HORIZON EUROPE

A microwave plasma system to decompose hydrogen sulphide generated in foundries and valorise the sulphur and hydrogen produced. The PRIM-ROCK project improves the resource efficiency of the calcination and roasting processes, that are commonly used in the mineral and cement industries. To this end, process simulations in collaboration with AI data-driven models are used, and a digital twin for each process is developed. PRIM-ROCK addresses process efficiency through a multifaceted strategy addressing industrial processes from input to output, supported by an ambitious digital framework and transversal supporting activities. In particular, advanced techniques for the pre-processing of [...]

Building a water-smart economy and society. The CIRSEAU cluster consists of five sister projects granted within the Horizon 2020 call topic CE-SC5-04-2019 “Building a water-smart economy and society” demonstrating the feasibility of a water-smart economy and society, including B-WaterSmart, Wider Uptake, Rewaise, ULTIMATE and WATER-MINING. These five projects share the objectives of identifying alternative water sources, reducing water consumption, and increasing use efficiency, recovering valuable materials from wastewater, producing carbon-free water cycles, and increase their resilience in the face of climate change. The initiatives of the CIRSEAU alliance help mobilise water-related investments and synergies with other [...]

Turning agri-food waste and biomass into sustainable polymers. The Polymers-5B project develops novel alternative biological polymers synthesized from biobased monomers sourced from underexploited second-generation feedstocks, such as agri/food waste and biomass, obeying the food first and cascading principle. Polymers-5B brings together cutting-edge technologies and knowledge to develop and drive innovation in biocatalysis and green chemistry processes, generating novel bio-based polymers like polyesters and polyamides with pendent functional groups (e.g. hydroxy, carboxylic, amine, epoxy, thiol, etc.), polyphenols and polyfurans, which mimic fossil-based polymers properties, targeting improved biodegradability. These new polymers will be blended to provide valuable bio-composites [...]

Revolutionising soil management in horticulture. The SPIN-FERT project integrates optimised and validated innovations in soil management practices and improves peat-free substrates to enhance soil health in vegetable, fruit and ornamental crops. SPIN-FERT develops advanced soil health tools and sustainable horticultural practices, transforming agricultural by-products into valuable resources. By doing so and promoting eco-friendly substrates, SPIN-FERT improves agricultural productivity, reduces environmental impact, and supports climate change mitigation. In particular, SPIN-FERT incorporates biostimulants and agro-industrial wastes to enhance soil fertility, employing AI-supported soil assessment tools, lab-on-chip devices, automated image analysis, and precision irrigation systems. SPIN-FERT optimises the production [...]

Point-of-Care devices for urgent care triage. The POC4TRIAGE project develops new Point-of-Care (PoC) devices capable of rapidly detecting a patient’s cardiorespiratory or cardiovascular conditions in emergency and critical care settings, and to enable accurate clinical triage by activating real-time data from these devices. Eurecat participates in the project through its Functional Printing and Embedded Devices Unit, which leads the development of a novel sub-hairline non-invasive EEG-based head caps for rapid stroke diagnosis and a handheld, rapid immunodetector to diagnose stroke. The Waste, Energy and Environmental Impact (WEEI) Unit is in charge of the life cycle analysis [...]

Promotion of citizen-friendly mobility. The Diversify-CCAM project promotes fair and accessible mobility in European regions by integrating cultural, geographical, and policy aspects into the design, development, and implementation of cooperative, connected, and automated mobility (CCAM) solutions. The project unveils the diverse social contexts that influence the acceptance, adoption, and utilization of CCAM and the main challenges hindering the effectiveness of shared services, especially in regions with unique geographical and cultural demands. The project hosts 12 pilot sites dedicated to data collection and evaluation of the mobility of people within urban environments equipped with existing CCAM solutions [...]

Automation towards multimodal transportation and integration of freight. The AutoMoTIF project develops strategies, business and governance models, regulatory recommendations and synergies that enable the integration and interoperability of automated transport systems and solutions with a view to the operational automation of multimodal cargo flows and logistics supply chains in the intra-European network. Based on the current challenges and gaps in the automated and seamless logistics chain, we work with simulations on real scenarios and in different geographical locations. The results of the scenarios will be used to establish a master scenario that addresses the end-to-end delivery [...]

Enhancement of road safety across Europe. The EvoRoads project accelerates the attainment of the Vision Zero EU goal through a holistic framework of innovative models, tools and services that enable data-driven evolution of safety assessment frameworks, facilitate dynamic monitoring of cyber-physical infrastructures and promote the proactive warning for safety risks in complex environments. At the operational level, EvoRoads defines safety criteria and KPIs quantification methodologies covering the entire spectrum of the “Safe System” approach and develops a connectivity platform where transport infrastructure assets are digitalised and safety assessment services are functioning in a harmonious way. The [...]

Improvement of long-term primary cancer prevention.  The iBeChange project addresses psychosocial and lifestyle risk factors to promote primary cancer prevention. This initiative designs, develops and tests an integrated platform that encourages behaviour change in individuals to achieve healthy and sustainable behaviours and emotions. The innovative iBeChange system goes beyond the state of the art in sustainable behaviour change and emotional management by combining evidence-based knowledge from clinical psychology and behaviour change theories with the capabilities of adaptive digital technologies and AI. Thus, the iBeChange system observes dynamically, learns about user behaviours, and delivers tailored and effective [...]

Protection and restoration of  marine protected areas in the Mediterranean. The EFFECTIVE project develops a comprehensive scientific knowledge base and practical guidance, combining science, technological, nature-based solutions, digitalization, and social engagement, for the application of the ecosystem-based management to the protection and restoration of the EU’s Mediterranean Blue Natural Capital. The development of the project is divided into the three fundamental pillars of ecosystem-based management: First, the development of protection and restoration tools and the establishment of a policy framework, which aims to implement technological and nature-based solutions for the restoration and protection of marine biodiversity, [...]

Adaptive laser beam for additive manufacturing. The ALABAMA project develops and matures adaptive laser technologies for laser metal deposition (LMD) processes with either powder or wire as feedstock material. The objective is to decrease the porosity and to tailor the microstructure of the deposited material by shaping the laser beam, both temporally and spatially, during the additive manufacturing (AM) process. The key innovation in the project is to develop multiscale physics-based models to enable optimization of the AM process. These process parameters are tested and matured for multi-beam control, laser beam shaping optics and high-speed scanning. [...]

Smart study on analysis and identification of practices, drivers, success factors and obstacles of transitions towards Industry 5.0. The PROSPECTS 5.0 project accelerates the transition to Industry 5.0 by enhancing the uptake of its principles and practices by companies, local innovation ecosystems, SMEs, start-ups, scale-ups and industrial sectors. The project provides practical guidance, tools, and solutions for industry stakeholders to remove the barriers for the industry to opt into the Industry 5.0 transition. PROSPECTS 5.0 focuses on the following key aspects: Fostering collaboration between companies, universities, research centres, and government agencies to co-create new solutions and [...]

Enablement of technologies that reduce pesticide and fertilizer use for a better environment. The Smart Droplets project advances in a holistic system capable of translating large amounts of data into meaningful information and impactful spraying commands on the field. Smart Droplets implements autonomous retrofit tractors with Direct Injection System (DIS) for intelligent spraying - avoiding exposure of farmers to hazardous chemicals, demonstrating a substantial impact on the Green Deal. Through the combination of high-level technologies, Smart Droplets adopts a hybrid approach for spraying operations, combining data/AI/digital farm twin technologies designed to translate data into actionable information, [...]

Next-generation battery management system (BMS) platform to overcome critical challenges limiting the performance of existing solutions. The iBattMan project revolutionizes battery management for Li-ion technologies, crucial for replacing Internal Combustion Engines (ICE) vehicles by 2050. iBattMan, through an innovative, modular, and scalable BMS, improves the performance, safety, and cost-effectiveness of Li-ion technologies, contributing to its full market penetration.​ The project incorporates novel sensors and methodologies for monitoring the State-of-Health (SOH) of the cells during operation and in charging, together with cutting-edge technologies and tools for Vehicle-to-everything (V2X), second-life applications. Moreover, iBattman uses advanced physics and data-based models implemented on-board and on-cloud for performance evaluation, diagnosis, health management and safety evaluation tools, to address safety [...]

Zero emission electric vehicles enabled by harmonised circularity. The ZEvRA project improves the circularity of light-duty electric vehicles (EVs) throughout their entire value chain, from materials supply and manufacturing to end-of-life (EoL) processes. To do so, ZEvRA develops a Design for Circularity (DfC) methodology and a holistic circularity assessment aimed at improving the production of electric vehicles based on the 9Rs concept. This methodology is validated by developing zero emission solutions for the most important automotive materials, covering over 84% of material mix. These solutions are supported by a set of digital tools to support the [...]