Since 2012 the interest to the studies of the tear film lipid layer (TFLL) stabilizing the air/tear surface has dramatically raised. Firstly TFLL related abnormalities may be the main reason for dry eye syndrome (DES), the most prevalent ophthalmic public health disease affecting the quality of life of 10-30% of the human population worldwide and resulting in > €3.5 billion annual cost for EU. Secondly due to TFLL exceptionally slow turnover rate of 0.93 (±0.36)%/min, ophthalmic nanoemulsions mixing favorably with it can gain long residence at the ocular surface allowing for new routes of treatment not only of DES but also of glaucoma, the major vision threatening disease today. Therefore it is important to study the impact of key lipid classes to the micro- and nano-scale structure and to the dynamic surface properties of TFLL films at the air/water interface in health and disease and in vitro and vivo. This is what we will do by employing state of the art Langmuir surface balance, dilatational rheology, fluorescence and Brewster angle microscopy techniques as well as pharmacokinetic methodologies. The action will deliver both, (i) fundamental knowledge on TFLL functionality and DES mechanisms and (ii) molecules and formulations that can enhance TFLL functionality and lead to new therapies. The action will allow to European science and industry to aim for leadership in a field of increasing social importance.

Concrete is the world’s second most-used material in construction, after water. It comprises three main ingredients: cement, water and aggregates. The latter constitute 60-70% of concrete’s total volume, representing a heavy environmental burden. Presently, the use of recycled aggregates (RA) in concrete production (reusing their embodied energy and decreasing waste dumping) is still marginal, even though its feasibility has been demonstrated at the research level. The overarching goal of the CIRCLE project is to form an international network of 11 organisations working to tackle the challenges in upscaling recycled aggregate concrete (RAC). The CIRCLE team includes interdisciplinary researchers renowned in this area, which will integrate their expertise towards the project’s overarching goal, following a carefully planned flowchart of activities: enhancing existing knowledge on bio-based self-healing and carbonation of RAC; fostering high-performance RAC; optimizing the quality of RA and RAC, and evaluating the potential of RAC through multi-criteria life cycle assessment; and assessing RAC in full-scale real applications. The intercontinental 342 PM planned in secondments within CIRCLE will be the vehicle for joint research, training and networking, which will benefit the institutions’ staff at all levels of seniority, as well as PhD students. CIRCLE spans European and Asian countries with a massive need for concrete infrastructure development. Given the overwhelming dominance of concrete worldwide as a structural material, the potential environmental, economic and social positive impacts of upscaling RAC are priceless. This has been perceived by authorities and stakeholders and there are ongoing initial efforts in some of the consortium countries to regulate this possibility, which makes CIRCLE very timely in terms of guidelines contribution. Promoting RAC through CIRCLE will foster sustainability and a circular economy, aligned with European and UN policies.

Thermoelectrics (TEs) could offer high-performing, efficient, durable and sustainable power-generation and heating/cooling solutions to catalyse the transition to a low-carbon economy, but current state-of-the-art TE modules rely on the toxic and scarce element tellurium. While TE materials based on magnesium, which is abundant and non-toxic, have recently emerged as a potential alternative, there are many challenges related to materials synthesis and performance, device design, fabrication and reliability, and economic and scaling viability, which need to be solved. MGICIAN will address these challenges by: i) bringing together a unique synergy of academic and industrial partners that are leaders in the field of ThermoElectric Coolers (TEC), ii) designing an immersive, interdisciplinary, inter-sectorial, and international research and training program, iii) recruiting, training and mentoring 15 Doctoral Candidates (DCs) in cutting-edge research and innovation in TE-based solid-state cooling for a low-carbon, sustainable future, and providing them with a broad set of skills to succeed in academic and industry careers. The consortium will include 14 academic institutions, one industry-near academic institute and 4 industry companies from different EU countries (DE, ES, IE, PT, CY, FR, and DK) plus UK. They will offer DCs top-tier supervision and training through interdisciplinary collaborations in TE material synthesis, TEC module fabrication, and system integration for scalable solid-state cooling applications up to TRL 6. Alongside scientific skills, DCs will be trained in ethics, entrepreneurship, project management, intellectual property, and communication, with industry secondments providing practical experience. MGICIAN aims to prepare future research leaders and entrepreneurs in TECs, enhancing Europe’s capacity to develop sustainable TE-based solutions.