Abstracts are not currently available in GtR for all funded research. This is normally because the abstract was not required at the time of proposal submission, but may be because it included sensitive information such as personal details.

ACCORDs will develop an imaging-based characterization framework (ACCORDs framework) for the holistic correlative assessment of Graphene Family Materials (GFMs) as a representative of 2D nanomaterials (NMs) to assess and predict 2D NMs health and environmental risks. The ACCORDs framework will operationalise safe and sustainable by design (SSbD) strategies proposed in past or ongoing H2020 projects or within OECD by correlating low-, medium-, and high-resolution physico-chemical-biological imaging-based methods with non-imaging methods in a tiered approach. ACCORDs will deliver the ACCORDs framework and user guidance, new imaging-based characterisation methods (3-6 methods), reference in vitro tests (up to three new tests), new reference 2D NMs (up to three) for different matrices, a new minimum information reporting guideline for FAIR data sharing and reuse of images as well as an atlas with reference images for diagnostics of compromised safety of GFMs / GFM products. The new guidelines and standard proposals will be submitted to standardisation bodies to allow creation of regulatory ready products. The novelty of ACCORDs is in translating the principles of medical imaging-based diagnostics to 2D material hazard diagnostics. ACCORDs will accelerate industrial sectors in the area of aviation, marine construction, drone production, flexible electronics, photovoltaics, photocatalytics and print inks-based sensors. The value ACCORDs proposes to the graphene industry are practical, easy, imaging-based tools for GFM quality monitoring next to the production line with a possibility to be correlated with advanced high-resolution imaging characterization methods in case hazard i.e. deviation from controls (benchmark values) are diagnosed. The ACCORDs framework and tools will contribute to the European Green Deal by addressing the topic: “Graphene: Europe in the lead” and to a new European strategy on standardization, released on 2nd February, 2022.

"BAQONDE (Boosting the Use of African Languages in Education. A Qualified Organized Nationwide DEvelopment Strategy for South Africa) represents a EU-SA well-defined collaborative response to the established national priority for CB projects ""The development of African Languages"". Departing from a rigorous need analysis that certified the dominant/detrimental role of English as the main language of instruction, BAQONDE aims to capacitate academic staff at HEIs to develop multilingual pedagogical skills that will enable the development of African languages as MoI at the tertiary level. The outputs of BAQONDE will contribute to develop a coordinated national strategy through the establishment of African Language Development Units (ALDUs) at each SA partner HEI. ALDUs will:1.Develop and implement a training program (including SA-EU mobilities) for a core group of lecturers from different disciplines to master context-relevant multilingual pedagogies2.Lead the production of digital subject-relevant multilingual materials for lecturers and students. These resources will be accessible from the project website to optimize the production/usage of materials in different disciplines/languages and harmonize multilingual teaching standards3.An inter-institutional Network of ALDUs will be established with the purpose of coordinating efforts, sharing resources and good practices in order to guarantee a culture of quality during the project and after its subsequent expansionBy fostering a culture of quality and coordinated cooperation, BAQONDE seeks to generate a major short-term impact in the teaching-learning process that will enable a greater long-term impact with far-reaching implications: the intellectualization of previously marginalized languages. This is in line with both the priorities of the country and the principles of equity, as it entails a better assimilation of contents and a greater development of professional competences by L1 African (Bantu) students."

By advancing breakthrough research on LOHC technologies, UnLOHCked aims at developing a radically disruptive, versatile and scalable LOHC-dehydrogenation plant. Firstly, highly active and stable catalysts without critical raw materials will be developed for reducing LOHC dehydrogenation at moderate temperatures. Secondly, an SOFC-system will be developed to be thermally integrated with the dehydrogenation process. The heat demand of the dehydrogenation unit will be fully covered by the fuel cell, while generating electric power. The surplus of hydrogen is exported. These innovative systems fully integrated will allow significant increase of overall efficiency (>50%) to hydrogen and electric power production from LOHC. Three industry partners, HERAEUS, HYGEAR and FRAMATOME, will collaborate with four universities and research centres, the University of Bilbao (Spain), CEA, CNRS-Lyon and North-West University of South Africa to develop scalable prototype system at TRL 5, validating the performance of the technology during at least 500 h. The ambition is to demonstrate the feasibility of a fully CO2-free dehydrogenation process for large-scale production of hydrogen (100-1,000 t H2/d) and electricity with competitive prices (hydrogen carrier delivery cost <2.5€/kg). Thus converting CO2-free LOHC to electricity and hydrogen instead of using NG or LPG as heat source. The UnLOHCked approach is clean & circular: it decreases energy consumption, does not use noble metals while generating CO2-free hydrogen and electricity. Techno-economic studies will demonstrate the potential of the technology to both supply hydrogen and renewable electricity to decarbonise the EU economy and to open-up hydrogen transportation by LOHC. FRAMATOME, HYGEAR AND HERAEUS will support the consortium preparing for fast market entry after the project.

South Africa (SA) is challenged by coexistence of micronutrient deficiencies, undernutrition and obesity. The prevalence of this “triple burden of malnutrition” is very high. During the First 1000 Days of life from conception to toddlerhood, it induces stunting, childhood obesity and impairs brain development and immune function, with severe long-term effects for individuals and society. Community initiatives addressing the First 1000 Days exist in SA, but major gaps exist in effective and efficient Continous Professional Development (CPD) programmes to provide healthcare professionals (HCPs) with the knowledge and skills to improve nutrition and lifestyle in early life. Capitalising on our FP7, Horizon 2020 and ERC research findings and scientific evidence, and based on an in-depth analysis of the existing training landscape and needs of SA HCPs, we will co-develop the content for knowledge and skills transfer. Utilising our globally successful Early Nutrition eAcademy (ENeA) platform, we will co-create an interactive eLearning training course for integration and accreditation into SA CPD programmes. A blended pedagogical and scalable strategy, including face to face Training of Trainers, will equip HCPs to further train rural and urban community-based health workers and educate end users. We will use mixed methods assessment and evaluation to maximise quality and best practice. Sustainable translational application from research into education and in turn into business, will be achieved by jointly creating a sustainable social enterprise initiative in SA. ImpENSA will deliver innovative, marketable CPD of immediate societal relevance. It will build capacity at SA HEIs fostering their role as qualification providers and secure the foundations for the child’s later health through improving nutrition and lifestyle during the critical early lifecourse phase, with lasting benefits for the next generation.