The RADIANT Project has for ambition to create the smartest self-limiting heating system integrated on cabin panel to revolutionize the thermal comfort of Aircraft while contributing to the competitiveness of our industry. The consortium members are HUTCHINSON, a world leader for Cabin solutions, CANOE is a R&T centre with more than 5 years of expertise in the field of cost-effective carbon fibrous materials and smart composites especially for aeronautics market and CTAG a non-profit technology Center with years of expertise in the numerical simulation for thermal efficiency active in the automotive industry. The RADIANT PANEL project offers a disruptive innovation proposal based on three main pillars: A new positive temperature coefficient (PTC) textile coating made of ex-cellulose carbon fiber and a PVDF-based polymer, A heated multi-functional cabin panel A fully robotized manufacturing cell for the cabin panel assembly. During the project, 2 type of coating will be tested. The textile coating will be assembled with their connectors on the top layer of the cabin panel by a collaborative work between a Cobot and a 6 axis robot. It is also proposed to carry out the full cabin temperature and air flow simulation using a specific software (TAITherm) coupled with the Human Thermal Module for the comfort prediction. Functionnal test and certification test will be validated the soltuion. The RADIANT project has a 36 months duration and a budget of 702,516€. The consortium aims to take 10% market share of the cabin panel business, evaluated at 90 M€.

The aim is to reduce weight of metallic parts but keeping conductivity properties. Potential application is a valve actuator body for which EMI protection and bonding is required. Additionally it will be explored various manufacturing process with thermoplastic composites reinforced with short or long fibres. Nevertheless these solutions cannot be simply achieved by a direct paradigm change from aluminium alloy towards thermoplastic composite (black metal approach). They actually require some innovative concepts in terms of material formulation and functionalitation strategy in order to meet both electrical conductivity and EMI protection requirements. The innovative solution proposed by the ECOFUNEL consortium is focused onto the use of conductive electrically thermoplastic-based composite materials as an alternative solution to metallic materials keeping constant the final conductivity properties of the actuator body. The thermoplastic-based composite materials provide some major advantages as compared with thermoset-based composite materials: a wide range of functionalization, a high production rate and recyclability. Some high performance thermoplastic resins will be used in order to ensure high mechanical properties and strong chemical resistance versus aeronautic fluids or other aggressive chemical products. To improve mechanical properties, some chopped or continuous carbon fibres will be used according to the technical solutions proposed and the processing methods related to. The technical solutions developed by the ECOFUNEL consortium will provide: - high mechanical properties thanks to both carbon fibres (short or continuous) and high performance thermoplastic resin, - high level of electrical conductivity thanks to both carbon fibres (short or continuous) and carbon conductive particles (CNT or graphene), - EMI shielding efficiency.

The multiplication of satellite communication links has been a major trend in recent years. Thanks to the greater accessibility of earth orbits, many opportunities for new constellations deployment and services have appeared. These new services are also at the heart of issues of national and European sovereignty. In this context, the ALADDIN project will contribute to the development of high throughput satellite-based communication systems for airborne platforms, addressing in particular the « SATCOM-on-the-move » market. More precisely, the goal of ALADDIN project is to offer an innovative solution enabling significantly greater communication quality in harsh conditions, when the satellite is getting closer to the horizon. Indeed, because of strict aerodynamics, costs and stealth constraints, the airborne antennas are ideally thin and directly integrated on the fuselage. Consequently, their capacity to maintain the quality of the communication link at high elevations is drastically degraded. To this day, there is no low-profile solution on the market exhibiting remarkable scanning performance (beyond 60° in elevation). In order to address this intrinsic limitation of planar antennas, the ALADDIN project proposes to develop a specific dielectric layer, which is shaped by additive manufacturing and integrated on the inner face of the radome. This structured dielectric layer will enhance the beam scanning capability of planar antenna arrays by increasing its field of view through: the proposed patented concept consists redirecting selectively the glazing beams toward the broadside of the antenna panel in order to reduce the scanning losses and maintain the communication link and data-rates at high elevations (beyond 60°). To reach this objective, we propose in ALADDIN to work on the following points: • To demonstrate an original function of beam deviation based on the exploitation of the angular selectivity of planar Bragg gratings. A proof-of-concept will be demonstrated for operation at Ka receive band (17.3-21.2 GHz). • To develop numerical tools for electromagnetic computation and fast design. Technologically, this work will rely on the following development: • Synthesis of high permittivity filaments for additive manufacturing • Software and hardware developments required for the direct printing of a permittivity spatial gradient, first in planar form and then in non-developable 3D form. The dual applications of the proposed functionalized layer in ALADDIN are obvious. First, the improvement of satellite communication robustness is a major stake of future combat systems because of their highly cooperative nature. In addition, beyond satellite-airplane communications, the technologies and methods developed in ALADDIN are applicable to communications between platforms in general, air-, land- or sea-based. It is also worth noting that the main driver for these satellite communications is commercial air travel. Indeed, the multiplication of constellations has enabled the emergence of the massive IFEC market (« In-Flight Entertainment and Connectivity ») which offers on-board high data-rate connectivity solutions to travelers all around the world. In this architecture, the capacity of antenna systems to maintain a good throughput when the satellite is getting closer to the horizon is critical. The market stakes related to the development of SATCOM antenna systems are also important. In this highly competitive landscape where north-American and Asian competitors are numerous, the ALADDIN project will contribute to provide a technical differentiator in support of the French defense and civil industries.

The aim of the OSCAR project is the development of an 100% biobased high performance carbon fiber (CF) based on a precursor derived from the biomass transformation industries. Thanks to its remarkable properties, polyacrylonitrile (PAN) is the mainly used precursor for high performance CF production. PAN is synthesized from the acrylonitrile monomer (AN). However, the industrial source of AN is today directly related to the non renewable petroleum ressources. In this context, the OSCAR project aims at exploring the technical, scientific, economical and environmental feasibility of the production process of biobased acrylonitrile (bioAN) and its transformation to high performance CF. Glycerol, a coproduct of the biodiesel industry, is the starting material considered for the preparation of bioAN. Based on the knowledge and the expertise of the consortium, the production process of bioAN from glycerol (patented by the project coordinator) will be developed and optimized. Then, the multi-steps transformation of bioAN in CF will be carefully demonstrated. In a second step, the OSCAR project will investigate a cost reduction strategy of the CF based on the fabrication of precursor from mixes of biobased polyacrylonitrile (bioPAN) and a byproduct of the paper industry : lignins. As lignins are also renewable ressources, the CF proposed with this strategy will be 100% biosourced too. OSCAR project fits in the thematic axis 7 (Materials) of the 2021 ASTRID call fo proposals. In addition to being part of sustainable development, the OSCAR project places particular emphasis on the strategic independence of the CF sector, an essential component of the civil and defense industry. The OSCAR project concerns both military and civilian fields where high performance CF find their use for aerospace, defense and aeronautical applications.

TUNTWIN will strengthen research excellence and knowledge transfer of INRAP regarding mass spectrometry, and synchrotron techniques applied to environment, food and health sectors with a special attention to organic contaminants, element speciation, light and non-traditional isotopes, nanoparticles and food traceability, authenticity and safety. These sectors are of high economic benefit and relevance for the development of both EU and Tunisian economy and legislation. To accomplish this, TUNTWIN will create an environment to transnational cooperation and develop a sustainable framework of research capacity building, research management, finance and administration, international networking to enhance the sustainable expertise of Tunisian scientists and stakeholders. As a result, TUNTWIN will foster the economic development of Tunisian economy in the sectors of environment, food and health. Strengthening of INRAP’s staff will be developed by EU partners of established scientific excellence in target topics, through 6 case studies, with proven record of experience. TUNTWIN is structured into 5 work packages for 36 months, including: coordination; capacity building (through trainings, mobilities program, organization of summer schools, exploratory workshops, open days and stakeholders-oriented events); definition of new research avenues and approaches; networking and governmental support; and communication through awareness raising and knowledge co-creation. As a result of proposed strategic priorities and actions by INRAP, a series of 4 targeted aims have been defined to determine the impact of TUNTIWN on the increase research excellence and critical mass; support institutional networking and reputation increase; develop a knowledge transference network; and improve the analytical service quality in Tunisia. Such aims will be monitored through >25 KPI supporting the establishment of a short-, medium- and long-term sustainability strategy for INRAP.