The use of nanotechnology and nano-materials in biological applications is being widely explored and is considered a valuable approach to ameliorate human wellbeing. Specifically, nanoparticles and carbon nanotubes are of great scientific interest as they are currently used clinically as delivery systems for a wide range of drugs. An interdisciplinary approach that considers knowledge in chemistry, nano-materials, toxicology, physiology, molecular biology is vital for the progress of these devices and for the development of new procedures to create a novel market-ready prototype to boost human metabolism, fighting obesity and cardio-metabolic disease. An inter-sectoral approach is also required to put together Academic’s technical capabilities and facilities to conduct R&D activities with SMEs’ business expertise and viable supply chain to develop the prototype post project and to exploit the product in the market. Therefore, two academic (VUB and UniPD) and three industrial (INOC, IMED, ARTIA) European participants will create an interdisciplinary and inter-sectoral co-operation (nanoBAT) to design and construct a novel nanostructured delivery-L-menthol system prototype for brown adipose tissue activation. During its four years duration, nanoBAT aims to achieve research and innovation objectives via staff exchanges of experienced and early-stage researchers throughout a series of activities like: networking, research and training, workshop, innovation, dissemination, and outreach.

SOLUTION will provide research and training program for 14 early stage researchers (ESR) pursuing their PhD in various disciplines covering the broadly defined area of solid lubricant coatings. The project combines theoretical approaches represented by advanced nanoscale simulations, laboratory design and fabrication of novel solid lubricants supported by simulations, and the up-scaling of promising solutions and their application in selected emerging engineering applications. SOLUTION will link industries from various areas dealing with similar issues through intensive training and knowledge sharing. Three topics driven by industrial partners have been selected to demonstrate the added value of simultaneous development and training. The use of modern solid lubricants underlines the transformation of industry towards smart design, which is based on predictive models and cross-communication throughout the entire production chain. Fellows supported by the project will have a unique opportunity to gain competence ranging from simulation, characterization and processing, to industrial processes and entrepreneurship. Highly individualized multidisciplinary training reflecting actual market needs, together with scientific excellence, will generate an open-mind generation able to harvest multidisciplinary knowledge and to successfully face challenges represented by the design of competitive solid lubricants.

Thin film deposition methods are crucial to generate progress in Key Enabling Technologies (KETs) of strategic importance for Europe, including Advanced Materials, Nanotechnology, Micro- and Nanoelectronics, Biotechnology, and Photonics. Devices like photovoltaic cells, light emitting diodes, electronic and optoelectronic micro-/nano-sensors are prominent examples of thin film applications where the precise control of material deposition and its degree of order (crystallinity) are of paramount importance for their performance and function. However, technologies for thin film deposition have very limited capacity to tune the material crystallinity at room temperature and atmospheric pressure, or to create functional 3D architectures in a single and versatile manner. The requirement of high temperatures and vacuum conditions make them inherently costly and unsuitable for deposition on various substrates (e.g. plastics). Moreover, their dimensions are not compatible with miniaturization and integration in table-top interfaces that would broaden their potential use. These limitations restrain the development of ground-breaking functional materials and new-conceptual devices. The absence of a radically new deposition technology hampers innovation and the appearance of new and cost-effective marketable products. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to develop a radically new deposition technology to overcome these limitations, and that is at the core of the SPRINT project. SPRINT will develop a universal deposition technology of amorphous and tuned crystalline matter on multiple substrates, at room temperature and pressure. This technology not only combines the benefits of existing advanced deposition methods, at significantly lower cost and higher deposition rates, but also goes beyond the state-of-the-art in advanced materials development, to open new roadmaps to a plethora of future devices and applications.

The SAFARI project aims to develop new 2D materials using sustainable and safe processes. The project focuses on creating hybrid formulations of MXenes and Graphene (Gr), which are known to possess unique and desirable properties such as thermal stability electrical conductivity. The goal of the project is to develop sustainable and safe materials that can be used in a wide range of applications such as biosensors, conductive ink, and EMI shielding. The SAFARI project begins with the preparation of precursor compounds known as MAX phases. These compounds are then used to produce two types of MXenes (Ti3C2 and Cr2C) which are further functionalized to enhance their properties and increase their affinity with Graphene. The resulting 2D hybrid materials are created using two different methods, and their structural, morphological, and functional properties are thoroughly examined. One of the main strengths of the SAFARI project is that is allinged with the SSbD principles. Thus assessment of the toxicological and eco-toxicological profiles of the new materials through a range of tests and assays will be conducted. In conclusion, the SAFARI project represents a significant step forward in the development of 2D hybrids with MXenes/Graphene for use in a wide range applications.

Prompted by the dire forecasts for increased resource extraction and waste generation, and their detrimental effects on climate and biodiversity, a Circular Economy Action Plan has been put forth where electronics and electronic equipment have been identified as a priority product group with circularity potential. With an annual growth in waste of 2%, this group is one of the fastest growing waste streams in the EU, while less than 40% of electronic waste is recycled within the EU. There is a need to explore new options for electronics that are designed for reuse, repair, and high-quality recycling. To address this challenge, several factors must be considered such as the Industrial End Users (IEU) specifications, Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) and the products end-of-life (EoL). Printed electronics (PE) is an additive manfucaturing method that can address these challenges and is characterized by its versatility, scalability, and low material usage, thus making it an ideal candidate for a circular production of electronics in general. Flexible and even stretchable electronics can be obtained with this method by printing conductive and dielectric inks on flexible/stretchable substrates opening new applications in the market. However, similar to traditional electronic production methods, current life cycle for a PE product starts with materials (substrate, conductive and dielectric materials) obtained through mining of raw materials. These materials are put into production lines, consisting of large volume analogue printing, gluing on discrete components and lamination processes. The EoL are either landfills or incineration, which in both cases, destroys precious materials, thus forcing the use of mined raw materials. The main goal of Sustain-a-Print (SaP) is to open new life-cycle routes and to design and implement sustainability into each step of the life-cycle. This includes choice of materials, their usage, their origin, their processing, assembly, and EoL.