ExpectedOutcome:
This topic refers to the innovation market for electronics appliances, in support of citizens and their various needs (be it in health care, home &personal care, food or textiles). Several materials specifications and related innovations needs will support this topic such as renewable and recyclable materials, alternative active ingredients and design for circularity. The topic should address several key policies of the European Union such as the Circular Economy Action Plan, the Zero Pollution Action Plan, the EU Chemicals Strategy, the EU Strategy for sustainable textiles.
Sensors are a key technology for electronic appliances serving our society. From manufacturing, improving living conditions, and reducing consumption of energy and precious natural resources, even detecting threats, all rely on the availability of high-quality localized information.
Smart systems and ubiquitous connectivity create opportunities for new applications in smart living, environmental protection, and supply chains. These applications will be made possible through improved sensing technologies, which capture the relevant information. Core properties to enable a wide adoption are miniature size, low power consumption, resilience to varying ambient conditions, low cost, and compatibility with mass production.
To avoid misuse of the captured personal data (e.g. medical), novel concepts of identification of the data originator/provider and data possession are needed. This could include biometric identification mechanisms as well as other fast and secure identification mechanisms, which is GDPR conform and with protected authorisation mechanisms.
The desired information is often chemical or biochemical. Miniaturization of established analytical methods and development of new materials compatible with established production processes require an integrated multidisciplinary approach.
Projects are expected to contribute to the following outcomes:
Proposals should address at least four of the following activities:
Materials and products should be developed under Safe and Sustainable by Design framework[1] taking into account circularity aspects.
Proposals submitted under this topic should include a business case and exploitation strategy, as outlined in the introduction to this Destination.
This topic requires the effective contribution of SSH disciplines and the involvement of SSH experts, institutions as well as the inclusion of relevant SSH expertise, to produce meaningful and significant effects enhancing the societal impact of the related research activities. An early involvement of end users could be essential.
Projects should build on or seek collaboration with existing projects and develop synergies with other relevant European, national or regional initiatives, funding programmes and platforms.
Specific Topic Conditions:Activities are expected to start at TRL 3-4 and achieve TRL 5-6 by the end of the project – see General Annex B.
[1]See documents defining the SSbD framework on: http://ec.europa.eu/info/research-and-innovation/research-area/industrial-research-and-innovation/key-enabling-technologies/advanced-materials-and-chemicals_en