COSMIC
European Training Network for Continuous Sonication and Microwave Reactors (H2020-MSCA-ITN-721290-COSMIC).
The European chemical industry faces some very serious challenges if it is to retain its competitive position in the global economy. The new industries setting up in Asia and the Near East are based on novel process-intensification concepts, leaving Europe desperately searching for a competitive edge. The transition from batch to continuous micro and milliflow processing is essential to ensure a future for the European fine-chemicals and pharmaceuticals industries.
However, despite the huge interest shown by both academia and industrial R&D, many challenges remain, such as the problems of reaction activation, channel clogging due to solids formation and the scaling up of these technologies to match the required throughput. COSMIC, the European Training Network for Continuous Sonication and Microwave Reactors, takes on these challenges by developing material- and energy-efficient continuous chemical processes for the synthesis of organic molecules and nanoparticles.
The intersectoral and interdisciplinary COSMIC training network consists of leading universities and industry participants and trains 15 ESRs in the areas of flow technology, millifluidics and external energy fields (ultrasound and microwaves). These energy fields can be applied in structured, continuous milli-reactors for producing high-value-added chemicals with excellent yield efficiencies – in terms of throughput, waste minimization and product quality – that simply cannot be achieved with traditional batch-type chemical reactors.
The chemical processes that are at the heart of COSMIC’s game-changing research are catalytic reactions and solids-forming reactions. COSMIC’s success, which is based on integrating chemistry, physics and process technology, will re establish European leadership in this crucial field and provide it with highly trained young experts ready for dynamic careers in the European chemical industry.
General objectives
Formation and scientific exchanges in the topics of reactor engineering, continuous flow processes, microwaves and ultrasounds both from the design of new nanomaterials, organic reactions and catalysis and reaction processes.
University of Cordoba role
To study the application of ultrasound and/or microwaves for the synthesis of nanoparticles. To study these interactions in both standard and flow conditions. To optimize the chemical conditions in these processes. To characterize the obtained solid products in terms of their role in catalytic or health applications.
Supervisor: Rafael Luque Álvarez de Sotomayor e-mail:q62alsor@uco.es
LIFE FOREST CO2
Assessment of forest – carbon sinks and promotion of compensation systems as tools for climate change mitigation (LIFE14 CCM/ES/001271)
Despite increasing awareness in the land use, land use change and forestry sectors (LULUCF) concerning climate change action, reflected in Decision 529/2013/EU, the emissions and carbon sink effect generated by sustainable forest management (SFM) strategies are not included in the EU’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction objectives (40% by 2030).
As it is not yet considered as a key tool, the climate change mitigation potential offered by SFM strategies is reduced. One of the main limitations preventing a value being put on forestry systems has been gaps in the mathematical models used for assessing the carbon sink effects of Mediterranean conifer forests. For this reason, the development of precise prediction tools, and their application through SFM practices for the conservation of natural carbon sinks, is one of the main goals in the context of mitigation planning. This will improve the knowledge base, and the accounting and notification system, for the carbon sink potential of the LULUCF sectors.
General objectives
The main objective of this LIFE proposal is the promotion of forest systems and sustainable forest management as a tool for climate change mitigation through the application of the European legislation related to the accounting of emissions and removals in the land-use sector, changes in land use and forestry (LULUCF), improving knowledge base. This will facilitate an integrated implementation, involving the main stakeholders in the process of enhancement, who include those responsible for offsetting through voluntary market.
Role of the University of Cordoba
The contribution of the UCO to the project can be summarized in three main objectives.
1) To estimate the soil organic carbon (SOC) in Mediterranean forest ecosystem populated by Pinus halepensis and Pinus pinaster.
2) To develop, train and evaluate statistical models which account for the influence of forest management activities in the carbon sequestration.
3) To compare the estimation of SOC in forest soils obtained by the conventional techniques and model estimation.
NIRSIntegrityHam
NIRS microsensors and ICT platforms for ensuring on-site authentication of high added value European foods: Case study Iberian pig ham
The present proposal is founded on the recognition that there exists a general consciousness about the need to develop and compare methodologies for detecting emerging risks, food warnings and frauds, and to be able to do this detection with high sampling rates in real-time. At research level, the Food Integrity Project is one of the examples of this interest, and in particular the FI04 – Topic 4 of the FoodIntegrity Competitive Call entitled «Rapid, on-site, cost-effective methods for feed/food fraud detection».
However, to respond to these requirements is not an easy task; this demands that the methodologies developed can be applied and used in a huge variety of agrifood products, enabling the assessment of multiple quality parameters and analytical indicators of authenticity and potential frauds, both known and unknown.
Unfortunately, the number of agrifood products that are susceptible to food fraud is very high and the types of fraud involved are very complex, as is being revealed in different European and international R&D projects, as well as being notified to consumers through social media and networks.
General objectives
FoodIntegrity: ‘the state of being whole, entire, or undiminished or in perfect condition’.
Providing assurance to consumers and other stakeholders about the safety, authenticity and quality of European food (integrity) is of prime importance in adding value to the European Agri-food economy.
Role of the University of Cordoba
To design, develop and implement in the agri-food industry a system based on the integration and combination of low-cost, portable and miniature NIRS sensors and information and communication technologies (ICTs) for process control and voluntary labelling, to guarantee the integrity and international image of the EU high added-value «acorn Iberian pig ham».
DIVERFARMING
Crop diversification and low-input farming across Europe: from practitioners engagement and ecosystems services to increased revenues and chain organisation (H2020-RUR-06-2016-728003).
Farming lies at the heart of much of the EU’s socio-economic framework. In 2015, it provided 9.2 million direct jobs and a GDP over € 500 billion. However, the food, feed and industrial products production and delivery involve many sectors, since the processing of agricultural commodities, safety standards, packing or transport are part of the chain. Indeed, the value chain links all market players of the bio-economy, which are essential for the European economic, social and environmental welfare. Altogether, the total agricultural value chain makes more than 5% of European value-added and 7% of employment. Hence, the link among the actors is complex, and the entire system must be adapted and optimised in response to environmental, technical and socioeconomic constrains derived from unsustainable and low resource-efficiency production models.
The recent intensification of agriculture based on intense mechanization, use of external inputs and monocultures has resulted in soil degradation, reduced biodiversity and increased economy risk for Europeans farmers. In view of socioeconomic and environmental problems arising from monocropping and high-input systems, there is now a growing emphasis on crop diversification and optimised use of resources. Increase in land productivity by crop diversification with decreases in production and environmental costs with adaptation of the entire value chain could contribute to the growth of the European agrarian sector.
Role of the University of Cordoba
UCO will be coordinating the WP10 «Communication, Dissemination and Stakeholders Engagement», through the Unit of Scientific and Innovation Culture (UCC + i). This is the service in charge of disseminating the research results and the knowledge generated in UCO to society in general, strengthening the work of other university services. This is a strategic service within the social responsibility policy of the institution, as it contributes to improving education, culture and scientific knowledge of citizens. Creativity and innovation aimed at both the design of their annual plans of communication and dissemination of science, as the choice of tools for it and its relations with the various public and stakeholders in their work. Networking and collaborative and interdisciplinary inclusión in national and international groups dissemination and promotion of scientific culture are two of its hallmarks.
The UCC + i at the University of Cordoba, created to improve training, culture and scientific knowledge of citizenship and accredited by the Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology, pursues the following objectives: i) The information and dissemination of scientific knowledge, ii) The promotion of scientific culture in their environment and promoting scientific vocations and innovative talent, iii) The communication of the results of research, iv) The research training in dissemination and communication of science and v) Research on the processes of social dissemination of Research, Development and innovation.
Impact
Higher arable land productivity, and land-equivalent ratio for intercropping systems
To understand the mechanisms involved in complementarity and facilitation in diversified cropping systems, and to enhance them, different crop associations, cultivars, densities and patterns will be assessed in the case studies so that increased land productivity is ensured. The use of crop rotations, multiple cropping or intercrops and their synergistic effects with sustainable agronomic practices (conservation agriculture, nutrient management, integrated pest management, etc.) achieves a combined production per unit area greater than mono-cropping (relative yield total and land-equivalent ratio >1).
Diversification and increase of farmers’ revenues by access to new markets and reduced economic risk
The adoption of diversified cropping systems through the Communities of Practitioners and further engagement will contribute to increase of farmer’s revenues by increased land productivity, access to new markets, reduced economic risk and reduced production and environmental costs.
Lower environmental impact of diversified cropping systems with reduced use of external inputs
Diverfarming will provide strategies to reduce the negative environmental impact of crop production in Europe. Correct use of crop associations, fertilisers, amendments, bio-stimulants, machinery, mulching, crop residues, integrated pest management and suitable irrigation will reduce the consumption of fertilisers, pesticides, water and energy, improving the long-term sustainability of agro-ecosystems.
Improved delivery of ecosystem services
Diverfarming will improve the delivery of ecosystem services by adoption of sustainable diversified cropping systems. We will apply a framework of multiple ecosystem services (defined by MEA, 2005) for assessment. Crop diversification has advantages in terms of plant nutrition by increments in soil fertility and efficiency of nutrient uptake, breakage effect on pest/disease cycles, development of populations of beneficials for crop defence, increase in biodiversity, abatement of soil erosion and GHG emissions, decrease in soil/water pollution and increase in C sequestration.
Organization of resource-efficient downstream value chains, relevant actors and decreased use of energy
In order to gain better insights on mechanisms to facilitate adoption and diffusion of diversified cropping systems, Diverfarming will focus on value chain/contractual conditions by assessing preferences of the value chain actors for participating in re-designed value chains and business models. Diverfarming will define guidelines/best practices in each case study, focusing on the specifics derived from each socioeconomic, cultural and environmental context.
Market provision of food, feed and industrial products from diversified cropping systems.
Diverfarming will use real case studies that directly involve agri-food industry actors. Thus, there will be food coming from multiple crops, rotations and intercrops in olive groves, horticulture, legumes, cereals and flowers (honey); feed from fodder, legumes and residues from horticulture, cereals and legumes; and industrial products from olive groves, vineyards, cereals, horticulture, sunflowers and flowers to produce oil, wine, processed food, biodiesel and cosmetics. Crop residues can be also processed to commercialize soil amendments/fertilisers.
Increased awareness and knowledge exchanges among actors on the benefits of diversified cropping systems (covering different pedo-climatic conditions and crops) and on value chain organisation
The awareness increase and knowledge/data exchange among actors have been included in the tailoring of the diversified cropping systems in each pedoclimatic region, with participatory workshops for all partners and stakeholders to open a plenary discussion (Stage 1; WP2). During the entire duration of the project different workshops, forums, field days and training courses will be organised, besides participation in different conferences and EIP-AGRI related events for knowledge/data exchange; increased social awareness will be achieved by release of public website, communication with media, ICT tools, production of publications and creation of «Communities of Practitioners».
ARISTOIL
Enforcement of Mediterranean olive oil sector competitiveness through development and application of innovative production and quality control methodologies related to olive oil health protecting properties (INTERREG-MED-1033)
The Mediterranean region is the main place around the world for production of olive oil. 95% of the world’s olive oil is produced in the Mediterranean and mainly in Greece, Peloponnese which produces 65% of Greek olive oil, Italian regions of Sicily, Calabria and Puglia and Andalusia in Spain, the biggest olive growing area on the planet.
The main common challenge for all participating countries in the project is that the average price of olive oil is low in comparison to the production cost and moreover there is a strong competition with the non-Mediterranean seed oil sector.
The producers in the Mediterranean are pressed either to reduce the cost of production or to increase the value or the demand for olive oil in the international market in order to maintain the viability and sustainability of the olive tree cultivation and the olive oil production.
General objetives
The main objective of ARISTOIL is the reinforcement of Mediterranean olive oil sector competitiveness through development and application of innovative production and quality control methodologies leading to olive oil with enhanced health protecting properties (as recognized by EU 432/2012 regulation).
The development of a Mediterranean Cluster for olive oil producers and businesses combined with specialised training, development of innovative methods for identifying the phenolic ingredients of the oil as well as oil producers’ support by special product certification is the mixture which will lead to the project’s objective.
Role of the University of Cordoba
The University of Cordoba is directly involved in work packages 3 and 4. These packages are focused on the development of an analytical method for determination of phenolic compounds indicated in the EU 432/2012 regulation in virgin and extra virgin olive oil.
The resulting method will be validated with samples provided by producers, which will lead to a database with concentration of phenolic compounds. This database will also contain agronomical, varietal and technological information to be associated with the phenolic concentration.
This analysis will allow preparing a guide for producers to improve the healthy properties of olive oil.
Investigador Principal: Feliciano Priego Capote
Correo electrónico de contacto: q72prcaf@uco.es
Página web del proyecto: https://aristoil.interreg-med.eu/