The objective of DEEP-PPU project is to develop and introduce to the market a disruptive Power Processing Unit (PPU) for Electrical Propulsion Gridded Ion Thrusters. This solution will stand out with its outstanding 40% mass and 35% volume reduction compared to the existing solutions on the market, while reducing the cost of the unit by a factor of two. The DEEP PPU project will strengthen the EU's space sector competitiveness in the international market, while securing the autonomy of supply for critical technologies and equipment. The target PPU will be achieved through the use ground-breaking technologies in space, namely Gallium Nitride semiconductors and Commercial Off-The-Shelf components, together with the implementation of custom design of power magnetics, the integration of the Radio Frequency Generation module and the synergies with previous developments in the frame of GIESEPP (Gridded Ion Engine Standardised Electric Propulsion Platforms). A multidisciplinary team of entities across Europe has been set, providing the right background and expertise to perform the required activities. The proposed PPU product fits the HORIZON-CL4-2022-SPACE-01-12 topic (Technologies and generic building blocks for Electrical Propulsion), specifically addressing the second area of this topic “R&I on electrical power architecture and related components (Power Processing Unit, direct drive, etc.)”.

Bio-electronic microsystems hold promise for repairing the damaged central nervous system (CNS). However, this potential has not been developed because their implantation inflicts additional neural injury, and ensuing inflammation and fibrosis compromise device functionality. In Neurofibres we want to achieve a breakthrough in “Neuroregenerative Bio-electronics”, developing dual-function devices that will serve as electroactive scaffolds for CNS regeneration and neural circuit activation. We engineered electroconducting microfibres (MFs) that add negligible tissue insult while promoting guided cell migration and axonal regeneration in rodents with spinal cord injury (SCI). The MFs also meet the challenge of probe miniaturisation and biofunctionalisation for ultrasensitive recording and stimulation of neural activity. An interdisciplinary consortium composed of neuroscientists, medical specialists, researchers in biomaterials, protein engineering, physics, and electrical and mechanical engineering, together with a company specialised in fabrication of microcables and microconnectors, will join efforts to design, develop, and test the MFs and complementary technology (microfibre functionalisation, assembling, and electronic interconnection), in order to produce a biologically safe and effective bio-electronic system for the treatment of SCI. This goal will be achieved through five specific objectives: 1) To improve the electrical conductivity, strength, and chemical stability of the microfibres. 2) To develop electro-responsive engineered affibodies for microfibre functionalisation. 3) To develop the technology for MF interconnection and assembling into implantable systems. 4) To perform comprehensive investigation of the immunological, glial, neuronal, and connective tissue responses to the implanted MFs and applied electrostimulation in rodent and swine SCI models. 5) To investigate the motor and sensory effects of microfibre implantation and electrostimulation.

The Plas'ster project concerns the sterilization of materials and biomaterials used in medical devices. In the medical field, the most commonly used methods for sterilization of implantable or non implantable devices are steam sterilization (autoclave), ionizing radiation (gamma radiation) and ethylene oxide. The evolution of medical techniques and technologies and the emergence of new materials have led to great advances in medicine. Medical devices are listed in four categories and represent a very heterogeneous set ranging from wheelchair, eye lenses, pacemakers, biological glues, to bone filling products ? Application fields are wide and include among other orthopedics, ophthalmology, dentistry, nephrology, general surgery ... However, the sterilization of some of these new devices presents some difficulty linked to their vunerability to sterilizing agents (physical or chemical). Thus, new ways of sterilization are studied at present. One of the most promising methods is the cold plasma sterilization. This technique is based on the ionisation of a gas or gas mixture. Many studies have demonstrated the efficacy of a plasma on microorganisms inactivation. However, the possibility for preservation of sterility through this technique was rarely studied, and, in addition, there are few studies on the effects of plasma on materials and/or biocompatibility in the case of implantable devices. The project is based on the development of a sterilization process by cold plasmas and conservation of the sterilization state of delicate medical devices, meaning sensitive to temperature, humidity or radiation. Conservation of the sterilization will be guarenteed by direct treatment inside the transport pouch. Based on the combined experience of CRITT-MDTS, EA " Biomaterials and Inflammation in Bone Site" (EA 4691, ex INSERM UMR-S 926) and GREMI, this project will allow a multi-disciplinary approach. This will cover different aspects: the compliance with standards for sterilization of medical devices; conservation and integrity of the characteristics of devices subject to the plasmas, the integration of organic devices by checking the absence of toxicity or inflammatory reaction generated by the sterilization, the characterization of plasma species. Validating key data and conceptualization of an apparatus able to reach the main objective meaning sterilization and conservation of sterile condition, this project will lead to the industrialization of the plasma sterilization process for applications in hospitals or production sites while satisfying the regulations from health authorities.