Periodic Reporting for period 2 - GlaCerHub (Glass-ceramic innovation ecosystem for implementation of new research directions in applications)
Berichtszeitraum: 2024-09-01 bis 2025-11-30
The GlaCerHub project aims to foster innovation, economic growth, and competitiveness by establishing a dedicated innovation ecosystem for the glass and ceramics industry in South Moravia (Czechia), and Trenčín (Slovakia) – a region with a rich tradition in these fields. GlaCerHub seeks to build on this foundation by creating a collaborative platform that brings together industry, academia, government, and society in a quadruple helix approach. This enables knowledge exchange, co-creation and joint innovation.
The main project activities focus on establishing structures to deliver:
• intense, innovation-focused networking,
• development of a shared R&I strategy,
• results-oriented training for future innovators, and
• targeted activities to support technology transfer.
Through these initiatives, the project aims to create a lasting, self-sustaining innovation hub that will drive increased investments in glass and ceramics R&D, foster new intersectoral PhDs, and promote talent development. It will also support IPR protection efforts, and promote technology transfer activities — all focused on converting excellent research into successful innovations.
The main project activities focus on establishing structures to deliver:
• intense, innovation-focused networking,
• development of a shared R&I strategy,
• results-oriented training for future innovators, and
• targeted activities to support technology transfer.
Through these initiatives, the project aims to create a lasting, self-sustaining innovation hub that will drive increased investments in glass and ceramics R&D, foster new intersectoral PhDs, and promote talent development. It will also support IPR protection efforts, and promote technology transfer activities — all focused on converting excellent research into successful innovations.
During the second phase of the project, activities focused on implementing the core research, training, and innovation programs of GlaCerHub. Emphasis was placed on on strengthening collaboration across the quadruple helix, developing the R&I strategy, and initiating talent development and research internship schemes to drive technical and scientific progress. The main activities were:
• The second edition of Melting Days brought together Local Chapter members and new participants, expanding the Chapter’s base and strengthening collaboration across the quadruple helix.
• GlaCerHub R&I strategy developed: The six key domains identified within the R&I Agenda now guide the consortium’s research activities, providing a shared framework for collaboration, prioritisation, and the development of targeted research and innovation actions.
• A training program curriculum has been developed and put in place, outlining core competencies, learning outcomes, and skill-building activities. The inaugural cohort has been successfully recruited, bringing together a diverse group of participants aligned with the program’s objectives. In parallel, a structured training schedule has been established to ensure timely delivery of modules.
• A competitive research internship scheme was launched. First call successfully completed and second call has been running with two interns from September 2025.
• A database of relevant calls, regularly updated, and easily accessible by GlaCerHub members, has been prepared and is available on the GlaCerHub website. During the reporting period, technologies were gathered via the TechView Platform to assess their specific needs and commercial potential, and to identify appropriate support and funding opportunities for continued R&D on their path to market.
• The second edition of Melting Days brought together Local Chapter members and new participants, expanding the Chapter’s base and strengthening collaboration across the quadruple helix.
• GlaCerHub R&I strategy developed: The six key domains identified within the R&I Agenda now guide the consortium’s research activities, providing a shared framework for collaboration, prioritisation, and the development of targeted research and innovation actions.
• A training program curriculum has been developed and put in place, outlining core competencies, learning outcomes, and skill-building activities. The inaugural cohort has been successfully recruited, bringing together a diverse group of participants aligned with the program’s objectives. In parallel, a structured training schedule has been established to ensure timely delivery of modules.
• A competitive research internship scheme was launched. First call successfully completed and second call has been running with two interns from September 2025.
• A database of relevant calls, regularly updated, and easily accessible by GlaCerHub members, has been prepared and is available on the GlaCerHub website. During the reporting period, technologies were gathered via the TechView Platform to assess their specific needs and commercial potential, and to identify appropriate support and funding opportunities for continued R&D on their path to market.
The results of the GlaCerHub project aim to generate the following long-term impacts: new investments in glass and ceramics R&D, patent applications, the creation of spin-offs, intersectoral PhDs, licensing transactions, and international recognition of GlaCerHub for its excellence and expertise in innovation for advanced glass and ceramics.
The potential impact of the project depends on whether the target users adopt and leverage the project results. The discussion below outlines potential impacts for the project’s target groups:
• Academia - The primary impact lies in advancing a cutting-edge scientific agenda focused on topics with high innovation potential. Additionally, the project upskills participating researchers through innovation-focused training, fosters intersectoral networking, and promotes pathways toward technology transfer activities.
• Industry – Strengthened linkages between science and business creates opportunities for the uptake of innovative technologies, either by existing market players or through the emergence of new technology-based SMEs. This delivers innovative applications that provide environmental and economic benefits for society.
• Public - The public benefits from the adoption of innovative technologies that improve quality of life, as well as from easier access to educational materials and information.
• Government - The public sector experiences higher returns on R&D investments in public research institutions, resulting in enhanced regional economic competitiveness. This is driven by new key enabling technologies that align with the principles of sustainable development and support the technological sovereignty of the EU.
The potential impact of the project depends on whether the target users adopt and leverage the project results. The discussion below outlines potential impacts for the project’s target groups:
• Academia - The primary impact lies in advancing a cutting-edge scientific agenda focused on topics with high innovation potential. Additionally, the project upskills participating researchers through innovation-focused training, fosters intersectoral networking, and promotes pathways toward technology transfer activities.
• Industry – Strengthened linkages between science and business creates opportunities for the uptake of innovative technologies, either by existing market players or through the emergence of new technology-based SMEs. This delivers innovative applications that provide environmental and economic benefits for society.
• Public - The public benefits from the adoption of innovative technologies that improve quality of life, as well as from easier access to educational materials and information.
• Government - The public sector experiences higher returns on R&D investments in public research institutions, resulting in enhanced regional economic competitiveness. This is driven by new key enabling technologies that align with the principles of sustainable development and support the technological sovereignty of the EU.