During the first reporting period, the consortium concentrated on laying the groundwork for the network and launching its research activities. All ten doctoral candidates (two of them based in the UK and recruited under the ‘UKRI-HE guarantee’ scheme) joined the programme and were enrolled in their respective PhD tracks. The governance structure was put in place, and the project website and communication channels were established to ensure smooth coordination.
On the scientific side, progress has been substantial. New molecular magnets were synthesized, including the first magnetocaloric films produced within the project, marking an important step toward miniaturized cooling technologies. Hybrid halide perovskites and metal-organic frameworks were developed for barocaloric studies, while liquid crystal elastomers were formulated for mechanocaloric applications. Spin-crossover compounds and organic-ionic plastic crystals were also introduced as promising candidates for pressure-driven caloric effects. To support these efforts, experimental setups were upgraded to enable direct caloric measurements under variable fields and pressures, and protocols for thin-film deposition and processing of elastomeric elements were initiated.
The scientific output is already visible: three papers on magnetic molecules have been published, and another two manuscripts have recently been submitted. Alongside research, the training programme was launched with courses on Open Science, machine learning for materials design, and specialized workshops on caloric materials and measurement techniques. Dissemination activities began early, with the creation of the MolCal web portal, the release of newsletters, and participation in public science events, ensuring that the project gained visibility and engagement from the start.
