Brussels, 25/09/2003 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday, the European Commission announced it had selected eight international research teams as possible winners for the Descartes Prize. The names of the finalists will be made known and their work presented at a ceremony in Rome on 20 November.
The eight projects "nominated" cover a large variety of themes: artificial intelligence (University of Catalonia, Spain); next generation aircraft (University of Bedford, United Kingdom); tidal waves (National Observatory of Athens, Greece); moving molecules (University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom); advanced satellite positioning systems (Royal Observatory of Belgium); PLEDD polymer diodes (Cambridge University, United Kingdom); new medicines for menopausal problems (Milan University, Italy); and treatment for Alzheimer's disease (Catholic University of Louvain, Belgium). Researchers from 21 countries, mainly Europe, take part in the projects selected which systematically focus several research centres, university and otherwise, around a coordinator. In the opinion of Research Commissioner Philippe Busquin, this highlights the dynamism and commitment of European research workers, and the capital importance of cooperation and crossborder partnerships. The sharing of resources, he says, and the pooling of talents are key to success in a highly competitive international environment.
Launched in 2000, this prize rewards remarkable scientific and technological research work carried out in the context of trans-European partnerships and collaboration. Over 900 scientists working in 230 research teams throughout Europe have competed for the prize this year. The winners will share a prize of one million euros.