VSPARTICLE proposes a completely new technology to automate production of 1-10nm size-selected catalytic nanoparticles. This technology speeds up the research process of finding the optimal catalytic material from months, to days. The development of new and improved catalysts is necessary to rapidly develop cost-effective renewable energy technologies and reduce the carbon footprint. VSPARTICLE is a Dutch nanotechnology company that provides research and industry with the tools to manufacture nanoparticles and nanostructured materials. Since 2014, the company has been helping scientists and industry leaders to drastically reduce the development time of new materials and products, by making the process as easy as pushing a button. The new nanoparticle size-selection tool enables researchers to gain both a better fundamental understanding of the catalysis system, and a faster route towards next generation catalyst through novel Model Catalyst research.

LEE-BED brings together world leading European RTOs to establish an Open Innovation Test Bed to de-risk and accelerate the development and manufacturing of nanomaterials and lightweight embedded electronics for the benefit of European industry. Access to such a Test Bed will help establish the industrial eco-systems, R&D investments and new supply chains to support market entry as well as providing a global competitive advantage, leading to growth and job creation. For Europe to be more competitive compared to the US and Asia, digitalisation of both the development and manufacturing of functional nanomaterials and printed components needs to be established, as well as addressing cost, productivity and capacity. The digitalisation of the European production industry (industry 4.0) through digital based production technologies, such as ink-jet printing, additive manufacturing, robotically assisted in-mould labelling, laser processing, stereo lithography, etc., requires functional nanomaterials and formulations and is a major bottleneck due to high prices and limited volume production. LEE-BED will address these challenges by building European infrastructure for rapid development and pilot production of nanomaterial, inks, adhesives and composites as well as digital based pilot production lines. LEE-BED will unify the entire value chain from raw materials to embedded electrical components, providing tailored solutions for European entrepreneurs, start-ups, SMEs and large enterprises, with the main objective of going from concept to prototype within six months. Unique to LEE-BED will be the development of tailored services, including technical, business, patent mapping, safety and life-cycle analysis modelling. LEE-BED will also provide funding services for LEE-BED access to SMEs and post-project capital. LEE-BED will guide European industry towards sustainable implementation of innovative technologies, making them stronger and more globally competitive.

CLEANHYPRO gathers some of the most recognised experts in Europe on the electrolysis field for clean hydrogen production and acknowledged facilitators of technology transfer, corporate finance, funding and coaching, making available (i) the most promising and breakthrough manufacturing pilots and (ii) advanced characterization techniques and modelling together with (iii) non-technical services through this Test Bed: while relevant improvement metrics can be defined, the potential network of reachable stakeholders counts thousands of businesses on an international scale. Key facts are reported below. Within the scope of CLEANHYPRO, several circular innovative materials and key components, four main electrolysis technologies and geometries will be covered, providing for the first time a single entry point for industrial partners, mainly SMEs, aspiring to answer their concerns but with minimum investment costs and reduction of risks associated with technology transfer, while opening-up opportunities for demonstration of materials and components (TRL7) and thus faster opening the market for these new products. The main KPIs for CLEANHYPRO: Technical: >20% cell productivity improvement, 30% faster verification, 27-58% and 22-79% cost reduction of technologies in CAPEX and OPEX respectively, 3-9% efficiency enhancement. Non-Technical: 4 Showcases, 4 certification schemes, ≥16 Democases, >100 reachable SMEs and > 300 reachable investors. INNOMEM stems from the consideration that the development of products based on key materials and components for electrolysis require access to finance and an optimised business planning, relying on a sound prior analysis of the market, of the economic impacts and capacity of a company. The project aims at developing and organizing a sustainable Open Innovation Test Bed (OITB) for electrolysis materials and components for different applications. The OITB will also offer a network of facilities and services through a SEP to companies.

VSParticle (VSP) is revolutionizing the manufacturing of thin film nanoporous layers to release the potential of green hydrogen, a key enabler of the energy transition and achievement of climate goals. To accelerate massive adoption of green hydrogen, electrolyzer prices need to drop and efficiency and lifetime be enhanced. Process redesign and efficient material (iridium- Ir) utilization in catalyst-coated membranes (CCMs), a key component of electrolyzers, will help to lower prices. At VSP we redesigned the current lengthy (7-step), inefficient (high Ir load) and unsustainable process into a single-step process combining next-generation material synthesis and dry coating (low Ir load) in our equipment, the VSP-NanoPrinter. The first go-to-market application is CCMs, whose market value has been estimated at €4.2B. Market traction has been demonstrated by promising results with industrial customers (De Nora, Heraeus) who tested membranes coated using VSP technology and are demanding a commercial-ready device. Our minimal commercial viable product (VSP-P1) has already generated revenues for > €1M in 2023 with academic customers. We offer to customers in the green hydrogen value chain (e.g., CCM manufacturers - De Nora and stack producers - Bosch) cost-effectiveness by a) process simplification and b) reduction on conductive material (iridium) load by 5x (correlated with an overall price reduction of 80%). As well, thhighest level of in-line quality control, scalability and improved sustainability. Our timing is right due to the political and economic context fostering energy transition innovations. We have a team & advisory board with proven track record in R&D, technology scale-up, business development & entrepreneurship. VSP requests a grant of €2.5 M and equity €12.5M to the EIC to bring their solution to the industrial scale (VSP-P2) and ultimately unravel the potential of green hydrogen. With this support, VSP foresees cumulative revenues of €500M in 2030.

The aim of the research is to study the effects of smallest traffic related ultrafine- or nanoparticles beyond the lung on brain health. Air pollutants have been shown to cause a vast amount of different adverse health effects. These effects include impairment of many respiratory (e.g. asthma, COPD) and cardiovascular (ischemic heart disease, infarction, stroke) diseases. However, in recent years, the evidence showing effects beyond the lungs and circulatory system are becoming more evident. Neurological diseases, namely Alzheimer´s disease (AD) has shown to be associated with living near traffic. However, reason for this has remained unresolved until today. This consortium aims on revealing the mechanisms and exposures both behind cardiorespiratory diseases and beyond the current knowledge in neurological diseases. This consortium includes experts in areas of aerosol technology, emission research, engine and fuel research, human clinical studies, epidemiology, emission inventories, inhalation toxicology, neurotoxicology and disease mechanism studies. This enables research of resolving the effects of nanoparticles from different traffic modes for both air quality and concomitant toxic effect of these air pollutants. In this study, we will investigate adverse effects of air pollutants using cell cultures, animal exposures and volunteered human exposures as well as the material from epidemiological cohort study. These are going to be compared according to inflammatory, cytotoxic and genotoxic changes and furthermore beyond the current state of the art to neurotoxic and brain health effects. With this approach, we are aiming in to a comprehensive understanding of the adverse effects of nanoparticles from traffic. In current situation only particles above 23nm are measured in regulations, traditional toxicological methods are used in risk assessment and emission inventories and regulations are largely based on old technology engines. Our project will change this.