Periodic Reporting for period 2 - TImPANI (Twinning in atmospheric Plasma science and applications)
Période du rapport: 2020-02-01 au 2022-04-30
The problem addressed in Twinning is that of low scientific cooperation between institutions from countries with high research and innovation (R&I) indicators and institutions from countries with below average R&I indicator. Twinning closes that gap. It pairs institutions from low R&I index with institutions from countries with high R&I index. For TImPANI the Electromagnetics and Novel Applications Lab (ENAL) of the University of Cyprus (UCY) is paired with two internationally leading research institutions, the Leibniz-Institut für Analytische Wiseenschaften-ISAS-e.V Germany (ISAS) and University of Jaén (UJA) in Spain. The aim is to stimulate excellence and innovation capacity at UCY in Plasma science and applications. The objectives of TImPANI are i.) Enhance the quality of and increase the (R&I) output of ENAL (UCY) by strengthening its capabilities in human resources and infrastructure. The critical mass of researchers rigorously trained on the science and applications of plasma at UCY will lead to innovation, entrepreneurship and start-ups that will help reversing the poor R&I index of Cyprus. ii.)Support research and innovation (R&I) for Europe by creating synergy between academic and research institutions and industry from Cyprus, Spain and Germany. The researchers that will be trained under TImPANI will have a positive impact on R&I on Europe as a whole. iii) To strengthen significantly the reputation, attractiveness and networking capabilities of ENAL by introducing ENAL to key worldwide players and institutions (academic and industrial) allowing for the participation in scientific consortia for high-quality R&I proposals and projects. As an indirect result of the project, the collaboration of ENAL with top institutions such as ISAS and UJA will greatly improve its profile visibility and reputation making it a more attractive institution. This will also lead to many more networking opportunities. iv.)To significantly boost the participation and success rate in competitive research funding bids in the field submitted by the ENAL both as a coordinator and as a partner due to the expected increase in R&I capacity and international and national networking. v) To have long term infrastructure sharing that will benefit not only ENAL but also ISAS and UJA. It is envisioned that UJA and ISAS have access to numerical simulations (through ENAL) and ENAL will be able to conduct experiments and tests its ideas through UJA and ISAS. vi) To bridge the gap between academia-industry in Cyprus. vii) To strengthen the links to the MENA (Middle East North Africa) countries by taking advantage of the geographical position of Cyprus and the strong links of UCY with MENA. viii) To achieve a sustainable collaboration with UJA and ISAS that will lead among others to long-term knowledge exchange, joint research ventures, joint funding opportunities. ix) To increase awareness among the public through targeted communication and dissemination activities. The goal is to make the public aware of the use of the benefits and applications of plasma technology. TImPANI brings technical know-how from advanced institutions, which will strengthen the scientific capabilities of UCY and the Cypriot industry. For Europe it brings unity and cohesion among the European countries, it allows for the increase in innovation in a country that is under-performing and it helps educate future researchers and innovators. It also helps expand the European market and knowledge in the MENA region. Lastly, atmospheric pressure room temperature plasma is a new and exciting field with applications in industrial processing, analytical chemistry, bio sterilization, wound healing and even cancer treatment. TImPANI can help Europe become an innovator and world leader in this field.
The project started with a kick-off meeting and a scientific audit of ENAL UCY by the two advanced partners ISAS and UJA. From there ENAL developed its research and innovation strategy. The consortium participated in eight conferences such as the German Physical society, the workshop for cancer treatment, the American society for mass spectrometry and the electroporation based technologies and treatments. The consortium brought three expert lecturers at UCY to share their expertise in plasma streamers, in plasma applications and laser induced breakdown spectroscopy and organized a workshop at UCY with the theme of dielectric barrier discharge applications in mass spectrometry. The consortium held a total of six intensive staff exchanges week long trainings with two at each institution. The topics included hands on plasma sources and diagnostics (ISAS), fundamentals of mass spectrometry (UJA) and numerical simulations of plasma devices (UCY). A total of three webinars open to the public were organized by the three institutions educating and also sharing the latest research from each group. In order to further enhance the scientific reputation and innovation capacity of ENAL (UCY) two thematic workshops that attracted world renowned researchers was hosted by UCY. Due to the pandemic the first workshop (2021) was held online and attracted researchers from all over the world. The joint PhD (Cotutelle) between UCY and UJA started in 2021 and is expected to be completed by 2024. ENAL participated in funding applications jointly with UJA and ISAS and also with other consortia that included academic and industrial partners including SMEs from Cyprus and the international community ENAL is part of the COST action PlasTHER and was awarded contracts with Cypriot industry and has received funding for joint projects between UCY and UJA. ENAL expanded its nertworking with the MENA by submitting a peer-review article and also an Erasmus+ proposal. The scientific capacity of ENAL has increased as a evidenced by the the six peer-review articles publication (and two submitted). The project had benefits for ISAS and UJA such as four peer review articles and MSCA individual fellowship funding.
The impact of TImPANI has been multifaceted. First, there has been an improvement of the overall scientific and innovation capacity of UCY in plasma science and applications. The scientific output (journals, conferences, citations) has increased as the overall capacity of UCY is improving. The staff exchanges, webinar, workshop, expert lectures all contributed even further to the scientific and innovation capacity of UCY and have improved the international reputation and standing. Second, there has been a positive impact on the R&I potential of Cyprus. The project TImPANI helps train students, creating a critical mass of researchers and innovators for ENAL. The project is providing access for UCY to advanced infrastructure and to international experts, increasing its capability. The entire TImPANI team is working in unison with complementary skills and expertise and is applying for high impact competitive funding. ENAL with the help of the consortium is developing links with the Cypriot and international industry. Lastly, there has also been significant benefit for ISAS and UJA. ISAS and UJA received training and exchange of knowledge in areas that ENAL is very strong at such as numerical simulations, they obtained access to excellent students that could do part of their PhD at UJA or ISAS, and they got the opportunity to innovate along with ENAL and to expand and create links to other geographical areas such as the MENA region.