Objective
FUN-CRETE aims to translate recent advances in auxetic cementitious cellular composites into a first application-oriented demonstration of infrastructure-integrated energy harvesting. The underlying ERC-funded research has established a new class of cementitious materials with exceptional deformability, damage resistance and recoverable “second-elasticity” behaviour enabled by architected auxetic geometries. This project builds directly on those results by exploring whether such controlled, recoverable deformation can be exploited as a reliable source of mechanical strain for piezoelectric energy conversion.
The project focuses on cementitious auxetic cellular composites coupled with flexible piezoelectric polymers, enabling strain-driven electrical energy generation directly within load-bearing structural elements. Rather than relying on discrete kinetic devices or resonant systems, the concept targets intrinsic, geometry-driven energy harvesting under low-frequency, high-intensity loading typical of urban infrastructure such as traffic intersections, transit stations and heavily used pavements.
FUN-CRETE will validate the technical feasibility of this approach at component level, clarify the most promising application domains, and define a coherent exploitation strategy. Activities will include targeted market analysis, stakeholder engagement, IP positioning and business model development, supported by explicit go/no-go decision points. The project will culminate in validation at TRL 4 and the preparation of an EIC Transition–ready exploitation package. If successful, the project will open a new pathway toward multifunctional cementitious materials that combine structural performance with embedded energy functionality, enabling scalable, low-maintenance powering of distributed infrastructure electronics.
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 chemical sciences polymer sciences
- social sciences economics and business business and management business models
- natural sciences mathematics pure mathematics geometry
- engineering and technology environmental engineering energy and fuels energy conversion
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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.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
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-ERC-POC - HORIZON ERC Proof of Concept Grants
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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) ERC-2026-POC
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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.
2628 CN Delft
Netherlands
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.