Periodic Reporting for period 5 - HiLASE CoE (HiLASE Centre of Excellence)
Reporting period: 2022-04-01 to 2023-11-30
The IP-ASCR teams up with the STFC (UK RI). This partnership ensures that the Centre is „up and running“ as a world leader as quickly as possible, that opportunities for innovation, exploitation and excellent science are identified and developed, and that a cutting edge Centre enhancement programme is delivered efficiently, on time and with the best value for money. In combination, these will ensure the success of the Centre for the duration of the Teaming Action and guarantee its future sustainability.
The Centre is perfectly located in a new and dynamically developing region STAR, i.e. the cluster including all key innovative infrastructures and hi-tech companies of the region with huge potential to increase the competitiveness of the region and wellbeing of its people. Together with other local players the potential to reduce regional disparities and weaknesses in R&D&I field in the Czech Republic is thus significantly increased.
The Centre will provide access to „next generation“ laser technology in the form of DPSSL architecture with unique combination of high peak laser power, high average power, high pulse repetition rate and high efficiency. This combination makes HiLASE the perfect facility „engine“ for a Centre of Excellence, bringing an unmatched opportunity for research excellence, technological innovation and industrial exploitation.
Objectives:
1. To drive improvements in the innovation performance of the Czech Republic at Regional and National level.
2. To establish and grow a pan‐European user community based at HiLASE, delivering a programme of scientific excellence through the exploitation of the Centre.
3. To raise the profile of the Czech Republic in laser ‐ driven materials processing.
4. To further develop STAR, the existing regional cluster providing an innovation friendly environment.
5. To enhance the "Day 1" capability of the Centre by technology development with funding from MEYS.
6. To establish the academic autonomy of the Centre.
7. To establish a strategy to underpin the Centre's self ‐ sustainability into the future.
8. To promote science and innovation in general and laser technology and applications in particular, to the wider community.
The Centre is perfectly located in a new and dynamically developing region STAR, i.e. the cluster including all key innovative infrastructures and hi-tech companies of the region with huge potential to increase the competitiveness of the region and wellbeing of its people. Together with other local players the potential to reduce regional disparities and weaknesses in R&D&I field in the Czech Republic is thus significantly increased.
The Centre will provide access to „next generation“ laser technology in the form of DPSSL architecture with unique combination of high peak laser power, high average power, high pulse repetition rate and high efficiency. This combination makes HiLASE the perfect facility „engine“ for a Centre of Excellence, bringing an unmatched opportunity for research excellence, technological innovation and industrial exploitation.
Objectives:
1. To drive improvements in the innovation performance of the Czech Republic at Regional and National level.
2. To establish and grow a pan‐European user community based at HiLASE, delivering a programme of scientific excellence through the exploitation of the Centre.
3. To raise the profile of the Czech Republic in laser ‐ driven materials processing.
4. To further develop STAR, the existing regional cluster providing an innovation friendly environment.
5. To enhance the "Day 1" capability of the Centre by technology development with funding from MEYS.
6. To establish the academic autonomy of the Centre.
7. To establish a strategy to underpin the Centre's self ‐ sustainability into the future.
8. To promote science and innovation in general and laser technology and applications in particular, to the wider community.
The Project is implemented in accordance with the expected timetable within a defined scope, costs and quality. All deliverables and milestones were submitted and reached in time with one exemption of WP7 – Ethics requirements deliverables.
The project, within its 1st and 2nd reporting phase, has achieved a number of successes that are the fruit of an effective partnership between IP-ASCR and STFC (UK RI). Complete list of deliverables submitted and milestones reached is stated within Part B.
Project’s governance structure was successfully established within the WP1. Key project management bodies such as HiLASE CoE Executive Board (HEB), Advisory Board (AB) and Project Management Committee (PMC) officially started their activities. Moreover key management positions were appointed in order to run the project smoothly. Very important milestone under control of WP1 was ensuring the co-financing of the H2020 project from the relevant national Operational Program Research, development and education. The decision on grant was launched in September 2017.
As for the WP2, key tasks of both parts - innovation and user programme - were successfully achieved. HiLASE Innovation Taskforce (HIT) was established and started operation.
The group of technical WPs, i.e.: WP3, WP4 and WP5 connected with delivery of a critical mass of capital assets was implemented according to DoA with the most important outcomes or deliverables so-called Technical implementation studies (TIS) focused on Application Areas, Laser Systems and Support Infrastructure. TIS serves as a necessary input into the procurement documentation and a basis for expert consultations with advanced Partner for implementation and operation of individual upgrades. All technological upgrades were put in the operation.
A lot of activities and successful events were carried out under the WP6 Communication and dissemination. Several big events for the public, students from the universities and secondary schools organized.
As for the WP7, based on the discussions within the 1st Review Meeting with the EC representatives in October 2018, the Deliverable D7.3 related to potential Dual Use issues was submitted in October 2018. The Ethics Advisor as an independent external expert was involved in the workflow for contract research projects mentioned above.
The project, within its 1st and 2nd reporting phase, has achieved a number of successes that are the fruit of an effective partnership between IP-ASCR and STFC (UK RI). Complete list of deliverables submitted and milestones reached is stated within Part B.
Project’s governance structure was successfully established within the WP1. Key project management bodies such as HiLASE CoE Executive Board (HEB), Advisory Board (AB) and Project Management Committee (PMC) officially started their activities. Moreover key management positions were appointed in order to run the project smoothly. Very important milestone under control of WP1 was ensuring the co-financing of the H2020 project from the relevant national Operational Program Research, development and education. The decision on grant was launched in September 2017.
As for the WP2, key tasks of both parts - innovation and user programme - were successfully achieved. HiLASE Innovation Taskforce (HIT) was established and started operation.
The group of technical WPs, i.e.: WP3, WP4 and WP5 connected with delivery of a critical mass of capital assets was implemented according to DoA with the most important outcomes or deliverables so-called Technical implementation studies (TIS) focused on Application Areas, Laser Systems and Support Infrastructure. TIS serves as a necessary input into the procurement documentation and a basis for expert consultations with advanced Partner for implementation and operation of individual upgrades. All technological upgrades were put in the operation.
A lot of activities and successful events were carried out under the WP6 Communication and dissemination. Several big events for the public, students from the universities and secondary schools organized.
As for the WP7, based on the discussions within the 1st Review Meeting with the EC representatives in October 2018, the Deliverable D7.3 related to potential Dual Use issues was submitted in October 2018. The Ethics Advisor as an independent external expert was involved in the workflow for contract research projects mentioned above.
According to the DoA scientific, technological and impacts are measured by selected KPIs on annual basis. KPIs for 2022 are displayed below.
Planned Reality reached (in %)
KPI 1.1 Number of post-doctoral employees at the Centre 25 20 80%
KPI 1.2 Number of publications in high impact scientific journals 18 14 78%
KPI 1.3 Number of students (MA, Ph.D.) accessing the Centre 15 22 147%
KPI 1.4 Volume of financial resources from foreign grants (k€) 119 232 195%
KPI 1.5 Volume of financial resources from national public funds (k€) 204 597 293%
KPI 1.6 Number of participations in programs of international cooperation 2 4 200%
KPI 1.7 Number of researchers working in the upgraded Centre 40 59 148%
KPI 1.8 Number of researchers working in the upgraded Centre - women 12 7 58%
KPI 2.1 Number of proof of concept trials with industrial participation 8 8 100%
KPI 2.2 Volume of the contracted research revenues (k€) 710 165 23%
KPI 2.3 Number of collaborative projects with the application sphere 14 8 57%
KPI 2.4 Prototype, methodology, utility model and industrial sample 5 7 140%
KPIs for the 2023 are displayed below
Planned Reality reached (in %)
KPI 1.1 Number of post-doctoral employees at the Centre 26 26 100%
KPI 1.2 Number of publications in high impact scientific journals 20 21 105%
KPI 1.3 Number of students (MA, Ph.D.) accessing the Centre 20 22 110%
KPI 1.4 Volume of financial resources from foreign grants (k€) 233 570 245%
KPI 1.5 Volume of financial resources from national public funds (k€) 285 1400 473%
KPI 1.6 Number of participations in programs of international cooperation 0 3 300%
KPI 1.7 Number of researchers working in the upgraded Centre 38 61 161%
KPI 1.8 Number of researchers working in the upgraded Centre - women 11 9 82%
KPI 2.1 Number of proof of concept trials with industrial participation 10 13 130%
KPI 2.2 Volume of the contracted research revenues (k€) 1148 227 20%
KPI 2.3 Number of collaborative projects with the application sphere 16 16 100%
KPI 2.4 Prototype, methodology, utility model and industrial sample 2 5 150%
Planned Reality reached (in %)
KPI 1.1 Number of post-doctoral employees at the Centre 25 20 80%
KPI 1.2 Number of publications in high impact scientific journals 18 14 78%
KPI 1.3 Number of students (MA, Ph.D.) accessing the Centre 15 22 147%
KPI 1.4 Volume of financial resources from foreign grants (k€) 119 232 195%
KPI 1.5 Volume of financial resources from national public funds (k€) 204 597 293%
KPI 1.6 Number of participations in programs of international cooperation 2 4 200%
KPI 1.7 Number of researchers working in the upgraded Centre 40 59 148%
KPI 1.8 Number of researchers working in the upgraded Centre - women 12 7 58%
KPI 2.1 Number of proof of concept trials with industrial participation 8 8 100%
KPI 2.2 Volume of the contracted research revenues (k€) 710 165 23%
KPI 2.3 Number of collaborative projects with the application sphere 14 8 57%
KPI 2.4 Prototype, methodology, utility model and industrial sample 5 7 140%
KPIs for the 2023 are displayed below
Planned Reality reached (in %)
KPI 1.1 Number of post-doctoral employees at the Centre 26 26 100%
KPI 1.2 Number of publications in high impact scientific journals 20 21 105%
KPI 1.3 Number of students (MA, Ph.D.) accessing the Centre 20 22 110%
KPI 1.4 Volume of financial resources from foreign grants (k€) 233 570 245%
KPI 1.5 Volume of financial resources from national public funds (k€) 285 1400 473%
KPI 1.6 Number of participations in programs of international cooperation 0 3 300%
KPI 1.7 Number of researchers working in the upgraded Centre 38 61 161%
KPI 1.8 Number of researchers working in the upgraded Centre - women 11 9 82%
KPI 2.1 Number of proof of concept trials with industrial participation 10 13 130%
KPI 2.2 Volume of the contracted research revenues (k€) 1148 227 20%
KPI 2.3 Number of collaborative projects with the application sphere 16 16 100%
KPI 2.4 Prototype, methodology, utility model and industrial sample 2 5 150%