STACK will pioneer a mathematical framework and develop computational design tools for freeform surface stackability complemented by 3D elastica theory, unlocking the potential for advanced digital fabrication workflows, such as hot blade cutting, demonstrating our technology's capabilities within the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) sector.

The HEU project OpenMod4Africa aims to develop an open energy system modelling toolbox for Africa, the OM4A toolbox. OpenMod4Africa applies the toolbox on two large regions, the Western and the Eastern Africa. This hop on project expands the scope from the two regions and enhances the project's reach to the Northern Africa region by, incorporating Tunisia as a real-world case for the toolbox. Main objectives are: 1. Improve the robustness and relevance of the OM4A toolbox. 2: Enhance energy system modelling capacity among Tunisian researchers and academia in general and about the OM4A toolbox in particular. 3: Provide new knowledge about possible alternatives for development of the Tunisian energy system towards a cost-efficient, secure and low carbon future including possibilities for export of green energy to Europe by applying the OM4A toolbox. 4: Actively involve Tunisian politicians and decision makers in development of the pathways for the Tunisian energy system. 5: Contribute to develop the African energy system modelling community - the OpenMod4Africa's Permanent Network 6: Pave the way for a wider use of the results in the North African region by developing replication strategies. The project will pave the way for a scientific, holistic, and robust approach to planning and developing the future energy and power system in Tunisia in and beyond the project. The project involves various stakeholders, including government entities to create a unified strategy for energy planning. This multi-sectoral collaboration enhances the likelihood of effective implementation and continuous updates to energy plans. The new OpenMod4Africa partner, Ecole Nationale d’Ingénieurs de Monastir (ENIM) from Tunisia, will gain experience in EU research projects and develop network with African and European academic groups which will support future project development and collaboration. The HopOn project will last for the 18 last months of the OpenMod4Africa project period.

Advancing capabilities and elevating the profile of the University of Cyprus (UCY) through the establishment of an Additive Manufacturing and Advanced Materials Competence Centre in Cyprus (AM2C3), will increase the potential for excellence-in-research and promote the growth of the knowledge-economy in a widening country. Additive manufacturing is transforming and decentralizing the aerospace industry sector, which is described by low-volume yet high-value applications. The transformation is accommodated by the development of advanced materials and designs, especially Al-metal matrix composites with superior specific strength. Twinning of the UCY with three internationally-leading partners will facilitate knowledge-transfer that focuses on processing methodologies and characterization techniques of AM consolidated Al-based MMCs. Advanced partners IMDEA (Spain), SINTEF (Norway), and EMPA (Switzerland) will participate in training activities directed towards UCY researchers and host staff exchanges aimed to build-up new competencies. Such activities will guarantee access to sophisticated equipment and infrastructure, but also enhance research output. To further stimulate excellence-in-research and maximize impact, the centre will encompass a variety of networking activities to reach an audience in academia, industry, the general public, and policy makers. In more detail, these activities include round table discussions with policy makers, working groups with industry stakeholders, international symposium with experts of the scientific community, and summer schools for students. In general terms, this multidimensional approach aims to sustainably integrate and anchor the competence centre on a local and international level, and in turn establish an exploitation framework of intellectual property. The adoption of technical know-how in AM technologies and the project supportnetwork will thereby become the foundation for future activities of AM2C3.

The COFFEE project is a fundamental research project that seeks to combine research expertise from different European research institutes and universities, across multiple areas of materials chemistry to develop innovative anion exchange membrane (AEM) solutions for electrochemical energy conversion and storage technologies. This innovative project employs a bottom-up approach to membrane design that aims overhaul the traditional AEM designs that rely on linear cationic polymers and instead develop an entirely new class of membranes based on covalent organic frameworks (COFs). By functionalizing the inside of the cyclic COF structures with cationic groups, we can provide hydroxide conductivity properties to the synthesized COFs. The functionalized COFs then undergo self-assembly to form highly ordered nanochannels, enabling ultrafast hydroxide ion transport through the COF structure. These highly ordered COF structures will then be embedded in a polymer matrix to form membranes with an optimal balance of ionic conductivity and mechanical stability. A key feature of the COFFEE project is the highly tuneable nature of the final membrane properties through the careful selection of the molecular building blocks used in the COF synthesis. By building up a library of molecular building blocks and understanding their influence on the structure-property-performance relationship of the final membranes, we will be able to successfully predict membrane properties and provide tailor-made membranes for a range of ion exchange membrane-based technologies. The versatility of our membrane design strategies will be demonstrated by producing membranes optimized for two separate electrochemical energy applications that require significantly differently properties to achieve optimal performance (aside from the universal requirement for high ionic conductivity and stability). As AEMs have gained significant research attention in the areas of electrolysis and solid-state batteries, we will focus our demonstration efforts on anion exchange membrane water electrolysis (AEMWE) and zinc-air battery (ZAB) technologies. This will elevate the COF-based AEMs from a formulated concept, i.e., a TRL of 2, to a validated technology at the lab-scale, i.e., a TRL of 4. These emerging energy technologies have been touted by the European Commission's Hydrogen Strategy for a Climate Neutral Europe and the European Strategic Energy Technology Plan as key research directions for meeting Europe's ambitious climate goals. The COFFEE project is therefore aligned with the aim of the M-era.Net call of supporting the European Green Deal and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. More specifically, the COFFEE project will contribute to obtaining the following expected impacts outlined in the M-rea.Net 2021 call: - Support the European strategic policy targets in terms of greenhouse gas emission reduction and developing affordable sustainable energy sources and usage. - Strengthened innovation excellence of the European academia and research institutes. - Breakthrough outcomes in energy storage, conversion, and harvesting. - Developing next-generation materials for batteries. - Developing advanced functional materials for electrochemical energy conversion technologies, such as electrolysers. The innovative COFFEE solutions are expected to result in scientific breakthroughs, high visibility, and a competitive advantage for the involved partners. The project will contribute to the education of material scientists who might be involved in the implementation of technology in the future. The COFFEE consortium brings together highly skilled scientists with complementary expertise in a range of disciplines, e.g., organic synthesis, COF materials, membranes, electrochemical devices, and creates the opportunity for long term collaboration in research dedicated to excellence in science and innovative industrial applications.

The main objective of the MUPIA project is to demonstrate a cost-efficient manufacturing process for a high end MEMS gyroscope for aerospace Applications. Both the sensor element and the packaging process is critical to achieve a precise, long term stable and reliable component. The consortium consist of SINTEF and Cerinnov, which together with sub Suppliers cover both the necessary silicon MEMS processing and the high end ceramic packaging technology needed to reach the goal of the project. SINTEF has worked with industrialisation of MEMS components since the 1960s. Despite being a research industry, SINTEF holds the certifications ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015 and OHSAS 18001:2007 and have a regular production of MEMS components for the petroleum, medical and aerospace industry. Cerinnov has expertise in laser processes for ablation and sintering. They will collaborate with a sub Suppliers with the development of the package for the gyroscope.