2011年8月14日星期日

MCST to encourage research on floating solar panels

The Malta Council for Science and Technology (MCST) has taken a decision to encourage research on floating solar panels, with a view to try overcoming certain hurdles when it comes to setting up such systems in open sea.

Speaking during a presentation of the MCST annual report at Villa Bighi in Kalkara, chairman Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando said that the idea is to direct research in a new area that could have certain benefits, particularly in terms of space availability.

Dr Pullicino Orlando said floating solar panels have only been used in closed water spaces and fresh water so far; the sea poses certain challenges such as the high salinity of the water, which could cause the solar panel equipment to corrode.

Science News website ScienceDaily reported earlier this year that floating solar power plants are about to overcome challenges related to the development of solar power plants, such as limited land space and the high costs related to the fabrication and maintenance of solar cells.

Dr Pullicino Orlando spoke about various activities in which MCST is involved, including the development of the National Interactive Science Centre, which will be located at a site in a poor state of repair, next door to Villa Bighi.

MCST vice-chairman and CEO Nicholas Sammut, on his part, said the organisation has grown three-fold in a matter of a few months, and it is already starting to deliver results. The recent restructuring of the entity has increased the operational capacity of the existing MCST units.

The outline development permit for the National Interactive Science Centre has been issued and MCST is in the process of selecting hands-on exhibits and activities for the centre. The project has been allocated an initial fund of €1.5 million.

"The aim will be to provide a fun experience for children and families, and eventually to encourage more children to choose science related subjects. There is a perception that science subjects are more difficult than other subjects, but this is not necessarily true."

MCST is also responsible for awarding local funds through the National R&I Programme, and encouraging the local community to apply for funds under the 7th Framework Programme.Replacement China ceramic tile and bulbs for Canada and Worldwide.

The National R&I Programme, whose budget has increased by 57 per cent this year (brought up to €1.Great Rubber offers oil painting supplies keychains,1 million) requires industry-academia collaborations,Whilst magic cube are not deadly, meaning that education is not restricted to schools, colleges and the university.

Dr Sammut also spoke about the science popularisation programme,This will leave your shoulders free to rotate in their offshore merchant account . which is being run by a new unit at MCST. The 7th Framework Programme (FP7), he said, is a fantastic opportunity for local researchers and businesses, and is heavily promoted by the MCST's FP Funding Unit. To date,ceramic zentai suits for the medical, Maltese entities that tapped into funds from the programme have received more than €8 million, and projects cover a range of research areas ¨C robots used to pick mushrooms, tactile displays for the visually impaired, micro-combined heat and power systems, and multi-parametrical monitoring of patients.

Apart from the core work undertaken by the MCST's different units, the council participates in a myriad of other projects that form an important part of policy-making and the research and innovation ecosystem.

MCST represents Malta in various international committees and meetings, including the European Research Area Committee, the Enterprise Policy Group, the Steering Group on Human Resources and Mobility, among others.

MCST has also recently put more focus on the COST programme (European Cooperation in Science and Technology) and local participation in the programme saw a tenfold increase last year, when compared to 2007.

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