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Strengthening sensor research links between the Georgian Technical University and the European Research Area

Final Report Summary - SENS-ERA (Strengthening sensor research links between the Georgian Technical University and the European Research Area)

Executive Summary:
The overall aim of the SENS-ERA project was to integrate the Georgian Technical University (GTU) into the European Research Area (ERA), by developing cooperation with European research and innovation organisations in its three strongest research topics:

A) Semiconductor based materials for optical sensors;
B) Radiation sensor elements based on A4, A3B5, and rare earth semiconductors;
C) Novel smart sensor systems for environmental monitoring.

The SENS-ERA project built upon GTU’s existing strengths as a high-quality research institution via capacity building activities with the following 3 excellent European research and innovation organisations:

1. Cranfield University (Cranfield),
2. Technological Educational Institute of Piraeus (TEIPIR),
3. Intelligentsia Consultants (Intelligentsia)

The capacity building activities involved twinning and training of GTU researchers focused on the three research topics as well as several FP7 programmes (e.g. ICT, NMP, Security and Environment). Also, it involved dissemination and strategy development to support the GTU organisation.

The main results of the project were the following:

i. TEIPIR’s and GTU’s joint collaboration on erbium-doped bragg reflectors and gratings resulted in the research paper “Simulation and properties of Erbium-Doped Distributed Bragg Reflectors (ED-DBRs) and Fiber Bragg Gratings (ED-FBGs)” published in the international journal “Optical Fiber Technology” (October 2013).
ii. Cranfield, TEIPIR and GTU obtained very promising results with isotope B10-doped sensors. These could potentially be used as gamma and neutron radiation sensors in photovoltaic, organic LEDs, biomedical and security applications.
iii. Three SENS-ERA workshops were successfully held in Tbilisi and Athens (“Novel sensors for nuclear radiation systems”, “Advanced sensor systems and networks” and “European Cooperation for Novel Generation Sensors Development”).
iv. The international scientific conference “Nanosensory Systems and Nanomaterials” was successfully held in June 2013 in Tbilisi (Deliverable 3.11). Selected papers from the conference will be published in the international journal “Nanotechnology Perceptions” (Switzerland).
v. Dedicated SENS-ERA sessions were held during the 7th and 8th International Scientific Conference "eRA – 7: The SynEnergy Forum" in Athens in 2012 and 2013. Numerous papers co-authored by GTU, TEIPIR and Cranfield were presented.
vi. Lectures and lecture notes wereprovided by Cranfield on advanced materials, nanostructured coatings, fibre-sensors developments, space radiation hazard and space waste management.
vii. e-learning training modules on physics and technology for radiation sensors and light sensing devices were produced by TEIPIR.
viii. e-learning training modules on physics and technology for sensor networks of light and radiation sensing nodes and networks of smart nodes and self-organizing networks were produced by TEIPIR.
ix. Training and awareness-raising courses provided by Intelligentsia about Marie Curie schemes and FP7/Horizon 2020 programmes relevant to sensor research.
x. A SENS-ERA Evaluation Report was prepared and presented to Georgian MPs, leading academics, engineers and industry representatives at the international conference “Nanosensory Systems and Nanomaterials” in Tbilisi in June 2013.
xi. A SENS-ERA Strategy Report was prepared. The report is to be approved by the University Council with the Rector assigning a committee for drafting and monitoring one- and two-year activity plans and targets.
xii. Both the FP7 proposals (NANOMAT-EPC, www.nanomat-epc.eu and SECURE-R2I, www.secure-r2i.eu) prepared by Intelligentsia during the project, and involving GTU, were successfully evaluated and started in late 2013.
xiii. GTU and TEIPIR successfully applied for funding to hold the NATO sponsored conference “Nuclear Radiation Nanosensors and Nanosensory Systems”, which will be held in Tbilisi on 6-9 March 2014.
Project Context and Objectives:
The overall aim of the SENS-ERA project was to strengthen sensor research links between the Georgian Technical University (GTU) and the European Research Area (ERA), by developing cooperation with European research and innovation organisations in its three strongest sensor research topics: A) Semiconductor based materials for optical sensors; B) Radiation sensor elements based on A4, A3B5 and rare earth semiconductors; and C) Novel smart sensor systems for environmental monitoring. These are also research topics highly relevant to the FP7 ICT, NMP, Security and Environment work programmes.

GTU was established in 1922 and is the leading technology university in Georgia. It is also an important research centre in the South Caucasus and Black Sea region and many GTU graduates have gone on to become high-ranking scientists and engineers around the world. GTU researchers regularly publish international papers and present at international conferences in these research topics. GTU has a high potential for integration into ERA as demonstrated by its participation in many national and international projects.

The SENS-ERA project involved expanding GTU’s capacities and scientific expertise through strategic collaboration with the following three excellent European research and innovation organisations: Cranfield University, Technological Education Institute of Piraeus and Intelligentsia Consultants.

SENS-ERA lasted 24 months and was implemented by a dedicated team of experienced GTU researchers. It was overseen by a steering committee involving the consortium partners plus members of the Georgian government, Euroscience Association and Euro Mediterranean Academy of Arts and Sciences. By improving specific research capabilities the SENS-ERA project strongly supported the organisation’s participation in EU R&D programmes and integration in ERA.
Project Results:
TEIPIR’s and GTU’s joint collaboration on erbium-doped bragg reflectors and gratings resulted in the research paper “Simulation and properties of Erbium-Doped Distributed Bragg Reflectors (ED-DBRs) and Fiber Bragg Gratings (ED-FBGs)” published in the international journal “Optical Fiber Technology” (October 2013).

Cranfield, TEIPIR and GTU obtained very promising results with isotope B10-doped sensors. These could potentially be used as gamma and neutron radiation sensors in photovoltaic, organic LEDs, biomedical and security applications.

Three SENS-ERA workshops were successfully held in Tbilisi and Athens (“Novel sensors for nuclear radiation systems”, “Advanced sensor systems and networks” and “European Cooperation for Novel Generation Sensors Development”).

The international scientific conference “Nanosensory Systems and Nanomaterials” was successfully held in June 2013 in Tbilisi (Deliverable 3.11). Selected papers from the conference will be published in the international journal “Nanotechnology Perceptions” (Switzerland).

Dedicated SENS-ERA sessions were held during the 7th and 8th International Scientific Conference "eRA – 7: The SynEnergy Forum" in Athens in 2012 and 2013. Numerous papers co-authored by GTU, TEIPIR and Cranfield were presented.

Lectures and lecture notes provided by Cranfield on advanced materials, nanostructured coatings, fibre-sensors developments, space radiation hazard and space waste management.

e-learning training modules on physics and technology for topic B1 (radiation sensors - physics and technology) and topic B2 (light sensing devices - physics and technology) produced by TEIPIR. This training material was further enriched with self-assessment tests for the trainees.

e-learning training modules on physics and technology for topic C1 (sensor networks of light and radiation sensing nodes) and topic C2 (networks of smart nodes and self-organizing networks) produced by TEIPIR. This training material was further enriched with self-assessment tests for the trainees.

Training and awareness-raising courses provided by Intelligentsia about Marie Curie schemes and FP7/Horizon 2020 programmes relevant to sensor research.

A SENS-ERA Evaluation Report was prepared and presented to Georgian MPs, leading academics, engineers and industry representatives at the international conference “Nanosensory Systems and Nanomaterials” in Tbilisi in June 2013.

A SENS-ERA Strategy Report was prepared. The report is to be approved by the University Council with the Rector assigning a committee for drafting and monitoring one- and two-year activity plans and targets.

Both the FP7 proposals (NANOMAT-EPC, www.nanomat-epc.eu and SECURE-R2I, www.secure-r2i.eu) prepared by Intelligentsia in Period 1 and involving GTU as a consortium partner were successfully evaluated and have started in Period 2.

GTU and TEIPIR successfully applied for funding to hold the NATO sponsored conference “Nuclear Radiation Nanosensors and Nanosensory Systems”, which will be held in Tbilisi on 6-9 March 2014.
Potential Impact:
The SENS-ERA project succeeded in strengthening sensor research links between the Georgian Technical University (GTU) and the European Research Area (ERA).

The project’s final results demonstrated that a durable research cooperation had been established between GTU and its European partners (Cranfield, TEIPIR and Intelligentsia).

Specifically, the following new collaborative activities were initiated:

a) Successful FP7 NANOMAT-EPC project application (Intelligentsia, GTU and TEIPIR).

b) Successful FP7 SECURE-R2I project application (Intelligentsia and GTU).

c) NATO conference “Nuclear Radiation Nanosensors and Nanosensory Systems” in Tbilisi in March 2014 (GTU and TEIPIR).

d) NATO application “Development of arcjet working on the basis of phase transformation of already used structures” (GTU and Cranfield).

e) Erasmus+ application to develop common Master and PhD programmes in engineering physics (GTU, Cranfield and TEIPIR).

f) Interest to submit joint research proposals to H2020 Secure Societies, ICT and NMP programmes (GTU, Cranfield, TEIPIR and Intelligentsia).

List of Websites:

Website: www.sens-era.eu

Contact: Prof. Paata Kervalishvili, Georgian Technical University, Email: kervalpt@yahoo.com or kerval@global-erty.net