The corrosion problem of steel reinforcement severely limits the life-cycle sustainability of conventional reinforced concrete structures. This proposal focuses on the use of corrosion-free fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) reinforcing bars in lieu of steel reinforcing bars in concrete structures. Due to the currently incomplete understanding of serviceability aspects of FRP reinforced concrete (FRP-RC) structures, the existing design guidelines are not comprehensive, and this restricts the applications of FRP-RC in real-life. The proposed project will investigate the fundamental issues of serviceability, fracture mechanics and time-dependent effects of FRP-RC to enable its practical usage. The objectives encompass experimental investigation of deformation characteristics of FRP-RC specimens, derivation of constitutive models and establishment of deformation capacity of FRP-RC members, formulation of design guidelines in serviceability and development of design aids for use by practising engineers. A number of first-time-in-the-world techniques initiated by the applicant researcher, Dr. Pui-Lam NG and the host supervisor, Prof. Gintaris KAKLAUSKAS of Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (VGTU) will be employed in the project. The expertise areas of the researcher and the host are highly complementary and there will be substantial two-way transfer of knowledge. The researcher and the host propose to undertake the project with partner organisations University of Minho led by Prof. Joaquim A.O. BARROS, and University of Cambridge led by Prof. Chris BURGOYNE, in 24 months duration. Measures to disseminate the research findings to the academic and engineering communities and communicate the results to the general public have been formulated. A detailed work plan of research activities, deployment of manpower and resources, contingency plan for risk mitigation, and availability of research infrastructure have been duly addressed to enable effective delivery of the project.

The CliMAFlux-Hop-on project aims to enhance axial flux (AF) machine technology by developing AF motor drives for chassis auxiliary systems, improving electric vehicle (EV) efficiency. It introduces a novel vehicle architecture, featuring a high-voltage powertrain with integrated AF drives and actuators, targeting several advancements: enhancing chassis flexibility by integrating high-performance actuators for various EV segments; boosting EV performance by a reduction in losses during vehicle operation by over 20%, improving safety and handling; improving chassis kinematics with active steering and toe/camber control to enhance ride comfort by over 20%; providing practical functionalities like advanced steering systems for better steering feel, and more accessible parking; increasing reliability through redundant systems and alternative energy sources to ensure continued operation despite component failures; and extending digital twins (DTs) to include AF-based chassis actuators for comprehensive vehicle DTs, enabling detailed analysis of vehicle dynamics and energy consumption, optimising motion controller design, and enhancing product testing in the XiL environment. The project will improve VT participants' international outreach, increase their visibility and impact, strengthen ties between EU academia and business representatives, enhance career mobility and boost VT's science and innovation capacity. It aims to drive structural changes, modernise VT's R&I systems, and increase research talent competitiveness, attractiveness and retention. The project will mobilise national and EU resources, increasing success in Horizon Europe and leadership roles in consortia. Strengthening links between academia and industry will enhance the role of the higher education sector in R&I, encouraging greater involvement of regional actors.

"Teaching is a multifaceted activity demanding a wide range of knowledge as well as hard and soft skills. The current pandemic situation has made plain that academics more than ever need to possess not only technology skills but also the desire to adapt lectures to technologies and design thinking to proceed. Moreover, numerous studies have revealed that students achieve more when they have role models to look up to, the people who motivate, inspire and guide them accordingly. It becomes especially important in times of uncertainty.There is a significant amount of academics, and especially senior academics, who lack skills for design thinking, do not use innovative methods, and still prefer traditional methods in distant learning. Thus, there is a need in the practical course ""Overcoming Technophobia"" which would introduce with the best examples of good practice in remote lecturing and provide practical tools on how to do it.The project ""Leading Universities - Catalysts for Change (CATCHANGE)"" aims to develop a set of three interrelated courses for academics, and they are1) ""Academic Leadership"";2) ""Design Thinking Skills"";3) ""Overcoming Technophobia"".Therefore, the project will provide a possibility for academics to rectify deficiencies, acquire new skills and develop key competences. In total, during the project there will be trained 45 academics (15 academics per country). The acquired skills will turn academic staff into new leaders, so they could become role models for their students and teach the skills to students too. Eliminating the existing gaps, the 3 developed Intellectual results will lead to effective improvement and overall boost of higher education quality."

Energy generation and use obtained new urgency the last year when Russia invaded Ukraine. European and other countries encountered harsh realities when problems related to energy availability and affordability had to be tackled. An urgent need for faster and more efficient transitioning towards renewable sources is evident. The project proposal lies within priority research and innovation. It intends to bring together the scientists and practitioners and involve experienced researchers and early-stage researchers in social sciences, electrical engineering, physics and environmental sciences. Scientists will interact with managers of large-scale solar park clusters in Egypt and Morocco, which would allow understanding specifics and scale of problems related to renewable energy production, use and trade. An interdisciplinary/multidisciplinary approach here may lead to novel solutions, which may have important policy implications. We intend to build a cluster for innovative energy, which will involve other clusters already created in the former Horizon 2020 and other projects. The cluster for innovative energy would be a cluster of clusters allowing broad engagement of scientists, practitioners, policymakers, NGOs and other stakeholders. In the context of the war, innovative solutions stemming from the inter-sectoral cooperation of geographically remoted partners can become resilience drivers. The project is based on previous work but goes beyond since it generates and strengthens long-term collaborations via training researchers, encouraging geographical mobility, and fostering exchange between sectors and disciplines.

X-HuLog4.0 addresses the scope of the WIDERA 2023-ACCESS 02-01: TWINNING under the priority “spreading excellence and widening participation”. The project establishes cooperation with internationally leading research institutions – NTNU, TUDa and USAAR – and allows defining strategies for building capabilities and establishing networks that help Vilnius Gediminas Technical University to advance their R&I capabilities in human-centered logistics systems of the future (X-HuLog4.0). The objective of the project entitled X-HuLog4.0 – Excellence in human-centered logistics 4.0 is to fully realize and further develop the existing scientific potential of the widening partners VILNIUS TECH aiming at scientific excellence in human-centered logistics systems of the future. While the focus is on the widening partners, the project also enables the other partners to deepen their knowledge in this field and to contribute to the advancement and adoption of X-HuLog4.0 results across Europe. To this purpose, X-HuLog4.0 intends to: - increase the research and educational capabilities in Human-centered Logistics at VILNIUS TECH at the supporting partners; - establish a long-term knowledge transfer between the contributing parties with a special focus on young-stage researchers; - encourage the connection among researchers of the partner universities and other leading research institutes and promote networking; - enable VILNIUS TECH to act as knowledge centres providing modern methodologies, logistic tools and solutions in the area of human-centered logistics to transfer knowledge to the widening and associated countries; - increase the industry and society awareness on human-centered logistics and the value of a close collaboration with academia; - foster scientific developments through increases in the number of publications, patents, participation in research programs, and new products or services development.