The internal project ESLAB PIVOTAL (Platforms, Instruments and sensors for enVironmental Observations:  sTrategy and Actions for Long-term sustainability) aims by one hand to establish a strategy to improve the utilization, efficiency, and longevity of the existing technology infrastructure by means of optimal operations and maintenance. By the other, to foster the participation of regional, national and international actors (like SMEs, research groups, etc.) to motivate the creation of new applications and products.

During the last years, the Province of Bolzano has invested many resources to potentiate the development of technology as one of the main economic drivers. Local research institutions joint this strategy. Eurac contributes to this vision by fostering applied research in different disciplines: health, energy, well-functioning political and social systems and monitoring and understanding processes in our environment. Especially for this last topic, Eurac participates in several projects by using technology. The capacity, experience and knowledge generated through them put Eurac as one of the main international research centers specialized in mountain topics. However, the use of technology has two main drawbacks: long-term sustainability to keep them operative and the access and benefit for the population.

Contact persons: Roberto Monsorno, Abraham Mejia Aguilar

WP1. Management

For every single project, it is necessary to invest time for organization and planning activities. It is especially critical when collaborators participate in more than one project. Time planning is crucial. It is necessary to assign resources to people who have more experience or are dedicated for this activity (e.g. project assistant).

Activities

Organization of resources (personnel and infrastructure)

Planning the strategy and activities (person, activity, deadlines)

Financial planning (accounting)

WP2. Operations and maintenance

Due to the fact that the ESLAB will host technology, it is necessary to administrate it in a proper way. It means, by using it correctly (guidelines), assigning time of use for specific projects (management), doing training (dissemination), using them for data collection (support for activities of research and development), exploiting new ideas (development) and building the strategy for keeping them for long term (maintenance).

Activities

Support for in-situ data collection

Support for test bed definitions

Organization and managements actions inside the laboratory

Annual calibration of equipment

WP3. Fostering innovation and products consolidation

The core of this project lies in this Wok package. The team should grow in a dynamic way and acquire scientific knowledge oriented for specific solutions. We will not create final products for consumers, but we will create prototypes that will be stable enough to reach technology readiness level (TRL) of basic demonstration (TRL 5). It is requested the participation of at least three international master students, because these people will be specifically oriented for one specific task in a continuous period. In consequence, it will strengthen our scientific network.

Activities

Fast prototyping

Processing on-demand

Web services - development and hosting

Ground sensing applications

Proximal sensing applications

WP4. Fostering networking and collaboration

The only way to be included in projects or development of products is by strengthening our current network. It is mandatory to do this for giving long sustainability to the laboratory. We need to participate in meetings, attending presentations of different groups, giving publicity to our products. Design of virtual platforms to open collaboration (social media, web pages, forums, etc.)

Activities

Permanent communication with Eurac research institutes

Permanent communication and collaboration with University of Bolzano faculties and groups

Extending our current network with different regional, national and international partners

Participation within the different ecosystems at NOI park

WP5. Dissemination

It is demonstrated that one of the best ways to give visibility and promotion to current activities, expertise and infrastructure is by doing dissemination. In this sense, it will be mandatory for the team to participate actively in scientific meetings, seminars, writing proposals, expressing ideas in regular monthly meetings (brain storming). Since we are growing in both directions either science or services, but need to protect our knowledge. We must write at least two journal publications during two year period and at least one copyright and/or patent (results of participation with companies).

Activities

Active participation of ESLAB group for seminars

Active participation of ESLAB group for writing proposals

Participation in international conferences

Publication of paper journals and preparation of copyright and/or patents

1.       Expected results for 2020

WP1

a.       Annual report (2020.12)

WP2

a.       Updated inventory for Hardware and Software (2020.12)

b.       Set up of training procedure

c.       Set up of price to access the lab form external users

WP3

a.       Services portfolio (2020.12)

d.       Master thesis (two  during 2020)

e.       Participation or declaration of support for projects / activities / services

WP4

a.       Letter of agreement of collaboration different groups

b.       Participation in new projects (at least one project is acquired)

c.       Participation on supporting activity reports for ecosystems at NOI

WP5

a.       At least one seminar per topic, per person

b.       Two conferences (for each MSc student)

c.       One journal papers (2020)