<< Objectives >>The International Cooperation Framework for Next Generation Engineering Students project, NextGEng, is an international consortium with the aim of creating new international teaching models in close collaboration with companies. NextGEng follows the guide lines contemplated by the European Education Area rethinking the teaching methodologies to produce upgraded courses, featuring a student-centered approach in cooperation with other international institutions and companies.<< Implementation >>NextGEng comprises three types of activities:- Training: Experts in pedagogy and teacher training sustain the skill improvement of HEIs partners in new/innovative teaching methods. - International team-teaching pilot program:Upgrade a set of engineering courses, belonging to the HEI partners curricula, in close collaboration with companies' partners. - Cases of Experiential Learning projects:Type of projects where students learn by doing in an international and multidisciplinary environment.<< Results >>- Development of a pedagogical tailored training program for sustaining the skill improvement of HEIs partners through workshops and guidance material. - Development of an international team-teaching pilot program for upgrading a number of six joint courses belonging to the HEI partners curricula. - Implementation of six CEL projects where international teams of students are involved in solving a research or an industry topic in direct collaborations with HEI researchers and company experts.

The core objective of InnoBMS is to develop and demonstrate (TRL6) a future-ready best-in-class BMS hard- and software solution that maximizes battery utilization and performance for the user without negatively affecting battery life, even in extreme conditions, whilst continuously maintaining safety. Concretely, the InnoBMS proposal will deliver a 12% higher effective battery pack volumetric density, a 33% longer battery lifetime and a demonstrated lifetime of 15 years. The results will be demonstrated using novel testing methods that give a 36% reduction in the testing time of a BMS. The results will be demonstrated in two use cases, one light commercial vehicle (Fiat Doblo Electric) and one medium-duty van (IVECO eDaily). The key outcomes will enable a cost reduction of 12% and 9.7% for passenger cars and light-duty vehicles, respectively. The core objective will be achieved through five technical objectives. 1) advanced hybrid physical and data-driven models and algorithms to enable a flexible and modular BMS suitable for a wide range of batteries. 2) Software for a fully connected and fully wireless BMS that acts as a communication server inside the vehicle E/E-architecture, the center of connection, on-board diagnostics and decision-taking for all battery-related information. 3) A scalable, fully wireless and self-tested BMS hardware that enables using different battery sizes at different operating voltage levels, and smart sensor integration. 4) Better battery utilization and exploitation using cloud-informed strategies and procedure. 5) A heterogeneous simulation toolchain and automated test methods. The consortium includes 2 vehicle manufacturers, 2 TIER1 supplier, 3 engineering companies, 2 universities (leading in e-power and electromobility), an RTO and 3 SMEs. The partners have worked together closely in previous and ongoing projects, and have extensive knowhow in taking the step from new technology to innovative vehicles for real-world applications.

The overarching goal of PowerizeD is to develop breakthrough technologies of digitalized and intelligent power electronics, in order to enable sustainable and resilient energy generation, transmission and applications. PowerizeD enhances the level of mechanical and electrical integration of new driver circuits into power electronics and allows for the first time common optimization of all power switch functionalities. Regarding data sharing along the value chain, PowerizeD drives the novel approach of Federated Learning as a methodical approach to an intrinsically encrypted transfer of confidential and proprietary data. Also new is the usage of detailed electrical physical models in digital twins of real time digitally monitored and controlled power electronic devices. Unlike other projects focusing on competence and technology with limited effort on demonstration, this project will start from vital societal needs, by identifying and analyzing the key generic technology challenges from broad application scopes. Major effort will be spent on cross-domain research and innovation. The developed technologies will be demonstrated and evaluated via a large number of universally applicable results. To realize this ambition, a large project consortium will incorporate the needed competencies and resources along the whole value chain. 24 Large Entities, 19 Small Medium Enterprises and 22 research partners from 12 EU countries – representing the entire value chain from materials to “system of systems” – strive to demonstrate the applicability of these innovative approaches to multiple industrial domains. Among the concrete objectives are a 25% reduction or power losses, a device and system lifetime increase of 30%, a chip size reduction of at least 10% and a shortening of the design time by 50%. By this, PowerizeD addresses the three megatrends Independence, Sustainability and Digitalization, thereby opening pathways to massive economic and societal benefits for the EU.