The European Commission issued reasoned opinions to Cyprus and other member states for failing to implement a minimum 15 per cent tax rate on large multinational corporations.
– Sodium is being used to develop rechargeable batteries as an alternative to lithium-ion batteries.
– Sodium-ion batteries are based on more abundant and safer materials than lithium-ion batteries.
– Europe aims to increase its share of global battery-cell production to 25% by 2025.
– Sodium-ion batteries could be cheaper for storing energy in homes, power tools, and small vehicles.
– Sodium-ion batteries offer the prospect of cheaper and cleaner energy for households in Europe.
Pro-Palestinian protesters at the University of Amsterdam built barricades using desks and railings to block the entrance until the institution severs all ties with Israel. Riot police knocked down barricades at another UvA site and detained 169 people. The protesters are part of a wave of sit-ins and actions at universities in Europe against Israel’s war in Gaza. The university has exchange programs with three universities in Israel halted due to security concerns and cooperates with Israeli scientists or companies in eight European research projects. Ireland’s Trinity College Dublin announced it would divest from Israeli companies linked to settlements in occupied Palestinian territory following student protests.
The Research and Innovation Foundation (RIF) announced the launch of two new programmes, Excellence and Post-Doc, with a total budget of €14.5 million. The Excellence programme has a budget of €12 million and covers life sciences, physical sciences and engineering, and social sciences and humanities. The maximum funding per project is €200,000 for life sciences and physical sciences and engineering, and €120,000 for social sciences and humanities. The Post-Doc programme has a budget of €2.5 million and funds projects in the same scientific areas. The aim of the programmes is to foster scientific excellence and support post-doctoral researchers in carrying out specialized projects. Interested parties can submit proposals via the IRIS portal by July 5, 2024.
The text discusses the importance of research and development (R&D) spending for innovation, economic growth, and competitiveness in the global market. It highlights concerns about the impact of the proposed tax bill on R&D spending, particularly the treatment of R&D expenses in the tax code. Companies are urging lawmakers to restore full and immediate expensing for R&D investments to incentivize innovation and business growth. Lawmakers are encouraged to consider the long-term benefits of supporting R&D spending and to provide incentives for companies to engage in R&D activities. Collaboration between the government and industry is also emphasized to maximize the impact of R&D investments.
Cyprus is leveraging AI and machine learning technologies to promote innovation within startups and established industries.
The Open University of Cyprus and the University of Warsaw have signed a Memorandum of Collaboration to enhance education and research cooperation.
European companies are participating in the global race to develop the next generation of computers, focusing on the potential of quantum computing to revolutionize fields such as drug discovery, healthcare, energy, and cybersecurity. Quantum computers operate on the principles of quantum physics, allowing them to perform certain calculations much faster than classical computers by being in a state of “superposition,” where they can process multiple possibilities simultaneously. However, current quantum computers are low-powered and offer few advantages over traditional computers. The NEASQC project, funded by the EU and involving universities and companies across Europe, is exploring the applications of quantum computing, including drug development and renewable energy enhancement. Another EU-funded project, QUCATS, aims to coordinate quantum computing research across Europe to strengthen the continent’s position in this field. European companies, recognizing the potential impact of quantum computing on various industries, are investing in research to explore its applications, with Airbus examining its use in aircraft design and LuxQuanta focusing on quantum cryptography to enhance online security. Despite the promising research environment in Europe, there is a concern about the lack of private investment compared to the US, highlighting the need for increased funding to support European quantum computing initiatives.