Seventh Framework Programme Research for the benefit of SMEs

Transcription

1 Seventh Framework Programme Research for the benefit of SMEs SAFEMETAL Increasing EU citizen security by utilising innovative intelligent signal processing systems for euro-coin validation and metal quality testing FP7-SME SAFEMETAL Deliverable number: D 9.4 Responsible partner: Ardoran Newsletters, press releases and other promotional literature to create awareness of the SAFEMETAL project and keep interested parties updated on progress throughout the project. Status: Final Date: 30 th November, 2012 Dissemination: Public

2 D 9.4 Newsletters, press releases and other promotional literature Table of Contents Summary Project Brochure Project Update Flyer at Mid-term Press Releases Press Releases on Project Launch English version Estonian version Slovakian version Greek version Estonian TV Programme Featuring SAFEMETAL Project Other Press Releases/ Project Updates Dunvegan (English) Ardoran (Estonian) EDIS (Slovak) Algosystems (Greek) References List of Figures 1 Example of take-up of press release regarding Estonian national TV programme Estonian Inventor site featuring nomination of Prof. Mart Min for European Inventor award 23 3 IP Estonia website featuring nomination of Prof. Mart Min for European Inventor award.. 24 The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Union s Seventh Framework Programme managed by REA- Research Executive Agency eu/research/rea (FP7/ ) under grant agreement number D 9.4 Page 2 of 41

3 Summary Communication and dissemination activities within the SAFEMETAL project have the overall objective of bringing the research to the attention of as many relevant people as possible. With this in mind, communication about the project aims to demonstrate the ways in which the SAFEMETAL research effort is contributing to a European Innovation Union, demonstrating that the collaborative research adds value by: Showing how European collaboration has achieved more than would have otherwise been possible, notably in achieving scientific excellence, contributing to competitiveness and solving societal challenges. Showing how the outcomes are relevant to our everyday lives, by creating jobs, introducing novel technologies, and assisting in efforts to protect the European currency. Making better use of results, by ensuring take-up by decision-makers to influence policymaking and by industry and the scientific community to ensure follow-up. The communication strategy has been carefully planned, involving Strategic communication, in which targets, audience and message have been clarified before deciding on the promotional media, and A creative people plan to achieve desired outcomes, with specific objectives being clearly defined. All partners of SAFEMETAL appreciate that the project s success relies on their ability to disseminate the results produced, both during the course of the project and subsequent to the end of the project, making available both internally and publicly the generated knowledge. As such, the dissemination strategy has been crafted in order to spread the scientific results of SAFEMETAL to the widest possible audience, spanning from the academic research community to industry and even the broad public. As much of the research is funded with public money, the need to inform the public about the main research results is evident, so as to allow interested people to follow the ongoing developments and to form their own opinion on the basis of sound, science-based facts and data. To ensure that scientists and researchers in the project elaborate and present information in a way that non-initiated persons can easily and rapidly understand, guidelines for best practices in interfacing with the media have been provided to all partners, as listed in the References section at the end of this document. Much of this information was found to be of benefit in improving communication skills and ensuring a clear and consistent message has been generated by all partners. The project was launched with press releases being issued in each country/ language represented by the commercial partners i.e., in English, Estonian, Slovakian and Greek, refer pages 9 through 14. The information packs included the Project Brochure (refer pages 5 and 6). The Project Brochure was updated at the mid-term (refer pages 7 and 8); this version was included in subsequent press releases. The European Commission publication Communicating EU Research & Innovation A guide for project participants 1 recommends to tell a story, don t just list facts, explaining that A story is an effective way to make people remember your message. Why not tell one to disseminate your results? 1 European Commission. Communicating EU Research & Innovation A guide for project participants. Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, Publications Office of the European Union, Pages 24. D 9.4 Page 3 of 41

4 Which stories work best? A good story consists of a succession of events, with a beginning, a middle and an end, a scene setter and a plot, a climax and a conclusion, all of this in a rich context. It is hence more than a list of results achieved. A good story is one with which others can identify, with the project content as a basis, and focused on a person (for example: the researcher). Such stories also allow your message to be conveyed through shared values that will touch people s hearts and provoke emotion, and the promise of a better future. With these considerations in mind, many of the press releases were orientated around the national and European recognition of the work of distinguished scientist Prof. Mart Min of Tallinn University of Technology in the project. Following the initial press releases, Estonian TV produced a full-length programme featuring the work of Prof. Min in the project together with his previous work and other applications of his innovations (refer page 15). Each of the commercial partners developed this theme by issuing press releases in their own countries/ languages highlighting the work of Prof. Mart Min and providing links to the TV programme s web site (refer pages 16, 20, 25 and 31). This story gathered momentum, with Prof. Mart Min subsequently being nominated for the prestigious European Inventor award ( Each of the commercial partners further developed this theme by issuing press releases in their own countries/ languages. The resulting media coverage was extensive, encompassing TV and radio coverage, together with features in the international press and on numerous websites (a few of the many sites being shown in the figures on pages 23 and 24). Media coverage included CNN, FT (Financial Times), Les Echos, and Handelsblatt. The commercial partners also issued further newsletters promoting the SAFEMETAL project, together with their own company and the overall partnership; some examples being included in the following pages. A final press release is planned to be issued following completion of the project and approval of the final reports. A draft is provided on page 40 which will be translated into each language represented by the commercial partners. Media coverage resulting from nomination of Prof. Mart Min for European Inventor Award D 9.4 Page 4 of 41

5 INCREASING EU CITIZEN SECURITY BY UTILISING INNOVATIVE INTELLIGENT SIGNAL-PROCESSING SYSTEMS FOR EURO-COIN VALIDATION AND METAL QUALITY TESTING SAFEMETAL Background Euro coinage has been steadily subject to increasing outlawed counterfeiting activities. The most recent figures bring to 14 the number of illegal mints discovered to date, accompanied with a significant cumulative total of counterfeit coins detected or confiscated. Over 80 classes of counterfeit coins and corresponding tooling and working methods are identified, which by European Technical and Scientific Centre directives lead undoubtedly to the conclusion that the vast majority of counterfeit manufacturing facilities remain in operation. At the same time conductivity measurements are widely used for characterisation of heat treatment of aluminium alloys and other non-destructive testing, especially for safety-critical applications in aerospace industry, nuclear reactors etc. Prior art in the field has led to technologies made to reduce at manufacturing time the spread of electrical parameters and at validation time the measurement of electrical conductivity of the metal respectively. Due to the large number of coins produced by European mints, material for coin blanks is sourced from different suppliers. Recent European standards to increase the security of the coinage by reducing the spread of parameter values result in significant challenges for manufacturers of coin validators used in vending machines and bank coin sorting machines. The Project The participating SME s have identified these challenges and consider they represent major product opportunities. The developed metal validation technology will be required to distinguish between increasingly sophisticated counterfeit and the tightly specified genuine coins and to characterise the metal quality. This will be accomplished by developing advanced signal processing and data fusion techniques, and by also developing planar electromagnetic sensors and pulse eddy-current measurement techniques with increased field sensitivity. The market being addressed includes coin validators and aerospace and nuclear industries. Contract number FP7-SME Project coordinator Douglas Reid Ardoran OÜ Heltermaa, Pühalepa vald, Hiiuma 92312, Estonia douglas.reid@ardoran.ee Project Technical Manager (Contact Person) Ioannis Papaefstathiou Telecommunication Institute Systems Technical University of Crete, Kounoupidiana, Chania, Crete, Greece ygp@mhl.tuc.gr Project website Community contribution to the project Project start date 01/12/2010 Duration 24 months D 9.4 Page 5 of 41

6 SAFEMETAL: INCREASING EU CITIZEN SECURITY BY UTILISING INNOVATIVE INTELLIGENT SIGNAL-PROCESSING SYSTEMS FOR EURO-COIN VALIDATION AND METAL QUALITY TESTING Project Objectives The key scientific and technical objectives of the project are: Development of techniques for measurement of electrical conductivity of coinised copper-alloy specimens. Targeted uncertainty within +/-1% from DC to 1MHz and +/-4% from DC to 10MHz with measurements traceable to international standards. Development of mathematical models and numerical techniques to define the interaction of broadband electromagnetic fields with objects of finite size, such as coins and bi-metallic/layered construction. Detailed characterization of the electromagnetic properties for euro coins of all denominations and selection of other coins. Investigation of Eddy current signal interaction with bi-metallic/layered construction of euro coins at a range of frequencies form DC to 10MHz. Investigation of the effect of surface finish, plating, tarnishing/oxidation and embossing patterns (for both the common and country-specific sides of a coin) on conductivity across the range frequencies. Development of theory to model electro-magnetic planar sensors, enabling use as improved alternative to conventional coil sensors. Development of the theory for pulse-based/ broad-band eddy-current conductivity measurements. Development and application of novel signal processing techniques to extract useful information from the complex electromagnetic signals using low-cost and low-power hardware. Development and optimisation of sensors to measure other parameters of coins diameter, thickness, weight, etc. Development and application of novel data fusion methodologies to combine information from the electromagnetic and other sensors. Design, realisation and evaluation of validator prototypes based on the innovations applicable to vending, service automation and amusement machines. The requirement of these high volume market sectors is for high security and reliability coin validation combined with low cost. Design, realisation and evaluation of validator prototype based on the innovations applicable to high speed coin sorting and counting machines used by banks. In addition to high speed operation (targeted at up to 3,500 coins per minute), high discrimination between genuine, counterfeit and foreign coins is necessary with accurate, traceable calibration of the machines. Design, realisation and evaluation of prototype conductivity measurement and calibration system based on the innovations applicable to the needs of mints, coin blank suppliers and banks. Project Contributions The project is expected to make an important contribution in support of implementation of recent European Commission Recommendations. In particular, Recommendation 2005/504/EC on the authentication of euro coins and handling of euro coins unfit for circulation. The project results also have relevance to implementation of Council Regulation 2182/ 2004 on medals and tokens similar to euro coins. This regulation recognises that similarity of tokens with euro coins needs to be forbidden in terms of visual and machine-readable characteristics, the objective being to minimise euro-coin related fraud and confusion for the public. The measurement techniques and new instrumentation resulting from the project will assist in checking conformity with this regulation in respect of the metal properties. The project will make a contribution in further ways to assist in protection of euro coinage. Introduction of improved measurement techniques will enable coin blank suppliers and mints to reduce the variation in parameters of coins. Additionally, new security features such as characterisation of junction resistance between bimetallic materials will be proposed. Introduction of additional security features in coin construction together with reduced variability in manufacturing tolerances and the associated proposed improvements in coin validator technology makes it more difficult for counterfeiters to replicate and use fake coins. D 9.4 Page 6 of 41

7 INCREASING EU CITIZEN SECURITY BY UTILISING INNOVATIVE INTELLIGENT SIGNAL PROCESSING SYSTEMS FOR EURO-COIN VALIDATION AND METAL QUALITY TESTING SAFEMETAL Key Innovation Euro coinage has been steadily subject to increasing outlawed counterfeiting activities. The most recent figures bring to 14 the number of illegal mints discovered to date, accompanied with a significant cumulative total of counterfeit coins detected or confiscated. Over 80 classes of counterfeit coins and corresponding tooling and working methods are identified, which by European Technical and Scientific Centre directives lead undoubtedly to the conclusion that the vast majority of counterfeit manufacturing facilities remain in operation. At the same time conductivity measurements are widely used for characterisation of heat treatment of aluminium alloys and other non-destructive testing, especially for safety-critical applications in aerospace industry, nuclear reactors etc. Prior art in the field has led to technologies made to reduce at manufacturing time the spread of electrical parameters and at validation time the measurement of electrical conductivity of the metal respectively. Due to the large number of coins produced by European mints, material for coin blanks is sourced from different suppliers. Recent European standards to increase the security of the coinage by reducing the spread of parameter values result in significant challenges for manufacturers of coin validators used in vending machines and bank coin sorting machines. The SMEs participating have identified these challenges and consider they represent major product opportunities. The developed metal validation technology will be required to distinguish between increasingly sophisticated counterfeit and the tightly specified genuine coins and to characterise the metal quality. This will be accomplished by developing advanced signal processing and data fusion techniques, and by also developing planar electro-magnetic sensors and pulse eddy-current measurement techniques with increased field sensitivity. The market being addressed includes coin validators and aerospace and nuclear industries. Contract number FP7-SME SAFEMETAL Project coordinator Dr. Douglas Reid Ardoran OÜ Tel: Fax: safemetalproject@gmail.com Project Technical Manager Ioannis Papaefstathiou Technical University of Crete Kounoupidiana Campus 73100, Chania, Crete, Greece Tel : Fax : ygp@mhl.tuc.gr Project website Community contribution to the project Euro Project start date Duration 24 months D 9.4 Page 7 of 41

8 SAFEMETAL: INCREASING EU CITIZEN SECURITY BY UTILISING INNOVATIVE INTELLIGENT SIGNAL PROCESSING SYSTEMS FOR EURO-COIN VALIDATION AND METAL QUALITY TESTING Objectives The key scientific and technical objectives of the project are: Development of techniques for measurement of electrical conductivity of coinsized copper-alloy specimens. Targeted uncertainty within ±1% from DC to 1MHz and ±4% to 10MHz with measurements traceable to international standards. Development of mathematical models and numerical techniques to define the interaction of broadband electromagnetic fields with objects of finite size, such as coins, and of bi-metallic/ layered construction. Detailed characterisation of the electromagnetic properties for euro coins of all denominations and a selection of other coins. Investigation of eddy current signal interaction with bi-metallic, layered construction of euro coins at a range of frequencies from DC up to 10MHz. Investigation of the effect of surface finish, plating, tarnishing/ oxidation and embossing patterns (for both the common and country-specific sides of a coin) on conductivity across the range of frequencies. Development of theory to model electro-magnetic planar sensors, enabling use as improved alternative to conventional coil sensors. Development of the theory for pulse-based/ broad-band eddy-current conductivity measurements. Development and application of novel signal processing techniques to extract useful information from the complex electromagnetic signals using low-cost and low-power hardware. Development and optimisation of sensors to measure other parameters of coins diameter, thickness, weight, etc. Development and application of novel data fusion methodologies to combine information from the electromagnetic and other sensors. Design, realisation and evaluation of validator prototypes based on the innovations applicable to vending, service automation and amusement machines. The requirement of these high volume market sectors are for high security and reliability coin validation combined with low cost. Design, realisation and evaluation of validator prototype based on the innovations applicable to high speed coin sorting and counting machines used by banks. In addition to high speed operation (targeted at up to 3,500 coins per minute), high discrimination between genuine, counterfeit and foreign coins is necessary with accurate, traceable calibration of the machines. Design, realisation and evaluation of prototype conductivity measurement and calibration system based on the innovations applicable to the needs of mints, coin blank suppliers and banks.. Impact The project is expected to make an important contribution in support of implementation of recent European Commission Recommendations. In particular, Recommendation 2005/504/EC on the authentication of euro coins and handling of euro coins unfit for circulation. The project results also have relevance to implementation of Council Regulation 2182/ 2004 on medals and tokens similar to euro coins. This regulation recognises that similarity of tokens with euro coins needs to be forbidden in terms of visual and machine-readable characteristics, the objective being to minimise euro-coin related fraud and confusion for the public. The measurement techniques and new instrumentation resulting from the project will assist in checking conformity with this regulation in respect of the metal properties. Project partners Ardoran EDIS Dunvegan Systems Algorsystems S.A. Tallinn University of Technology A.S. Metrosert Riga Technical University Telecommunication Systems Institute University of Cyprus Electronics Design Country EE SK GB GR EE EE LV GR CY EE First year achievements The project has so far successfully completed its first year and the achievements can be summarised in the following (regular updates can also be found at the SAFEMETAL web-site): o Analyse the requirements of both low-end and highend systems o Report the exact specifications of both low-end and high end-system o Develop two novel models for pulse-based/ broad-band eddy current measurements o Develop the architecture of novel signal processing subsystem o Develop a first prototype for coin image processing o Develop of novel data fusion methodologies to combine information from all sensors D 9.4 Page 8 of 41

9 Press Release on Project Launch Euro coinage is steadily subject to increasing outlawed counterfeiting activities. The most recent figures bring to 14 the number of illegal mints discovered to date, accompanied with a significant cumulative total of counterfeit coins detected or confiscated. Over 80 classes of counterfeit coins and corresponding tooling and working methods are identified, which by ETSC (European Technical and Scientific Centre) directives lead undoubtedly to the conclusion that the vast majority of counterfeit manufacturing facilities remain in operation. As the sophistication and similarity of counterfeits to the genuine euro coins improves, the sizeable and increasing asymmetry in the number of counterfeit coins potentially produced and those actually detected demonstrates the need for developing advanced euro coin counterfeiting detection technology, or advanced coin validation equipment. Prior art in the field of coin manufacturing and validation and quality metal checking has led to technologies made to reduce at manufacturing time the spread of electrical parameters and at validation and quality checking time the measurement of electrical conductivity of the metal respectively. It is remarked that these technologies find immediate application also in other areas with social significance. Conductivity measurements are for instance widely used for the characterisation of heat treatment of aluminium alloys and other non-destructive testing (NDT), especially for safety-critical applications in aerospace industry, nuclear reactors etc. It may be crucial to characterise precisely the quality of the metal since a faulty piece of metal can trigger a disaster such as an airplane crash or an accident in a nuclear reactor. In the coin case, due to the large number of coins produced by European mints, material for coin blanks is sourced from many different suppliers worldwide. Also, most European countries have at least one mint producing coins and each of these uses its own blank suppliers. In addition, the majority of conductivity measuring equipment uses AC measurement techniques, and there are currently no traceable standards available to relate the measurements to DC conductivity values. The combination of euro coins being produced by many different manufacturing facilities, together with the variability introduced by the coin blank supply processes, and the lack of traceable conductivity standards results in there being larger than desirable variations between coins produced at different mints together with considerable batch-to-batch variations. Recent European standards directives and work in progress to increase the security of the coinage by reducing the spread of parameter values result in significant challenges for manufacturers of coin validators used in vending machines and bank coin sorting machines. The SMEs participating in SAFEMETAL a project partly funded by the Research Executive Agency of the European Commission under the Research for the Benefit of SMEs programme (project number ) have identified the challenges posed in their effort for Increasing EU citizens security by utilising innovative intelligent signal processing systems for euro-coin validation and metal quality testing and consider that they represent major product opportunities. The improved coin validation technology to be developed will be required to distinguish between increasingly sophisticated counterfeit and the more tightly specified genuine coins. This is to be accomplished by exploratory development of advanced signal processing and data fusion techniques, and by also developing planar electro-magnetic sensors and pulse eddy-current measurement techniques with increased field sensitivity. Work is already in progress by some of the partners towards defining new calibration procedures and reference standards for AC measurements. A large market demand can be expected for the improved validators, both for new machines and as retrofits for existing to upgrade their security. The market addressed includes coin validators for vending, pay telephones, service automation and bank coin sorting machines. The new products will also be of interest to other manufacturing industry including, in particular, the aerospace and nuclear sectors. More information and contact details from the project web site: D 9.4 Page 9 of 41

10 Pressiteade Euromüntide üheks lahutamatuks osaks on pidevalt kasvav mitteseaduslik võltsimistegevus. Viimased andmed näitavad 14-st ebaseadusliku rahapada, mis on siiani avastatud. Lisaks märkimisväärne kumulatiivne kogusmma võltsitud münte, mis on avastatud või konfiskeeritud. Üle 80 liigi võltsitud müntide ja vastava instrumentaariumi töömeetodid on tuvastatud, mille poolt ETTK (Euroopa Tehnika- ja Teaduskeskus) direktiivid viivad kahtlemata järeldusele, et enamik võltsitud tootmisvõimalusi jääb kasutusele. Nagu rafineeritud sarnasus võltsitud ehtsa euromündiga paraneb, üsna suur ja kasvav asümeetria näitab, et võltsitud müntide arvu on võimalik toota ja tegelikult avastatu näitab vajadust arendada arenenud euromüntide võltsimise avastamise tehnoloogiaid või täiustada müntide kinnitamise seadmeid. Müntide kujundus kunstivaldkonnas, müntide tootmises ja valideerimises ja metalli kvaliteedi kontrollimises on vähendanud tehnoloogias tootmise aja levikut elektrilistes parameetrites ja valideerimise ja kvaliteedi kontrollimise aja mõõtmises metalli elektrijuhtivuses. See on märk, et need tehnoloogiad leiaksid kohest rakendamist ka teistes piirkondades ka sotsiaalses tähenduses. Elektrijuhtivuse mõõtmised on näiteks laialdaselt kasutuses alumiiniumsulami kuumtöötlemiseks ja muudes mittepurustavates katsetustes (NDT), eriti ohutuse seisukohalt on oluline rakendus kosmosetööstuses, tuumareaktorites jne. See võib olla väga oluline, et iseloomustada just metalli kvaliteeti kuna vigane tükk metalli võib vallandada katastroofi nagu lennuk krahhi või tuumareaktor õnnetuse. Suur hulk münte toodetakse Euroopa rahapajas, müntide toorikute materjal aga on pärit paljude erinevate tarnijate käest kogu maailmas. Enamikes Euroopa riikides on vähemalt üks rahapada, mis toodab münte ja igaühel neist on oma tooriku tarnija. Lisaks enamus juhtivus mõõtmeseadmeid kasutab AC mõõtmismeetodeid ja praegu ei ole jälgitavad standardid kättesaadavad seotud mõõtmis DC elekrijuhtivuse väärtuses. Euromündi kombinatsioon vermitakse paljudes einevates tootmisasutustest, koos erinevustega mündi tooreprotsessist ja vähese nähtava juhtivuse standardi tulemusena suuremas müntide varieerumises vermitud müntide vahel, mis toodeti, kui loodeti partiid kui partiid. Samas viimastel Euroopa direktiivide standardites ja pooleliolevates töödes suurendadakse rahasüsteemi turvalisust, vähendades parameetrite väärtuste levikut, põhjustades nii olulisi väljakutseid müntide tootjatele, mis on kasutusel müügiautomaatides ja panga müntide sorteerimise masinates. VKE-de osalemine SAFEMETAL projekti rahastatakse osaliselt Teadusuuringute Rakendusameti ja Euroopa Komisjoni poolt Teadustöö VKE-de huvides programm (projekti number ) on kindlaks väljakutseks oma jõupingutustele, et suurendada EL-i kodanike turvalisust kasutades uuenduslikke intelligentseid signaali töötlemise süsteeme euro müntide kontrollimiseks ja metalli kvaliteedikontrolliks, mis esindavad suuri tootmis võimalusi. Täiustatud münt kinnitab, et arendamist vajaval tehnoloogial on vaja eristada järjest keerukamaid võltsinguid ja tihedamat täpsustamist ehtsa mündiga. See on võimalik teha eksperimentaalsete nüüdisaegsete signaaltöötluse ja andmeside fusionaaltehnikaga ning samuti arendada tasapinnalist elektromagnetilist anduri ja impulsi pöörisvooldünamomeetri mõõtetehnikaga, suurendades nii valdkonna tundlikkust. Töö on juba käimas mõnede partnerite suunas määratleda uusi kalibreerimiskordi ja tugietalone AC mõõtmises. Suur nõudlus võib oodata paremaid kontrollijaid, nii uusi masinaid ja kui ka tagantjärele olemasolevaid uuendada oma turvalisusele. Turule suunatud sisaldab müntide kontrollimist müügiautomaatides, taksofonides, automaatika teenindustes ja pankade müntide sorteerimise masinates. Uued tooted pakuvad huvi ka teistele töötleva tööstustele, sealhulgas eriti lennundusele ja tuumasektorile. Lisainfo ja kontaktandmed projekti kodulehelt: D 9.4 Page 10 of 41

11 Euro mince sú stále predmetom zvýšených protizákonných aktivít. Najviac nedávne údaje priniesli údaje o 14-tich nelegálnych mincovniach, spolu s kumulatívnym tom falšovaných mincí zistených alebo zabavených. Viac ako 80 spôsobov falšovaní mincí, a zodpovedajúcich nástrojov a pracovných postupov je identifikovaných, ktoré by smernice ETSC (Európske technické a vedecké centrum) mali a výrobných zariadení zostávajú v prevádzke. Pretože a pravých euromincí sa zlepšuje a rozsiahla zachytených v obehu narastá, je potrebný vývoj odolných proti falšovaniu a rozvoj technológií alebo moderných valid zariadení. Prioritou úlohou v oblasti výroby mincí, ich validácie a kontroly kvality kovov, viedlo k technológiám znižujúcim rozptyl elektrických parametrov a na overovanie a kontrolu kvality merania elektrickej vodivosti kovov. Poznamenajme, že tieto technológie nachádzajú okamžité uplatnenie aj v iných oblastiach so m významom. Meranie vodivosti je napríklad široko používané pre charakterizáciu tepelného spracovania hliníkových zliatin a iné non-deštruktívne testovanie (NDT), najmä pre kritické aplikácie v leteckom priemysle, jadrové reaktory, AT pretože jeden vadný kovový diel pri nehode v jadrovom reaktore. v európskych mincovniach, materiál pre polotovary pochádza od rajín má jednu výrob mincí a každá z nich používa vlastného kovových surovín. prístrojov na meranie vodivosti používa AC meranie techniky a v neexistuje žiadny štandardný normál týkajúci sa merania DC vodivosti kovov. Kombinácia euromincí produkovaných v mnohých rôznych výrobných zariadeniach spolu s variabilitou ktorá vyplýva z mnohých surovín, chýbajúce vodivostné normály, to všetko spôsobuje e variácie medzi mincami vyrobenými v rôznych mincovniach ou variáciou v jednotlivých dodávkach pre normalizáciu a práca na zvýšení rozptylu hodnôt parametrov má za následok významné výzvy pre výrobcov validátorov mincí používaných v predajných automatoch a bankových mincových triediacich strojov. SME projektu SAFEMETAL - Výskumnou Executivnou Agentúrou Európskej komisie v rámci programu "Výskum v prospech malých a stredných podn - identifikovali výzvy ktoré spôsobujú ich úsilie o D 9.4 Page 11 of 41

12 spracovanie signálov pre euro-mince validácie a kovové testovanie kvality a že predstavujú významnú pre produkciu. Vylepšené overovacie technológie mincí budú rozlišovanie medzi stále sofistikovanejšími falzifikátmi a užšie špecifikovanými skuto ými mincami. To vývojom metód spracovania signálu a technikami fúzie dát, tiež rozvojom rovinných elektromagnetických senzorov a impulzných meraní vírivých Tento vývoj je už v štádiu pokroku u niektorých partnerov pri definovaní nových ých postupov ých normálov pre AC merania. po zlepšení validátorov mincí, ako pre nové zariadenia tak pre existujúce pri vylepšení Adresovaný trh validátori mincí pre predajné a telefónne automaty, servisné automatizácie a triedenie mincí v bankách. O nové produkty budú záujem aj iný priemyselný výrobcovia, vrátane letectva a jadrového odvetvia. Viac informácií a kontaktné údaje získate na webovej stránke projektu: D 9.4 Page 12 of 41

13 ETSC (European Technical and Scientific Centre -,, - nondestructive testing (NDT SMEs SAFEMETAL Research Executive Agency SMEs pulse-eddy current D 9.4 Page 13 of 41

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15 Estonian TV Broadcast Püramiidi tipus programme Püramiidi tipus on teadussaade: tõsine ja teaduslik, kuid arusaadavas keeles ja meeles. Saate eesmärk on näidata, kuivõrd oluline roll on teadusel, uutel tehnoloogiatel ning erksal insenerimõttel tänapäeval. Tutvustame oma saadetes väga erinevates valdkondades tegelevaid Eesti või Eesti juurtega teadlasi ja insenere, kes on oma teoreetilise mõtte, avastuse, meetodi leiutamise, tõestuse, uue tehnoloogia või rakenduse väljatöötamisega elu edasi viinud. Igas saates keskendutakse ühele põhiteemale, mida esindab üks või enam teadlast, inseneri või nende rühm. Saateid vaadates saab meie maailmapilt selgem ja avaram, saame paremini aru protsessidest, mis meie ümber toimuvad ning oskame näha seoseid ja valikuid, mis suunas maailm areneb. Ühtlasi püüame leida vastuse, kuidas puudutab teadlaste ja inseneride töö tavainimest, kuidas see meie elu mõjutab või paremaks muudab. Mart Min Tallinna Tehnikaülikooli teadlased on leiutanud efektiivse viisi elektrilise impedantsi mõõtmiseks. Elektriline impedants on aine, materjali või struktuuri takistus vahelduvale elektrivoolule. Kuna igal ainel on takistustegur erinev, saab impedantsi mõõtes selgitada katsetatava objekti kvaliteeti või ehtsust. Avastatud meetodile on järgnenud mitmeid kasulikke patenteeritud seadmeid, mis kõik inimeste elu ühel või teisel moel paremaks teevad. Nii on näiteks Elektroonikainstituudi töörühm professor Mart Mini juhtimisel välja töötanud originaalse impedantsil põhineva lahenduse südamerütmuri jaoks. Sama meetodit saab kasutada ka südamelihase isheemia varaseks avastamiseks, siirdatud kudede ja organite kohanemis- ja eluvõime jälgimiseks, aga ka metallide, näiteks euromüntide ehtsuse kiireks tuvastamiseks. autorid Astrid Kannel ja Neeme Raud toimetajad Astrid Kannel ja Neeme Raud re dissöör ja monteerija Tarvo Mölder graafik Martti Leetsar helilooja Meelis Meri operaatorid Margus Malm, Tauno Sirel ja Kaido Tiits produtsent Ene-Maris Tali D 9.4 Page 15 of 41

16 Other Press Releases/ Project Updates (Dunvegan, English) Press release, Liverpool, United Kingdom, 10th January, 2011 SAFEM ETAL project featured in television programme Püramiidi tipus (English: Top of the pyramid) is a series of TV programmes highlighting innovative research in Estonia. The goal is to present in a clear and intelligible manner the important roles of science, new technology, and engineering in the context of today s real needs. Each programme in the series focuses on one key issue, represented by one or more scientists, engineers or a research group. The broadcasts target fostering a better understanding of the scientific processes, what is happening around us and identifying relationships to evolving real needs in a global context. The programmes also try to find the answer to how the work of our innovative scientists and engineers affects our lives, with the potential for improvements. More details from the Püramiidi tipus programme web site: Mart Min The programme to be screened on Estonian national TV on 12th February 2011 will feature the work of Prof. Mart Min. Estonian scientist and inventor Prof. Mart Min has invented several methods and devices for the measurement of electrical impedance a measurement of how electricity travels through a given material providing results far more precise and informative than ever before. His measurement methods have been so successful that they are now used in a variety of different ways: from analysing biological tissue to monitoring battery-based power supplies, including communication equipment and space satellites. Mins work in the SAFEMETAL project is concentrating on how to make automatic coin validation more reliable. One of the technological challenges is that euro coins are produced in many different countries and in vast quantities, with the result that unstamped coins from different suppliers and of varying compositions are used. To assure quality of the metals and unstamped coins in the face of these differences, Min uses a type of impedance spectroscopy which he has refined, adding new, smart signal-processing techniques for analysing the measurements. D 9.4 Page 16 of 41

17 About SAFEMETAL The FP7 SME SAFEMETAL project Increasing EU citizen security by utilising innovative intelligent signal processing systems for euro-coin validation and metal quality testing is a multi-national research project partially funded by the European Commission s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) within the Research for the benefit of SMEs initiative. The commercial partners in the project are: Ardoran, EDIS, Dunvegan, and Algosystems. Research and academic partners are: Tallinn University of Technology, Metrosert, Electronics Design, Riga Technical University, Telecommunication Systems Institute, and University of Cyprus. The project started on 1st December, 2010 and will run for 24 months. Please visit for more information. About Dunvegan Dunvegan is a UK-based SME electronics business, with activities encompassing telecommunications, medical electronics and industrial measurement and control systems. Within the SAFEMETAL project, Dunvegan intends to develop a high-speed coin validator as a sub-system for bank coin sorting machines. Market research and existing partnerships confirm a high level of demand and ready market for the new system. D 9.4 Page 17 of 41

18 Press release, Liverpool, United Kingdom, 4th April, 2011 Innovations of SAFEM ETAL project recognised by European Innovator Award nomination Estonian scientist and inventor Prof. Mart Min has invented several methods and devices for the measurement of electrical impedance a measurement of how electricity travels through a given material providing results far more precise and informative than ever before. His measurement methods have been so successful that they are now used in a variety of different ways: from analysing biological tissue to monitoring battery-based power supplies, including communication equipment and space satellites. Mins work in the SAFEMETAL project is concentrating on how to make automatic coin validation more reliable. One of the technological challenges is that euro coins are produced in many different countries and in vast quantities, with the result that unstamped coins from different suppliers and of varying compositions are used. To assure quality of the metals and unstamped coins in the face of these differences, Min uses a type of impedance spectroscopy which he has refined, adding new, smart signal-processing techniques for analysing the measurements. The driving force behind the innovation process is people people with a passion for discovery. Without their inquisitive minds, their quest for new ideas and their creativity, there would be no inventive spirit and no progress. As one of the most prestigious competitions of its kind, the European Inventor Award pays tribute to the creativity of inventors the world over, who use their technical, scientific and intellectual skills to make a real contribution to technological progress and economic growth and so improve people s daily lives. Launched by the European Patent Office (EPO) in 2006, the award gives inventors the recognition they deserve. And, like every competition, it acts as an incentive for other potential winners. It helps to Media coverage protect ideas and encourage innovation. More details from the European Innovator Award web site: About SAFEMETAL The FP7 SME SAFEMETAL project Increasing EU citizen security by utilising innovative intelligent signal processing systems for euro-coin validation and metal quality testing is a multi-national research project partially funded by the European Commission s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) within the Research for the benefit of SMEs initiative. The commercial partners in the project are: Ardoran, EDIS, Dunvegan, and Algosystems. Research and academic partners are: Tallinn University of Technology, Metrosert, Electronics Design, Riga Technical University, Telecommunication Systems Institute, and University of Cyprus. The project started on 1st December, 2010 and will run for 24 months. Please visit for more information. D 9.4 Page 18 of 41

19 About Dunvegan Dunvegan is a UK-based SME electronics business, with activities encompassing telecommunications, medical electronics and industrial measurement and control systems. Within the SAFEMETAL project, Dunvegan intends to develop a high-speed coin validator as a sub-system for bank coin sorting machines. Market research and existing partnerships confirm a high level of demand and ready market for the new system. D 9.4 Page 19 of 41

20 Other Press Releases/ Project Updates (Ardoran, Estonian) Figure 1: Example of take-up of the press release regarding Estonian national television programme featuring the work of Prof. Mart Min at Tallinn University of Technology, including links to two on-line videos and television programme that featured the project D 9.4 Page 20 of 41