MAGLINE

The latest generation of sensors (TMR) has major advantages over previous (Hall and GMR), and there is a market with sustained growth for application of these sensors. However the lack of industrial production capacity prevents its adoption in large scale commercial applications, although it is possible to acquire them commercially those marketed generic sensors are not optimized for any particular application. There is a clear opportunity to capture this market, and provide the market a large-scale production solution TMR sensors optimized and custom-made for different applications.

With the main objective to meet this challenge, the MAGLINE project aims to optimize and demonstrate that viability adapting a process tested laboratory to industrial production using existing systems for advanced packaging processes and never previously tested, optimized or specified for the TMR sensor processing. In this context the consortium develops a pilot line to be tested in a real environment, by manufacturing the wafer level sensors with appropriate properties to both applications in the automobile sector (angle sensor and digital angle sensor) and three industrial electronics applications (Charger batteries, traction rectifier and electric vehicle charger) and built various types of samplers, which will be tested by the consortium partners, in order to validate the viability of the process.

LIFESAVER

The preterm birth rate is increasing: in Europe, about 75 % of all neonatal deaths and 60 % of all infant deaths occur in infants born preterm. Based on the vision that every pregnant woman must live in a better and safer environment, the EU-funded LIFESAVER project will create a new digitally cloned in vitro system for emulation of prenatal conditions for drugs and pollutants transport at the uterine/placental interface. The system relies on the hybridisation of innovative technologies, integrating in silico/in vitro systems to enable screening for chemicals and pharmaceuticals that could affect the health of pregnant women, and at the same time reducing animal, pre-clinical and clinical testing needs

LightSensorAI

This ERC-PT A-Projects funding (from FCT Portugal) is intended as an incentive for Portuguese institutions and their researchers to enable applications submitted to the ERC that have obtained an ‘A’ score after the last evaluation phase, and have been recommended for funding, but ultimately were not funded. LightSensorAI, aims to push the frontiers of brain-inspired science and will address this challenge by developing III-V semiconductor nanophotonic neurons down to 100 nanometer in size while keeping their advanced nonlinear spiking properties with ultralow energy expenditure. It aims at scaling nanopillar neurons to form compact 2D pixel nanopillar arrays and connect in 3D two of these arrays with a light field enabled by on-chip microlenses, essential to emulate sensing and processing of spiking activity in networks. The project builds on the expertise of Nieder’s group in the past years in the area of neuromorphic nanophotonics and photonic integration of nanoscale light-emitting and receiving devices with various national and EU funded projects in the last 5 years (e.g. ChipAI, InsectNeuroNano, META-LED, CROSSBRAIN). The LighSensorAI project project was inittialy submitted to the ERC consolidator 2024 call (panel7). The project was evaluated with score ‘A’ after interview, but not funded due to budgetary restrictions. This ERC-PT A-Projects funding shall be used for the initial development of the LightSensorAI project to consolidate preliminary results for reapplying to the ERC 2025 next call.

M3atD

This project develops a set of methods that could be widely applied to the 3D printing of scaffolds for cultivated meat. Specifically, the research creates a 3D bioprinted model based on edible polymers to optimize the texture and nutritional profile of cultivated meat. It also provides analysis of the organoleptic properties of cultivated meat.

Overall, this work will improve the understanding of 3D bioprinting’s potential in cultivated meat production.

JigSense

The JigSense project aims to reduce the high cabling volume when integrating sensors in an assembly line jig, and to contribute to its increased reliability, increased sensor lifetime, decrease maintenance requirements while adding significant added value to its product. The JigSense project also aims to reinforce and consolidate AOF’s competencies in the development of sensed devices and anticipate the market evolution in this field, through the synergies with the involved entities, namely CeNTI and INL. From the technical-scientific point of view, the JigSense project has the following specific objectives:

• Development of a sensor interface module capable of measuring the different sensor topologies and provide a low-power bus communication, reducing, thereby, the number of required cables for communicating with the PLC and their respective weight;
• Development of a low-power wireless communication module that allows the interface between the sensor bus in the movable jig structures and the control system attached to the workstation, in order to eliminate the connection cables between the movable and fixed structures;
• Development of a module for wireless charging, or pulse charging, with a temporary internal storage unit, which can eliminate the required power cables to the communication and sensor modules.

KESPER

KESPER – The kesterite-based Photoelectrodes for Water and Nitrogen Reduction project proposes an innovative technology that uses a novel class of kesterite materials avoiding the use of critical raw materials for the generation of renewable gases.

The industrial sector is facing a quick growth of clean energy sources. However, it still lacks large-scale energy storage solutions and the availability of clean fuels with high energy value. It is crucial to reduce energy consumption by: increasing the efficiency of energy systems and by promoting their greenization.

Kesterite, a greenish-black mineral, presents several forms and compositions; however, this also makes it extremely versatile with adaptable features. 
Although this material has only been extensively studied over the past decade, when used in thin-film solar cells, it can deliver light-to-power conversion efficiencies of close to 13%, demonstrating its huge potential for the clean energy sector. In KESPER, we are combining the advantages of kesterite together with tailored surfaces, coatings and interfaces, towards the development of low-cost, earth-abundant, and easily recyclable photoelectrodes.

Kesterite semiconductor compounds can be alloyed with several elements and can be used to develop environmentally-friendly photoelectrodes, which have the capability to tune their energy bandgap depending on their elemental composition among other tuneable properties.

Our final demonstrator will be developed with scalable techniques, following life-cycle thinking, and without requiring critical or toxic materials, suitable for both water and nitrogen reduction.

KETmaritime

The main goal is to foster KETs across the AA by building a cooperative network to promoting technology transfer of new opportunities to MARITIME sector. KETmaritime intends to increase KETs knowledge, good practices and sustainable solutions, in order to improve the economy through innovation and transnational cooperation. This network will reach a better integration of scientific, industrial and financial stakeholders and facilitate the adoption of novel developments and new ways of thinking.

The main goal is to foster KETs across the AA by building a cooperative network to promoting technology transfer of new opportunities to MARITIME sector. KETmaritime intends to increase KETs knowledge, good practices and sustainable solutions, in order to improve the economy through innovation and transnational cooperation. This network will reach a better integration of scientific, industrial and financial stakeholders and facilitate the adoption of novel developments and new ways of thinking.