Objective
AUREL develops an adaptive infrared (IR) curing system for polymer and composite manufacturing that combines multi-zone IR heating with reinforcement learning (RL)–based real-time control. The project will raise the technology from TRL 4 to TRL 6, demonstrating faster, more energy-efficient, and more reliable curing compared to conventional convection or autoclave methods.
Current industrial curing processes rely on static or manually tuned heating profiles, leading to high energy demand, long cycle times, and inconsistent quality. AUREL introduces a data-driven digital twin of the curing process that models coupled thermal and kinetic behaviour and is linked to an RL controller trained to minimise curing time and energy use while preserving material quality. The controller interprets sensor feedback during operation and continuously adjusts IR power distribution in real time, ensuring uniform curing even under process variability.
The 24-month work plan integrates four technical stages: (1) development and calibration of the digital-twin simulation environment; (2) RL algorithm design and hardware-in-the-loop validation; (3) integration and pilot demonstration under industrial-like conditions; and (4) business validation and investor readiness. Parallel business activities will advance BRL 2 → 4, producing a market analysis, ROI model, and investment case for scaling.
Expected impacts include at least 30 % reduction in curing time, 25 % energy savings, and improved reliability of composite manufacturing. The project strengthens the innovation ecosystem of a Widening Country (Greece) through ESA BIC Greece incubation and industrial partnerships across the composites and coatings value chain. By project end, AUREL will deliver a pilot-validated, investment-ready adaptive curing platform positioned for EIC Accelerator or private-sector scale-up.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- engineering and technology materials engineering composites
- natural sciences computer and information sciences artificial intelligence machine learning reinforcement learning
- natural sciences chemical sciences polymer sciences
- engineering and technology materials engineering coating and films
- engineering and technology electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering electronic engineering sensors
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.4.1 - Widening participation and spreading excellence
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-CSA - HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-WIDERA-2025-02
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
264 42 PATRA
Greece
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.