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Supply Network Coordination and Collaboration

Nano-Sized Magnetic Beads in Biomedical Applications

In recent years, nano-sized magnetic beads have emerged as a revolutionary tool in various fields, particularly in biomedical applications. Characterized by their small size (typically ranging from 100 nanometers to a few micrometers), these beads exhibit unique magnetic properties that make them highly effective for a range of tasks, including drug delivery, molecular diagnostics, and biosensing.

Understanding Nano-Sized Magnetic Beads

Nano-sized magnetic beads are composed of ferromagnetic or superparamagnetic materials, allowing them to be manipulated using magnetic fields. The surface of these beads can be modified with various functional groups, enabling selective binding to specific biomolecules such as proteins, nucleic acids, and antibodies. This versatility is a key factor driving their use in research and clinical diagnostics.

Applications in Biomedical Research

Cell Separation and Isolation: One of the most significant applications of nano-sized magnetic beads is in cell separation. For instance, they can be conjugated with antibodies that target specific cell types, such as tumor cells or immune cells. When a magnetic field is applied, the targeted cells can be easily separated from a heterogeneous mixture. This technique is invaluable for research involving cell biology and cancer studies where isolating specific cell populations is crucial.

Nucleic Acid Purification: In molecular biology, the extraction and purification of DNA and RNA are essential steps for various applications, including cloning, sequencing, and diagnostics. Nano-sized magnetic beads offer a convenient method for nucleic acid purification. By binding to nucleic acids in the presence of specific buffers, these beads can facilitate quick and efficient isolation of high-quality genetic material, significantly reducing the time and complexity of traditional methods.

Drug Delivery Systems: Another promising application is in targeted drug delivery. Nano-sized magnetic beads can be loaded with therapeutic agents and directed to specific sites within the body using an external magnetic field. This not only enhances the efficacy of drugs by ensuring they reach their intended target but also minimizes side effects by reducing the exposure of healthy tissues to the drug.

Biosensors and Diagnostics: The use of nano-sized magnetic beads in biosensors has opened new avenues in the detection of diseases. By immobilizing biomolecules on the surface of these beads, researchers can create highly sensitive diagnostic tools that can detect low concentrations of pathogens or biomarkers associated with various diseases. For example, magnetic bead-based assays are commonly employed in detecting viral infections, cancers, and other critical health conditions.

Challenges and Future Directions

Despite their promising applications, several challenges still need to be addressed in the development and use of nano-sized magnetic beads. Issues such as scalability, reproducibility, and the cost of production remain significant barriers. Additionally, optimizing the functionalization of the beads to enhance binding efficiency and specificity is an ongoing area of research.

Looking ahead, advancements in nanotechnology and materials science are likely to address these challenges, paving the way for even broader applications of nano-sized magnetic beads in medicine and biotechnology. Innovations such as the integration of these beads with microfluidic systems could revolutionize point-of-care diagnostics and real-time monitoring of health conditions.

Conclusion

Nano-sized magnetic beads represent a dynamic field of research with far-reaching implications for biomedical applications. Their versatility, efficiency, and ease of use are transforming practices in cell separation, nucleic acid purification, targeted drug delivery, and diagnostic testing. As technological advancements continue to unfold, the future of nano-sized magnetic beads is poised for remarkable growth, promising to enhance our capabilities in medical research and patient care.

Groups & Contents tagged with "Supply Network Coordination and Collaboration"

CLOSED FOR APPLICATIONS MG-2-13-2020: Coordination and support for an integrated freight transport and logistics system

Specific Challenge: Ensuring the seamless integration and harmonisation of transport modes is essential to achieve a truly integrated freight transport and logistics system, which on the one hand, is able to manage efficiently the physical, information and financial flows and on the other hand, support less impacting and environmental sustainable logistics operations . Speeding up technological and organisational innovation uptake and adoption will support freight transport decarbonisation and competitiveness. To this purpose, the assessment of progress, gaps and barriers is necessary. It is also key to involve and engage the end users of multimodal end-to-end freight transport chains, as they are both the recipients of innovation (autonomous transport, electrification, artificial intelligence, Internet of Things, blockchain, robotic systems, further digitalisation, new transport modes, etc.) and the key actors in charge of developing the business cases for new technologies uptake.

Category: Funding Calls

Skill Level: Beginner

MIXMOVE

Cloud logistic solution that enable collaborative logistics across networks

MIXMOVE is a company providing a suite of logistics solutions for intelligent, horizontal collaboration between shipper, carrier, hub, distributor and the end customer. The Match solution provided by the company is able to increase load factors by optimising the preparation of modular loading units in different hubs, thus allowing to reduce half-empty trucks. This is a credible example of handling modular units and reconfiguration node operations in a systemic approach, optimising the cargo capacities, reducing manual handling and enabling end-to-end supply chain visibility and control. This logistics process is based on splitting logistics units down to parcel level so that cross-docking can be used to produce logistics units with vastly improved load factors. It provides the necessary functionalities to run the logistic network, such as TMS, WMS, and a supply chain dashboard. The solution is suitable for shippers and logistics service providers with complex logistics operations and high volume.

Category: PI Companies

Skill Level: Beginner

Sennder

Clusters 2.0. vision is to leverage the full potential of European Logistics Clusters for an efficient and fully integrated transport system in Europe making optimal use of an Open Network of Logistics Clusters and hubs starting with. Zaragoza (PLAZA), Duisburg (Duisport), Lille (Dourges), Bologna-Trieste (Interporto/port of Trieste), Brussels (BruCargo), London (Heathrow), Pireaus (PCT), Trelleborg (Port), while keeping neutral the environmental and local impacts such as congestion, noise, land use and local pollution levels.
Cluster 2.0 objectives and areas of intervention are:
Increase the engagement, performance and coordination of terminals and hubs at cluster level targeting: i) increase by 50% the freight managed in the cluster whit current infrastructure, ii) Double the value added activities and iii) increase economic impact in local economies by 5% yearly while keeping neutral local environmental impacts. Build a hyper connected network of logistics hubs and clusters targeting: i) increase average door-to-door vehicle load factor up to 75%, ii) increase intermodal transport in the network by 40%. Develop low cost, low capital and investment intensive transhipment enhanced solutions to reduce operational costs of transhipment by 30 %. Develop prototypes of New Modular Load Units as enhancers of the above objectives.Develop terminal management systems to increase management capacity of the terminals by 20% and reduce associated congestion by 10%. Establish and run 5 Living Labs (LLs) to test, improve an validate proposed solutions as well as to and Develop Business Models and Robust Business Plans for Clusters 2.0 solutions.

Project Manager: Marcel Huschebeck

Category: Projects

Skill Level: Beginner

CoGLo - COGnitive Logistics Operations through secure, dynamic and ad-hoc collaborative networks

The main goal of COG-LO is to create the framework and tools that will add cognition and collaboration features to future logistics processes by: 1) Introducing the Cognitive Logistics Object (CLO) by adding cognitive behavior to all involved Logistics actors and processes; 2) Developing the environment that will allow CLOs to exchange information through ad-hoc social secure networks. The main objectives of COG-LO are: (a) Definition of a Future Cognitive Logistics Objects reference implementation model that supports cognitive logistics behaviour; (b) Design and develop the necessary analytics and cognitive tools that enable complex event detection, context awareness and multi-criteria decision support. (c) To design and develop the collaboration platform based on hybrid ad-hoc social networks of CLOs. (d) To design and develop the COG-LO tools (Cognitive Advisor, which realizes the cognitive behavior of CLO based on the reference implementation model, and Tweeting CLOs, allowing CLOs to exchange information in ad-hoc Social IoT networks); (e) To evaluate the COG-LO results via intermodal, cross-country and urban logistics pilot operations. (f) To introduce new business models for ad-hoc collaborations affecting all logistics stakeholders and create a community of Logistics, ICT and urban environment stakeholders.
The consortium is led by SingularLogic and consists of 14 partners from 8 countries.

Category: Projects

Skill Level: Beginner

COREALIS - Capacity with a pOsitive enviRonmEntal and societAL footprInt: portS in the future era

Ports are essential for the European economy; 74% of goods exported or imported to the EU are transported via its seaports. At the same time, the challenges they face are only getting greater: Volumes of cargo increase while they also arrive in a shrinking number of vessels: Post-Panamax vessels have a capacity of more than 18k containers. Port operators need to comply with increasingly stricter environmental regulations and societal views for sustainability. A sustainable land-use strategy in and around the port and a strategic transition to new, service-based, management models that improve capacity and efficiency are paramount. They are key enablers for ports that want to keep pace with the ocean carriers needs and establish themselves as trans-shipment hubs with a ‘societal license to operate’; for ports whose land strategy, hinterland accessibility and operations are underpinned by circular economy principles. COREALIS proposes a strategic, innovative framework, supported by disruptive technologies, including IoT, data analytics, next generation traffic management and 5G,for modern ports to handle future capacity, traffic, efficiency and environmental challenges. It respects their limitations regarding the port land, intermodal infrastructure and terminal operation. It proposes beyond state of the art innovations to increase efficiency and optimize land-use, while being financially viable, respecting circular economy and being of service to the city. Through COREALIS, the port will minimize its environmental footprint to the city, it will decrease disturbance to local population through a reduction in the congestion around the port. It will be a pillar of business innovation, promoting local startups in disruptive technologies of mutual interest. COREALIS innovations are key both for the major deep sea European ports in view of the new mega-vessel era, but also relevant for medium sized ports with limited investment funds for infrastructure and automation.

Category: Projects

Skill Level: Beginner

ICONET - New ICT infrastructure and reference architecture to support Operations in future PI Logistics NETworks

ICONET will significantly extend state of the art research and development around the Physical Internet concept in pursuit of a new networked architecture for interconnected logistics hubs that combine with IoT capabilities and aiming towards commercial exploitation of results. ICONET strives to achieve the end commercial goal of allowing shipments to be routed towards final destinations automatically, by using collaborative decisions inspired by the information centric networking paradigm, and optimizing efficiency and customer service levels across the whole network. According to this vision, cargo regarded as smart physical packets will flow between hubs based on ‘content’ of the cargo influencing key commercial imperatives such as cost, optimisation, routing, efficiency and advancing EU's Green agenda. Consequently, the consortium are discernibly aimed at three (3) avenues of commercialisation and exploitation from the ICONET innovation, specifically targeted in the areas of

(a) Warehousing as a service

(b) E-commerce fulfillment as a service, and

PI based logistic configurations will be simulated, prototyped and validated in the project . Modelling and analysis techniques will be combined with serious game type simulation, physical and digital prototyping, using living lab (LL) requirements scenarios and data. With analyses and simulations, optimal topologies and distribution policies for PI will be determined. The project implementation will be based on a succession of phases of modelling and design/prototyping, learning and experimentation and feedback and interaction with the wider business community, including the ALICE logistics platform as well as members of the partner Associations ESC, UIRR and ELUPEG. Through its Living Labs, the project will address under the PI paradigm both Supply Network Collaboration and Supply Network Coordination.

Project Manager: Makis Kouloumbis
Project Manager: Zisis Palaskas

Category: Projects

Skill Level: Beginner

LOGISTAR - Enhanced data management techniques for real time logistics planning and scheduling

The EU faces the challenge to maintain and increase its economic growth and cope with the problem of freight transport efficiency in Europe. Integration of transport volumes and modes, better use of capacity, flexibility, resource efficiency and cooperation between all actors along the logistic chain are required.

Aligned with the European policies and the ALICE roadmap, LOGISTAR objective is to allow effective planning and optimizing of transport operations in the supply chain by taking advantage of horizontal collaboration, relying on the increasingly real-time data gathered from the interconnected environment. For this, a real-time decision making tool and a real-time visualization tool of freight transport will be developed, with the purpose of delivering information and services to the various agents involved in the logistic supply chain, i.e. freight transport operators, their clients, industries and other stakeholders such as warehouse or infrastructure managers.

LOGISTAR will address several advances beyond the State of the Art in the interdisciplinary field of the smart algorithms for data processing: Artificial Intelligence focussed onr prediction, parallel hybrid metaheuristics for optimization, automated negotiation techniques, and constraint satisfaction problem solving techniques. The resulting platform will outperform other market products and services such as Freight Exchange Systems, Collaborative Platforms, Transport Control Towers or Routing Systems.

LOGISTARS involves RTD organisations (DEUSTO, UCC, CSIC), technology developers (DNET, SWC), consultancy firms (MDST, PRESTON), ICT services developers (SAG, DBH, GENEGIS) and stakeholders from different stages of the supply chain (AHLERS, ZAILOG, NESTLÉ, PLADIS, CODOGNOTTO).

The duration of the project is estimated to be 36 months and has an approximate budget of 5 million euros.

For further information you can vistit the project website: https://logistar-project.eu

Project Manager: Paolo Lunardi
Project Manager: LEIRE SERRANO

Category: Projects

Skill Level: Beginner

NEXT-NET - Next generation Technologies for networked Europe

Currently most of EU research activities in the area of supply chain has been supported through programmes specifically focusing on some aspects as for example technologies for handling and transportation in ALICE, for internal logistics and production networks in EFFRA, Integrated platforms for implementing new communication paradigms in ICT, platfomrs for industrial symbiosis in SPIRE.
The aim of the project is to put in place a cross-sectoral and cross-technological initiative at European level to increase integration between production and distribution proposing research and innovation priorities for the future of supply chain.
In particular, the project will develop a Strategic Research Agenda where the effort of different communities like EFFRA, SPIRE, ALICE and other ICT are put together to face important challenges like customization and sustainability. Most important steps of the project will be: (i) Creating a European network where most important stakeholders will be involved reaching a critical mass of people from all targeted industries and scientific domains by mean of direct actions along the whole project life; (ii) Identifying future industrial scenarios for 2050: through the analysis of the socio-economic trends and drivers in the market and their impact on innovation & technology development it will be possible to fix some promising scenarios for the future; (iii) Developing a strategic research agenda and a joint action plan on broader innovation policy issues of common interest. NEXT-NET will be grounded on the analysis of most important European and national roadmaps status of implementation, on identification of the most promising enabling technologies for the future industrial scenarios to develop the research and innovation priorities, on workshops (focus groups, brainstorming sessions, ...) with experts and stakeholders from more that 4 supply chains accross Europe.

Category: Projects

Skill Level: Beginner

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