Ερευνητικά Προγράμματα | RDC Informatics

Over the last two decades, a high number of research projects have focussed on the development of new lightweight metal alloys for industrial applications. However, a limited number of products have reached the market end users. Lack of funding for further development and upscaling and the unwillingness of end users to adopt non-validated and non-standardised technologies in their processes are some of the reasons that account for this phenomenon known as ’valley of death’. The EU-funded LightMe project aims to overcome these barriers. To that end, it will offer an open innovation ecosystem that will help technologies with a high level of maturity reach a technology readiness level (TRL) of 7.

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Microalgae are a valuable source of protein-rich elements for healthy food and feed products that limit energy and water consumption. However, production and processing costs of microalgal biomass are still high. Advanced technologies are needed to augment productiveness and lower costs. The EU-funded Pro- Future project will evaluate advanced systems to produce single-cell proteins and protein isolates that are characterised for their nutritional effects and their economic sustainability. Single-cell proteins will be in- corporated in foods and feed produced at an industrial level. The project will appraise the microalgae value chain in the EU and propose amelioration solutions to increase the competitiveness of the sector. Market uptake will be expanded via optimised dissemination and implementation plans.

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The bio-based sector is one of Europe’s most resource-intensive. As a key player in the economy, it serves as an impetus towards circular business models of resource efficiency. Recent developments in bio- based nanomaterials are combined with biotechnologies to convert renewable resources into high value-added biopolymers used by the food packaging, construction, automotive and printed electronics sectors. The EU- funded BIOMAC project will create an Open Innovation Test Bed (OITB) ecosystem openly accessible by SMEs and the industry to a single-entry point. The project envisages establishing an open collaboration community that supports innovation and minimises investment risks. OITB services will assess regulation, safety, sustainability, circularity and market potential with modelling, process control, standardisation and characterisation.

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REDONDO will develop reversibly cross-linked polyethylene (rPEX), rendering the up-to-date non- recyclable PEX a recyclable-by-design innovative polymer. Achievement of reversibility will be conducted via two different thermally reversible reactions for PE cross-linking: one based on C-S-S bonds and one exploiting the Diels Alder reaction. The produced rPEX will be characterized and its reversibility assessed. Key to this project is the adoption of the Safetyby- Design and Sustainability-by-Design frameworks, in- corporating the outcomes of safety- and sustainability-related assessments already from the design stage in the polymer formulation process. Use of innovative green and bio-based additives (LPNs and MFC) will enable for further improvement of desired properties (thermal stability, mechanical properties and flamma- bility) without introducing health risks or jeopardizing the environmental sustainability of the materials and processes. Nanolignin (LNPs) and nanocellulose (MFC) are being produced and studied as rPEX additives for the first time. An inventory of additives tool will enable further adoption of this approach. Two high potential impact end-use applications have been placed under focus: pipes and photovoltaic cables. Moreover, a number of analyses will be performed to evaluate the safety and sustainability of rPEX but also to establish the safety and sustainability-by-design criteria and the recyclability requirements. This will facilitate the extension of this concept to other end-use appli- cations of rPEX or to the design and development of other cross-linked -not currently recyclable- polymers as reversible ones.

The proposed research project aims at the development of a specialized portable device for the control and debugging of Electronic Control Units (ECU’s) of electronic hydraulic transmissions and diesel engines. Using this device, the user will be able to take control of automatic hydraulic transmissions of various manufacturers, used in construction machinery and buses for the time being as well as in passenger cars in the future. It will also be able to start and control diesel engines used in construction machinery, boats, electric generators and all kinds of machinery and vehicles. Finally, it will be able to accurately control, similarly to