The ECC-SMART is oriented towards assessing the feasibility and identification of safety features of an intrinsically and passively safe small modular reactor cooled by supercritical water (SCW-SMR), taking into account specific knowledge gaps related to the future licensing process and implementation of this technology. The main objectives of the project are to define the design requirements for the future SCW-SMR technology, to develop the pre-licensing study and guidelines for the demonstration of the safety in the further development stages of the SCW-SMR concept including the methodologies and tools to be used and to identify the key obstacles for the future SMR licencing and propose a strategy for this process. To reach these objectives, specific technical knowledge gaps were defined and will be assessed to achieve the future smooth licensing and implementation of the SCW-SMR technology (especially the behaviour of materials in the SCW environment and irradiation, validation of the codes and design of the reactor core will be developed, evaluated by simulations and experimentally validated). The ECC-SMART project consortium consists of EU, Canadian and Chinese partners to use the trans-continental synergy and knowledge developed separately by each partner. The project consortium and project scope were created according to the joint research activities under the International Atomic Energy Agency, Generation-IV International Forum umbrella and as much data as possible will be taken from the already performed projects. This project brings together the best scientific teams working in the field of SCWR using the best facilities and methods worldwide, to fulfil the common vision of building an SCW-SMR in the near future.

PAPILLONS will elucidate ecological and socioeconomic sustainability of agricultural plastics (APs) in relation to releases and impacts of micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) in European soils. We will advance knowledge on sources, behaviour and impacts through cross-disciplinary research, bringing together scientists from chemistry, materials engineering, agronomy, soil ecology, toxicology and social sciences. We will transform the scientific knowledge generated into guidance on specific solutions by applying a Multi-actor approach, involving actors in the agricultural and policy sector and world-leading industries. This will enable co-creation of knowledge and provide the scientific background to enable policy, agricultural and industrial innovation towards sustainable farm production systems. We will deliver the first digital European atlas of AP use, management and waste production to estimate sources of MNP to agricultural soils. We will run integrative studies at laboratory, mesocosm and field scales in different parts of Europe to address: occurrence of AP-derived MNPs; MNP behaviour and transport in soil; uptake by biota and crops; long-term impacts on soil properties, fertility and ecological services; effects on biological and functional diversity across multiple scales; effects on plant production and quality; and socioeconomic impacts of AP-based practices. We will focus on multigenerational effect studies for relevant traditional and biodegradable polymers, at realistic and future high-exposure scenarios. PAPILLONS partners pioneered soil MNP research, host the majority of European analytical capacity for assessing soil contamination and will provide validated, high-throughput analysis for MNPs in soil. Using innovative applications of state-of-the-art analytical chemistry, we will advance analysis down to the nanoscale range and develop novel radiolabelled nanoplastics for accurately tracking behaviour and transport in soil and uptake by biota and crops.

The 2DFERROPLEX project aims to pioneer a new frontier in neuromorphic computing by harnessing the unique properties of two-dimensional (2D) ferroelectric materials to develop all-optical neuromorphic components. Traditional computing architectures, particularly von Neumann-based systems, are increasingly limited in addressing the demands of modern applications like artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and edge computing. Neuromorphic systems, which emulate the architecture and functions of the human brain, offer a potential solution by improving computational efficiency, speed, and energy consumption. However, implementing neuromorphic systems in real-world applications, particularly using photonic approaches, remains a challenge. 2DFERROPLEX aims to address these challenges by developing novel materials, devices, and architectures that will enable all-optical control in neuromorphic computing systems, drastically improving computational efficiency and reducing power consumption. The primary objective of 2DFERROPLEX is to demonstrate how 2D heterostructures can be utilized as key components in all-optical neuromorphic systems. By leveraging the unique properties of 2D ferroelectrics, such as tunable ferroelectric polarization and exciton manipulation, the project seeks to develop devices that operate at the speed of light, thus unlocking an unprecedented level of computational power while minimizing energy consumption. The project also aims to integrate these devices into photonic neural networks, creating the world’s first optical artificial neuron—a fundamental building block for future neuromorphic systems.