FUNDITEC

The aim of the project is to implement and demonstrate at large scale the long-term technological and economic feasibility of an innovative, sustainable and efficient solution for the treatment of high salinity wastewater from the F&D industry. Conventional WW treatments have proven ineffective for this kind of wastewater, as the bacterial processes typically used for the elimination of OM and nutrients are inhibited under high salinity contents. The solution of SALTGAE is the implementation of innovative technologies for each step of the WW treatment that will promote energy and resource efficiency, and reduce costs. Amongst these, the use of halotolerant algae/bacteria consortiums in HRAPs for the elimination of OM and nutrients stands out for its high added value: not only will it provide an effective and ecological solution for WW treatment, but also it will represent an innovative way of producing algal biomass, that will be valorized into different by-products.

The project develops and demonstrates a novel methodology for the design and high volume manufacture of surface textured polymeric components tailored to the (friction) environment within which the component operates, achieving a friction reduction of >20% at a cost premium of <10%. The novel methodology combines: advanced modelling software for the identification of surface texture patterns, software for the design of mould tools that enable the reliable transfer of texture patterns onto the seal surface, novel automated laser system for the application of hierarchical laser induced micro- texture patterns to the mould tool surface best practice for moulding and de-moulding using surface textured moulds inline optical inspection for surface texture pattern quality control. The project has 3 pilot lines for demonstration of: 1) mould tool design and manufacture; and the design and manufacture of 2) rotary seals for engine applications; and 3) reciprocating seals for industrial processe

Our breakthrough research focuses on the development, pre-clinical and clinical validation, and industrial demonstration of a unique all optical cancer prognostic system that will determine presence of cancer cells in the breast lymph nodes and characterize them, which correlates with presence of metastasis and bad prognosis.
The HypoSens imaging system is strategically designed to offer a minimally invasive alternative to the SLNB process. With an approximate cost of €60,000 per device unit and additional €5,000 per patient, the device is an affordable, accurate, easy to use prognostic solution for clinicians towards, once validated,more accurate and fast diagnosis and personalised treatment options.