Luxembourg (Europe)

EXPLORE THE STORIES BEHIND RESEARCH IN LUXEMBOURG
letzSCIENCE presents Luxembourg research topics in augmented reality (AR). Each AR experience is connected to research made possible by the FNR. Discover these stories!

Learn more / En savoir plus / Mehr erfahren:

https://www.scoop.it/t/la-realite-augmentee-augmented-reality-ar

https://www.scoop.it/t/luxembourg-europe

The University of Luxembourg is an important pillar in the research effort to fight the spread of COVID-19. It is one of the participating partners in the research activities coordinated by Research Luxembourg, working on multiple interdisciplinary projects.

In a first FNR COVID-19 Fast Track Call, 16 projects from the University of Luxembourg have recently been retained for funding, representing a financial commitment of 780,500 euros. This programme to address COVID-19 is based on a fast-track mechanism that allows the support of research projects requiring an immediate start during the current crisis.

The research projects led by the University address biomedical and life sciences; humanities and social sciences; law and economics; as well as material sciences. Below please find an exhaustive overview of the University projects and their abstracts.

Learn more / En savoir plus / Mehr erfahren: 

https://www.scoop.it/topic/luxembourg-europe/?&tag=Coronavirus 

Luxembourg is ranked as a ‘Strong Innovator’ in the EU Commission’s 2019 European Innovation Scoreboard. For the second year running, Luxembourg ranks 1st for ‘Attractive research systems’. This underlines the considerable development of the young Luxembourgish research and innovation ecosystem, and is an important recognition of the country’s continuous efforts to develop a world-class R&I landscape.
Considerable progress has been made in Luxembourg by successive governments leading to a doubling of investments in research, development and innovation in the last decade. The report, published Monday, 17 June, states that “Attractive research systems, Intellectual assets and Innovators are the
strongest innovation dimensions. Luxembourg scores particularly well on Foreign doctorate students, Trademark applications, and International scientific co-publications”.

The Luxembourg National Research Fund (FNR) has been one of the key drivers to establish Luxembourg as a leading knowledge-based society through science, research and innovation. Our unrelenting efforts to setup a world-class public research system that generates societal and economic impact in key strategic areas are bearing fruit.

Learn more / En savoir plus / Mehr erfahren:

https://www.scoop.it/t/luxembourg-europe/?&tag=FNR

https://www.scoop.it/t/luxembourg-europe/?&tag=Innovation

https://www.scoop.it/t/luxembourg-europe/?&tag=Research

The University of Luxembourg and the Goodyear Innovation Center in Luxembourg have launched a new research project that studies the use of Near-Field Communication (NFC) in automotive safety systems.

The four-year research project has the potential to initiate major innovations in the automotive sector. It is funded by the Luxembourg National Research Fund (FNR) and Goodyear.

Near-Field Communication, a promising technology
Near-Field communication is poised to fundamentally change the automotive sector. “NFC is a form of short-range wireless communication that relies on electric and magnetic fields generated around a transmitting antenna. This communication technology is now being explored for automotive applications due to its unique characteristics,” explains Ahmad Rida Tawakuli, PhD student within the Security and Networking Laboratory (SECAN-Lab) at the University, who initiated the project.

Learn more / En savoir plus / Mehr erfahren:

https://www.scoop.it/topic/luxembourg-europe/?&tag=University+Luxembourg

https://www.scoop.it/topic/luxembourg-europe/?&tag=Research

Mehr als 70 Exponate und Experimentierstationen und 10 verschiedene Shows bietet das Science Center. Dahinter steckt ein 58-köpfiges Team von Technikern, Wissenschaftskommunikatoren und anderen Mitarbeitern. Stellvertretend für dieses Team nahmen Nicolas Didier, Gründer des Luxembourg Science Centers, und Guillaume Trap, wissenschaftlicher Direktor des Science Centers, den FNR Award für überragende Förderung der Wissenschaft und Technik in der Öffentlichkeit, entgegen.

Was bietet das Luxembourg Science Center?
Vor dem Eingang des Science Center steht ein riesiger Hebel, der es einem Kleinkind erlaubt einen 2 Tonnen schweren Wagen zu heben. Im Science Center selber erwarten einen dann industrielle Roboter mit denen man Klavier oder Tischfußball spielen kann, eine Infrarot-Kamera die die Haut-Temperatur der Besucher messen kann, eine Tesla-Spule die Blitze von 1.5 Millionen Volt entstehen lässt, und vieles mehr.

Die Stationen wurden von den hauseigenen Technikern in Zusammenarbeit mit der Luxemburger Industrie entwickelt und gebaut. Dabei wurde viel Wert darauf gelegt, dass sie robust und in der Höher verstellbar sind, damit sie den unterschiedlichsten Besuchern gerecht werden.

In den Shows geht es um Molekularküche, Materialen, Optik, Elektrizität oder auch Flüssigkeiten. Mehr hierzu im Video.

Learn more / En savoir plus / Mehr erfahren:

https://www.scoop.it/t/luxembourg-europe/?&tag=STEM

https://www.scoop.it/t/luxembourg-europe/?&tag=Luxembourg+Science+Center

Nächster Schritt im Raumfahrtprogramm: Das Wirtschaftsministerium des Großherzogtums und der Nationale Forschungsfonds (FNR) haben eine gemeinsame Vereinbarung unterzeichnet. Das teilt die Regierung in einem Communiqué am Mittwoch mit. Das Papier sieht vor, ein Programm zur Unterstützung der Forschung für die kommerzielle Raumfahrtindustrie in Luxemburg zu entwickeln.

Das «Space Research Program» soll die öffentlichen Forschungseinrichtungen und in Luxemburg ansässige Unternehmen dabei unterstützen, künftig enger zusammenzuarbeiten. So sollen Spitzenkräfte gefördert und nach Luxemburg geholt werden, die nachhaltige Beiträge zur luxemburgischen Raumfahrtindustrie leisten.

Neben dem Luxemburger Raumfahrtfonds sei die Umsetzung des «Space Research Program» ein wesentlicher Bestandteil der Gründung der Luxemburger Raumfahrtagentur («Luxembourg Space Agency»), die am 12. September offiziell den Betrieb aufnimmt.

Learn more / En savoir plus / Mehr erfahren:

https://www.scoop.it/t/luxembourg-europe/?&tag=Space

Luxembourg, for the first time, ranks among the “Innovation Leaders”, alongside countries like Switzerland, Sweden, The Netherlands and the United Kingdom in the European Commission’s 2018 European Innovation Scoreboard. This is a huge leap for the young Luxembourgish research and innovation ecosystem, and an important recognition of the country’s continuous efforts to develop a world-class R&I landscape.
Considerable progress has been made in Luxembourg by successive governments leading to a doubling of investments in research, development and innovation in the last decade. The report, published today (22 June), states that “Attractive research systems and intellectual assets are [Luxembourg’s] strongest innovation dimension”.

The Luxembourg National Research Fund (FNR) has been one of the key drivers to establish Luxembourg as a leading knowledge-based society through science, research and innovation. Our unrelenting efforts to setup a world-class public research system that generates societal and economic impact in key strategic areas are bearing fruit.

Learn more / En savoir plus / Mehr erfahren:

https://www.scoop.it/t/luxembourg-europe/?&tag=FNR

https://www.scoop.it/t/luxembourg-europe/?&tag=Innovation

https://www.scoop.it/t/luxembourg-europe/?&tag=Research

Le Luxembourg, centre mondial de l'innovation?

LUXEMBOURG - Belval doit devenir la Silicon Valley européenne. Le Fonds national de la recherche a présenté vendredi son bilan pour 2017 et ses ambitions pour l'avenir.

La «Maison du Savoir» est le cœur du parc scientifique d'Esch-Belval. Le FNR y est désormais aussi logé, avec l'administration de l'Uni. (photo: Editpress/Fabrizio Pizzolante)

Le Luxembourg doit devenir la première destination des chercheurs dans les prochaines années. Le Fonds national de recherche (FNR) reçoit davantage de fonds pour cet objectif: entre 2018 et 2021, le financement du FNR par l'État s'élève à 341 millions d'euros, contre 100 millions d'euros pour les quatre années précédentes.

En 2017, le FNR a distribué 66,2 millions d'euros pour 240 projets. Les bourses de recherche ont bénéficié aux scientifiques de l'Université de Luxembourg et à d'autres organismes de recherhce comme le List, le LIH, le LISER ou encore le Centre hospitalier de Luxembourg. Doctorants et post-docs sont également soutenus.

Learn more / En savoir plus / Mehr erfahren:

https://www.scoop.it/t/luxembourg-europe/?&tag=Research

Paul Wilmes’ original background is in Environmental Sciences, but with his FNR ATTRACT Fellowship and move from the United States to Luxembourg in 2010, the Luxembourg national branched out into biomedicine. We spoke to the prolific scientist about his ‘gut-on-a-chip’ model, the importance of carving out research niches, his goals and recent parental leave period.

Learn more / En savoir plus / Mehr erfahren:

https://www.scoop.it/t/luxembourg-europe/?&tag=FNR

Sensoren sind auch in der Medizin verbreitet: Der Nanotechnologe Cesar Pascual Garcia will sie noch besser machen.

Learn more / En savoir plus / Mehr erfahren:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0Ko6vYot98

https://www.scoop.it/t/luxembourg-europe/?&tag=LIST

Prof. Ines Thiele, researcher at the Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB) at the University of Luxembourg has been selected for the highly prestigious research funding of the European Research Council (ERC).

The head of the LCSB group “Molecular Systems Physiology” and ATTRCT fellow of the Luxembourg National Research Fund (FNR) has been awarded an “ERC Starting Grant” for her project “Bug the Drug”. Ines Thiele’s project is to develop novel computer models that will assist in the personalisation of drugs used in cancer therapy or for treating Parkinson’s disease, so that the best drug for each individual patient can be prescribed. The basis for the models will be data on the patients’ dietary habits and the composition of their bacterial gut flora. This should help to reduce side effects and intolerances. The distinguished project will be funded with 1.6 million euros over a period of five years.

Learn more / En savoir plus / Mehr erfahren:

http://www.scoop.it/t/luxembourg-europe/?&tag=University+Luxembourg

http://www.scoop.it/t/luxembourg-europe/?&tag=ERC

The startup LuxAI was created following a research project at the Interdisciplinary Centre for Security, Reliability and Trust (SnT) of the University of Luxembourg, funded by the Luxembourg National Research Fund (FNR) under its Proof of Concept scheme. The business model of LuxAI is developing and constructing so-called social robots.

Such robots can be used, for example, in the educational or health system, where they would support trainers and therapists in their work. The robots can be programmed to practice vocabulary with children or to make rehabilitation exercises with stroke patients.

Learn more / En savoir plus / Mehr erfahren:

http://www.scoop.it/t/luxembourg-europe/?tag=Universit%C3%A9+du+Luxembourg

Das "Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology" (LIST) wird das neue Innovationszentrum für "Space Resources" beherbergen. Die Forschungseinheit soll ihre Arbeit noch dieses Jahr in Beles aufnehmen.

In seinem Bestreben, zu einem international anerkannten Zentrum für den Abbau von Rohstoffen im Weltall zu werden, geht Luxemburg den nächsten Schritt. Am Dienstag verkündeten Wirtschaftsminister Franz Fayot und Forschungsminister Claude Meisch, dass noch in diesem Jahr ein Innovationszentrum für „Space Resources“ aus der Taufe gehoben werden soll.

Das Projekt mit dem Namen „European Space Resources Innovation Centre (ESRIC)“ soll am „Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology“ (LIST) in Beles angesiedelt werden. Das ESRIC ist das nächste Puzzlestück bei dem Versuch, ein glaubwürdiges „Ökosystem“ für diesen Industriezweig in Luxemburg aufzubauen. Denn das ESRIC soll nicht nur eigene Forschung zur Raumfahrttechnik betreiben, sondern seine Forschungsinfrastruktur auch privaten Firmen aus dem Sektor zur Verfügung stellen und als zentraler Knotenpunkt für die wissenschaftliche Auseinandersetzung mit dem Thema dienen. 

Learn more / En savoir plus / Mehr erfahren:

https://www.scoop.it/t/luxembourg-europe/?&tag=Research

https://www.scoop.it/t/luxembourg-europe/?&tag=Space

Online payment platform PayPal, Luxembourg's National Research Fund (FNR) and the University of Luxembourg have announced that they are launching a new chair in in Digital Financial Services.

The new post will be filled by Professor Gilbert Fridgen as of January 2020. The position will enable him to carry out scientific research on the digital transformation of the financial services and FinTech at the Interdisciplinary Centre for Security, Reliability and Trust (SnT) of the University of Luxembourg. Funding from PayPal and the FNR PEARL programme has an initial duration of five years. 

The results of an external evaluation have predicted a bright future for public research centres in Luxembourg.

Luxembourg Minister of Higher Education and Research Claude Meisch yesterday presented the results of the external evaluation of public research centres (CRP). This represents the first holistic evaluation of the public research centres the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST), Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH) and Luxembourg Institute of Socio-Economic Research (LISER) since their creation and covers the years 2014-2017.

For the first time, external experts systematically and thoroughly assessed all the activities of these research centres. More than 35 international experts screened all the research departments, the central administration and governance to evaluate the different areas and activities of the CRPs according to the principle of peer review.

Learn more / En savoir plus / Mehr erfahren:

https://www.scoop.it/t/luxembourg-europe/?&tag=Research

https://www.scoop.it/t/luxembourg-europe/?&tag=FNR

The FNR is inviting all researchers in Luxembourg to ‘go back to school’ and inspire the next generation of researchers! “Chercheurs à l’école” is your chance to interact and motivate future generations, and share the passion that got you into research in the first place. Registration for the 2019 edition, taking place from Monday, 25 – Friday, 29 March 2019, is open!
For the 9th year now, the FNR is organising these get-togethers between local researchers (having obtained or preparing their PhDs) and secondary school students with growing success. Over 70 school classes subscribed for this year’s edition.

Researchers of all scientific disciplines can describe the pupils their life as a researcher: from their beginnings as a student, to their motivation for one or the other scientific discipline, first steps in their professional lives, career challenges and opportunities. It shouldn’t be a scientific talk- more a personal interaction.

For the teenagers, this is the perfect opportunity to ask them all the questions they have in mind and to receive information on the advantages and also the possible disadvantages of being a scientist.

Learn more / En savoir plus / Mehr erfahren:

https://www.scoop.it/t/luxembourg-europe/?&tag=Research

https://www.scoop.it/t/luxembourg-europe/?&tag=FNR

Luxembourg's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Economy, Étienne Schneider, and Secretary General and Executive Head of the Luxembourg National Research Fund (FNR), Marc Schiltz, have signed an agreement to develop a programme to support research for the commercial space industry in Luxembourg.

The "Space Research Programme" will provide funding for national public research institutions and Luxembourg based companies to collaborate with each other to advance knowledge, to attract and nurture top-tier talent, and to provide sustaining contributions to the Luxembourg space industry ecosystem.

Funded projects will need to be conducting research that supports the country’s space vision. Research results, new technologies and expertise will later be at the disposal of the local space and non-space industries. Deputy Prime Minister Schneider stated: "Since the 1980s, a strong R&D culture and cross-sector co-operation has been key to a thriving ecosystem that stimulates innovation and accelerates the evolution of business in space. The new research program will further encourage local space business players to team up with Luxembourg’s research community to develop competencies and talent for a burgeoning space sector".
The FNR is the main funder of research activities in Luxembourg. Its Secretary General and Executive Head, Marc Schiltz, declared: "The 'Space Research Programme' is in line with FNR's vision to establish Luxembourg as a leading knowledge-based society through science, research and innovation, thereby contributing to the country’s economic diversification in a key high-tech sector like the space industry.

Learn more / En savoir plus / Mehr erfahren:

https://www.scoop.it/t/luxembourg-europe/?&tag=Space

Graduates and researchers from outside of the EU will be able to remain in the country up to nine months after their course or projects have finished, under a proposed new law.

Bill 7188 aims to provide a legal framework in Luxembourg for a European directive on the conditions of entry and residence of third-country nationals.

Under the proposal, people coming to Luxembourg for research and studies could legally remain in the country for up to nine months after the end of their work or studies in order to find a job or start a business.

Luxembourg will create a new residence permit category for people in such a position. Graduates and researchers would have freedom of movement between EU member states during this period. Those spending time in another member state for multilateral programmes, such as Erasmus, would not need a residence permit. And researchers would be able to spend longer periods in another member state, up to 180 days out of 360.

The directive on which the law is based also pushes the number of hours a student could work during their studies up to 15 hours per week.

Learn more / En savoir plus / Mehr erfahren:

https://www.scoop.it/t/luxembourg-europe/?&tag=Research

2017 was a great year for research in Luxembourg, with the country continuing to consolidate its international reputation in the field.

As he presented the latest annual report last week, Marc Schiltz, Secretary General of the Luxembourg National Research Fund (FNR), expressed his satisfaction at the research projects that were funded and completed last year. The FNR's objective is clear: to position Luxembourg as an international centre of expertise in the field of research.

Providing the resources needed
Some 666 projects were submitted to the FNR in 2017. Just 240 were selected for funding, complying with the criteria of excellence applied by the FNR since it was set up in 1999. These projects will receive €66 million in funding from the government and European Commission budgets.

Looking to the future
The FNR is keen to strengthen its role in creating links between society and the seemingly closed world of science, by organising fun events such as the Science Festival and other outreach initiatives. It also wants to align its priorities with Luxembourg's plans for strategic development. These are some of the key points mentioned in the FNR's new 2018-21 strategic plan. Particular priorities include research related to the digital transformation and industry-based research.

At the forefront
The FNR's ambition is to make Luxembourg a vital partner in the most innovative research. The focus is not on competition but rather on high-level partnerships. The FNR has concluded bilateral agreements with 13 countries and has also joined several international networks, resulting in close collaboration with 35 countries. The key word is innovation. There is no reason why the latest discoveries related to both research and cutting-edge technology shouldn't happen in Luxembourg – especially since the FNR, together with its partners including the University of Luxembourg, has created a favourable environment that has attracted many leading researchers over the years.

Learn more / En savoir plus / Mehr erfahren:

https://www.scoop.it/t/luxembourg-europe/?&tag=FNR

Luxemburg soll in den nächsten Jahren zur ersten Adresse für Forscher werden. Der nationale Forschungsfonds FNR bekommt dafür bedeutend mehr Mittel zur Verfügung gestellt: Für den Zeitraum zwischen 2018 und 2021 wächst der finanzielle Spielraum der staatlichen Fördereinrichtung auf 341 Millionen Euro – in den vier Jahren davor waren es rund 100 Millionen Euro weniger.

2017 hat der FNR 66,2 Millionen Euro für 240 Projekte bewilligt. Die Forschungshilfen kommen Wissenschaftlern an der Universität Luxemburg und anderen öffentlichen Forschungseinrichtungen wie dem List, LIH, LNS, Liser oder dem Centre Hospitalier de Luxembourg zugute. Auch Doktoranden und Post-Docs werden unterstützt.

Learn more / En savoir plus / Mehr erfahren:

https://www.scoop.it/t/luxembourg-europe/?&tag=Research

Die Idee ist zu gut: Altes Plastik schreddern, einen 3-D-Drucker damit füttern – und etwas ganz Neues drucken. Claude Wolf, der angehende Maschinenbau-Ingenieure an der Universität Luxemburg unterrichtet, hat sie gemeinsam mit dem Technoport FabLab und dem EcoInnovation Cluster von Luxinnovation umgesetzt, unterstützt vom „Fonds National de la Recherche“.

Vor gut einem Jahr ging das als Projekt „Fused Deposition Modeling“ (FDM) durch die Presse. Seither ist es still geworden. Warum? „Das Projekt wurde eigentlich zur Sensibilisierung der Studenten für Recycling und ‚Circular Economy‘ durchgeführt. Aber es gab auch das Ziel, die Ausbildungswege der Universität klarer und bekannter zu machen. Alle diese Ziele wurden erreicht“, meint Wolf. Er hat mit seinen Studenten sowohl den Schredder als auch den 3-D-Drucker entwickelt. „Wir haben das auf mehreren Messen und in Lyzeen gezeigt. Was wir aber sehen, ist ein echtes Interesse der Studenten, 3-D zu drucken und zu recyceln.“ Gerade die Generation Z sei interessiert an Projekten, hinter denen auch ein Sinn steht, hat er beobachtet.

Es wäre angesichts der Idee nur normal, wenn sie auch genutzt würde. Doch bislang gibt es keinen industriellen Partner. „Wir haben zu wenig Mittel und zu wenig Zeit“, bedauert Wolf, der die meiste Zeit mit dem Unterricht verbringt. Er hatte Kontakt mit dem Unternehmen Husky, das unter anderem PET-Flaschen herstellt. Husky stellt ihm verschiedene Polymere für Tests zur Verfügung. „Aber wir sind noch nicht auf industriellem Niveau“, bedauert der Wissenschaftler. Auch mit französischen Unternehmen hatte er Kontakt, ohne dass es zu einer Übernahme der Idee kam. „Dabei könnte es wirklich interessant sein“, ist Wolf überzeugt.

Deshalb hat er sowohl die Pläne für die Maschine als auch die Möglichkeiten als „Open Source“ gratis im Internet zur Verfügung gestellt. So könnte es doch noch zu einer industriellen Nutzung kommen.

Learn more / En savoir plus / Mehr erfahren:

https://www.scoop.it/t/luxembourg-europe/?&tag=University+Luxembourg

https://www.scoop.it/t/luxembourg-europe/?&tag=3D

For the first time, the Luxembourg National Research Fund (FNR) has committed funding to two space related projects contributing to the development of the SpaceResources.lu initiative. Two public research institutions each receive funding for collaborative projects with the lunar exploration company ispace, representing an FNR commitment of around 700,000 EUR.

The projects – involving the Luxembourg-based company ispace Europe S.A., the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST) and the Interdisciplinary Center for Security, Reliability and Trust (SnT) at the University of Luxembourg - were retained for funding in FNR’s 2017-2 CORE-PPP and AFR-PPP Calls respectively.

Luxembourg, a pioneer in space

Luxembourg has received a fair amount of international attention after the recent passing of a new law on the exploration and use of space resources. The Grand Duchy is the first European country to offer a legal framework ensuring that private operators can be confident about their rights on resources they extract in space. This framework is a key action of an overall strategy to be implemented by the Luxembourg Ministry of the Economy within the SpaceResources.lu initiative whose goal is to support innovative projects in advanced space technologies.

Luxembourg has a long history of space innovation. In 1985, a public-private partnership effort launched Société Européenne des Satellites, today known as the largest global commercial satellite operator SES having its operational headquarters in Luxembourg.

Learn more / En savoir plus / Mehr erfahren:

https://www.scoop.it/t/luxembourg-europe/?&tag=Space

PayPal, 'Fonds National de la Recherche' and University of Luxembourg sign agreement to create research chair in FinTech sector.

Learn more / En savoir plus / Mehr erfahren:

http://www.scoop.it/t/luxembourg-europe/?&tag=University+Luxembourg