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News EurEta
Issue of May 2015
Summary :

Engineering safer cities

Innovation and Impact for Engineers

Promoting the European single market combining biomedical
engineering with the medical and care services industry

Lack of entrepreneurial skills is blunting Europe's competitive
edge

British engineers seek market share in printable electronics

U.S., German engineers strengthen ties at annual forum
Number of pages: 17 pages
1
Engineering safer cities
The following article was published by newsroom editor on Monday, 04/05/2015.
How can we guarantee the integrity of existing buildings while continuing
to develop urban spaces? Professor Debra Laefer's ERC-funded project
tackles fundamental problems at the interface between new engineering
undertakings and building conservation. The research team will draw on a
largely unmined data source to create a system to predict the degree of
damage likely to be sustained by buildings as a result of tunnelling.
Prof. Laefer and her team aim to reduce both the rates of building damage and
their affiliated costs by improving current systems of damage prediction.
Tunnelling is increasingly common with the spread of urban development and the
tendency of populations to cluster in densely inhabited urban areas. It is
estimated that by the end of 2015 there will be 59 cities with populations
exceeding million. In order to protect existing buildings (especially heritage ones)
while servicing the transport and utility needs of such urban centres, it is
important to better understand the impact of subsurface engineering activities.
2
In Europe, one of the greatest economic generators is cultural tourism, yet the
continent is also a major centre for building and tunnelling. While the architectural
fabric of our cities has to be protected, we need to provide transport and utility
services for its inhabitants and visitors - and this means exploiting the
underground. Prof. Laefer explains: “effective tunnelling-induced damage
prediction requires extensive knowledge of the geometry and material properties
of the above-ground structures, yet such information is rarely available,
especially at a city-scale level. These deficits pose major challenges to using our
computational models. Additionally, when assessing risk there needs to be a
balance between maintaining standards and preventing subsurface construction.
A deeper knowledge of potential damage during tunnelling and harnessing
current technological developments are essential factors to reaching this
balance.”
To help overcome existing knowledge gaps, Prof. Laefer’s project is developing
methods to automatically extract building geometries from aerial laser scanning
(a form of remote sensing) and convert that data into models compatible with
computational modelling for engineers. An optical sensing technology known as
Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) will be used to measure the dimensions of
a building by illuminating it with a laser and analysing the reflected light. The
resulting output will then be gathered and interpreted with a series of postprocessing algorithms and finally with probabilistic methods to better predict the
impact of subsurface activity on the building, especially for unreinforced masonry
buildings. Prof. Laefer’s research takes a holistic approach to the subject by
incorporating techniques varying from city-scale aerial data collection and
modelling to condition assessment of the individual buildings.
3
Mapping future cities
The predictive mechanisms for assessing the scale of building damage will be
accompanied by significant developments in the use of city-scale aerial scanning.
Rather than relying on existing means of aerial laser scanning, which represent
the entire city as a single entity, researchers will remodel the data acquisition
process for more comprehensive city-scale representations. This exploratory
work will establish a series of techniques that will enable scanning of any city
with unreinforced masonry buildings in a way that maximizes the vertical façade
data capture and minimizes occlusions.
The ultimate ambition is that this work can then be cross-applied for a range of
other urban concerns spanning from micro-climate issues to disaster response.
With applications in fields as diverse as micro-climate modelling and disaster
management, the future of this research area is sure to be dynamic, as well as
high impact. Indeed, the technology's potential use in disaster management has
already led Prof. Laefer’s team to begin using unmanned aerial vehicles to gather
relevant remote sensing data.
Prof. Laefer’s ERC grant has enabled her to recruit an excellent team. She
explains: “The longer-term funding has provided the opportunity to bring together
a group of research aspirations and to put them into practice in a high impact
environment. Securing five years’ funding means that the team has greater
latitude for high-risk research and there is the room to be more strategic. We
have the freedom to begin developing the future of this growing research area
and ensure a pipeline of expertise - a particular challenge when short-term
funding brings with it the risk of gaps in support, which leads to equipment
underuse and knowledge losses in the research group.”
“The ERC grant has also attracted a higher calibre of unsolicited collaborators
who are helping us to push the applications of the research further. As a result,
my group has set up a 3D printing centre - a development which has leveraged
wider funds in Ireland, because it is a unique facility here.
4
Innovation and Impact for Engineers
http://ec.europa.eu/research/industrial_technologies/support-to-innovation_en.html
Bridging the gap between research outputs and the access to the market is
an important issue for the EU’s competitiveness and innovation and for the
impact of European research Programmes, such FP7 and Horizon2020.
The Key Enabling Technologies Programme offers Exploitation Strategy and
Innovation Consultants (ESIC) services to EU funded FP7-NMP projects and EU
funded Horizon2020-NMBP projects to address non-technological exploitation
issues and to enhance the positive impact of projects in terms of exploitation and
innovation. In these projects, engineering related are included.
ESIC services are:

Project Risk Analysis: report identifying the risks that future results will remain
unexploited.

Exploitation Strategy Seminar (ESS): Brain-storming with project partners to launch an
action plan for addressing identified risk factors.

Business Plan Development: Assistance to develop a real complete business plan,
including solutions for financing needs, preparing for and assisting in the negotiation with
venture capital providers.

Assisting with patenting: Assist the project participants with the writing and the filing of
patent, and with the legal follow-up of applications.

Assisting with standardisation: Help partners to exploit project results that can benefit
from the development of standards.
5
Promoting the European single market combining
biomedical engineering with the medical and care
services industry
Health and related sectors are a central aspect of human existence and thus
attract particular attention of citizens. The sectors of biomedical engineering and
the medical and care services industry – including research and development –
are among the fastest growing industrial areas, in terms of turnover as well as
employment.
Under biomedical engineering we understand the bridging between methods of
engineering and medicine and biology for diagnostic and therapeutic measures in
healthcare – including, among others, biologics and biopharmaceuticals,
pharmaceutical drugs, various types of devices for chemical or biological analysis
or processing as well as the development of medical equipment and technology
for cure, treatment and prevention of disease. The combination of research and
development, engineering and industrial production, and medical and care
services is particularly important.
6
While the sectors are highly interrelated, they are still predominantly regulated,
and mostly nationally organised and protected. This is rather inconsistent with a
number of principles of the European Union, like the freedom of movement of
services and people, with article 8 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU
(transversal clause), article 35 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the
European Union on “health care” and specific policy orientations of the European
Commission.
A forceful promotion and ultimately the establishment of a single market
combining biomedical engineering with the medical and care services industry –
in combination with ITC and tele-medicine - would have tremendous advantages
for European society, its citizens and the EU’s economic development –
especially in respect to saving resources, promoting entrepreneurial opportunities
and initiatives, reducing regional disparities, overcoming national blockages in
health policies, alleviating social protection systems, coordinating R&D in health
and care, boosting innovation, raising Europe’s position in global competition,
pursuing the 2020 goals, implementing fundamental rights more effectively,
setting principles of quality, promoting labour market mobility, etcetera.
The own-initiative opinion will present the EESC’s views on the current limitations
and barriers in respect to higher competition, better coordination and cooperation
of these combined industrial sectors in Europe and its increased competitiveness
internationally. It will indicate ways and means to overcome current problems by
pursuing agreed objectives of the EU and by fully using the applicable legal
provisions of the Union and proposing new legislation, as appropriate.
7
Lack of entrepreneurial skills is blunting Europe's
competitive edge
Written by Petra Kammerevert on 20 April 2015 in Opinion theparliamentmagazine
A competent young workforce is crucial to retaining the competitiveness of the
EU economy as a whole. However, ensuring that the younger generations
possess the right skills is becoming more challenging in a shrinking and
increasingly competitive job market. The truth is that the skills required to thrive
in this day and age are very different from what is being taught at the majority of
schools and universities.
The
world
economic
forum
has
recognised
high
unemployment
and
underemployment as the second largest global risk, yet today's graduates have
no guarantee that their tertiary education can equip them with the skills they need
to fill the jobs available on the market. They are increasingly discovering that
despite their academic qualifications, they lack the specific skills wanted by
employers.
8
While EU and national authorities have already recognised the importance of
teaching science, technology, engineering and maths, as well as ICT skills, to
match the increasing demand for jobs in these fields, much less attention is paid
to the development of entrepreneurial competences, including financial literacy
and soft skills such as critical thinking, problem solving, time management,
creativity and opportunity recognition.
The lack of entrepreneurial skills remains a serious challenge for the EU
economy, and must be addressed immediately if Europe is to retain its
competitive edge. Such skills can open up a much wider horizon of job
opportunities to graduates.
There is enough scientific evidence demonstrating that students who undertake
entrepreneurial courses have a greater chance of launching their own company,
are more likely to find a job quicker than their peers and appear to be better able
to adapt to changing job market requirements. In the European regions that have
been hit hardest by the crisis any additional skill featured on a job application
could be enough to sway an employer's decision. A competent young workforce
is crucial to retaining the competitiveness of the EU economy as a whole.
However, ensuring that the younger generations possess the right skills is
becoming more challenging in a shrinking and increasingly competitive job
market. The truth is that the skills required to thrive in this day and age are very
different from what is being taught at the majority of schools and universities.
The
world
economic
forum
has
recognised
high
unemployment
and
underemployment as the second largest global risk, yet today's graduates have
no guarantee that their tertiary education can equip them with the skills they need
to fill the jobs available on the market. They are increasingly discovering that
despite their academic qualifications, they lack the specific skills wanted by
employers.
9
While EU and national authorities have already recognised the importance of
teaching science, technology, engineering andmaths, as well as ICT skills, to
match the increasing demand for jobs in these fields, much less attention is paid
to the development of entrepreneurial competences, including financial literacy
and soft skills such as critical thinking, problem solving, time management,
creativity and opportunity recognition.
The lack of entrepreneurial skills remains a serious challenge for the EU
economy, and must be addressed immediately if Europe is to retain its
competitive edge. Such skills can open up a much wider horizon of job
opportunities to graduates.
There is enough scientific evidence demonstrating that students who undertake
entrepreneurial courses have a greater chance of launching their own company,
are more likely to find a job quicker than their peers and appear to be better able
to adapt to changing job market requirements. In the European regions that have
been hit hardest by the crisis any additional skill featured on a job application
could be enough to sway an employer's decision. High quality global journalism
requires investment.
10
British engineers seek market share in printable
electronics
Tanya Powley, Manufacturing Correspondent, May 10, 2015
British engineers are trying to grab a slice of an emerging technology known as
printable electronics that could enable a wide range of applications, from flexible
solar panels to windowless planes.
By using conductive inks, printable electronics can incorporate electrical circuits
into plastic and cardboard for just a few pence per unit. One of the main
advantages it offers over conventional electronics is its flexibility.
The technology could change everyday living by bringing intelligence to products,
such as smart packaging that could tell a person when to take their medication or
how long to leave a dye in their hair.
“Printable electronics opens up a whole new world,” says Steve Spruce,
operations manager at the Centre for Process Innovation in Sedgefield, part of
the government’s network of technology centres known as catapults. “It gives you
opportunities in terms of both design and function.”
11
While the technology is never going to replace conventional electronics, largely
because it does not contain as much complexity, the potential global market for
printable electronics is vast. Applications range from flexible batteries, sensors
for lighting products, foldable electronic displays, advertising posters and smart
packaging.
The CPI is working on developing a UK supply chain in an attempt to improve the
country’s share of the printable electronics market. Mr Spruce says the
technology is beginning to see more interest, particularly in areas such as energy
development where printable electronics could be used to print photovoltaic cells.
Cormac Neeson of Crown Technology, a packaging company, says the project
aims to drive wider low-cost use of the technology in the UK. “We’re likely to see
it being used in more high-end packaging first of all before it gets driven into the
mass consumer market like drinks cans which are more price sensitive,” he says.
In packaging, the technology could be used to monitor the freshness of the food
or the shelf-life, or to make it stand out so it has more “blink appeal” for
consumers.
The UK has several companies already active in printable electronics.
Cambridge-based PragmatIC Printing makes the flexible microcircuit — the
brains of the electronic system — which is thinner than a human hair and can be
embedded in any flexible surface.
“It’s like the processor inside your laptop,” says Scott White, chief executive
officer at PragmatIC. “The idea from our perspective is to make it so it is very thin
and flexible so that it can be easily integrated into a wide variety of product types,
everything from packaging, clothing to wearable technology.”
In January, PragmatIC completed a £5.4m funding round to scale up its
manufacturing operations, with Arm Holdings, the UK technology group, investing
in the group.
12
Mr White believes the two biggest markets for the company in the short term are
smart packaging for consumer goods and wireless traceability of documents for
security and identification. It is working with a number of household brands
including Procter & Gamble, Hallmark, Hasbro and De La Rue, the banknote
printer.
“A lot of the applications we’re focused on don’t need the same level of
complexity [as silicon chips], but they need the cost of it to be substantially lower
because it’s going on something that might only cost a few tens of cents,” Mr
White says.
Printable electronics also offers opportunities in the medical industry. The CPI is
working with CompanDX, a Nottingham-Trent University spinout, and Sapient
Sensors to develop a low-cost disposable portable testing device that could
detect bovine tuberculosis in cattle in just a few minutes — helping to limit the
spread of the disease.
It works by using a printed sensor that can indicate the presence of bovine TB
from blood, rather than the week-long skin test currently in use. The prototype
will be available at the end of next year, with full commercialisation likely to
happen in 2017, according to CPI.
Another company, Kromek, is working with CPI to develop printed sensors for
breast cancer screening, where the flexible sensor could be embedded inside the
breasts.
“Is the UK going to do every aspect of printed electronics and be a world leader
in everything, almost certainly not,” Mr White says. “But I think there are certain
areas where we do have world-leading technology and the right surrounding
elements of the supply chain to put that in place.”
13
U.S., German engineers
strengthen ties at annual forum
The following article was published on April 30, 2015 By Vince Little, USACE
.
U.S. and German engineers gathered here recently to highlight progress,
iron out differences and build tighter collaboration within the Army and Air
Force construction programs during their annual partnering conference.
European Infrastructure Consolidation and refining the ABG-75 process, the
regulation covering U.S. military construction under the Status of Forces
Agreement, were among top agenda items as U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, or
USACE, Europe District leaders met with counterparts from German federal and
state ministries. The forum, which took place April 15-16, also included
representatives
from
regional
construction
offices
in
Bavaria,
Baden-
Württemberg, Rheinland-Pfalz and Hessen.
The meeting, first held in 1992, is aimed at creating better understanding
between the partners and streamlining coordination to reach consensus in
common areas and functions. About 100 officials turned out for the two-day
session, where they heard the latest developments on both sides while swapping
experiences, best practices and ideas.
14
"Settings like this are where we take time to work with each other, learn from
each other … [and] look for collaborative and innovative ways in which we can
become more effective and efficient," said Col. Matthew Tyler, attending his first
U.S.-German Partnering Conference as Europe District commander. "There has
been a lot of talk in recent years about a strategic pivot to the Pacific, but not for
a minute can we rest on our heels and think Europe is not important."
Ralf Poss, deputy chief of construction for the Federal Ministry of Environment,
Preservation of Nature, Construction and Reactor Safety, or BMUB, discussed
the ABG-75 and the need to continue improving communication and efficiencies
as USACE, its stakeholders and the German Construction Administration
prepare to tackle a project-volume spike triggered by European Infrastructure
Consolidation, or EIC, initiatives. ABG-75 debuted in 1975 as a proposal, took
seven years to fully draft and was implemented in 1982.
U.S. and German personnel concede the relationship and dichotomy can be
contentious, with the sides working to balance each other's regulatory divides
and building code standards in construction and maintenance. For instance,
different interpretations have long existed in areas such as fire protection,
maintenance versus new construction and demolition work. The Germans
believe demolition should fall under construction in the contracting process, while
the United States considers it a service.
"We're bound together by law, but also principles," Poss said through a
translator. "The ABG-75 actually works very well in standard construction. Unique
and complex projects, however, sometimes result in problems.
"The U.S. forces are investing in Europe again. Each new base means a
concentration of forces and new work there. But new structures bring new
challenges. … It will be a massive effort to manage."
15
The Department of Defense announced European Infrastructure Consolidation
actions earlier this year. Overall, the plan will return 15 sites to their host nations
and save the U.S. government about $500 million annually. Consolidation is
expected to leave U.S. European Command with 17 main operating bases in
Europe.
Through 2023, the Corps of Engineers will execute more than $600 million in EIC
work - covering both military construction and facilities, sustainment, restoration
and modernization projects - on Army garrisons and Air Force bases throughout
Germany, said Lalit Wadhwa, chief of Europe District's Program Management
Branch. That entails about 25 Air Force ventures and six projects for the Army,
including full or partial site returns in Wiesbaden, Rheinland-Pfalz, Garmisch and
Stuttgart.
"We are committed to this partnership at every level," he told conference
attendees. "These are very exciting times. [But] we will not be able to execute
anything if we don't share information with our German partners in advance."
EIC will realign U.S. Air Forces in Europe with the closure of three installations in
the United Kingdom and downsizing of Lajes Field in the Azores. Projects totaling
nearly $350 million range from airfield aprons, taxiways and hangars to squadron
operations facilities, simulators and wing headquarters. In Germany, they are tied
to relocating RAF Mildenhall's Special Operations Group and KC-135 refueling
aircraft to Spangdahlem and Ramstein air bases, respectively.
"Early involvement, on the German side, is important to initiate the coordination
process," said Matthias Vollmer, director of BMUB's building engineering division.
"This will help avoid stoppages in construction for time-critical projects."
16
Poss praised the U.S.-German engineering alliance's solid foundation but said he
sees room for positive modifications to ABG-75. Changes in requirements over
the course of a project often lead to delays, added costs and financial burden, he
said.
"We are always pleased when we get clear, precise information from your side,"
Poss said. "We must lean on our spirit of cooperation to navigate this process. …
Good project management and clear agreements are vital in moving forward and
avoiding conflicts and bad contracts."
District officials agree that frequent communication and transparency from both
sides are fundamental to strengthening the partnership and the regulation
governing the way it conducts business.
"Forty years later, we're still discovering things about ABG-75 and how it affects
our operations," Wadhwa said. "In the end, it's all about making our relationship
better and taking care of the mission. We are doing great work, but we can do
even better.
"We have disagreements at times; we just need to look at the issues and try to
figure out how to solve them. It's not in our DNA to fail. Every one of us is in this
together."
17