ScienceView | Impressive Greek innovation and tech in Taiwan

The 2014 International Invention Show & Technomart took place in Taiwan 18-21 September and had more than 600 participants from 22 countries presenting over 2000 inventions and innovative products.

The Greek mission, consisting of research centers under the auspices of the General Secretariat for Research and Technology (GSRT), participated and won several international awards.

GSRT Secretary General Christos Vasilakos stated: “Our goals were successful and for the first time our country has participated in such an organized event and managed to get three honors from Taiwan, Korea and Qatar. Furthermore, the innovations presented by the Greek research centers were awarded with one platinum, four gold and two silver medals, as well as an honorable distinction.”

The Aerosol and Particle Technology Laboratory of CPERI/CERTH received a golden award for the development of a ‘solar fuel’ production technology that uses solar power, water and carbon dioxide to produce hydrogen and hydrobarbons. This system is based on the HYDROSOL technology that received the EU’s Descartes Award and the ERC Advanced Grant awarded to Dr. Athanasios G. Konstandopoulos.

Three outcomes of the Ambient Intelligence (AmI) project undertaken by the Institute of Computer Science (ICS) of the Foundation for Research and Technology – Hellas (FORTH) were also awarded. The InteractiveWall system received a platinum award and supports games that can be used for the promotion of products and services (advergaming). It has been successfully exhibited in Greece and elsewhere, and it is installed in ports and airports of Crete. The InteractiveDocuments system received a gold medal and enriches printed material (books, maps etc.) when placed on any conventional surface. Users can interact with the material by choosing points of interest and receiving additional multimedia content (photos, videos etc.). The system was also awarded at the world’s largest tourism trade fair ITB Berlin 2014. The iEat system received a silver medal and is an interactive table that promotes entertainment and creativity. Users can view a digital image of the available dishes and complete their order using an e-pen, they can draw on the table and even upload their creations on Facebook and Twitter.