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Open Innovation

The objective of Open Innovation is to enable ideas to circulate more freely. Image credit: Pexels/ startupstockphoto.com
The objective of Open Innovation is to enable ideas to circulate more freely. Image credit: Pexels/ startupstockphoto.com

Research and innovation are essential for a successful, modern economy, and they are at the heart of the European Commission's policies to boost jobs, growth and investment. However, while Europe excels in research, we are not good enough at investing in innovation at speed and scale, which is why the EU’s Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation, Carlos Moedas, has set the goal of Open Innovation. The basic premise is to open up the innovation process to all active players so that new ideas can circulate more freely and be transformed into products and services that create new markets, fostering a stronger culture of entrepreneurship.

Lightweight helium balloons can tell us how gases in the atmosphere impact the environment below. Image credit: Philipp Maier/ORISON
space | open innovation
21 June 2017

Helium balloons offer low-cost flights to the stratosphere

Using off-the-shelf technology and innovative economics, lightweight helium balloons have started carrying remote-controlled laboratories to the edge of space and back, offering the business case for new types of science missions.

Current flu vaccines are not always effective as the virus constantly mutates. Image credit: Flickr/NHS Employers
health | open innovation
19 June 2017

Closing in on a universal flu vaccine

Unreliable yearly flu jabs could be a thing of the past as researchers close in on technology that will take down the deadly virus once and for all.

In an example of frugal innovation, Q.Rads heat homes for free while providing cloud computing services to companies. Image credit: Qarnot
ict | open innovation
07 June 2017

Radiators powered by excess computing energy are heating homes for free

A company that produces radiators that heat homes for free by using spare energy from computer servers is part of a wave of businesses embracing the concept of doing more with less, an idea known as frugal innovation.

A touring art exhibition shows work that blurs the line between citizen and scientist. © Science Museum
science in society | open innovation
06 June 2017

‘Hacker culture’ and citizen scientists taking research beyond the lab

What makes a scientist? You might think of lab research, years of specialised training and technical jargon. But an exhibition now touring across Europe could change your mind. 

Prof. Luke Georghiou says that Europe needs more companies that are able to apply research. Image credit: Prof. Luke Georghiou
policy | open innovation | interview
29 May 2017

Europe’s companies often need a kick-start for innovation – Prof. Luke Georghiou

Europe needs to demonstrate to many of its companies the benefits of innovation, according to Professor Luke Georghiou, the vice-president for research and innovation at the University of Manchester, UK.

A new virtual reality programme shows what the user's hands are doing in real life. Credit: Gleechi/ Handcode
ict | open innovation
18 April 2017

From VR training to broadband on a plane – the future of innovation is in our pockets

Smartphones are changing the game for entrepreneurs and innovators, cutting out the need for expensive equipment and enabling them to place technologies such as virtual reality how-to manuals and broadband service for aircraft passengers directly into our pockets.

Parkinson’s disease affects more than 4.6 million people around the world and there is currently no cure. Image credit: ‘Lewy Body alphaSynuclein’ by Marvin 101 is licenced under CC BY-SA 3.0
health | open innovation
10 April 2017

Brain cell transplants could help treat Parkinson’s disease

Replacing lost brain cells may help undo the damage caused by Parkinson’s disease, researchers believe.

Researchers are figuring out ways to determine if some medications cause side effects like kidney damage. Credit: ‘End-stage kidney - a -- low mag’ by Nephron is licenced under CC BY-SA 3.0
health | open innovation
07 April 2017

Drug testing breakthrough sees side effects before they happen

Expensive large-scale trials on no-hoper drugs could become a thing of the past after a European research collaboration worked out how to tell if a medication is likely to cause side effects before they actually appear.

Companies are under pressure from governments to introduce secret ways of getting into their software systems. Image credit: Pexels/ startupstockphotos
policy | ict | open innovation
04 April 2017

Ban on software ‘backdoors’ could help small businesses – industry body

An EU-wide ban on so-called backdoors in software would reduce pressure on companies to allow governments a secret way into a system, as well as strengthen cybersecurity across Europe, according to a digital industry body.

European Commissioner Carlos Moedas and European Parliament Vice-President Mairead McGuinness presented Michela Magas with first place in the EU Prize for Women Innovators. Credit: European Union/ François Walschaerts
policy | open innovation
09 March 2017

‘Innovation ecosystem’ founder wins EU women innovators’ prize

An entrepreneur who helps innovative products get to market by creating collaborations between the arts, sciences, academia and industry, has earned first place in the 2017 EU Prize for Women Innovators.

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