05 2015
TOMORROWTODAY Developing the technologies, methods and tools of tomorrow
Early diagnosis increases chances of healing
The AIT Business Unit Molecular Diagnostics is exploring and developing customised biomarkers, biosensors and point-of-care tests for identifying life-threatening diseases. Our know-how is based on many successful R&D projects undertaken in cooperation with leading industrial enterprises and university organisations. With the aid of molecular diagnostics, the AIT Health & Environment Department examines relevant molecules such as nucleic acids and proteins in blood, urine and especially saliva. This enables rapid, early diagnosis and targeted treatment. Martin Weber, Head of Business Unit Molecular Diagnostics, and AIT Scientist Ivan Barisic are amongst those searching for biomarkers or foreign genetic material from bacterial or viral pathogens.
Photo: AIT/Krischanz-Zeiller
More details about their activities on page II.
TOMORROWTODAY
Future mobile diagnostic devices should allow saliva samples and mucosal swabs to be analysed within 30 minutes. AIT is researching into the relevant techno logies as part of the DIAGORAS project.
Early diagnosis
Searching for Molecular Traces The AIT Health & Environment Department is developing the tools for tomorrow’s molecular diagnosis in a series of EU projects.
Over the past years we have undertaken numerous projects in the field of biomarkers, biosensors and point-of-care tests. Martin Weber, Head of Business Unit Molecular Diagnostics
Time is a key factor in medicine: the earlier an illness is detected, the greater the chance of healing. By means of mole cular diagnosis, the AIT Health & Environment Department is examining relevant molecules, such as nucleic acids and proteins in blood, urine and particularly saliva, to enable doctors to provide patients with targeted treatment as quickly and early as possible. They are either searching for bio markers, i.e. endogenous molecules typical of particular diseases such as Alzheimer’s, cancer or cardiovascular diseases, or for foreign genetic material from bacterial and viral pathogens. “Over the past years we have undertaken numerous projects in the field of biomarkers, biosensors and
Photos: AIT/krischanz.zeiller
II
Top-Story
point-of-care tests,” explains Martin Weber, Head of Business Unit Molecular Diagnostics. “In doing so, we have created a European partner network of universities, clinics and innovative companies, and this allows us to play a leading role in research into the promising field of molecular diagnostics both at home and abroad.” Saliva as a sample material To date searches have focused on identifying molecular traces in blood. However, experts are now opening up a new application area of saliva diagnostics. “As analytical methods become ever more sensitive, we can now obtain just as much information from saliva,” explains Weber. The major advantage of this method is that it enables easy sample taking in a non-invasive and totally painless process. AIT specialists see screening and therapy monitoring as future applications for this diagnostic method. “For example, school doctors can quickly diagnose an entire class at an early stage,” explains Martin Weber. “And during or after cancer treatment, a simple home test can determine any increase in particular markers to recognise warning signs in good time.”
Photo: AIT/Skof
Quick test for medical practices AIT’s involvement in this promising field takes the form of several projects of the European Horizon 2020 research framework programme. For example, in DIAGORAS: The aim of this European research cooperation is to develop a mobile diagnostic device for the precise and rapid diagnosis of oral and respiratory diseases. The quick test detects the genetic material of viruses and bacteria in saliva samples or mucosal swabs, and simultaneously determines the level of antibiotic resistance. “The device will need a maximum of half an hour for diagnosis and can be used at the medical practice itself or by a dentist,” explains project head Johannes Peham. Comparable diagnostic equipment is usually only able to detect a single type of bacteria, whilst the new invention can distinguish between seven bacterial and fourteen viral strains. Consequently, it will help reduce the excessive and often counterproductive use of antibiotics. All-in-one diagnosis The FAPIC project is also researching into a high performance test system for the rapid diagnosis of infectious diseases using new types of DNA probes. In addition to the ‘usual suspects’ – the influenza virus or multi-resistant E.coli bacteria – it should be possible to identify around 400 other pathogens, including parasites and worms, in blood, saliva and stool samples with only a single test. “The detection of pathogens takes only a few hours and includes around 3,000 known antibiotic resistances and virulence factors, which can turn harmless bacteria into dangerous pathogens,” says microbiologist Ivan Barisic. As well as a highly automated system for use in hospitals, a smaller point-of-care test is also being developed, for targeted use by general practitioners and on intensive wards. In addition to rapid tests, the Department is also developing individual components required in molecular diagnostics. Researchers on the PLASMOfab project are working in cooperation with Austrian semi-conductor manufacturer AMS and European partners to develop a highly integrated biosensor. “We are devel-
oping the functional layers for recognising inflammatory markers in serum or saliva, and integrating them in a photonic component,” explains Rudolf Heer from AIT. The developments form the basis for highly sensitive and powerful lab-on-a-chip systems for point-of-care testing.
The detection of pathogens takes only a few hours and includes around 3,000 known antibiotic resistances and virulence factors. Ivan Barisic, AIT Scientist
Nanorobots designed to find and destroy tumour cells The work of the AIT Health & Environment Department extends far beyond commercial advances. AIT works together with universities and enterprises as project coordinator for the MARA project, which is developing tomorrow’s molecular technologies. “We are focusing on three new radical approaches,” explains project head Ivan Barisic. “We plan to use pure DNA as an inexpensive sensor which recognises target molecules in water-soluble substances and reacts by changing colour, a reaction which can be seen by the naked eye.” In another revolutionary approach, DNA will be used like Lego bricks, combined to form artificial enzymes for a wide variety of applications. In a third step, this approach will be developed further to build functional nanorobots out of DNA to locate bacterial pathogens or tumour cells before destroying them by drilling through their cell walls. “These molecular machines work at the currently almost unimaginable scale of around 100 to 1,000 nanometres,” says Barisic. The visionary MARA lighthouse project, part of the European Commission’s FET Open Programme, offers huge social and economic potential and is intended to revo lutionise medical diagnostics and therapy. Purely visions of the future? Perhaps, but together with innovative Austrian and international companies, AIT is paving the way to this future. n
3rd Austrian Biomarker Symposium Every two years AIT invites representatives from research and industry to discuss the latest trends in the field of biomarker research. The 3rd Austrian Biomarker Symposium next year will focus on personalised medicine, early diagnosis, new sensor and biomarker technologies and the highly topical issue of Big Data. 10 –11 March 2016, Tech Gate Vienna Information: www.biomarker-development.com
III
TOMORROWTODAY
Focus on Performance & Success
The AIT Austrian Institute of Technology is Austria’s largest research and technology organisation. It develops tomorrow’s technologies today. Thanks to its expertise it ranks amongst the world’s top infrastructure research institutions.
Ars Electronica
eHealth applications for tomorrow The motto of this year’s Ars Electronica was “Post City”. AIT presented pioneering health solutions at the event.
AIT took part in the 2015 Ars Electronica Festival in Linz for the first time. The motto of this year’s event was “Post City – Habitats for the 21st Century” and covered topics such as future urban mobility, networked cities, the impact of migration streams, the transformation of public spaces, and privacy issues. AIT presented health innovations in the Post City ‘knowledge district’ on the subject of ‘closed loop healthcare’ – facilitating the ongoing care of older people within their familiar surroundings (Ambient Assisted Living) as well as extremely simple physician/patient interaction to provide treatment independent of place and time. Within this context, AIT research focuses on the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of chronic (lifestyle) diseases including Diabetes mellitus and heart failure, as well as methods for preventing falls. AIT also presented another innovation, its 3D dental scanner for fully-digital dental measurements, which is designed to replace the unpleasant process of taking silicon casts needed to model dentures. In the context of access to society’s digital cultural heritage, AIT also presented an innovative technology which visualises digital content from over 3,000 museums, galleries, libraries and archives all over Europe. n
Research funding
Examining complex innovation systems AIT collects and analyses information on national research funding systems on behalf of the EU Commission. To monitor developments in the European Research Area, the Joint Research Center (JRC) – the European Commission’s scientific think tank – has contracted AIT, together with four international research partners, to collect and analyse systematic information about national research funding systems in 40 countries. The collected information will characterise the countries in terms of thematic and instrumental funding priorities, funding volumes and the organisation of research funding, e.g. the share of competitive funding in total funding. The database set up by AIT contains information from each country for the period 2000 – 2014. This forms the basis for developing individual country profiles, giving rise to a comparative analysis of research funding systems across the 40 countries examined. n
The increasing complexity of national innovation systems requires the systematic collection and analysis of empirical data to form a solid basis for deciding on RTI policy interventions. Thomas Scherngell, Senior Scientist, AIT Innovation Systems
Photos: AIT/Mürling; AIT/Krischanz.Zeiller
IV
Perfomance & Success
Move Best
Dynamic traffic control
Photo: ASFINAG
Expanding traffic volumes demand new methods of taking temporary and ideally autonomous measurements, both to inform road users more quickly about traffic disruptions such as accidents and construction sites, and to achieve dynamic traffic control. A mobile traffic management system was designed during a feasibility study including prototype construction: Move Best applies sensor systems to record traffic data, with LED information displays and mobile control. Combined with tried-and-tested existing systems, the Move Best components can be used to promptly install and operate a modular traffic control and information system. The system uses its own battery-powered energy supply and data communication via mobile networks to operate autonomously. The Move Best system can be used to detect and analyse the road conditions after traffic incidents and inform road users in good time, thus enabling dynamic and easily deployable traffic control. n
V
TOMORROWTODAY
Focus on Performance & Success Cryogenic aluminium
Innovation Award for lightweight construction research
(from left) Werner Pamminger (Managing Director of Business Upper Austria), the award winners Richard Kretz (AIT) – LKR Leichtmetallkompetenzzentrum Ranshofen and Karl Radlmayr (voestalpine Metal Forming GmbH), Regional Minister for Economic Affairs Michael Strugl
The Upper Austrian 2015 innovation prize in the category of “Research” was awarded to LKR Leichtmetallkompetenzzentrum Ranshofen for its cryogenic aluminium (Kryo-Alu) project. Together with industry partners from Austria and Germany, the research team of the Business Unit Light Metals Technologies (AIT Mobility Department) based in Ranshofen, submitted a project on sheet metal forming at extremely low temperatures (cryogenic) of up to minus 170 °C. “Cryogenic sheet metal forming is a completely new process for manufacturing bodywork components and is being developed and successfully tested at LKR under seriesproduction conditions. The production of components at temperatures of up to minus 170 °C in Ranshofen is unmatched worldwide,” reports Managing Director Andreas Kraly. The advantage of cryogenic temperature forming is the significantly greater level of formability which can be achieved. This, in turn, can be used to increase component complexity as well as to reduce weight. n
Digital Safety
Cybersecurity technologies made in Austria All areas of life are becoming increasingly networked with ICT infrastructures, thereby enhancing system complexity. And as methods of attack become ever more elaborate, and our understanding of these complex technical systems declines, systems have also become more exposed to cyber-attacks. The GIT (Society for Information and Communications Technology), part of the OVE (Austrian Electrotechnical Association) organised a lecture evening on future cybersecurity threats and new approaches being taken in research and development to create countermeasures. The extremely successful and
well-attended event covered the following themes: the Cyber Attack Information System (CAIS), how security information and event management (SIEM) systems function and their limits, and new methods of recognising anomalies in IT systems via new approaches such as AIT’s AECID. Cyber Incident Information Sharing (CIIS) also provides a solid basis for successfully fending off future attacks. The AIT experts who ran the workshop have also published a book on Cyber Attack Information Systems outlining their experiences and findings in ICT security research (published by Springer). n
Bioeconomy
When bacteria feel
AIT is undertaking intensive research into the properties and effects of endophytes.
It is perhaps the ideal relationship between guest and host: According to AIT findings, “sympathetic bacteria” can help support stressed plants. For example, bacteria living in crops can feel when their host is suffering the effects of drought. In response, the bacteria alter their metabolism and can help plants manage the stress caused by lack of water. A subject which is extremely interesting for agriculture in times in which we experience more frequent and extended periods of drought. The plants’ guests are so-called endophytes, and are intensively investigated at AIT with the aim to use them as an alternative to chemical fertilisers and pesticides. In a field study, undertaken by AIT experts in cooperation with a university in Pakistan, using bacteria in a field in Pakistan generated an 18 percent-drop in crop loss caused by drought. The researchers also introduced the bacteria into maize plants during a field test in the Tullnerfeld region of Lower Austria. During the hot periods we experienced this August, these plants were significantly greener and more vigorous than the control plants. n
Photos: LKR; AIT/Krischanz.Zeiller
VI
Innovation Calendar
Innovation Calendar 9–11/11 20–22/10
eCarTec The topics of eCarTec Munich 2015, which is organised in parallel to MATERIALICA 2015 and the sMove360 World Mobility Summit, cover the entire spectrum of e-mobility. Venue: Munich Information: www.ecartec.com
20–22/10
ICT 2015 – Innovate, Connect, Transform The AIT Innovation Systems Department organises a networking session on Future Working Experience at the EU’s largest ICT event. Venue: Lisbon AIT-Kontakt: Sebastian Egger Information: ec.europa.eu/digital-agenda/en/ict2015innovate-connect-transform-lisbon-20-22-october-2015
3–5/11
European Utility Week The European Utility Week offers the opportunity to gain an insight into the major industry trends and to make direct contact with key market participants. Venue: Vienna Information: www.european-utility-week.com
ITI Symposium The 18th ITI Symposium in Dresden is orga nised by ITI, the international technology leader in the field of computer-aided engineering. The Business Unit for Electric Drive Technologies of the AIT Mobility Department will showcase its developments at the exhibition and give a presentation at the conference. Venue: Dresden Information: www.symposium.iti.de
12/11
ScienceClip Video Contest ScienceClip.at launched an annual science video contest for pupils and students in 2013. The winners for 2015 will receive their awards at the concluding ceremony. Information: www.scienceclip.at/Videowettbewerb.html
17–19/11
Smart Cities Barcelona This event has developed into a mecca for smart city research – the EXPO in Barce lona showcases the latest trends and developments around urban life in the near and distant future. AIT is one of the companies presenting their outstanding projects from around the world. Venue: Barcelona Information: www.smartcityexpo.com
18–19/11
Annual MHC Timber Summit 2015 This year’s conference of the MHC furniture and timber cluster features presentations on the topics of smart homes, smart furniture and smart materials and a keynote presentation on smart living.
Social Innovation 2015: Pathways to Social Change The key event of Social Innovation 2015 is organised by mutually complementary research projects, e.g. CRESSI (AIT Innovation Systems Department), in order to exchange experiences and concepts between scientists, policy-makers and practitioners of social innovation.
Venue: Linz AIT-Kontakt: Christina Hochleitner Information: www.m-h-c.at
Venue: Tech Gate Vienna, 1220 Vienna AIT contact: Susanne Giesecke Information: www.si-drive.eu
4/11
20/11
Symposium on Safety and Security Technology This series of events is aimed at public organisations and decision-makers in the safety and security sector. It is organised by the Bohmann Verlag publishing house in cooperation with the Austrian Fire Services (ÖBFV) and regional fire services and sponsored by the Federal Ministry of Transport, Innovation and Technology (bmvit). Venue: Telfs, Fire Brigade School of Tyrol Information: event.feuerwehr.co.at
23–24/11
EAC European Aluminium Congress The leading conference for the international aluminium industry presents pioneering developments under the motto “Building the Future”. AIT will contribute a presentation entitled “Optimisation of Aluminium Casting Technology: Thermal Energy Approach”. Venue: Düsseldorf Information: www.aluminium-congress.com
23–25/11
miCROPe 2015 The symposium organised by AIT and the Austrian Association of Molecular Life Sciences and Biotechnology (ÖGMBT) focuses on the use of microorganisms in agricultural production. Venue: Vienna, Schönbrunn Palace Conference Centre Information: www.micrope.org
1/12
Zero Emission Cities The international energy and environment symposium presents trends for smart cities. AIT will contribute a presentation entitled: “Urban Mobility – Trends in Research and Innovation“. Venue: Vienna, City Hall Information: www.zeroemissioncities.at
7–9/12
Gulf Traffic This trade fair for traffic management, intelligent transport systems, parking and road maintenance is considered to be the leading event in this field for the Gulf region. Venue: Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre Information: www.gulftraffic.com n
VII
AIT Top Journal Papers
AIT Top Journal Papers Research results obtained by AIT scientists were recently published in high-impact international journals.
Impact of condensation trails on solar energy gain The increasing volume of air traffic presents a challenge not only for densely settled areas. The condensation trails left by aircraft also obstruct the sun and reduce the amount of radiation reaching the Earth’s surface. Days with persistent contrails may thus substantially reduce global irradiation and thus also the energy yield of photovoltaic systems. A single contrail reduces solar radiation by up to 70 % for as long as 8 minutes. Increases in the volume of air traffic may lead to persistent contrails and thus to a permanent reduction in solar energy gain. AIT analysed the potential losses in energy yield for different weather situations and photovoltaic module technologies. The losses may cause problems for distributed generators in the event of island system layouts or high load demands. This applies in particular to transition seasons or after extended spells of bad weather. The article is the first investigation of the relationship between solar energy gain and contrails and thus combines research in radiation meteorology and renewable energy. n P. Weihs, M. Rennhofer, D. J. Baumgartner, J. Gadermaier, J. E. Wagner, J. E. Gehring and W. Laube Potential impact of contrails on solar energy gain. Atmos. Meas. Tech., 8, 1089–1096, doi:10.5194/ amt-8-1089-2015, pp 1–8 (2015)
Evaluation of AAL solutions Given the complexity of Active & Assisted Living solutions, the universAAL project was initiated to create an open platform making it technically feasible and economically viable to develop new solutions. In order to make AAL technologies widely accepted, high quality must be guaranteed. Measuring quality in AAL is difficult, however, due to the variety of stakeholders, the wide set of needs addressed and the heterogeneity of the technologies employed. This paper co-authored by AIT scientists proposes a methodological framework for evaluating AAL solutions which can be used for both evaluating the needs and assessing the user-friendliness of the technologies. The framework is based on empirical methods and scientific theories combined with the ISO/IEC 25000 standard for software quality. The framework was validated in various project phases as part of the universAAL project. n Salvi, D., Montalvá Colomer, J. B., Arredondo, M. T., Prazak-Aram, B. and Mayer, C. (2015) A framework for evaluating Ambient Assisted Living technologies and the experience of the universAAL project. Journal of Ambient Intelligence and Smart Environments, 7, 3, 329–352
Hazard maps for mass movements Statistical and machine-learning prediction methods have been gaining increasing popularity in the field of landslide susceptibility modelling. These methods, which are based on both observed landslide events and extensive remote sensing data, are ideally suitable for investigating large regions, which would otherwise not be possible. Several spatial-statistical methods have already been described in the literature. Philip Leopold and his team at AIT, in close collaboration with experts from the University of Waterloo, Canada, and the Friedrich Schiller University of Jena, compared seven of the most frequently used methods in three test sites and determined the influence of the input parameters. The study produced valuable findings to assist in the selection of the most suitable method providing efficient performance and high-quality results. n Goetz J., Brenning A., Petschko H., Leopold Ph. (2015) Evaluating machine learning and statistical prediction techniques for landslide susceptibility modelling. Computers and Geosciences 81 (2015), p. 1–11, Elsevier.
Photo: iStock.com
VIII