Periodic Reporting for period 1 - COPE-Nano (Centre Of Excellence For Organic, Printed Electronics & Nanotechnologies)
Période du rapport: 2023-05-01 au 2024-10-31
The Horizon Europe COPE-Nano aims to create a new, autonomous, and self-sustained CoE for FPEs & Nanotechnologies by leveraging the existing Nanotechnology Ecosystem of LTFN, and will establish it as leader in EU in basic, applied and industrial re-search in these rapidly emerging fields for applications in Advanced Materials, Energy, Electronics, ICT, Medicine, Agriculture.
The project objectives are the following:
1. Establish COPE-Nano Organization, Governance Structure & Procedures
2. Boost R&I Performance of COPE-Nano
3. Enhance the Quality and Increase the R&I Output
4. Promote Institutional and Systemic Reforms for increasing R&I Investments
5. Boost Effective Networking with Industries & Research Institutions and Guarantee Sustainability
6. Establish Investment Plan & Government Support for long-term R&I Excellence & Socio-economic Impact
The project objectives are the following:
1. Establish COPE-Nano Organization, Governance Structure & Procedures
2. Boost R&I Performance of COPE-Nano
3. Enhance the Quality and Increase the R&I Output
4. Promote Institutional and Systemic Reforms for increasing R&I Investments
5. Boost Effective Networking with Industries & Research Institutions and Guarantee Sustainability
6. Establish Investment Plan & Government Support for long-term R&I Excellence & Socio-economic Impact
The main results and activities from the project until now, include the following:
- Extensive mapping and exploration of the different legislative models and the procedures for the release of the Complementary Funding (CF) by the Greek government representative organization (General Secretariat for Research and Innovation).
- Identification and start of the amendment of the current legal framework and laws for the foundation of new legal entity that fit the activities for research and development, such as the COPE-Nano.
- Detailed definition of the thematic areas, structure and procedures for the COPE-Nano Departments
- Establishment of the initial CoE governance structure
- Finalization of procedures and framework for the extension of the renting of the current laboratory facilities, as well as extension of the laboratory areas into an additional lab space of 750m2 for the installation of the new equipment.
- Comprehensive collaboration with the advanced partners (Ubx and CAM) through the realization of technical visits and meetings at Thessaloniki, Bordeaux and Cambridge for the initial audit of the LTFN Lab, its activities, track record and prospects for advancement of its innovation potential through the COPE-Nano. These include 2 visits by researchers from Ubx and CAM to LTFN and 1 visit of LTFN researchers to UBx and CAM.
- Preparation of the Joint Research Roadmap (JRR)
- Definition of the specific R&D equipment, their specifications and infrastructures that will be purchased.
- Launch of the Preparatory R&I projects with Ubx and CAM in the fields of Organic Electronics and printed piezoelectric devices
- Establishment of the plan for the R&I project activities and relevant visits between the partners- Organization of numerous international scientific conferences, events, workshops, exhibitions, for all relevant target groups, from academia, to research, industry and general public to raise awareness about the COPE-Nano project and its prospects
- Education and training activities and webinars by all partners, in selected subjects to train the next generation of researchers in the fields of Organic Electronics and Nanotechnology
- Connections and engagement with Greek, European and International academic and research entities and industrial associations (HOPE-A, NanoNet)
- Engagement with running EU R&D Projects, including Teaming projects (e.g. CAMART2, Teaming Club Conference, etc) as well as Open Innovation Projects (MUSICODE, DigiPass, nanoMECommons), Open Innovation Test Beds, as FlexFunction2Sustain, etc, and large industrial EU funded projects as H2020 RealNano and HE Flex2Energy.
- Extensive mapping and exploration of the different legislative models and the procedures for the release of the Complementary Funding (CF) by the Greek government representative organization (General Secretariat for Research and Innovation).
- Identification and start of the amendment of the current legal framework and laws for the foundation of new legal entity that fit the activities for research and development, such as the COPE-Nano.
- Detailed definition of the thematic areas, structure and procedures for the COPE-Nano Departments
- Establishment of the initial CoE governance structure
- Finalization of procedures and framework for the extension of the renting of the current laboratory facilities, as well as extension of the laboratory areas into an additional lab space of 750m2 for the installation of the new equipment.
- Comprehensive collaboration with the advanced partners (Ubx and CAM) through the realization of technical visits and meetings at Thessaloniki, Bordeaux and Cambridge for the initial audit of the LTFN Lab, its activities, track record and prospects for advancement of its innovation potential through the COPE-Nano. These include 2 visits by researchers from Ubx and CAM to LTFN and 1 visit of LTFN researchers to UBx and CAM.
- Preparation of the Joint Research Roadmap (JRR)
- Definition of the specific R&D equipment, their specifications and infrastructures that will be purchased.
- Launch of the Preparatory R&I projects with Ubx and CAM in the fields of Organic Electronics and printed piezoelectric devices
- Establishment of the plan for the R&I project activities and relevant visits between the partners- Organization of numerous international scientific conferences, events, workshops, exhibitions, for all relevant target groups, from academia, to research, industry and general public to raise awareness about the COPE-Nano project and its prospects
- Education and training activities and webinars by all partners, in selected subjects to train the next generation of researchers in the fields of Organic Electronics and Nanotechnology
- Connections and engagement with Greek, European and International academic and research entities and industrial associations (HOPE-A, NanoNet)
- Engagement with running EU R&D Projects, including Teaming projects (e.g. CAMART2, Teaming Club Conference, etc) as well as Open Innovation Projects (MUSICODE, DigiPass, nanoMECommons), Open Innovation Test Beds, as FlexFunction2Sustain, etc, and large industrial EU funded projects as H2020 RealNano and HE Flex2Energy.
Increased scientific capabilities of the beneficiary institution and the host country enabling them to successfully apply for competitive funding in the EU and globally
- Increase of preparation and submission of R&D proposals in EC and Greek funding competitive Calls. - Strengthened Research Capabilities
- Enhanced R&I Infrastructure and Equipment
- Capacity Building Through Training and Exchanges
Improved the R&I culture of the country (indicators such as research intensity, innovation performance, values towards R&I) through centers of excellence as lighthouses and role models.
COPE-Nano project has made important strides in enhancing the role of higher education in research and innovation. The project submitted seven publications in peer-reviewed journals. These publications are expected to increase the citation count greatly and, as a result, improve the h-index of COPE-Nano members, further establishing the center’s scientific reputation.
Stimulus for institutional and systemic reforms and R&I investments at national level by enabling
Conditions on governance of SP3 introduced under cohesion policy programmes as far as applicable
COPE-Nano is driving reforms at AUTh and setting an example for other Greek academic and research institutions. These changes include strengthening research and innovation (R&I) activities, holding over >15 collaboration meetings with national and European organizations, and submitting 10 funding proposals, demonstrating its ability to attract competitive funding.
Strengthened and mutually benefitting collaboration with leading institutions from abroad
COPE-Nano operates as a Centre of Excellence (CoE) that strengthens and broadens national and international collaborations with research centers, universities, and industries. In this period, COPE-Nano members actively engaged with other CoEs, including networking with the Cyprus CoE, collaborating with the Biosense Institute in Novi Sad, Serbia and hosting the CAMART2 CoE.
Development and promotion of new research strands in relevant domains
The COPE-Nano Centre of Excellence provides state-of-the-art laboratories and testing facilities, equipped with advanced tools such as nano-scale fabrication systems, high-resolution characterization equipment, and large-scale printing technologies.
Outcome#6: Developed and enhanced R&I capacities and the uptake of advanced technologies
COPE-Nano has built strong, strategic collaborations between advanced research partners and local industries, driving the transfer of expertise and fostering a vibrant R&D culture in Greece. Through its partnership with LTFN, COPE-Nano has engaged directly with over 5 Greek Industries.
Contribution to the achievement of the specific objectives of the supporting national/regional/EU
programme as Complementary Funding
COPE-Nano has made significant strides in attracting complementary funding through its strategic involvement in national, regional, and EU programs. By forming joint consortia and submitting R&D proposals, the project has strengthened its position in key areas, including Green Energy and Horizon Europe, aligning with Greece's Smart Specialization Strategy priorities.
Enhanced innovation and integration of planned processes, services and products of the centre
COPE-Nano is committed to establishing itself as a key innovation hub in Greece and South-East Europe. By offering state-of-the-art facilities for applied research and product prototyping, COPE-Nano aims to attract a diverse range of start-ups from both Greece and the wider European Union.
Enhanced co-operation and synergies with other EU projects
COPE-Nano has developed an effective strategy for fostering connections and networking with other European Union projects in the fields of Nanotechnologies, Functional Printed Electronics (FPE), and Nanomedicine.
- Increase of preparation and submission of R&D proposals in EC and Greek funding competitive Calls. - Strengthened Research Capabilities
- Enhanced R&I Infrastructure and Equipment
- Capacity Building Through Training and Exchanges
Improved the R&I culture of the country (indicators such as research intensity, innovation performance, values towards R&I) through centers of excellence as lighthouses and role models.
COPE-Nano project has made important strides in enhancing the role of higher education in research and innovation. The project submitted seven publications in peer-reviewed journals. These publications are expected to increase the citation count greatly and, as a result, improve the h-index of COPE-Nano members, further establishing the center’s scientific reputation.
Stimulus for institutional and systemic reforms and R&I investments at national level by enabling
Conditions on governance of SP3 introduced under cohesion policy programmes as far as applicable
COPE-Nano is driving reforms at AUTh and setting an example for other Greek academic and research institutions. These changes include strengthening research and innovation (R&I) activities, holding over >15 collaboration meetings with national and European organizations, and submitting 10 funding proposals, demonstrating its ability to attract competitive funding.
Strengthened and mutually benefitting collaboration with leading institutions from abroad
COPE-Nano operates as a Centre of Excellence (CoE) that strengthens and broadens national and international collaborations with research centers, universities, and industries. In this period, COPE-Nano members actively engaged with other CoEs, including networking with the Cyprus CoE, collaborating with the Biosense Institute in Novi Sad, Serbia and hosting the CAMART2 CoE.
Development and promotion of new research strands in relevant domains
The COPE-Nano Centre of Excellence provides state-of-the-art laboratories and testing facilities, equipped with advanced tools such as nano-scale fabrication systems, high-resolution characterization equipment, and large-scale printing technologies.
Outcome#6: Developed and enhanced R&I capacities and the uptake of advanced technologies
COPE-Nano has built strong, strategic collaborations between advanced research partners and local industries, driving the transfer of expertise and fostering a vibrant R&D culture in Greece. Through its partnership with LTFN, COPE-Nano has engaged directly with over 5 Greek Industries.
Contribution to the achievement of the specific objectives of the supporting national/regional/EU
programme as Complementary Funding
COPE-Nano has made significant strides in attracting complementary funding through its strategic involvement in national, regional, and EU programs. By forming joint consortia and submitting R&D proposals, the project has strengthened its position in key areas, including Green Energy and Horizon Europe, aligning with Greece's Smart Specialization Strategy priorities.
Enhanced innovation and integration of planned processes, services and products of the centre
COPE-Nano is committed to establishing itself as a key innovation hub in Greece and South-East Europe. By offering state-of-the-art facilities for applied research and product prototyping, COPE-Nano aims to attract a diverse range of start-ups from both Greece and the wider European Union.
Enhanced co-operation and synergies with other EU projects
COPE-Nano has developed an effective strategy for fostering connections and networking with other European Union projects in the fields of Nanotechnologies, Functional Printed Electronics (FPE), and Nanomedicine.