The overall objective of the original CHIRALFORCE project is to demonstrate enantiomer separation in a compact, on-chip, photonic platform that is fabricated using standard silicon-based technology. This CHIRALFORCE2 hop-on project enhances the original project by providing automated in-line platform for the analysis of chiral separation for this CHIRALFORCE photonic chip.
Separation of enantiomers from mixtures is essential, especially in early phase drug discovery processes when many mixtures need to be separated. CHIRALFORCE aims to revolutionize the field of chiral chemistry by introducing a radically new strategy for separating enantiomers by using chiral optical forces in silicon-based photonic integrated waveguides to separate enantiomers. The successful implementation of CHIRALFORCE project (development of separator chip) relies on fast and accurate feedback on the enantiomer separation. However, current state-of-the art technologies for checking the enantiomer separation: e.g. circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy or High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) lack off-the shelf capabilities for rapid in-line separation monitoring that is needed in CHIRALFORCE project. CHIRALFORCE2 addresses this need by providing a platform for in-line monitoring of the chiral separation down-stream from the CHIRALFORCE separator chip. We use interdisciplinary approach combining automation, electronics, optics and IT disciplines. The monitoring of in-line chiral separation will be achieved by CD-spectrometry or absorbance detection depending on the microfluidic and optical requirements from CHIRALFORCE project. Both scenarios are supported by designated software for the signal analysis and feedback.
CRASHLESS aims at radically new cross-layer reliability and self-health awareness technology for tomorrow's intelligent autonomous systems and IoT edge devices in Estonia and EU.
The enormous complexity of today's advanced cyber-physical systems and systems of systems is multiplied by their heterogeneity and the emerging computing architectures employing AI-based autonomy. The setups, such as autonomous swarms of robotic vehicles, are already on the doorstep and call for novel approaches for reliability across all the layers. Continuous self-health awareness and infrastructure for in-field self-healing are becoming an enabling factor for new IoT edge devices and systems on the way to market.
The new deep-tech by CRASHLESS equips engineers with design-phase solutions and in-field instruments for industry-scale systems and, ultimately, facilitates the user experience of the system’s crashless operation. The results are to be validated in close collaboration with Estonian companies.
DNA replication is one of the major targets of cancer therapies, as cancer cells tend to proliferate faster than normal cells and are generally more prone to replication stress. Most of our current knowledge about DNA replication initiation, or origin firing, currently comes from model organisms, such as yeast, but their applicability to the human system is limited. It is important to study replication initiation in human cells in order to be able to exploit the findings in cancer therapies. The main objectives of this project are to identify novel players in various stages of human replication initiation and characterize the non-catalytic roles of DNA polymerase epsilon and protein Timeless in replisome assembly.
The environmental impact of the pharmaceutical industry is a huge problem. The production and use of pharmaceuticals cause high CO2 emissions, contamination of soils, biota, and water, and even dangers to human health through carcinogenic impurities. Especially the use of solvents is a major problem. The European Green Deal has led to strict regulations on environmental pollution by the pharma industry, causing manufacturers to move outside of the EU due to the high costs associated with green pharma. This results in supply chain fragility and low crisis preparedness in Europe. New methods to produce pharmaceuticals in a green, efficient, and economically friendly way are required. The IMPACTIVE project brings together the expertise and knowledge from two COST Actions and will develop novel green methods to produce active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) using mechanochemistry as a disruptive technology (as acknowledged by IUPAC). Mechanochemistry uses mechanical processes, such as ball milling, twin-screw extrusion, resonant acoustic mixing, and spray drying, to induce chemical reactions. The advantages of mechanochemistry include: no solvent use, high efficiency, low costs, and reduced energy use and CO2 emission. Upon completion of the project, we will provide proof-of-concept at a small pilot scale of the use of mechanochemistry to produce 6 APIs from 3 different families of compounds. Based on a recent study, switching to mechanochemistry can reduce terrestrial ecotoxicity and CO2 emissions by more than 85%, while production costs were reduced with 12%. The results of the IMPACTIVE project will thus enable pharmaceutical manufacturers to move back to Europe while minimizing environmental pollution.Through our strong dissemination and communication strategy we will ensure that the project´s results are shared with scientists, the pharmaceutical industry, and stakeholders from regulatory and public authorities to achieve maximum impact.
The PSYR-IR project zooms in on occupational safety and health, with a particular focus on mental health and worker well-being. It is our
aim to identify the broad challenges and issues at play, as well as their underlying drivers, across all EU Member States and all economic
sectors. This will be done by implementing an overarching conceptual framework on OSH and linking it with the existing empirical
evidence and the policy/regulatory context (e.g. legislation, collective bargaining, etc.) on mental health in EU workplaces. Next to this
overall analysis, identifying specific groups at-risk on the EU labour market, we also focus on the mental health of two predetermined
target groups: frontline workers (in the female-dominated public health sector) and on-location production workers (low-skilled blue
collar workers in the male-dominated private sector). Furthermore, the project will consider the interplay between psychosocial risks
and mental health and well-being across economic sectors in the EU27, with separate case studies at the level of the participating EU
Member States. Besides identifying challenges and drivers, the project wants to understand what actors can play a role in addressing
them, at different levels (EU level, national level, sectoral level, company level) and what policies, practices, tools, actions and initiatives can be or are being adopted. Specific attention will go to the role of the social partners and of social dialogue (collective bargaining), and to worker participation in OSH matters. The project will also identify good examples to inspire policy- and decision-makers at different levels. Methodologically, the project will combine desk research, quantitative analysis, qualitative analysis and dissemination techniques. To do so, we bring together partners with expertise on OSH, industrial relations, or both, from countries in different European regions representing different institutional and industrial relations regimes.
The general objective of this project is to create an "umbrella architecture" based on existing EBSI services. The architecture builds the basis for the realization of traceability application scenarios. Furthermore, TRACE4EU focuses on engagement with pan-European stakeholders and promotion of recommendations for further development of the EBSI eco-system.
The FINEST Twins project will build a multidisciplinary smart-city Center of Excellence that will match the leading smart city research centres globally and focus on all five key domains of clean and sustainable smart city development: mobility, energy and built environment glued together by governance and urban analytics & data management (research streams).
The FINEST Twins will have a globally unique focus on developing user-driven clean and sustainable smart city solutions that are “cross-border-by-default” in the context of emerging twin city between Tallinn and Helsinki
Active mobility is an accessible, healthy and green mode of transport. In the BSR dark winters, with snow and rain, active mobility usage drops. To increase Year-Round Active Mobility (YRAM), suitable infrastructure and equipment must be in place, and citizens need to see it as an attractive and safe option. Public Authorities responsible for urban design, mobility planning and road maintenance do not currently give special consideration for YRAM. Out of tradition, mobility and road planning is still largely focused on cars, and cycling and walking planning typically targets daylight and warmer weather conditions. By learning about the benefits and opportunities through accessing new tools and evidence-based recommendations on YRAM, planners can implement the right interventions to increase AM use all year round, contributing to low carbon mobility systems. BATS supports local and regional authorities to design and implement policies, infrastructures and campaigns that effectively promote Year-Round Active Mobility (walking and cycling in adverse light and weather conditions). Our two solutions will be co-developed and tested in 7 BSR countries and transferred to neighbouring cities and regions. Solution 1: a YRAM Technical Toolkit, helps planners to Diagnose YRAM issues, develop Intervention Strategies and Monitor progress. Solution 2: a Citizen Activation Guide for YRAM helps planners understand and prioritise user groups and deploys effective campaigns to promote AM use.