Micro-Pattern Gaseous Detectors (MPGD) are largely used in particle physics experiments, thanks to their low material budget, remarkable performance and rather low cost for large-size detectors. The future experiments, and in particular the EPIC experiment on the future electron-ion collider EIC (BNL, USA), expected to take data from 2030, are planning to have several of such detectors to track scattered particles. The present MPGD readout electronics show certain limitations making them partly incompatible with the needs of emerging experiments. Either the streaming DAQ paradigm is not supported, or the performance is dropping rapidly with the increase of detector capacitance, or the readout of time projection chambers is not feasible. In addition, the ASICs are produced in somewhat older technologies that may become obsolete soon. The Sao Paulo University and the IRFU, CEA Saclay, are studying a new versatile radiation-hard multi-channel readout ASIC named "SALSA" adapted to most of the MPGD applications. This radiation hard chip is implemented in a modern 65 nm technology allowing to integrate more functionalities in the data treatment blocks (embedded DSP with inter-channel communication), to reach higher digitization and data processing speeds than with the presently used technologies, with a smaller die size and lower power consumption. Its configurable analog frontend will be compatible with large capacitance electrodes of tracking detectors, low amplitude signals from photon gaseous detectors, as well as long signals from TPCs. Its capability to work in streaming readout environment as well as in classical triggered data acquisition systems, and the possibility to accept a large range of input clock frequencies, make it able to be integrated easily in a large variety of experimental setups. The project partners, with a rich and complementary experience in the development of frontend ASICs, plan to produce several prototypes to optimize the implementation for the different functional blocks of the chip. The SALSA readout ASIC will be an excellent candidate to be at the heart of a common MPGD readout electronics of the EPIC experiment at EIC and very likely on other experiments. This project is also included in the R&D roadmap proposed by ECFA, in the framework of the DRD1 collaboration devoted to the development of the gaseous detectors and their readout electronics.

The ambition of AtlantECO is to develop and apply a novel, unifying framework for providing knowledge-based resources to design policies, support decisions making and engage with citizens to encourage responsible behaviour to manage the Atlantic system and protect its Ecosystem Services (ES) provision. The aim of AtlantECO is to determine the structure and function of Atlantic microbiome in the context of ocean circulation and presence of pollutants, e.g., plastics, to assess its role in driving the dynamics of Atlantic ecosystems at basin and regional scales; its potential of being used as a sensor of ecosystem state and the mechanisms by which it drives the provision of 5ES. This is key to improve our predictions on future provision of ES in the basin and to favour the establishment of a sustainable Blue Growth strategy for an All-Atlantic community. To realise this vision, AtlantECO has four objectives which are to 1) Assess dynamics of Atlantic marine ecosystems, their ES provision and the interplay of both with socio-economic activities; 2 increase knowledge and data on microbiomes, plastics, the plastisphere and carbon fluxes that support ecosystems at basin scale using best practices and integrative sampling strategies, novel genomics, imaging and biogeochemical methods, bioinformatics and modelling approaches; 3) Assess and predict the cumulative impacts of multiple stressors on ecosystem status and dynamics and ES provision, identifying their drivers and role on tipping points, assessing their changes in recovery of ecosystem structures, functions and services, and developing eco-socio-economic models to predict future trajectories and 4) Deploy a systemic strategy to build capacity and transfer knowledge for a seamless engagement between science, industry, policy, and society. To achieve these objectives AtlantECO brings together experts and pioneers from Europe, South America and South Africa with the relevant resources, knowledge and experience.

Although the Ocean is a fundamental part of the global system providing a wealth of resources, there are fundamental gaps in ocean observing and forecasting systems, limiting our capacity in Europe to sustainably manage the ocean and its resources. Ocean observing is “big science” and cannot be solved by individual nations; it is necessary to ensure high-level integration for coordinated observations of the ocean that can be sustained in the long term. EuroSea brings together key European actors of ocean observation and forecasting with key end users of ocean observations, responding to the Future of the Seas and Oceans Flagship Initiative. Our vision is a truly interdisciplinary ocean observing system that delivers the essential ocean information needed for the wellbeing, blue growth and sustainable management of the ocean. EuroSea will strengthen the European and Global Ocean Observing System (EOOS and GOOS) and support its partners. EuroSea will increase the technology readiness levels (TRL) of critical components of ocean observations systems and tools, and in particular the TRL of the integrated ocean observing system. EuroSea will improve: European and international coordination; design of the observing system adapted to European needs; in situ observing networks; data delivery; integration of remote and in-situ data; and forecasting capability. EuroSea will work towards integrating individual observing elements to an integrated observing system, and will connect end-users with the operators of the observing system and information providers. EuroSea will demonstrate the utility of the European Ocean Observing System through three demonstration activities focused on operational services, ocean health and climate, where a dialogue between actors in the ocean observing system will guide the development of the services, including market replication and innovation supporting the development of the blue economy.