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Finnish VTT in historic collaboration with US entities – commercial fusion energy closer than ever

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ESPOO, Finland, Oct. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — VTT, based in Finland, has been selected as the first-ever foreign partner to join an ARPA-E research program funded by the US Department of Energy, focusing on enabling the commercialisation of fusion energy. Related to the collaboration, VTT and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) in California, US, have signed a memorandum of understanding for science and technology cooperation. Through these joint projects, VTT’s expertise will play a central role in global technology development.

VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland has joined an ARPA-E (Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy) program funded by the US Department of Energy, aiming to accelerate the commercial use of fusion energy. The collaboration aims to solve the challenges of materials needed in extreme conditions, which are a bottleneck in the commercialisation of fusion energy.

“Fusion energy is considered the ‘holy grail’ of clean energy, but issues with material durability have slowed breakthroughs for decades,” says Anssi Laukkanen, Research Professor at VTT.

What makes this collaboration particularly exceptional is that the US Department of Energy is directly funding the participation of a European research institution. ARPA-E is known for its top-tier research projects that focus on solving the biggest challenges in the energy sector. This is the first time the US Department of Energy has brought in a foreign partner to this project.

VTT brings its expertise in computational materials engineering and AI-based simulation methods to the initiative. These methods allow for testing the durability of materials in extreme conditions by simulating hundreds of millions of computational experiments.

“The traditional process of developing new materials can take decades. VTT’s simulation and AI technologies shorten the development cycles to months, allowing us to quickly discover, optimise and create case-specific materials tailored to a specific need,” Laukkanen explains.

The project focuses on developing materials for the first wall of fusion reactors, which must withstand extreme temperatures and radiation for several years. The lack of materials that meet these requirements has been a significant barrier to the commercial implementation of fusion reactors.

“Fusion energy has long been a vision that has always been said to be 50 years away. Now research is advancing to the point where the first commercial players expect applications in just 5-10 years from now. If successful, fusion energy could revolutionise energy production and help solve global climate challenges,” Laukkanen says.

VTT and LLNL collaborate to solve critical energy and sustainability issues

The collaboration between VTT and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) aims to develop revolutionary solutions for both the energy market and sustainable development.

The collaboration covers five key research areas: biotechnology, critical materials and green technologies, quantum computing, energy materials and structural alloys and materials for fusion energy. The agreement is the result of VTT’s particularly strong expertise in developing materials and computational models for extreme conditions.

In material development, VTT uses unique AI-assisted VTT ProperTune computing and simulation technology, which has enabled the development of better material solutions, for example for fusion energy. VTT has also heavily invested in the development of quantum algorithms and software. These factors made VTT an attractive partner.

“The new agreement allows us to deepen our long-standing collaboration and advance research more systematically. Collaboration with a top-tier research institution like LLNL offers a unique opportunity to tackle the critical problems of our time,” says VTT CEO Antti Vasara.

VTT’s involvement in internationally significant research projects raises the profile of European technology in the United States and lays the foundation for new business opportunities in Europe as well.

“For us, this is not just about research, but also about bringing Finnish innovations to international markets. Now, we have an opportunity to be involved in developing new technologies with enormous market potential. The success of even one area could have significant impacts on economic growth,” says Tua Huomo, Executive Vice President of VTT’s sustainable products and materials business area.

Media material

https://vtt.contenthub.fi/ui/shares/w17367579/0l0wyAPYhY/en/ 

LLNL Deputy Director for Science and Technology Pat Falcone, right, and VTT Chief Executive Officer Antti Vasara, sign the MOU on Oct. 1. (Photo: Blaise Douros/LLNL)

For more information, please contact:
Anssi Laukkanen, Research Professor,
+358 40 820 8039, anssi.laukkanen@vtt.fi

Further information on VTT:
Satu Holm-Jumppanen
Manager, Communications
+358 50 305 4718, satu.holm-jumppanen@vtt.fi 
www.vtt.fi

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

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Finnish VTT in historic collaboration with US entities — commercial fusion energy closer than ever

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VTT LLNL MoU Signing 2024 1

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VTT LLNL MoU Signing 2024 2

 

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Presight and Viettel Sign a MOU to Boost Applied AI, and Digital Transformation Initiatives

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ABU DHABI, UAE, Oct. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Presight, the UAE’s leading big data analytics company powered by generative AI, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Viettel AI, a leading artificial intelligence research center in Vietnam, member of Viettel Group. The MoU aims to promote cooperation between both entities and advance the development of Applied AI and digital transformation initiatives. The MoU was signed in Abu Dhabi by Thomas Pramotedham, CEO of Presight, and Nguyen Manh Quy, CEO of Viettel AI.

The signing ceremony took place in Dubai within the Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s working session with businesses of the two countries.

As part of the agreement, Presight and Viettel AI will enhance collaboration to leverage technology, data, and innovative approaches to address challenges related to transportation, safety, and environmental impact. Key areas of collaboration include digital development initiatives, enterprise and generative AI development, customer and industry-tailored big data analytics solutions, deployment of AI-powered solutions for enterprises and smart cities, and collaboration on AI workforce.

At the meeting, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh assessed that Vietnam and the UAE are increasingly strengthening connections via telecommunications and fiber optic cables and may soon connect more closely through artificial intelligence.

Thomas Pramotedham, CEO of Presight, said: “We are excited to embark on this strategic collaboration with Viettel AI. By combining our expertise and resources in Applied AI, we aim to drive significant advancements in digital transformation initiatives. Viettel AI excels in various aspects of data analytics and NLP, and I am grateful that Presight, together with Viettel, has the opportunity to contribute to Vietnam’s progress towards digital transformation.”

Nguyen Manh Quy, CEO of Viettel AI, said: “With Viettel AI’s research capabilities in the fields of AI, Big Data, Robotics and Digital Twin, and our experience in deploying many national AI platforms and projects of Viettel, combined with Presight’s market understanding and advanced technology, we are confident that we will create breakthroughs in the field of artificial intelligence. In particular, focusing on developing products and services using native languages will help us bring better experiences to users in each countries.”

As a pioneering technology enterprise in Vietnam, Viettel Group currently has the largest data center infrastructure in Vietnam. Viettel Group is also a pioneer in developing large Vietnamese language models, with AI products for court virtual assistants, civil servant virtual assistants and AI for processing specialized tasks for financial enterprises. Currently, Viettel virtual assistants are being used effectively in ministries/sectors, provincial/municipal governments and financial enterprises.

Notes for Editors
For more information, please contact Presight@edelman.com or media@presight.ai

About Presight
Presight, a publicly traded company listed on the ADX, with G42, based in Abu Dhabi, as its majority shareholder, is the region’s leading big data analytics company powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI). It combines big data, analytics, and AI expertise to serve all sectors, at any scale, creating both business and social impact. With its world-class computer vision platform, AI, and omni-analytics at its core, Presight excels in interpreting data from all sources to support informed decision-making that shapes policies and creates safer, healthier, happier, and more sustainable societies. For press inquiries, please contact media@presight.ai.

About Viettel AI
Established in 2014, Viettel AI is a pioneer in researching core technologies and developing products and services in the fields of AI, Big Data, Robotics and Digital Twin. Currently, the Viettel AI ecosystem includes leading quality product lines in Vietnam, trusted and used by many large domestic and international organizations and enterprises.

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/presight-and-viettel-sign-a-mou-to-boost-applied-ai-and-digital-transformation-initiatives-302291238.html

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City Coin Group Launches Tranche 2 Investment Opportunities to Accelerate International Expansion Further

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KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Oct. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — City Coin Group (CCG), Malaysia’s largest self-service laundry operator, is poised to accelerate its growth following the successful completion of Project Coin Tranche 1 in July 2024, which raised RM5 million for franchise model enhancements and technology upgrades. With 750 outlets currently operating internationally—including in Turkey and across Southeast Asia in Malaysia, Thailand, and Brunei—CCG is now launching Tranche 2 investment opportunities to fuel its global growth.

“Our Project Coin initiative has been a tremendous success,” said Paul Ang, Founder and CEO of City Coin Group. “The completion of Tranche 1 not only underscored our robust business model, but also validated our vision for growth with the support we received from investors. With Tranche 2, we are offering a solid investment backed by favourable RAM ratings, which assures investors of our stability and financial strength.”

The funds from Tranche 2 will be used to enhance CCG’s franchise model, improve its technological capabilities and expand its market presence internationally, including Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines and the Maldives. These regions have shown strong demand for self-service laundry solutions and offer significant growth opportunities for the CCG brand. 

Investors can expect competitive returns on a two-year Islamic Investment Note with an annual profit rate of 7.65%. As part of its expansion strategy, CCG will hire additional operational and support staff to facilitate the launch of new outlets and provide extensive training for franchisees. Additionally, CCG will invest in upgrading outlets with the latest Tosei 3-in-1 washer-dryer technology and continue to develop services such as a pick-up and delivery option and a user-friendly app to improve customer engagement and streamline operations.

In June 2024, CCG was granted an R4 rating by RAM Rating, reflecting a strong balance of adequate security and high returns for investors. Moreover, CCG has been recognised as the Best Franchisor in Asia Pacific and has been included in the Malaysia Book of Records for having the most self-service laundromats, highlighting its commitment to excellence and innovation in the industry.

“The favourable RAM rating confirms our financial credibility, and the success of Tranche 1 gives us confidence for Tranche 2. With the growing demand for cashless and sustainable laundry solutions, the timing is ideal for international expansion. Project Coin Tranche 2 will be instrumental in replicating our success in new markets,” said Ang.

Upon completion of Tranche 2, Project Coin will continue with Tranches 3 and 4, targeting a total investment of RM20 million.

To register and invest in BR Capital’s Project Coin Tranche 2, please visit  https://brcportal.bursamalaysia.com/login  and to explore potential business partnerships, connect through Laundrybar’s official Linktree: https://linktr.ee/laundrybarsocialmedia .

About City Coin Group

Launched in 2013, City Coin Group (CCG) is Malaysia’s first and largest self-service laundromat operator with more than 750 outlets across Southeast Asia, including Turkey. CCG has disrupted traditional business models through innovative marketing strategies to deliver fast and efficient services. The group offers comprehensive solutions, including the largest self-service laundry franchisor in Malaysia (Laundrybar), suppliers of high-quality laundry machines and spare parts (CC Laundry Solutions), manufacturers of proprietary formulated laundry chemicals (City Coin Chem), operators of self-service laundry and data analysis centres (City Coin Technology) and providers of cashless payment solutions for laundromats (PayNWash). With over a decade of experience, CCG has won numerous awards, reinforcing its industry leadership, and aims to improve the socio-economic status of communities in Malaysia and beyond through its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.

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SOURCE City Coin Group

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Italy: ECOMONDO, the international sustainability hub, is about to begin

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At the leading trade show for green technologies, 650 hosted buyers from North Africa, Europe, North and Latin America are expected to attend, as well as delegations from 100 countries and 72 organisations, institutions and associations worldwide.

RIMINI, Italy, Oct. 30, 2024 /CNW/ — Ecomondo (Rimini Expo Centre, 5-8 November 2024), Italian Exhibition Group’s leading European green economy event, is about to begin. “With delegations from over 100 countries, the participation of 72 organisations, institutions and sector associations worldwide, the exhibition confirms its role as an international hub of primary importance for the green economy and acts as a real community catalyst through a series of international appointments that does not end with the exhibition but extends throughout the year,” IEG CEO Corrado Peraboni announced.

Maurizio Ermeti, President of IEG, added, “A four-day business event that foresees the participation of 650 hosted buyers from North Africa, Europe, North and Latin America, and that is registering a notable increase in incoming from Asia, specifically Central Asia, China, South East Asia, Pakistan and India.”

An increasingly international event, thanks to effective cooperation with the Italian Trade Agency (ITA) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

“Ecomondo’s international network,” explained Alessandra Astolfi, IEG’s Global Exhibition Director Green&Technology, “extends well beyond national borders with related events in which Ecomondo is actively involved as organiser, co-organiser and partner, for example, Ecomondo Mexico (5-7 March 2025 – 4th edition), which targets the Latin American market, and Ecomondo China – CDEPE (27-29 March 2025 – 19th edition), on environmental technologies in the Chinese market.’

The 2024 edition will also pay special attention to the African continent, in line with the Italian government’s Mattei Plan and the African Green Growth event (4th edition), organised by Ecomondo in collaboration with the Ministry for the Environment and Energy Security and the Mission Structure for implementing the Mattei Plan. To date, 8 delegations from Africa and 104 buyers from Algeria, Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, Ivory Coast, Botswana, Senegal, South Africa and Kenya have confirmed.

Collaboration with the E4Impact Foundation, which operates in 20 African countries (chaired by Letizia Moratti) and carries out MBA training, acceleration, incubation and support programmes for local entrepreneurship, is also important. The 4th edition of E4Impact’s “Business Networking Week in Italy” (Milan, 4-8 November 2024) will focus on the Circular Economy and include a visit to Ecomondo.

The event programme at link  

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SOURCE Italian Exhibition Group

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