ACTIVE PROJECTS

"Harmonisation of EU-wide nanomechanics protocols and relevant data exchange procedures, across representative cases; standardisation, interoperability, data workflow (nanoMECommons)"

Call: DT- NMBP-35-2020
Type of action: Research and Innovation action (RIA)
Duration: 48 months (1/2/2021-31/01/2025)
www.nanomecommons.net

NanoMECommons will establish a transnational and multidisciplinary research and innovation network to tackle the problem of nanomechanical materials characterisation in multiple industries. The focus of NanoMECommons is to employ innovative nano-scale mechanical testing procedures in real industrial environments, by developing harmonised and widely accepted characterisation methods, with reduced measurement discrepancy, and improved interoperability and traceability of data. To achieve this goal, NanoMECommons will offer protocols for multi-technique, multi-scale characterisations of mechanical properties in a range of industrially relevant sectors, together with novel tools for data sharing and wider applicability across NMBP domain: reference materials, specific ontologies and standardised data documentation.

"An experimentally-validated multi-scale materials, process and device modelling & design platform enabling non-expert access to open innovation in the Organic and Large Area Electronics Industry (MUSICODE)"

Call: DT-NMBP-11-2020 "Open Innovation Platform for Materials Modelling"
Type of action: Research and Innovation action (RIA)
Duration: 48 months (1/1/2021-31/12/2024)
www.musicode.eu

MUSICODE is an ambitious project which addresses the H2020 Call DT-NMBP-11-2020 "Open Innovation Platform for Materials Modelling" that will develop a novel Open Innovation Materials Modelling Platform to enable the Organic and Large Area Electronics Industry (OLAE) to expediate accurate and knowledgeable business decisions on materials design and processing for optimization of the efficiency and quality of OLAE device manufacture.

This platform will integrate:

• Material, process and device modelling with workflows spanning the micro-, meso- and macro- scales, validated by expert academic and industry partners.
• Integrated data management and modelling framework with ontology-based semantic interoperability between scales, solvers, data and workflows, with industry-accepted material and process modelling parameters and protocols, employing graphical user interface tools for workflow design, analysis, optimization and decision making.
• Plug-ins to Materials Modelling Marketplaces, Open Translation Environment, Business Decision Support Systems, etc. and to High Performance Computing infrastructures for workflow execution. The platform will demonstrate industry user case workflows to optimize OLAE materials selection & design as well as printing and gas-phase manufacturing.

The MUSICODE Business Plan will ensure the platform sustainability, exploitation and industrial adoption beyond the project, with the ambition to become the central Open Innovation Hub for the OLAE industry and evolve as the central paradigm for cross-domain applications.

"Development and Preclinical Validation of biofunctionalized Nanoparticles for targeted delivery of anti-thrombotic and anti-oxidant factors to treat Atherosclerosis"

Τ2ΕΔΚ-00563
Coordination of LTFN
Duration: 24 months (2020-2022)
www.nanoathero.gr

Despite myriad advances and considerable progresses that have been made in prevention and treatment, cardiovascular diseases continue to remain our greatest health problem in the western world killing 18 million people each year. The underlying pathology is atherosclerosis that can gradually lead to the formation of atherosclerotic plaques, artery stenosis, and clinically can be manifested by acute coronary syndrome. In particular, the eruption of a "vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque" characterized by high inflammation and increased oxidative stress causes 75% of all heart attacks, especially among young people, which poses as a modern medical challenge, the early detection of these plaques and their effective treatment. To address these issues, NANOATHERO project, characterized by an interdisciplinarity, aims to the exploitation of Nanotechnology tools in order to overcome the limitation of existing cardiovascular approaches. "Smart" biodegradable nanoparticles (BNPs) for site-specific treatment of unstable plaques will introduce a unique approach towards the treatment of atherosclerosis, while the successful encapsulation of anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant drugs and anti-thrombotic agents into the nanoparticles’ core will enduce their active performance composing novel targeted drug delivery nanosystems. Innovative anti-thrombotic agents will be synthesized with Protein Engineering, for the treatment of atherothrombosis. Through the appropriate bio-functionalisation, these biodegradable and biocompatible nanoparticles can target inflammatory areas of the arterial wall, that overexpress in patients with cardiovascular disease. After thorough toxicology analysis, preclinical validation in in-vitro atherosclerotic models and animal studies, the clinical application of these nanoproducts will be tested. In addition, innovative vascular and in vitro atherosclerotic models for BNPs permeability/transport experiments, will be developed to reduce the necessity of extensive animal testing. Among others, the optimal drug delivery nanosystem, will be chosen for animal testing of a small group of animals, to study their safety and the quality of their therapeutic effect on atherosclerotic vulnerable plaque’s areas. The final product will be an advanced and innovative nanostructured drug delivery system that obtains a perfectly premise of nanocarriers for clinical studies. The potentials of NANOATHERO are numerous: At first, it will yield a vehicle for fundamental research in life sciences, which will facilitate the study of biological barriers, as well as the factors that determine the biological fate of nanoparticles, whilst, it will help in the development of novel in-vitro models for use in toxicology and nanomedicines screening. In addition, the mission of the PI and the cooperative organizations is to integrate Nanotechnology into clinical and transcriptional cardiology research and to introduce new approaches, to address the clinical hurdles in the treatment of atherosclerosis and other chronic diseases. As a result, the project will cross the boundaries of research fields and will introduce innovative technologies to combat atherosclerosis by exploiting Nanomedicine tools. The prototype therapeutic nanosystems with innovative properties for the targeting and treatment of atherosclerotic plaques will have an advanced therapeutic effect beyond common clinical practice, greatly improving the quality of life of the patients. The multidisciplinary nature of the participating organizations (3 companies and university) that conduct pioneering research to develop new products, will create research excellence, knowledge transfer and specialization in Nanomedicine field, as well as, innovative products ready for commercialization. NANOATHERO will remarkably contribute to the improvement of the quality of life of Greek & European citizens, it will boost the competitiveness of industry in Greece and it will enable Greeks to master and shape future developments in diagnostics and nano-therapeutics issues, in order to through bridge across the needs of society and the economy in general.

"RealNano - In-line and Real-time Nano-characterization technologies for the high yield manufacturing of Flexible Organic Electronics"

H2020 -DT - NMBP -08 - 2019
Coordination of LTFN
36 months (2020-2023)
www.realnano-project.eu

The main objectives of RealNano are the following:

• Develop rapid and real-time nanoscale, multi- modal & scale characterization tools/methodologies for OEs
• Integrate the non-destructive nano-characterization tools in in-line R2R printing and OVPD Pilot to Production Lines
• Develop characterization protocols and Data Management for interoperability across industries
• Demonstrate the tools in industrial OE processes for improvement of quality and reliability of products
• Validation of OE product quality and manufacturability on commercial applications
• Effective Transfer of results to industry by Open Innovation (Dissemination, Training, Networking/Clustering) and Management

The above can be only addressed by a European approach and a transnational cooperation between excellent entities in characterization/modelling and industrial entities with unique pilot lines. This project will bring together academic, SME and industrial partners with world-class excellence and established track-record in metrology tools and manufacturing.

This project will have a huge impact and will transform the manufacturing processes for Organic Electronics Industry and for other Industries as Thin Films (e.g. functional films, antimicrobial and decoration coatings, barriers), Electronics, Wearables, Energy, Automotive, Transport, Space, Health, etc.

"FlexFunction2Sustain - Open Innovation Test Beds for nano-enabled surfaces and membranes"

H2020 - DT - NMBP - 03 - 2019
Participation of LTFN
Project Coordinator: Fraunhofer FEP
48 months (2020-2024)
www.flexfunction2sustain.eu

Plastic and paper based flexible materials and films are used in a wide range of daily life products e.g. in packaging, furniture surface finish, consumer electronic devices, architecture or in car windows.
Applications represent well established multi-billion Euro markets. Key Enabling Technologies for a majority of these applications are based on nano-enabled functionalization of the surfaces. Today, Industry faces game-changing, critical challenges for societal acceptance and economic competitiveness: (1) Overcome plastic waste pollution and follow the European Strategy for Plastics in a Circular Economy towards the development of sustainable materials; (2) Keep pace with digitisation and get products ready for integration of smart systems and intelligent products. FlexFunction2Sustain will be the first European Initiative to support the Industry in overcoming these challenges through a sustainable Open Innovation Ecosystem. FlexFunction2Sustain will develop dedicated services to boost innovation for nano-functionalised flexible plastic and paper surfaces and membranes and offer those services to users, in particular SMEs, in all 28 EU countries through an independent single entry point (SEP) legal entity with multiple regional front offices. FlexFunction2Sustain connects complementary pilot lines to a set of 9 connected lab-2-fab facilities covering all major nano-surface processing techniques for (flexible) plastic and paper surfaces and membranes. The facilities and novel surface functionality will be demonstrated in six relevant industrial application scenarios. 20 pre-commercial pilot cases will demonstrate the Services of the FlexFunction2Sustain OITB.
The FlexFunction2Sustain OITB is prepared to support the client at any point in the innovation chain from TRL4 to TRL7 with and integrated technological, business development and verification/pre-certification service portfolio that helps the client to progress quickly through the innovation chain.

"Development of Efficient, Stable and Pb-Free Perovskite Solar Modules"

Acronym: PEROSOLAR
Call: SOLAR-ERA.NET Cofund
ID: 20 - NSRF Τ12ΕΡΑ5-00074
Duration: 36 months (1/4/2021-1/4/2024 )
www.solar-era.net/cofund

PEROSOLAR project develops highly efficient, stable and ultimately lead (Pb)-free perovskite solar cells (PSCs) and the upscaling production technology with solution based low cost methods, supported by quality control via imaging characterization.
Novel triarylamine based organic hole transport materials (HTMs) will be synthesized and ZnO based electron transport layer (ETL) will be improved. In addition, ZnO:PEI (polyethyleneimine) blends will be applied as an electron transport material (ETM). By this way, the thin film quality, electron transport capability and the hole blocking ability of the layer will be increased, and will enhance both the perovskite device efficiency and stability of the devices.
While lab-scale experiments are being optimized for Pb-free perovskites, mixed Pb-Sn perovskites will be utilized for developing low cost solution processing methods; inkjet printing and slot-die coating for the cell fabrication. After optimization of the printed lab-scale devices, they will be up-scaled for flexible substrates using roll-to-roll (R2R) systems.

"Semitransparent Organic and Printed Photovoltaics for Energy Efficient Mediterranean Greenhouses"

NSRF 2014-2020 project
Coordination of LTFN
Duration: 36 months (2018-2021)

PHOTOKIPIA is an innovation research project aims to develop an "Energy Efficient Greenhouse" based on large area Organic and Printed Photovoltaics (OPVs) that allow also the proper growth of greenhouse cultivation. PHOTOKIPIA targets to develop and optimize large-scale Semitransparent-OPVs (S-OPVs) with Roll-to-Roll (R2R) printing techniques on plastic substrates. This will be achieved through the development of printed Transparent Electrodes (TE) and the use of unique in-line nano-layer scribing technique with ultra-fast pulse laser and optical metrology to control the thickness and optical properties of the printed nano-layers from the Infrared to Ultraviolet region of the electromagnetic spectrum for their final application to Mediterranean (MG) type Greenhouses.
The PHOTOKIPIA Project, with the pioneering combination of energy production with Agricultural cultivation through the creation of "Energy Efficient Greenhouse", has great prospects in the Rural and National Economy since solving energy issues for remote Greenhouses or non by enhancing the ecological sustainability and competitiveness of Greek and International Greenhouse cultivations. The objectives of PHOTOKIPIA include the:

1. Development and Optimization of R2R Printed Transparent Electrodes (optical transparency> 90%, surface resistance <12 Ohm/cm2, thermal stability ≥300°C)
2. Optimization of R2R Printing Processes for manufacturing large scale S-OPVs and Optical Engineering of nanolayers (6-7% Efficiency, optical transparency ≤30%, power ~ 40W/m2, weight<0.5Kg , life time 8 years)
3. Development of wireless monitoring system of MG and recording parameters of S-OPV panels
4. Integration of H-OPV panels to MG and evaluation of their performance and impact on cultivation

"Printed OLEDS for intelligent, efficient & tunable solid-state lighting devices in large scale"

NSRF 2014-2020 project
Coordination of LTFN
Duration: 36 months (2018-2021)

Today, over 20% of all electricity produced on earth is used for lighting. The amount of energy produces greenhouse gases, which is equal to 70% of the emissions from all passenger cars in the world. Under these circumstances, the European Commission (EC) has agreed to reduce CO emissions by at least 20% by 2020. Recent studies by the EP Joint Research Committee show a huge potential for energy savings with better energy efficiency. At the same time, following the trends of the Internet of Things (IoT) and the rapid penetration of solid state lighting, it is particularly beneficial to produce high-performance lighting products on a large scale. OLEDs of large surface illumination can provide far-reaching light distribution, reduced reflection intensity, reduced light loss, aesthetics, sophisticated design, low weight and volume. For 2020, targets are set for the production of OLED devices with an efficiency >100 lm/W and a lifetime >50,000 hours. Forecasts show that OLED market is expected to grow to $ 2.5 billion in 2027. Therefore, a strong effort is being made to produce efficient, durable and reliable OLED devices having any desired shape, size, color, high flexibility and small bending radius, large stripes and transparency.

The main idea of the APOLLON project is the developing of the methodology and printing processes in a pilot line, large scale OLED devices with optimized performance, functionality and integration capabilities in complex lighting and signage products. Enhancing availability and relevant knowledge about the technology of producing intelligent, functional, flexible and rigid OLED devices is expected to accelerate the commercial adoption of OLEDs and to make a significant contribution to build a sustainable industry in Greece and Europe around this technology. Within the implementation of APOLLON, the cooperation of five partners (two research organizations and three enterprises), which have the necessary infrastructure as well as the additional know-how for the cooperative realization of the envisaged actions and the final achievement of the objectives of the project, is foreseen.

EURONANOMED-II ERA-NET project
Participation of LTFN
Project Coordinator: INSERM U1205
Duration: 36 months (2017-2020)

The aim of the project is to translate at the bedside a tumour vibrational therapy for glioblastoma patients involving spintronic particles and a low cost magnetic vibrator. Integrating that enough data are available to implement a rigorous translational program as well as the European associated leadership, we implement a synergistic consortium to be able to solve in parallel in an anticipated mode all the preclinical, fabrication, ethical and regulatory prerequisites mandatory for clinical translation. The therapeutic impact of vibrational particles has been demonstrated in vitro by the members of our consortium and more recently in vivo. Objective is now to initiate a full translational approach to be able to move rigorously in glioblastoma patients.

• Objectives associated to this translational goal are to:
• Chose the best vibrational particles and associated parameters
• Set up a “GMP” compatible production of the particles
• Design and produce a swine and human compatible vibrator.
• Demonstrate in vitro and in vivo biocompatibility (efficacy on glioma cells sparing healthy tissues)
• Optimize the delivery and tumor tissue coverage with adequate chemical modifications
• Demonstrate survival
• Anticipate the reflexion about Ethics, societal acceptance
• Generate IP and valorisation strategy
• Build a new nanomedicine translational methodology using the exemplification of this project

This is also the opportunity to move to a renovated translational nanomedicine approach, trying to boost nanotechnology innovation faster and safer at the bedside. Innovative nanotoxicology approaches, new more relevant animal models integrating also societal concerns in big animal research, as well as the design of “phase O-cognitive proof of concept trial” are some of the paradigmatic innovations we want to deal with during this project.

H2020 - NMP 646221
Participation of LTFN
Project Coordinator: Ineris, France
Duration: 36 months
www.nanoreg2.eu

NanoReg2 will establish safe by design as a fundamental pillar in the validation of a novel manufactured material.

The NanoReg2 project, built around the challenge of coupling SbD to the regulatory process, will demonstrate and establish new principles and ideas based on data from value chain implementation studies to establish SbD as a fundamental pillar in the validation of a novel MNM. It is widely recognized by industries as well as by regulatory agencies that grouping strategies for NM are urgently needed. ECETOC has formed a task force on NM grouping and also within the OECD WPMN a group works on NM categorisation. However, so far no reliable and regulatory accepted grouping concepts could be established. Grouping concepts developed by NanoReg2 can be regarded as a major innovation therefore as guidance documents on NM grouping will not only support industries or regulatory agencies but would also strongly support commercial launch of a new NM.