along with other research on the environmental impact of nanoparticles, mean that we will soon know enough to know how to regulate use in order to prevent damage to the environment," says Dr Oughton.

Project title: "Development of methods for tracing nanoparticles in the environment"

Project period: 2008–2010

Norwegian institutions: Norwegian University of Life Sciences (UMB), Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA), Bioforsk

Institutions in other countries: Purdue University, University of Antwerp, Catalan Institute of Nanotechnology (Barcelona).

Funding: Research Council of Norway’s programme on Norwegian Environmental Research towards 2015 (MILJO2015)

http://www.forskningsradet.no/

Safer Cutting of Hybrid Metals

Over the last years, the automotive industry has seen an increase in the use of hybrid metals to construct moving parts. Magnesium-aluminum (Mg-AI) and magnesium sintered metal (MgSint) hybrid constructions are advantageous due to their low weight and high strength and wear characteristics. However, such hybrid materials present with increased difficulties in machining and require specially designed cutting tools and lubricants. The development of an experimental machine prototype, capable of safe machining of magnesium (Mg)-based hybrid materials was the subject of the EU-funded ‘Ecological and economical machining of magnesium based hybrid materials’ (Ecohyb) project. The main aim was to make the machining of Mg-based hybrid materials effective, safe and environmentally friendly.

Various parameters of the experimental machine prototype were optimised including removal of cutting chips and avoidance of vibrations. Additionally, the tools, lubrication and cutting strategy were investigated.

Contact: Franz Obermair, PROFACTOR Group , Austria: http://www.profactor.at/en/home.html

Water from the Sun 

The EU-funded project "Emerging technologies to address water treatment in developing countries" (Solarsafewater) disseminated cutting-edge research on photocatalytic systems that disinfect water in rural areas.

Contact: Julian Blanco Galvez, Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Spain: http://www.ciemat.es/