An indicator-based assessment framework to identify country-specific challenges towards greener grow

The paper sets the basis for an indicator-based analytical framework to assess Member States' policies to promote "green growth".An illustrative application of this new analytical framework reveals that it can be used to provide a nuanced economic assessment of Member States' environmental performance. This framework can serve to highlight country-specific strengths in addressing environmental challenges in a way that best fosters growth and jobs. To prepare for future economic policy monitoring at the EU level, a test was also run to analyse performance in various dimensions of environmental policy in combination with information about macroeconomic performance.Overall, this framework can contribute to identify country-specific challenges to create new sources of green growth; it may therefore serve to encourage relevant structural reforms bringing about a competitive greener economy.europa european commission institutions news calendar organisation commissioners president recruitment contact services european union eu

What is the growth potential of green innovation? An assessment of EU climate policy options

This paper provides a model-based analysis of the cost-efficiency of different EU climate policy options that could direct innovation in the private sector towards an environmentally sustainable growth path. Our objective is to assess different policy options in order to identify an appropriate policy-mix of environmental and innovation market instruments in terms of their cost-effectiveness. For this purpose, we develop a fully-dynamic, multisectoral DSGE model with endogenous technological change where we specifically identify its environmental content and we calibrate the model for the EU and the rest of the world. Our results suggest that an appropriate policy mix should intensively stimulate R&D in the green sectors in the short-run and phase-it out by spreading the R&D support to all sectors of the economy in the medium-term. Although intuitive, the orders of magnitude presented in this paper should be interpreted with caution by taking into account the underlying assumptions of the model and identification of green innovation data.Carbon revenue recycling, climate change, directed technical change, double dividend, dynamic general equilibrium model, endogenous growth, R&D

Investigation of sustainable porous carbon as radar absorbing material

Radar Absorbing Materials (RAMs) are composite materials able to attenuate an incident electromagnetic wave. Usually, RAMs are made of a polymeric matrix and an electromagnetic absorbent filler, such as silicon carbide or carbon black. Several materials have been investigated as potential fillers, aiming to improve the Reflection Loss (RL) and absorption bandwidth broadening. In this paper, a composite made with silicone rubber and biochar was investigated as a sustainable porous carbon made with biomass waste. Five different composites were characterized, composed of 1 - 5 wt.% of biochar in the silicone rubber. Although the RL of pure biochar composites is not significant, it was demonstrated here how a biochar composite can improve the RL of a RAM material when it is applied as a double-layer structure. While the RL of a ferrite-based RAM with 2.0 mm thickness reaches -28 dB, a combination of this RAM with biochar composite reaches ~ -60 dB with the same thickness. The double-layer structure with 2.3 mm thickness can have an absorption bandwidth of 2.95 GHz over the X-band frequency range, and a structure with 2.6 mm thickness can reach a RL of ~-76 dB. This demonstrates a sustainable, cheaper, and lighter material application (i.e., biochar), which is successfully used in the development of high-efficient electromagnetic shield or sensors.Keywords: Biochar, permittivity, RAM, sustainability, reflectivity.

Epoxy Mold Compound Characterization for Modeling Packaging Reliability

This paper presents a study on Epoxy Mold Compounds (EMC) used as encapsulant in Quad Flat No-lead (QFN) packages. The goal is to characterize the behaviour of the two different EMCs during thermal cycling to be able to model and predict the lifetime of the package. A 3-point bending (3PB) test in temperature is used for the mechanical characterization of the EMCs. The different III-V dies substrates used in the QFN are also characterized with this method. The flexural modulus and the glass transition temperature (Tg) are characterized for the epoxies. The modulus values match the theoretical data while the mean value of Tg in the transition zone for each material is estimated at 100°C, which is 35-40°C below the values given by the manufacturer and is in the thermal cycling test range. The silica filler rate in the resins is also studied according to the sample position to the resin injection point. Modelling of the flexural experiments has been done with ANSYS Mechanical to make sure to understand how to model the mechanical behaviour of the EMC

GECO2015. Global Energy and Climate Outlook. Road to Paris. Assessment of Low Emission Levels under World Action Integrating National Contributions

This report presents the modelling work quoted in the EC communication "The Paris Protocol - a blueprint for tackling global climate change beyond 2020” in the EU’s Energy Union package. It examines the effects of a Baseline scenario where current trends continue beyond 2020, and of a Global Mitigation scenario in line with keeping global warming below 2°C. The analysis uses the POLES and GEM-E3 models in a framework where economic welfare is maximised while tackling climate change. In the Baseline, emissions trigger +3.5°C global warming. In the Global Mitigation scenario, all regions realise domestic emission cuts to stay below 2°C, with various profiles in 2020-2050 depending on their national characteristics. A significant transformation of the energy systems and non-energy measures enable regions at all levels of income to move to a low-emission growth pathway. Sectors linked (directly or indirectly) to carbon-intensive processes adjust their investments to be competitive in a low-emission environment. A significant number of regions draw economic benefits from shifting their expenditures on fossil energy imports to investments. GDP growth rates are marginally affected in most regions by global efforts to reduce emissions. Crucially, high growth rates are maintained in fast-growing low-income regions. Economic costs are reduced further when countries use emission permit auction revenues for other tax reductions. Delaying actions to stay below 2°C add large economic costs.JRC.J.1-Economics of Climate Change, Energy and Transpor

GECO2015. Global Energy and Climate Outlook. Road to Paris. Assessment of Low Emission Levels under World Action Integrating National Contributions

This report is an exploration with POLES and GEM-E3 models of some possible ways to deliver such global effort to stay below 2°C through processes established in the run-up to Paris COP21. This report explores a combination of domestically determined mitigation targets for the period beyond 2020 inspired by the 2°C objectives, differentiated according to national capabilities and based on the most recent estimates of the effects of the current pre2020 pledges and policies. This report also explores how a framework of international collaboration could enhance further the domestic mitigation contributions. The modelling confirms that all regions can define domestic mitigation goals in line with 2°C, based on their current policy experiences, and that the institutions and mechanisms put in place under the Climate Convention framework can be mobilised to deliver enhanced climate and economic benefits, especially for the countries with less capabilities. The modelling with POLES and GEM-E3 brings out a number of findings consistent with other recent model based analysis to support the preparation of the Paris agreement (IDDRI Deep decarbonisation pathways, New Climate Economy report): 1. Our scenario of global action in line with staying below 2°C require a significant transformation across all regions, and at global level they correspond to large-scale changes compared to the baseline scenario. Especially: up-scaling of low-carbon energy supply, improvements in energy efficiency, adopting low-emission technologies in all sectors are essentials. Decoupling of growth from emissions does not happen in the baseline scenarios under the continuation of the current policies; only pro-active mitigation policies by all countries can unlock the necessary changes in investment patterns and decoupling of growth from emissions. 2. Global mitigation action is taking place over a background of autonomous evolutions of the global energy markets and under a persisting diversity amongst countries and regions. Climate action can be differentiated and tailored to these evolutions. 3. For each country, engaging in global mitigation action is a long-term structural challenge, with shifts in investments, trade flows, and the key sectors of the economy. At the same time these changes are manageable compared to the pace of economic growth at global level and in each region. Integrating climate action in the framework of the national economic policy, and especially using the revenues of emission pricing to reduce other distortionary taxes, would benefit each and all regions. Relying on international collaboration to deliver additional global emission reductions can further improve the economic prospects for the countries in greatest need for economic development and at global level. 4. The efforts that countries are taking to engage in global climate action in line with 2°C are also delivering benefits in terms of improving energy security (reducing the burden of fossil fuel imports for net consumers, as well as diversifying the energy trade for some energy exporters); improving productivity and diversifying the economy (some sectors like equipment or services increase their weight and trade). There are further major benefits from global climate action that the models used here have not represented in terms of health and air pollution reduction, innovation, food security, improved resilience, etc.JRC.J.1-Economics of Climate Change, Energy and Transpor

Reliability of Fan-Out Wafer Level Packaging For III-V RF Power MMICs

International audienc

Caracterização eletromagnética do compósito de carbeto de silício e negro de fumo em matriz polimérica

Este trabalho apresenta as propriedades eletromagnéticas de um Material Absorvedor de Radiação Eletromagnética (MARE) feito a partir de Carbeto de Silício (SiC) e Negro de Fumo (NF) como aditivos. O compósito SiC/NF foi produzido utilizando 70 %(m/m) de matriz de silicone, e variando as concentrações do aditivo em 3 %(m/m), 2 %(m/m) e 1 %(m/m) de NF com 27 %(m/m), 28 %(m/m) e 29 %(m/m) de SiC, respectivamente. A estrutura química e a morfologia das partículas de SiC e NF foram analisadas através de espectroscopia Raman e Microscopia Eletrônica de Varredura (MEV). As propriedades dielétricas dos MAREs foram obtidas por meio do analisador de rede vetorial na faixa de frequência de 12,4 a 18,0 GHz. Os resultados de refletividade mostraram que o compósito SiC/NF com 1 %(m/m) de NF apresentou a melhor absorção de radiação eletromagnética, chegando a -47,9 dB em 16,8 GHz com uma amostra de aproximadamente 5,5 mm de espessura.Palavras-chave: MARE, banda Ku, refletividade, permissividade, material dielétrico.