The main objective of the project is development of complex transition metal oxides with perovskite-like structure having improved and controllable (multi)ferroic properties. The mentioned materials are manganites and ferrites with optimal composition having distinct magnetization, polarization, (magneto)transport properties or magnetoelectric coupling. The idea of the project is to utilize reduced structural stability of these oxides which increases their sensitivity to external stimuli. Improved functional properties of these oxides can be controlled via modification of the chemical bond character, structural parameters, stoichiometry, defects etc. The reduced stability is associated with the metastable structural state formed in the vicinity of the phase boundaries, while this state presumably consists of coexistent nanoscale regions of the adjacent structural phases. There are two ideas to create metastable state: the first one – to design ceramics via chemical substitution and post-synthesis treatment by high pressure and/or thermal cycling in gases to induce nanoscale regions, the second one assumes chemical routes synthesis of films and ceramics. Besides the fundamental interest of the phase transitions and related phenomena affecting properties of the oxides the applicants consider them to be effective materials for electronic applications (as sensors, magnetic memory elements, filters etc.). Research of these oxides requires consolidative efforts of specialists in different scientific areas - Materials Science, Theoretical Physics, Solid State Physics etc. as well as an access to unique equipment and facilities. Another important objective of the project is a formation of interdisciplinary network of teams and specialists with different scientific backgrounds which will ensure effective transfer of actual knowledge and skills. Development of the transition metal oxides with controllable properties has promising commercial opportunities for the involved SME.

Piezoelectricity in two-dimensional (2D) materials is increasingly important because of its potential in realizing thin yet efficient and flexible piezoelectric devices. In contrast to traditional three-dimensional (3D) piezo- and ferroelectrics that are prone to size effects, piezoelectricity in 2D materials may be controlled by flexoelectricity and interfaces thus providing significant piezoelectric effect in ultrathin films and crystals. Equally important, the majority of 2D layered piezoelectrics found so far possess in-plane piezoelectricity and require bending of flexible substrates to activate piezoelectric effect. This severely limits their integration with modern Si technology. This project aims at strengthening the piezoelectric activity in 2D materials via interface and stress engineering and bond control in order to reach the maximum efficiency and other relevant figures of merit. The materials list includes hafnium-zirconium oxide (HZO), transition metal thio/selenophosphates (TPS), graphene on oxide substrates, and polymer PDVF. A comprehensive investigation of piezoelectricity in these 2D materials and their relevant device performance is still at an initial stage and needs European support. Concerning piezoelectric energy harvesting, Piezo2D will build a technology to provide local energy generation (microgenerators) from the nm- to the micro-scale to power nano- and microdevices. Piezo2D will do so by enhancing and deploying the combined powers of equilibrium and nonequilibrium thermodynamics and atomistic models with device physics and engineering. Research results will underpin future developments of nanoscale energy devices for decades to come. We will also develop new characterization techniques and metrology-inspired protocols aiming at future standards and their use in the industry. The multidisciplinary approach of Piezo2D brings together leading teams in theoretical physics, materials science, chemistry and instrumentation working in synergy

The European Training Network TADFlife will train a cohort of young PhD scientists within a multidisciplinary research program conceived from a simple industrial need, high performance blue OLEDs which also have long lifetime. This is not an easy problem to solve, as although OLEDs are now ubiquitous in phone and TV displays, the blue pixels still operate far below the performance and efficiency of the red and green to achieve acceptable lifetime. TADFlife will follow a new approach to solve this problem using the latest generation of OLED materials, thermally activated delayed fluorescent (TADF) emitters. Through a device simulation development program, which incorporates a high degree of basic photophysics input, predictive models of TADFOLED performance and lifetime will be built and used to design new TADF emitters and hosts which overcome the degradation pathways identified from the model predictions. These new materials will then be synthesised. By introducing the concept of the smart matrix, the complex guest host interactions of TADF materials will be included and used to optimise emitter orientation to maximise light out-coupling from devices. Quantum chemistry will use the photophysics results to direct new materials design in tandem with the model predictions. Taking this dual approach, we believe will lead to solutions so far unobtainable for OLEDs. This highly interlinked program gives a fantastic opportunity for the brightest young chemists, spectroscopists, theoreticians and device physicists to work together, learn complimentary skills that will be in high demand from European OLED industries. Leading experts will give courses on core scientific skills along with soft skills and international secondments will be offered, all to properly prepare them for their future careers. They will be part of a network answering a real industrial need and help to secure the future of our European OLED industries in the global OLED materials arena.

The overall / general objective of this proposal is to increase innovation potential and innovation management skills within SMEs in the all regions of Ukraine and to assist SMEs with potential for international growth via product, process, service or business model support. The project will follow a defined methodology to help regional businesses to increase their innovation capacity, to innovate profitably and also to successfully implement their innovative ideas on the competitive market. The EEN-Ukraine Consortium intends to enhance innovation capacity of SMEs by encouragement their participation in Horizon 2020 projects and provision of KAM services to SMEs which implement H2020 SME Instrument projects (or FTI and FET-Open ). The secondary target group will be R&D organisations that will benefit from EEN services as well. The specific objectives for reaching the overall / general objective are as follows: - promote and support SMEs from Ukraine in participation on the H2020 SME Instrument and COSME programmes; - identify weaknesses in the innovation capacities of the beneficiary that hinder the realization of growth opportunities and of the full commercial potential of SME Instrument participants; - identify suitable coaches to address the identified weaknesses and moderating the coach-client relationship; - increase the innovation potential of SMEs lacking professional support in the field of innovation management; - help SMEs to select the most appropriate coach; - explain and sell the benefits of the SME Instrument's coaching service to potential beneficiaries; - facilitate the SME- coach relationship and ensure the effective teamwork and co-operation between the SME; - secure close cooperation links between the Consortium and the H2020 National Contact Point, regional stakeholders and other business and research support institutions; - accompany the beneficiary through the SME instrument project; - make the innovation system of Ukrainian SME more effective.

Based on a detailed analysis of the situation of UA Innovation Ecosystem after Russian invasion, partners (6 Ukrainian partners and 11 partners from 11 other EU member States with an extensive outreach capacity spanning across key EU and global markets) have put together a proposal aimed at providing support to counteract the harm done to Ukrainian startups and deep tech SMEs in the short term, building a framework that supports the Ukrainian Government’s goal of becoming a ‘start-up nation’, and increasing the role of innovators and the deep tech industry in driving growth. This will be achieved through a comprehensive portfolio of support services that combine cascade funding (10k-25k-50k grants), access to finance actions (connecting to public funds and private investors, training on EIC, EIT and other cascading opportunities etc.), deep-tech-focused incubation and acceleration programmes, and market access initiatives (targeting 10+ countries, soft landing in 10 key sectors/verticals, and working spaces in 50+ locations across Europe). Pan-European integration – which brings UA innovation closer to investors, accelerators, potential buyers, innovation agencies and peers - will also be a key component of this project. The Consortium is led by FBA (PL-based and leader of FSTP management) with key support from USF, Ukraine’s public agency to support SMEs, which will invest its own resources and guarantee synergies with UA. Other partners key to guarantee services delivery and wide impact are: EITH (KICs), PNP (investors), LXI (EU innovation stakeholders), CORKBIC (BIC network), IHS (Impact Hub Network), IOP (EEN in UA). Circa 1,000 innovators, start-ups and deep tech SMEs located in UA or created by Ukrainian citizens in other EU countries after 24.02.2022 will benefit from said support, with at least 400 expected to gain a mix of financial and non-financial support, and many others expected to access non-financial support while seeking other sources of funding.