Periodic Reporting for period 2 - STRENTEX (ERA Chair for emerging technologies and innovative research in Stretchable and Textile Electronics)
Berichtszeitraum: 2021-04-01 bis 2022-12-31
The problem/issue being addressed: Despite serious efforts deployed at national and European level, the significant internal disparities in terms of research and innovation performance can be observed in Europe. The STRENTEX project is intended to enhance research performances of the promising institution from low performing country (Serbia), Faculty of Technical Sciences, University of Novi Sad (FTS-UNS), thanks to establishing ERA Chair in the field of stretchable and textile electronics. The leading idea of the STRENTEX project is to create a hub of excellence at FTS-UNS to continuously advance state-of-the-art research, technological innovation and contribution to broader social goals, in the field of Textile Electronics.
Importance for society. The STRENTEX project is in line with the Horizon 2020 Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) cross-cutting issue, engaging society, integrating the gender and ethical dimensions and ensuring the open access to research publications. The STRENTEX team has already identified strategic road mapping directions, aligning them with the needs and expectations of society. As a response to the identified societal challenges, ERA Chair team will deliver some of the following new innovative solutions: (1) Portable respiration monitoring system with embroidered face mask sensor; (2) Face masks heaters; (3) Electronic and textile-based system for treating warts at home using hyperthermia; (4) Smart bandages with sensors for detecting the status of the wound; (5) Performance evaluation of dental flosses and their sensing applications in oral cavity; (6) Antennas on textile; (7) Textile sensors for real time sweat analysis; (8) Textile-based wearable device for detection of date rape drugs in drinks, etc.
The overall project objective is to decrease the research and innovation performance disparities between the “widening country” (Serbia) and innovation leaders in the EU, through attracting and maintaining high quality human resources and through implementing structural changes at FTS-UNS, to facilitate the achievement of excellence in the field of Stretchable and Textile Electronics, building on the formation of a respectable ERA Chair in this scientific domain.
Importance for society. The STRENTEX project is in line with the Horizon 2020 Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) cross-cutting issue, engaging society, integrating the gender and ethical dimensions and ensuring the open access to research publications. The STRENTEX team has already identified strategic road mapping directions, aligning them with the needs and expectations of society. As a response to the identified societal challenges, ERA Chair team will deliver some of the following new innovative solutions: (1) Portable respiration monitoring system with embroidered face mask sensor; (2) Face masks heaters; (3) Electronic and textile-based system for treating warts at home using hyperthermia; (4) Smart bandages with sensors for detecting the status of the wound; (5) Performance evaluation of dental flosses and their sensing applications in oral cavity; (6) Antennas on textile; (7) Textile sensors for real time sweat analysis; (8) Textile-based wearable device for detection of date rape drugs in drinks, etc.
The overall project objective is to decrease the research and innovation performance disparities between the “widening country” (Serbia) and innovation leaders in the EU, through attracting and maintaining high quality human resources and through implementing structural changes at FTS-UNS, to facilitate the achievement of excellence in the field of Stretchable and Textile Electronics, building on the formation of a respectable ERA Chair in this scientific domain.
The most important work performed in this reporting period (from 01.04.2021 to 31.12.2022) are explained below per each work package and tasks within them.
WP1: ERA Chair establishment
Task 1.1: This task was accomplished in the first reporting period, bearing in mind that ERA Chair holder, prof. Varun Jeoti was employed at FTS-UNS and started his engagement from 01/09/2020. He continues successfully with his work during RP2.
Task 1.2: The ERA Chair team members (3 postdocs and 4 PhD students) were employed in the RP1. However, in RP2, some changes happened in the context that some members left the team and instead of them new members have been recruited.
Task 1.3: Three capital pieces of equipment (embroidery machine, screen printer and tension testing instrument) were purchased in the RP1 and they have been used actively by ERA Chair team members to develop innovative prototypes
WP2: Structural changes for sustainable excellence
Task 2.1: According to the plan, in order to support institutional ERA roadmap, in RP2, we organized (a) gender awareness seminar – with 17 attendees; and (b) meetings with stakeholders in the project field.
Task 2.2: ERA Chair holder created the “Development strategy of FTS-UNS in domain of Stretchable and Textile Electronics”, identifying research directions and scientific topics in which the FTS-UNS has the highest capabilities to reach peak of excellence and to be world-class institution. Additionally, at the coordinator institution we have implemented important structural changes in the domain of (a) infrastructure, (b) policies, and (c) organizational level.
Task 2.3: Following what is foreseen in the Annex 1, we established the Center for stretchable and textile electronics (CESTE) at FTS-UNS, during RP2
WP3: Raise research profile of the FTS-UNS and its staff
Task 3.1: Two staff members of the STRENTEX team (Dr Ankita Sinha and Adrian Stavrakis) performed their two-months long secondments to our EU networking partners (University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Italy and Elvesys company, France). In addition, 7 international experts delivered on-site training to ERA chair team. The 5-days summer school was organized as well as a workshop devoted to the commercialization issue of textile electronic devices.
Task 3.2: The webinar entitled “How to raise research profile of UNS staff “ was organized with 23 attendees. STRENTEX project team members published 21 journal papers during RP2. Furthermore, we participated in 5 international conferences. In addition, two STRENTEX team members (Dr Mitar Simić and Adrian Stavrakis) participated in the Organic Electronics Association (OE-A) working group meeting
WP4: Boosting FTS-UNS’s innovative capacities and capabilities
Task 4.1: We submitted 11 new follow-up project proposals (in 7 as a coordinator institution, whereas in 4 as a beneficiary) and 3 of them were approved for funding.
Task 4.2: STRENTEX team member submitted 3 patent applications during RP2 (two as national patents and one at the international level).
WP5: Dissemination, communication and exploitation
Task 5.1: The project web site and social media platforms are regularly updated. The project website attracted more than 4600 unique visitors and indicators related to our social media have constant organic increase.
Task 5.2: The STRENTEX team participated in 2 technical fairs in RP2: Belgrade (Serbia) and Nurnberg (Germany) and we have own booth and we exposed the developed prototypes within the STRENTEX project to wider audience. The promotional material have been printed such as posters, flyers, etc. The promotional video of the STRENTEX project achievements were created in two versions, 1 minutes long and 14 minutes long and they have been disseminated to the interested parties and can be downloaded from the YouTube channel of the STRENTEX project.
Task 5.3: In RP2, we have had 9 TV interviews, 9 articles in newspapers or science portals, 5 introductions to stakeholders, 2 radio interviews, 2 open/info days, 1 Newsletter, etc.
Task 5.4: Exploitation plan was created by ERA Chair holder
WP6: Project management
Task 6.1: We organized 4 Project Management Board meetings during RP2, with 12, 16, 11 and 12 attendees, respectively. We regularly analysed all project risks and suggested appropriate mitigation measures.
Task 6.2: This task was completed during RP1 and in RP2 there is no any planned activities.
Task 6.3: All project reports and deliverables were created and submitted on time.
WP1: ERA Chair establishment
Task 1.1: This task was accomplished in the first reporting period, bearing in mind that ERA Chair holder, prof. Varun Jeoti was employed at FTS-UNS and started his engagement from 01/09/2020. He continues successfully with his work during RP2.
Task 1.2: The ERA Chair team members (3 postdocs and 4 PhD students) were employed in the RP1. However, in RP2, some changes happened in the context that some members left the team and instead of them new members have been recruited.
Task 1.3: Three capital pieces of equipment (embroidery machine, screen printer and tension testing instrument) were purchased in the RP1 and they have been used actively by ERA Chair team members to develop innovative prototypes
WP2: Structural changes for sustainable excellence
Task 2.1: According to the plan, in order to support institutional ERA roadmap, in RP2, we organized (a) gender awareness seminar – with 17 attendees; and (b) meetings with stakeholders in the project field.
Task 2.2: ERA Chair holder created the “Development strategy of FTS-UNS in domain of Stretchable and Textile Electronics”, identifying research directions and scientific topics in which the FTS-UNS has the highest capabilities to reach peak of excellence and to be world-class institution. Additionally, at the coordinator institution we have implemented important structural changes in the domain of (a) infrastructure, (b) policies, and (c) organizational level.
Task 2.3: Following what is foreseen in the Annex 1, we established the Center for stretchable and textile electronics (CESTE) at FTS-UNS, during RP2
WP3: Raise research profile of the FTS-UNS and its staff
Task 3.1: Two staff members of the STRENTEX team (Dr Ankita Sinha and Adrian Stavrakis) performed their two-months long secondments to our EU networking partners (University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Italy and Elvesys company, France). In addition, 7 international experts delivered on-site training to ERA chair team. The 5-days summer school was organized as well as a workshop devoted to the commercialization issue of textile electronic devices.
Task 3.2: The webinar entitled “How to raise research profile of UNS staff “ was organized with 23 attendees. STRENTEX project team members published 21 journal papers during RP2. Furthermore, we participated in 5 international conferences. In addition, two STRENTEX team members (Dr Mitar Simić and Adrian Stavrakis) participated in the Organic Electronics Association (OE-A) working group meeting
WP4: Boosting FTS-UNS’s innovative capacities and capabilities
Task 4.1: We submitted 11 new follow-up project proposals (in 7 as a coordinator institution, whereas in 4 as a beneficiary) and 3 of them were approved for funding.
Task 4.2: STRENTEX team member submitted 3 patent applications during RP2 (two as national patents and one at the international level).
WP5: Dissemination, communication and exploitation
Task 5.1: The project web site and social media platforms are regularly updated. The project website attracted more than 4600 unique visitors and indicators related to our social media have constant organic increase.
Task 5.2: The STRENTEX team participated in 2 technical fairs in RP2: Belgrade (Serbia) and Nurnberg (Germany) and we have own booth and we exposed the developed prototypes within the STRENTEX project to wider audience. The promotional material have been printed such as posters, flyers, etc. The promotional video of the STRENTEX project achievements were created in two versions, 1 minutes long and 14 minutes long and they have been disseminated to the interested parties and can be downloaded from the YouTube channel of the STRENTEX project.
Task 5.3: In RP2, we have had 9 TV interviews, 9 articles in newspapers or science portals, 5 introductions to stakeholders, 2 radio interviews, 2 open/info days, 1 Newsletter, etc.
Task 5.4: Exploitation plan was created by ERA Chair holder
WP6: Project management
Task 6.1: We organized 4 Project Management Board meetings during RP2, with 12, 16, 11 and 12 attendees, respectively. We regularly analysed all project risks and suggested appropriate mitigation measures.
Task 6.2: This task was completed during RP1 and in RP2 there is no any planned activities.
Task 6.3: All project reports and deliverables were created and submitted on time.
The STRENTEX team has already created results beyond state of the art and 2 patent applications have been submitted, namely, for: (a) Embroidered face mask sensor for humidity detection and (b) Embroidered face mask heater.
The ERA Chair team is making steady progress towards proof of concept of various novel ideas which have the socio-economic impact, like textile-based humidity sensors, RF harvesting, in-situ parameter extraction of sensors, and wireless readouts, etc., and when we look forward, the future promises even more and bright prospects for the STRENTEX team.
The ERA Chair team is making steady progress towards proof of concept of various novel ideas which have the socio-economic impact, like textile-based humidity sensors, RF harvesting, in-situ parameter extraction of sensors, and wireless readouts, etc., and when we look forward, the future promises even more and bright prospects for the STRENTEX team.