As electric vehicles become "batteries on wheels", hotels and airports could be only the beginning. From balancing the grid to accelerating renewable energy integration, bidirectional charging could reshape the entire energy system — provided vehicles, chargers and the grid learn to speak the same language.

Construction remains Europe's deadliest sector, despite decades of regulation. A new generation of interconnected sensors, autonomous machinery and digital platforms can communicate and respond collectively to risks before accidents happen. But experts warn: the technology already works — what's missing is the capital, the skills and the trust to scale it.

As EU rules require more recycled plastic, consumers still have no way of knowing whether a bottle really contains recycled material. Researchers are developing a blockchain-based traceability system to improve transparency. Because without credible proof, trust in environmental claims and the circular transition could be at risk.