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We observe the world around us predominantly through the measurement of optical intensity. Although powerful, this leaves the other fundamental optical degrees of freedom, phase and polarisation massively under-utilized. Our tendency to solely use intensity results from the static sensor technology that is available, which offer very limited ability to dynamically reconfigure their function or perform any optical processing. In Super-Pixels we will co-develop a new integrated sensor platform that will revolutionize the way we process light to allow the full utilization of its fundamental properties. Redefining the core functionality of our sensor technology will radically impact the technology that is deployed in a broad spectrum of cross-disciplinary areas such as nano-particle detection, compact atmospheric corrected imaging systems, endoscopy, coherent communications and on-chip processing of structured light. This vision will be enabled by a compact and multi-functional photonic integrated chip that would be installed into phones, microscopes, cameras, communication and environmental monitoring systems, becoming central part of the way we collect and process optical information. In Super-pixels, we will create such an integrated photonics device that is based on a mesh of several hundred Mach-Zehnder interferometers, which will be used to dynamically map phase and polarization, with the ability to fully transform any optical field incident. A revolutionary prototype system will be delivered that will partner our Super-Pixels chip with a commercially available camera to enhance its functionality within a single frame of a camera. This prototype will support a number of potential applications that include visualising normally invisible nano-particles through phase mapping, imaging through multimode optical fibres, reconfigurable quantum communication links and mapping of airflow and particulates through phase and polarisation retrieval.

Our long-term vision is that AVATAR therapy is optimised for delivery in clinical settings, with the impact that a novel effective treatment for distressing voices is readily adopted in UK and international clinical settings. As a result of the current study we expect the impact to be: - Software platform tested and optimised for use in NHS settings - Further evidence of effectiveness and the relative cost effectiveness of two therapy levels, including a further elaboration of the participants for whom the simpler phase 1 approach would be sufficient. The advantage of this being that the therapy would be more rapidly disseminated as the more straightforward skills needed for this phase are widely available and at lower cost both in the UK and internationally compared to the specialised psychological therapy skills necessary for phase 2 - Clarity about optimal therapy content and training, with published therapy operational and clinical manuals - Evidence sufficient for a NICE recommendation of AVATAR as a treatment in the NHS. This is a key next step in the wider dissemination of this therapy in the UK and will also be helpful data for similar clinical guideline and policy recommendations in the US and elsewhere AVATAR therapy is a brief intervention aimed at reducing the frequency of auditory verbal hallucinations (AVH, henceforth ‘voices’). It involves the use of a digital simulation (avatar) of the entity the person believes is the source of the voice in a three-way discussion between participant, avatar and therapist, focussing initially on managing anxiety and helping the participant to stand up to the avatar (phase 1) followed by a realistic enactment of the ascribed character of the voice, targeting processes that are specific to an individualised formulation (phase 2). The first fully powered RCT found AVATAR therapy resulted in a rapid and substantial fall in frequency and associated distress of voices that was superior to a supportive counselling control condition at 12 weeks. In the current study we have four main goals. First, a multicentre RCT to examine the effects of high and low intensity AVATAR therapy (where high intensity involves both phases and low intensity only phase 1) by comparing each to a treatment as usual comparator, and to identify who would be likely to benefit from the high intensity therapy versus those for whom low intensity alone would be sufficient. Second, to examine the relative cost-effectiveness of the two levels of AVATAR therapy and routine treatment. Third, to broaden the availability of AVATAR therapy by expanding the number of staff trained in geographically dispersed NHS settings. Finally, to provide the evidence on effects and cost-effectiveness necessary to take AVAVAR therapy to recommendation by guideline bodies such as NICE.

Water scarcity is probably one of the biggest challenges of the 21st century. According to the United Nations, it affects more than 40 percent of the global population, and by 2050 more than 5 bn people could suffer water shortages. Europe is not an exemption, as one third of European countries have relatively low availability of water. In Mediterranean area there is both a severe lack and great demand for water. However, climate change and growing water demand is projected to increase water shortages in other EU regions. The ocean is seen as a promising source for providing drinking water to the more than 40% of EU population living in coastal areas. However, traditional technologies for water desalination are highly energy demanding and the capital and operation costs are not affordable for small to medium-sized applications. W2W-Water to Water is a state-of-the-art desalination system that tackles these two challenges. It has been originally conceived to be used with renewable energies (intermittent power) and to provide clean water from seawater or brackish groundwater. It is easily scalable, mobile and rapidly deployable even in remote areas. It is highly versatile, and it adapts to be used in multiple applications such as: drinking water delivery in low-income and developing countries, humanitarian aid and disaster relief operations or to support the water distribution in intense touristic areas during the dry season. We are Rainmaker, a Dutch SME focused on developing sustainable and decentralized water purification technologies to produce clean water. We have planned the activities required to build, install and validate the first W2W industrial unit, providing around 80 m3 of clean water daily. The market deployment of W2W will start in 2021 and by 2025, we expect having installed 200 units worldwide. This will make Rainmaker grow up (18 new jobs) and will place Rainmaker at the forefront of sustainable water supply.

DESIRA will develop the concept of Socio-Cyber-Physical Systems to advance understanding of the impact of digitisation in rural areas, linking analysis directly to the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals. Operationalising the Responsible Research and Innovation approach, DESIRA will enrol agriculture, forestry and rural stakeholders in co-developing scenarios and policies in Living Labs established in 20 European Regions, and a Rural Digitization Forum gathering 250 stakeholders from all Europe. A Virtual Research Environment tailored to the purposes of the project will connect all participants and allow to increase substantially the interaction within the network. DESIRA will provide a Taxonomy and Inventory of Digital Game changers which will be implemented into an online Visualization Tool, a Set of Socio-Economic Impact Indicators aligned to the Sustainability Development Goals implemented into an online Socio-Economic Impact Tool, a Pan-European Assessment of digitization in European rural regions, a Needs, Expectations and Impact appraisal report, a Comparative Scenario Report based on scenario development activities of Living Labs and the Rural Digitization Forum, a Policy analysis and Roadmap, an Ethical Code to be adopted by researchers and innovators and recommended by policy bodies, five Use Cases that will report a further analysis – co-created by Living Labs with the support of ICT specialists - of the most promising solutions identified by Living Labs, Showcase Technologies - including a Virtual Farm Platform - that will create a selection of proof of concepts suggested by Use Cases. A detailed, multi-media dissemination, engagement and communication strategy will accompany the project from the beginning, looking at research as a multifunctional (research, engagement and communication) process and at the same time involving communication specialists in the development of adequate messages and in the choice of the most effective media.