy Europe (IEE) project aiming to develop a 7-step assessment tool based on real data from local and regional energy systems, by studying and assessing a number of case studies in European countries.
The project establishes a detailed description of the present system, analysing the possibilities and technical and institutional barriers of the energy transformation process and the bridging towards a more sustainable, renewable and efficient energy system.
Web site
»http://www.path2res.eu/index.asp?zonaexperto=0
GAME member
Chalmers University of Technology
- Photochromic systems for solid state molecular electronic devices and light-activated cancer drugs
Description
Photochromic molecules, or photochromes, can be reversibly isomerized between two thermally stable forms by exposure to light of different wavelengths. Upon isomerization, properties such as excitation energies, redox properties, charge distribution, and structure experience significant changes. These changes can be harnessed to switch on or off the action of a variety of photophysical processes in the photochromic constructs, e.g., energy and electron transfer.
Until now, the focus of my research has been to show proof of principle for a large selection of molecule-based photonically controlled logic devices (solution based) with the functional basis in the switching of the transfer processes mentioned above. Now, I wish to extend the study to include experiments in the solid state, e.g., polymer matrices.
Taking the step into doing solid state chemistry is not only a prerequisite for any real-world application. It will also allow for experiments that cannot be performed in fluid solution, such as aligning molecules in a stretched film for chemistry with polarized light, and immobilization of molecules for selective addressing in a three-dimensional array of volume elements.
Furthermore, I intend to investigate the possibility to photonically control the membrane penetrating and the DNA-binding abilities of photochromes, aiming at, in a long-term perspective, light-activated cancer drugs.
Due to the fact that both the structure and the charge distribution of a photochrome may change drastically upon isomerization, one of the two isomeric forms is often suitable for penetrating a membrane. Inside the membrane, e.g., in a cell, the photochrome can be photo-isomerized to a structure with high affinity for strong binding to DNA. Upon binding, transcription is inhibited and the cell dies.
If desired, pH-sensitivity and two-photon processes could be used to further increase the selectivity in addressing very specific regions of the body, such as a tumor.
Web site
»http://erc.europa.eu/index.cfm?fuseaction=page.display&topicID=384
GAME member
Chalmers University of Technology
- Risk-based management of chemicals and products in a circular economy at a global scale
Description
Chemicals and additives in products being produced and marketed globally, this makes an international harmonised assessment and management essential. Chemical testing, research on risks, impacts and management options are carried out throughout the globe but quite fractionated to certain areas and sectors and much too often with little linkages between the different scientific communities.
The coordination action (CA) RISKCYCLE is aimed to establish and co-ordinate a global network of European and international experts and stakeholders to define together future needs of R+D contributions for innovations in the risk-based management of chemicals and products in a circular economy of global scale leading to alternative strategies to animal tests and reduced health hazards.
The partners joining this action seek to explore the synergies of the research carried out within different programmes and countries of the EU, in Asia and overseas to facilitate the intensified communication with researchers, institutions and industries about the risks of hazardous chemicals and additives in products and risk reduction measures and to improve the dispersion of available information.
Web site
»http://www.wadef.com/projects/riskcycle/
GAME member
IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute
- Phosphorus from the seabed and water quality in archipelagos – modeling attempt
Description
In the SEABED project (2009-2012) the internal phosphorus loading in Svealand, Åland, southwest Finland and west Uusimaa archipelagos will be mapped for their different kind of sea bottoms (from erosional to depositional).
The methods include acoustic sounding, field sampling and chemical analyses. The information will be used to establish a sediment model into an overall 3-D water quality model for the project area. The model framework will be used to run scenarios of water protection measures and environmental change.
The scenario simulations can be used in water management plans even in other Baltic coastal areas. Everyone can make use of the model as it will be uploaded on the web and will be available on CDs.
Web site
»https://web.abo.fi/seabed/
GAME member
IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute
- Sustainable Production through Innovation in Small and Medium sized Enterprises
Description
• Identify & promote innovation highlights for small and medium-seized enterprises (SMEs).
• Provide SMEs access to technical & managerial innovation which match their specific needs.
• Familiarise and supply SMEs with best available management & decision making tools which help them to apply innovations in their companies.
• Develop incentives & support policies for SMEs to apply innovations.
• Create a coherent international support and policy framework throughout the Baltic Sea Region.
Web site
»http://www.spin-project.eu/
GAME member
IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute
- Supramolecular motive power
Description
This project concerns fundamental studies on how mechanical energy may be transduced over large distances by molecules or molecular aggregates.
As model systems, DNA and polypeptides (two a-helices coiled around each other like in the ATP synthase motor) are studied in single-molecule experiments (e.g. with a magnetic bead as a driving “motor” and a fluorescent hand, visible i microscope as indicator). The helical polymer is typically held inside a tube (bearing) created by nanometer scale lithography.
Also bulk experiments on membranes of lipid vesicles, as well as theoretical studies using Molecular Dynamics and Monte Carlo simulations will be made.
Web site
»http://www.chalmers.se/chem/EN/divisions/physical-chemistry/nordenlab/current-projects/sumo
GAME member
Chalmers University of Technology
- Systems Biology as a Driver for Industrial Biotechnology
Description
Metabolic engineering is an applied science focusing on developing new cell factories or improving existing ones. Metabolic engineering is an enabling science, and distinguishes itself from applied genetic engineering by the use of advanced analytical tools for identification of appropriate targets for genetic modifications and the use of mathematical models to perform in silico design of optimized cell factories. In recent years, there has been increasing focus on using mathematical models for design.
SYSIBIO will coordinate European activities in the field of model driven metabolic engineering and also coordination of activities on other technologies required for state of the art metabolic engineering, e.g. metabolomics and fluxomics.
The coordination of activities will involve establishing a database containing metabolic models for different industrially important microorganisms. The database will also contain different simulation tools required for use of these models to identify metabolic engineering targets and use of these models for analysis of omics data.
SYSINBIO will also coordinate the further development of techniques required for metabolic engineering, such as metabolomics, fluxomics and identification of mutations in evolved strains. Furthermore, an important part of SYSINBIO will be coordination of education and training in the field of metabolic engineering in Europe.
Web site
»http://www.sysbio.se/SYSINBIO/
GAME member
Chalmers University of Technology
- Train Chinese Construction Sector SMEs in Energy Saving Techniques and Technologies
Description
The aim of the Train the Trainers project is to promote sustainable production in the Chinese construction industry by sharing European experiences in energy efficiency, building material standards and installation techniques.
It is designed to tackle the following specific problems connected with construction quality and sustainability
• low-energy efficiency in buildings
• poor quality of construction materials
• poor installation techniques
• the mindset that good quality is not worth paying for.
The project addresses these issues through three core activities, namely:
• Providing training courses to Chinese construction SME s.
• Promoting European building standards and best practices.
• Contributing to the development of an “enabling policy environment”, i.e. to create a setting that reinforces and/or stimulates enterprises to change their behaviour.
Web site
»http://www.train-the-trainers.net/?p=16
GAME member
IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute
- Wave Energized Baltic Aeration Pump
Description
The project aims to demonstrate the technical feasibility of using a wave-powered device – WEBAP – for the aeration of coastal zones and open seas suffering oxygen depletion. The pump exclusively uses the natural resources of oxygen-rich surface water and wave energy to improve the oxygen situation in hypoxic bottom water layers by enhanced ventilation and mixing.
The project will prepare and assemble a WEBAP prototype, including fine-tuning of the system to the local conditions. The system will be demonstrated through tests at two complementary sites in the Baltic Sea: one to show its effects on hypoxic bottom water layers; and another in the real environment.
The beneficiary expects to prepare a future full-scale implementation of the aeration pump and demonstrate its transferability to other hypoxic marine environments.
Web site
»http://webap.ivl.se/1.html
GAME member
IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute
