Biodegradable hollow fibres for the controlled release of hormones

Poly(l-lactide), (PLLA), hollow fibres were prepared using a dry-wet phase inversion spinning process. The effect of several spinning parameters (i.e. bore medium flow rate, spinning dope extrusion rate, fibre take-up rate, and spinning height) on the hollow fibre dimensions is reported. The use of several spinning systems (i.e. different solvent/non-solvent pairs with or without additive) resulted in PLLA hollow fibres with varying asymmetric membrane structures, i.e. a porous matrix covered by an internal and external skin varying from very thick and dense to very thin and porous. Some of the differences in membrane structure were qualitatively explained on the basis of a model developed by Reuvers [52] for the formation of flat-sheet membranes by immersion precipitation. Release experiments were carried out using PLLA hollow fibres filled with a 25 wt.% dispersion of micronized 3H-levonorgestrel in castor oil, and a receiving fluid consisting of 40 wt.% aqueous ethanol. The hollow fibre levonorgestrel release rates were found to be dependent on the membrane structure of the hollow fibre wall. For the different hollow fibre samples, zero-order levonorgestrel release rates were found, in the range of 0.1–10 μg/cm/day. Possible release mechanisms are discussed. Preliminary in vivo (rabbit) release experiments showed that constant levonorgestrel blood plasma levels could be obtained for a period up to 210 days. It is concluded that the new biodegradable hollow fibre reservoir device shows very promising properties for possible application as a long-acting contraceptive delivery system

JRC-Frontex Spaceborne SAR Small Boat Detection Campaign – Italy & Spain

The European maritime area is one of Europe’s most important assets with regard to resources, security and ultimately prosperity of the Member States. A significant part of Europe’s economy relies directly or indirectly on it. It is not just the shipping or fisheries industries and their related activities. It is also shipbuilding and ports, marine equipment and offshore energy, maritime and coastal tourism, aquaculture, submarine telecommunications, blue biotech and the protection of the marine environment. The European maritime area faces several risks and threats posed by unlawful activities, such as drugs trafficking, smuggling, illegal immigration, organised crime and terrorism. Piracy in international waters also constitutes a threat to Europe since it can disrupt the maritime transport chain. These risks and threats can endanger human lives, marine resources and the environment, as well as significantly disrupt the transport chain and global and local security. It is anticipated that these risks and threats will endure in the mid and long run. In order to keep Europe as a world leader in the global maritime economy, an effective integrated/interoperable, sustainable maritime surveillance system and situational awareness are needed. A significant number of unlawful maritime activities, such as illegal immigration, drugs trafficking, smuggling, piracy and terrorism involve mainly small boats, because small boats are faster and more difficult to detect using conventional means. Hence, it is very important to find out the feasibility of using SAR Satellite images for small boat detection. This report describes the results of the JRC/Frontex joint spaceborne SAR maritime surveillance campaign aimed at small boat detection in Sardinia-Italy and Palomares Canyon-Spain. The relatively reduced amount of data collected and analysed does not allow drawing final conclusions about the feasibility of using SAR Satellites for small boat detection. But the trial has given some indications. A SAR image acquired over the beach of Porto Canale suggests that it is feasible to detect small boats (>6m) on land (e.g. beach). However, further detection campaigns are needed before final conclusions can be drawn. Concerning the trials on open sea, in none of the eight SAR images a detection was found exactly at the reported test boat position. However, based on a more accommodating but reasonable analysis of the uncertainties in the trials, a detection score of 30-50 % for the small boats is indicated, with calm sea conditions needed for positive detection.JRC.G.4 - Maritime affair

JRC – Elbit Systems Coupled UAS and Spaceborne SAR Campaign in Israel

The European maritime area is one of Europe’s most important assets with regard to resources, security and ultimately prosperity of the Member States. A significant part of Europe’s economy relies directly or indirectly on it. It is not just the shipping or fisheries industries and their related activities. It is also shipbuilding and ports, marine equipment and offshore energy, maritime and coastal tourism, aquaculture, submarine telecommunications, blue biotech and the protection of the marine environment. The European maritime area faces several risks and threats posed by unlawful activities, such as drugs trafficking, smuggling, illegal immigration, organised crime and terrorism. Piracy in international waters also constitutes a threat to Europe since it can disrupt the maritime transport chain. These risks and threats can endanger human lives, marine resources and the environment, as well as significantly disrupt the transport chain and global and local security. It is anticipated that these risks and threats will endure in the mid and long run. In order to keep Europe as a world leader in the global maritime economy, an effective integrated/interoperable, sustainable maritime surveillance system and situational awareness are needed. A significant number of unlawful maritime activities, such as illegal immigration, drugs trafficking, smuggling, piracy and terrorism involve mainly small boats, because small boats are faster and more difficult to detect using conventional means. Hence, it is very important to find out the feasibility of using Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) for small boat detection, tracking, classification and identification, as well as to study the potential of UAS for maritime surveillance. Since 2010 the EC-JRC has carried out a number of UAS maritime surveillance campaigns to study the potential of UAS for maritime surveillance, in particular for small boat detection. This report presents the results and conclusions of the JRC – Elbit Systems Coupled UAS and Spaceborne SAR campaign carried out in Dec. 2010 in Haifa, Israel.JRC.G.4-Maritime affair

JRC - Metasensing Coupled Spaceborne & Airborne SAR Campaign in Rotterdam

The European maritime area is one of Europe’s most important assets with regard to resources, security and ultimately prosperity of the Member States. A significant part of Europe’s economy relies directly or indirectly on it. It is not just the shipping or fisheries industries and their related activities. It is also shipbuilding and ports, marine equipment and offshore energy, maritime and coastal tourism, aquaculture, submarine telecommunications, blue biotech and the protection of the marine environment. The European maritime area faces several risks and threats posed by unlawful activities, such as drugs trafficking, smuggling, illegal immigration, organised crime and terrorism. Piracy in international waters also constitutes a threat to Europe since it can disrupt the maritime transport chain. These risks and threats can endanger human lives, marine resources and the environment, as well as significantly disrupt the transport chain and global and local security. It is anticipated that these risks and threats will endure in the mid and long run. In order to keep Europe as a world leader in the global maritime economy, an effective integrated/interoperable, sustainable maritime surveillance system and situational awareness are needed. A significant number of unlawful maritime activities, such as illegal immigration, drugs trafficking, smuggling, piracy and terrorism involve mainly small boats, because small boats are faster and more difficult to detect using conventional means. Hence, it is very important to find out the feasibility of using new sensors and platforms, such as SAR or Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) for small boat detection, tracking, classification and identification, as well as to study the potential of airborne SAR for maritime surveillance. Since 2010 the EC-JRC has carried out a number of coupled UAS and spaceborne SAR maritime surveillance campaigns to assess the potential of UAS for maritime surveillance, in particular for small boat detection. This report presents the results and conclusions of the JRC – Metasensing Coupled Spaceborne SAR and Airborne SAR campaign carried out in Feb. 2011 in Rotterdam, The Netherlands.JRC.G.4-Maritime affair

First Analyses of Sentinel-1 Images for Maritime Surveillance

Sentinel-1 is the European Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite operational since 3 October 2014. The SAR’s characteristics should make it suitable for maritime surveillance (ship detection), and it will routinely collect a large amount of maritime imagery over European and global seas. After its launch in April 2014, preliminary data have been made available to limited users in the satellite’s commissioning phase, and since the start of the operational phase data are available to the general public. These early data have been used to assess the quality of Sentinel-1 images and their suitability for ship detection. This was partly done by using the JRC’s ship detection software SUMO, after adaptation to ingest and process Sentinel-1 data. It is found that the sensor lives up to its specifications, thereby making it very useful for maritime surveillance thanks to its combination of wide swath and low noise at the medium resolution with which it will mostly be operated (“IW” and “EW” modes).JRC.G.3-Maritime affair