Brussels News Update, August 2020
European Highlights, Research, Innovation, Education, Entrepreneurship
Winners announced: EuChemS Historical Landmarks Awards 2019
Each year, EuChemS has an open call for a Historical Landmark Award, to recognise various sights of cultural heritage that are significant for the history of Chemistry. As some European countries already have a national landmark programme, two levels of EuChemS Historical Landmarks are foreseen: European (for major initiatives that have impact at the European level) and regional (for local initiatives significant for a particular region).
This year, the European level award goes to the Mines of Almaden in Spain, an exemplary historic mining site producing mercury, while the regional level award was given to Edessa Cannabis Factory Museum in Greece, which used to be a standard industrial unit, making ropes and twine from Indian hemp.
Finalists of the 2020 European Young Chemists’ Award (EYCA) announced!
The European Award Committee for the EuChemS-EYCN Award (EYCAC) has selected finalists for the Early Career Researcher level and the PhD level, in recognition of the exceptional research in various fields of chemical sciences. The full list of the finalists is available!
Read the full article here.
Chemistry in Europe 2020-3 newsletter is online!
On 31 July, the quarterly EuChemS newsletter CiE2020-3 has been released. It includes an editorial from MEP Maria Spyraki, various policy and research updates, testimonies from Chemists across Europe about the adaptations to COVID-19 measures, and many other engaging topics.
You are kindly invited to scroll through the CiE 2020-3 here.
EU long-term budget deal must be improved for EP to accept it
The recovery fund proposed by the Parliament in May has been well accepted by EU leaders who are calling it a “historic move for the EU”. However, MEPs have communicated their complaints concerning the massive cuts to the grant components and the future-oriented programmes, as their concern is that they will “undermine the foundations of a sustainable and resilient recovery”. MEPs are prepared to withhold their consent to the long-term budget unless the deal is improved.
EYCN at the European Research and Innovation Days
EuChemS European Young Chemists’ Network (EYCN) will take an active part and contribute to the session on “Sustainability by Design” during European Research and Innovation Days. If you are interested to join this event that brings together policymakers, researchers, entrepreneurs, and citizens to debate and shape the future of research and innovation in Europe and beyond, you can follow their website for more information.
Jean-Pierre Bourguignon appointed President ad interim of the ERC
The European Commission (EC) appointed Professor Jean-Pierre Bourguignon as the President of the European Research Council (ERC) for an interim period until the next ERC President takes office. This re-selection has been well received across Europe, considering his previous position as the President of the ERC from 2014-2019, which was already his 2nd term.
How is the EU making sure perfluoroalkyl chemicals (PFAS) don’t stick around?
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large family of synthetic chemicals that are widely used throughout society and thus found in the environment (groundwater, surface water, soil, and food). As all PFAS contain carbon-fluorine bonds, one of the strongest chemical bonds in organic chemistry, they are known to persist in the environment longer than any other man-made substance. Some PFAS have already been regulated globally by the Stockholm Convention for more than 10 years, while the manufacture and use of some PFAS are already restricted under REACH.
Read the full article here.
Consultations & Roadmap
European Commission Public Consultations
A number of consultations put forward by the European Commission are currently open:
- ‘Food safety – feed additives (clearer information)’
Deadline: 28 August 2020 - ‘Water pollution – EU rules on urban wastewater treatment (update)’
Deadline: 8 September 2020 - ‘EU renewable energy rules – review’
Deadline: 21 September 2020
European Chemicals Agency Consultations
A number of consultations put forward by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) are currently open.
You can take a look at them here.
European Food Safety Agency Public Consultations
A number of consultations put forward by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) are currently open.
You can take a look at it here.
Fundings, Nominations & Awards
Marie Sklodowska-Curie (MSCA) open calls
Currently two calls are open:
1. Individual Fellowships 2020
Deadline: 09 September 2020
2. Co-funding of regional, national, and international programmes 2020
Deadline: 29 September 2020
ERC Advanced Grant
Researchers who would like to compete for an ERC Advanced Grant have until 26 August 2020 to apply for the next round of funding.
Currently two calls are open:
1. ERC Advanced Grants
Deadline: 26 August 2020
2. Proof of Concept Grant
Deadline: 17 September 2020
More information about it here.
EuChemS Events
In the current environment and status of COVID-19, some events recognised by EuChemS are being postponed or cancelled.
EuChemS Events calendar is being updated on a regular basis.
If you planned to attend an event, you can check more about it here.
18th Ružička days – “Today science – tomorrow industry”
16-18 September 2020, Vukovar Croatia
Website: see here
2020 EuChemS General Assembly
24 September 2020, Online Event
Website: www.euchems.eu
2020 EuChemS Professional Networks (PNs) annual meeting
29 September 2020, online event (Zoom meeting)
Visit the website!
Read the full BNU newsletter here
EuChemS aisbl - Rue du Trône 62, 1050, Brussels, Belgium; www.euchems.eu. Produced for EuChemS by Nineta Hrastelj, Laura Jousset and Jelena Lazić. This newsletter has been carefully prepared and only contains correct information to the best of EuChemS´ knowledge, however this does not exclude the possibility of existence of incorrect information. EuChemS cannot be liable for the use or misuse of any information, whether correct or incorrect, present at this newsletter. Intellectual property belongs to its rightful owners, always explicitly traceable on each article. Compilation Copyright © 2020 EuChemS
Céline Wittwer, SCS
18.08.2020
JMP Livestream Oct 8, 2020 - How Design of Experiments can Transform the Way we innovate
JMP Livestream
October 8th, 2020 10:30-12:00 CEST / 9:30-11:00 BST
Gaining and maintaining competitive advantage requires today’s organizations to innovate at increasing speed. As products and processes become more complex, subject matter expertise alone does not always deliver progress at the pace demanded. Many experts working in R&D rely on a traditional approach to this problem, changing one variable at a time. It might seem to offer the structure for more predictability, but can end up constraining innovation and decreasing efficiency in the long run.
Céline Wittwer, SCS
Schweizerin glänzt mit Bronzemedaille an der internationalen Chemie-Olympiade
Vom 23. bis 30. Juli hiess die Türkei 235 Jugendliche aus 60 Ländern willkommen – allerdings nicht in Istanbul, sondern im Internet. Die Internationale Chemie-Olympiade, kurz IChO, fand wegen der Pandemie virtuell statt. Vier Chemie-Talente aus der Schweiz hatten sich am nationalen Wettbewerb im April für diese internationale Herausforderung qualifiziert:
- Albert Shang, Ecole Internationale de Genève (GE)
- Daniel Isler, Kantonsschule Baden (AG)
- Jasmin Frei, Kantonsschule Wettingen (AG)
- Lennart Horn, Kantonsschule Solothurn (SO)
Céline Wittwer, SCS
Newsletter SCNAT, 07/2020
Eine Strategie zur Dekarbonisierung fehlt
Die Akademien der Wissenschaften Schweiz begrüssen die Änderungen des Energiegesetzes, mit denen der Bund das Klimaabkommen von Paris erfüllen will. Aber es braucht umfassendere Anpassungen. Weiter
So gelingt die gesellschaftliche Transformation
Wie gelangen wir zu einer nachhaltigen und wachstumsunabhängigen Wirtschafts- und Lebensweise? Der neue ProClim-Flash des Forums für Klima und globalen Wandel liefert mögliche Antworten. Weiter
Von Produzenten, Konsumenten und Destruenten
Was es braucht, dass Nahrungsnetze und Nährstoffkreisläufe in Weide-Ökosystemen funktionieren, zeigt ein neues Fachbuch der Forschungskommission des Schweizerischen Nationalparks. Weiter
Schweizer Arten vor dem Aus
Still und leise verschwinden in der Schweiz unzählige Tier- und Pflanzenarten. Zusammen mit dem Fotografen Tomas Wüthrich begleiteten die Journalisten Gregor Klaus und Nicolas Gattlen Artenforscherinnen und Artenforscher auf der Suche nach den letzten Überlebenden von elf Spezies. Entstanden sind Geschichten über faszinierende Pflanzen und Tiere und über die Menschen, die sich für deren Rettung einsetzen. Das Forum Biodiversität Schweiz veröffentlicht die Reportagen nun im Buch «Arten vor dem Aus». Das Buch ist ab dem 10. August 2020 im Handel erhältlich. Am 19. August findet in Bern die Vernissage im Beisein der Autoren und des Fotografen statt. Weiter
Der Permafrost in der Schweiz taut auf
In den letzten Jahrzehnten hat sich der Permafrost in der Schweiz erwärmt. Es wurden zahlreiche Anzeichen von Degradation beobachtet, und die meisten Blockgletscher bewegen sich deutlich schneller. Das zeigen Langzeitmessungen des Schweizer Permafrostmessnetzes (Permos). Permos wurde im Jahr 2000 als weltweit erstes Messnetz für Permafrost ins Leben gerufen und ist heute ein anerkannter Bestandteil der internationalen Gemeinschaft. Es bietet das grösste Archiv an Permafrostdaten von Gebirgsregionen. Weiter
Neuer Präsident für die Nachwuchsförderung
Die Kommission für Nachwuchsförderung der SCNAT hat Patrick Linder zu ihrem neuen Präsidenten gewählt. Er tritt die Nachfolge von Philippe Moreillon an, der seit dem 1. Juli 2020 Präsident der SCNAT ist. Der Mikrobiologe forscht und lehrt an der Universität Genf. Zudem ist er Mitglied der Plattform Biologie der SCNAT und war von 2013 bis 2018 deren Präsident. Weiter
ScienceComm 2020 - Emotionen in der Wissenschaft
Gefühle durchdringen alles – auch die Wissenschaft – und sind deswegen schwer fassbar. Was, wenn nicht nur Fähigkeiten Entscheidungsprozesse bestimmen, sondern auch Emotionen? Dies erörtern Expertinnen und Experten am 17. September 2020 am Schweizer Jahreskongress der Wissenschaftskommunikation ScienceComm 2020 in Solothurn. Weiter
Anpassung an die gesundheitlichen Auswirkungen des Klimawandels in Europa
Hitzewellen, Überschwemmungen, Brände oder infektiöse Krankheiten: Der Klimawandel hat auch negative Auswirkungen auf die menschliche Gesundheit. Ein wissenschaftliches Gutachten zuhanden der EU empfiehlt deshalb, den Gesundheitssektor für diese Herausforderungen vorzubereiten und entsprechende Strategien zu entwickeln. Weiter
Rigi Workshop 2021: Cell Biology of Infection
Do you want to increase your knowledge in the broad field of cell biology of infection? Join the 3-days workshop at the top of Rigi mountain on 31 January 2021. At one of the most scenic spots in Switzerland you will develop your scientific network and discuss your research with other PhD students and experts in a friendly atmosphere. The event is organised by the Platform Biology of SCNAT. Subscribe now! More
Artenvielfalt auf Banknoten
Unzählige Tier- und Pflanzenarten zieren Banknoten weltweit. Sie sind wichtiger Teil der jeweiligen Identität eines Landes. Sascha Ismail vom Forum Biodiversität der SCNAT hat die Artenvielfalt auf Banknoten untersucht und im Radio SRF darüber berichtet. Weiter
Chemistry in Europe 2020/3 (EuChemS Newsletter)
Hello and welcome to the third edition of the 2020 Chemistry in Europe - the newsletter for chemists and beyond, with contributions from our team, Members, Professional Networks and more.
Access the full online newsletter by clicking here.
What to expect in this issue:
Editorial
Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability - Setting the new standards
Policy
The Council of the European Union: what about research?
Research
Flotation: A paradigm of an industrial process requiring scientific knowledge from different disciplines and at several size scales
How chemistry is helping in the fight against Coronavirus
Members' Perspectives
German Chemical Society supports Diversity and Equality
Meet...
Notes
EuChemS turns 50!
Interview with EuChemS EUCYS 2019 winner, Zeyad Bady
Webinar Collaboration: COVID-19, Job Hunting and Awards
CatalysisTalks – Bringing Research to the World during the COVID-19 Pandemic
COVID-19 Testimonies
Happy Reading,
CiE Editorial Board
David Spichiger, SCS
29.07.2020
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