Exhibition reflects France's high esteem for researchers
French public confidence in researchers is overwhelmingly high according to a new poll, published to coincide with the European Research and Innovation Exhibition in Paris, from 8 to 11 June. Confidence was especially high in solutions to future environmental and societal problems. The poll, made by the French National Institute of Statistics, interviewed a sample of 1,004 individuals aged 15 and older, asking about their expectations of science and researchers. It found that 86 per cent of those surveyed thought that researchers were doing their job well, addressing problems of social, environmental and economic significance. A total of 77 per cent said that they were confident that researchers were evaluating the risks involved, while 76 per cent thought that researchers ensured benefits from industrial products. Encouraging trust between researchers and the public was one of the aims of the Paris exhibition. 'Through the exhibition we hope that the public will retain a good image of researchers,' Jean Audouze, Director of the exhibition's scientific committee told CORDIS News. The event's first two days were devoted to the interaction between representatives of private and public sector R&D organisations, innovative companies and start-ups, and government, while the remaining two days were devoted to the general public. The 200 or so exhibitions set up mainly by French universities and companies, gave visitors the opportunity to learn more about scientific discovery and innovation in areas such as renewable energies, next-generation vehicles, and security software, among others. CORDIS News met a number of visitors to get their opinion on what was on offer and the importance of science and innovation. At the French national centre for scientific research, (CNRS) stand, which exhibited a model house of the future, Jose Chane Kon, 47, who works for a telecommunications company was keen to know more about the renewable energies used in its construction. 'I am interested above all by the ways of economising energy in the house, because in the coming years it will be THE big problem on the planet,' she said. The model shows how houses in the future could be completely autonomous. They would use a combination of energy sources, such as photovoltaic solar panels to generate electric power directly from sunlight; a wind turbine; and a 'Canadian well', which pumps cool and unpolluted air from underground through the house. 'I am a big fan of using the Internet to find out more about issues like these,' explained Ms Chane Kon. 'But this type of event is of additional value because I can ask questions and have immediate replies, which helps me better understand the challenges we are facing.' Mestan Tekin, 28, an engineering student also found the exhibition helpful in getting a general idea of the latest developments in science and technology. He visited the PSA Peugeot-Citroen exhibit to get a glimpse of the Peugot 307 CC HDI hybrid car, a prototype for now but one which the car company hopes to make a reality by 2010. The car houses a hybrid diesel-electric engine which allows the engine to shut down automatically when the vehicle is standing still or in neutral - at a red light or in a traffic jam, for example - and to start up again instantly and noiselessly when driving away. This technology results in a 3.4 litre reduction in diesel per 100 kilometres and 90g less of CO2 emitted per kilometre. The company claims the engine is 25 per cent more energy efficient than a similar vehicle equipped with a petrol hybrid system. 'I think that stands like these would attract a lot of interest so long as the language is not too technical,' said Mr Tekin. Melanie Binchin, Communications Director for, PSA Peugeot-Citroen said that it was very important for her company to attend such an event in order to show that it cares about tomorrow's world. 'There's a received opinion in the general public that car manufacturing companies are only interested in fossil fuels,' she said. 'We wanted to prove to the public here that we are an innovative business and are active environmentally and societally.' When CORDIS News met Jaiel Harith, 13, he was visibly excited because he had just seen a tornado, that is, a simulated one at the stand of Paris' Polytechnic University. Jaiel, according to his mother, Marie-Louise Harith has been passionate about science, particularly astronomy since a very young age. 'The exhibition gives him a chance to see a sample of nearly all the scientific disciplines,' she said. However, one thing is missing: 'While there are lots of universities and research institute stands here offering information about their courses, I have seen none so far that give advice about science options at secondary school level,' said Ms Harith. Passion for science and innovation was in abundance at the stand of 'Science & Junior', a French magazine for teenagers under the age of 18. There, the 12 finalists in the magazine's annual 'Innover prize' for young inventors exhibited their crowd-pleasing inventions. These ranged from an automatic house plant watering system, using an electric switch, a pump and a water bottle, to a mini-air balloon made from black dustbin bags which absorbed the heat of the sun to become airborne. At the 'Innover prize' ceremony, hosted by the Paris exhibition, Paul Mouginot, 16, picked up first prize of EUR 2,500 for his conversion calculator software, which can convert a total of 112 different measurement values. He got the idea from speaking to his teachers and friends who could not find an online software that could convert as many values at the same time. 'In 2005, I took a chance and wrote to several European universities, asking them if I could visit their laboratories to get some experience,' He explained. 'The only university that replied was the Laboratory for Subatomic Physics and Cosmology in Grenoble.' There, Paul was given the opportunity to work with researchers, and develop small software programmes for tables like those used in his conversion calculator. Asked about what he would take away from his visit to, and involvement in, the Paris exhibition, 'Some of the stands were great because the researchers who were involved in developing the project were there and ready to explain their work,' He explained. 'This makes it all seem less abstract.'
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