The incidental, accidental, or intentional release of manufactured nanomaterials into the environment and its exposure to humans is inevitable due to the exponential growth in invention, production, and use of them. It can have a huge impact in our health specially in the most sensible and exposed human body organs such us lungs, stomach, and brain. iCare aim to to develop a resilient and adaptive set of advanced imaging technologies to quantify physical-chemistry properties for ANMC in complex matrices. The main objective will focus on a integrated model system to characterize and predict the impact of nanomaterials on brain health to prevent the toxicity nanomaterials. The project makes accessible for industry a set of techniques and methodologies to evaluate changes in morphology, chemical composition and reactivity of nanomaterials when exposed to complex homogenous matrices mimicking environmental and biological exposure, with a particular emphasis on high-resolution imaging methodologies. To achieve this goal the project the project brings together in the consortium 11 partners from different backgrounds such as RTOs, SMEs, industries and universities from different EU and non-eu countries and coming from different fields like nanotech, toxicology, advanced materials, advanced imaging, … During the 48 months long of the project, the consortium will work on the development of different activities to achieve the following results: 1)new imaging methods achieving new high resolution methodologies and new super resolution imaging techniques 2)development of toxicology testing protocols and addressing current gaps in nanotoxicology, 3)development of tools and methods bringing the gap in vitro and in vivo testing, 4)efficiency of materials and product development 5)Delivery of reliable data and improved data reporting and finally development of harmonised standardised test methods that can be used in regulatory frameworks.

Humanity is approaching a cornerstone where Climate Change will transform society, industry and economy. Therefore, moving away from inefficient energy consumption and fossil fuels is more urgent than ever. Renewable energy sources are growing fast but their full integration will make necessary not just a boost of their efficiency but rather a quantum leap in energy management. Such paradigm change will come from technologies adaptable to changing climate conditions and, importantly, making use of widely available non-critical materials. ADAPTATION vision is to challenge current paradigms in solar energy harvesting and their integration by developing a new solar material platform that will integrate thermal management and energy collection in a single material, reducing electricity peak profile and allowing easy adaptation of the energy harvesting properties to different climate conditions. For this purpose, we will take inspiration from the two most efficient energy management processes on Earth: photosynthesis and terrestrial radiative cooling. ADAPTATION will mimic simultaneously the strategies followed by plants during photosynthesis to collect and manage energy at the nanoscale and the power-free radiative cooling of Earth by thermal regulation at the microscale. These extraordinary energy collection and managing strategies are robust to disorder and provide self-regulatory cooling capacities which make them ideal to be integrated into a wide spectrum of physical objects, powering them with a sustainable energy source. In ADAPTATION we will develop the building blocks for this technology and will demonstrate its implementation with two sustainable novel device architectures. Our innovative vision is based on the multidisciplinary background of its consortium with experts in geosciences, polaritonic photonics, colloidal and supramolecular chemistry, materials engineering, quantum technologies or photovoltaics including high-tech industrial implementation.

We target a knowledge-based methodological entry to the finding of new generation electrode materials based on perovskites for reversible SOFC/SOEC technologies. The latter are archetypal complex systems: the physico-chemical processes at play involve surface electrochemical reactions, ionic diffusion, charge collection and conduction, which all occur timely within a very limited region. Hence, true in-depth understanding of the key parameters requires characterisation at the right place, at the right time frame and under the proper operating conditions. The price to pay for achieving this multiply-relevant characterisation is the involvement of non-trivial, advanced characterisation techniques. Multi-scale modelling will contribute to turn experimental datasets into a genuine scientific description and make time-saving predictions. In KNOWSKITE-X, the coupling between theoretical and experimental activities is made real by the choice of partners, who are all active in genuinely articulate theory and practice to understand active systems. To provide unifying concepts and to widen the project’s outcomes, intensive collaboration with knowledge discovery using machine-learning and deep learning methods is planned and AI-enabled tools will be used to compensate the smallness of relevant datasets. Such efforts are intended in view of building strong correlations capable of establishing robust composition-structure-activity-performance relations and hence, lead the way to knowledge-based predictions. By doing this, we also target the implementation of simplified testing protocols and tools operable by industrial stakeholders, which results can be augmented thanks to the knowledge-based pivotal correlations implemented during the project. To this end, dedicated efforts will be made in certifying the interoperability and usability of the project’s advances in the form of harmonised documentation and open science sharing.

The CLUSTERNANOROAD project is aimed at developing & implementing effective smart specialization strategies in the field of NMBP aligned with cluster development, thus accelerating differentiation and structural change towards a knowledge-based economy for all European regions.In the proposed CLUSTERNANOROAD project, we will implement evidence-based and deliverable-oriented complementary approaches addressing the key actors belonging and influencing the development of RIS3 strategies supported by cluster and relate framework policies with the ultimate aim of supporting innovation in the NMBP thematic area. This project will consult and mobilise regional authorities, actors through the innovation chain and stakeholders throughout Europe in order to help shape strategic priorities for future regional concerted RIS3/cluster policies at a transregional level, which will intensify cluster and business network collaboration across borders and sectoral boundaries in the NMBP area. By reinforcing cluster and business network cooperation and making them the drivers of implementation, leveraging the experience with cluster policies in Smart Specialisation Strategies and supporting the shaping of concerted RIS3 and cluster policies in a more strategic manner, this action will help to overcome the practical challenges implementing the concept of RIS3 across European regions and will assist SMEs to contribute to the emergence of new value chains and for Europe to take a leading position globally.

ScienceWars – May Science be with you! is the motto for a fun and ‘out-of-this-world’ battle for a more sustainable future. In line with the goal of ERN, ScienceWars is committed to create a bond between research/researchers and citizens, with a view of supporting public recognition of science and researchers, demonstrating the impact of researchers' work on daily life and encouraging young people to embark on research careers. As stated by Commissioner Carlos Moedas “There are few forces in this world as engaging and unifying as science”. ScienceWars will represent Science as the essential Force that surrounds us, improves our daily life and promotes our future, while making participants feel as they are being drawn into a magical world, one that’s being governed by scientific research. Through activities, demonstrations, and installations that educate, entertain, and inspire, ScienceWars will provide families and citizens at large, a greater appreciation of our ever-changing planet- and our relationship to it. The programme of activities (common to 2018/2019) will be dedicated to the main research areas in the Northern Region of Portugal – Health, Food, Energy, Environment and ICT -presenting itself as an ‘Intergalactic unifying Mission’, where participants will stand side-by-side with Luke ScienceWalker and ScienceTroopers, fighting for the sustainability of the Science Force! With an expected number of 50,000 visitors, at least 300 researchers directly involved and more than 500,000 people aware of the event, ScienceWars will take place in Porto, a UNESCO capital of culture and will be preceded by several activities (e.g. visits to schools and training actions). ScienceWars will be brought by INOVA+ (expert in educational & science events), the International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (world-class research institution for science and innovation) and will be supported by Fundação de Serralves (contemporary art museum) and Juventude (Youth Foundation).