In H2MAC, two machines, namely an excavator and a shredder for the construction and mining sector, will be newly designed to integrate a FC powertrain and the related subsystems. The machines selected for the project will demonstrate a modular solution scalable, as the excavator will be powered by a FC consisting of one module of 120 kW, and the shredder will upscale the concept using two modules to enlarge the power to 240 kW. The operation of the machines is also complementary, as the excavator has a load profile derived of its movement during operation, while the shredder is a more static machine when operating. At the proposal stage, a preliminary assessment of the duty cycles have been performed to select the perfect showcase for the project activities, as well as carefully assess the size of the systems which will be developed during the project. This actions already done will pave the way to a successful project and minimise the project risks related to the planning of project resources. That, together with the simultaneous demonstration of the machines during 1000 hours in a single real environment, will allow the partners to develop solutions capable of operation in different sectors and operative patterns, and help broadening the project impacts and commercial exploitation. The consortium is composed of different technological partners, component manufacturers, machinery manufacturers and associations that will help communication, dissemination and exploitation through standardisation.

LEARNing about the status of air quality in schools and its impact on the cognition of children is a major cornerstone in LEARN. For that, we want to overcome the barriers of the currently existing technologies and take a bold step towards the development and deployment of novel sensors to detect the presence of possibly harmful air pollutants such as volatile organic compounds and ultrafine particles. We will measure and characterize indoor and outdoor air pollutants and evaluate the presence of biomarkers of exposure and their effect on children´s cognition, while trying to recapitulate those effects using C.elegans as biosensor. Moreover, we will use advanced human-based in vitro models of lung and skin coupled to a revolutionary multisensing device to investigate their mechanisms of toxicity in real-time. Novel remediation strategies will be explored to improve air quality and promote children´s quality of life and life expectancy. For that we will mobilize a group of eleven leading research teams, unrivalled in their respective fields (environmental epidemiologists, toxicologists, air quality specialists, systems biology, engineers and citizen/social scientists). The scientific achievements expected to result from LEARN will unlock a large technology potential in IAQ for decades to come, leading to disruptive societal and economic impacts steaming from a radical improvement in the quality of life of children in Europe. Project LEARN is part of the European cluster on indoor air quality and health.

Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells are considered as one of the solutions enabling long-term sustainable transport, however, incumbent systems provide electric power outputs below 200 kW. To cater to the need of the heavy-duty transport sectors, the development of next generation of Fuel Cell systems aims at durable PEMFC stacks offering power output between 250 and 500 kW. To support this development, the H2UpScale project aims to design, build, test and validate key BoP components for PEMFC systems generating more than 250 kW electric power suitable for heavy-duty transport applications (aviation, maritime, on-road long-haul). H2UpScale brings together 3 research organisations, 2 academic and 11 industrial partners, including BoP manufacturers and OEMs. The project will identify application-specific requirements, that will then drive the requirements, development and optimization of 3 standards for modular and scalable PEMFC architectures ≥250kW (electrical power supply architectures & waste heat management system designs).The BoP components in focus include the hydrogen ejector, H2 recirculation pump, H2 leakage sensor, air compressor, cathode air filter and air humidifier, water separator, exhaust resonator, coolant heat exchanger and coolant medium. The targeted advancements for BoP components include efficiency and durability improvements, weight and volume reduction, and architecture simplification. The components will be designed to be compatible with both single- and multi-stack platforms, with scalability and modularity in mind, facilitating their integration into multi-MW scale systems. Selected full-scale BoP components will be validated on a Hardware-in-the-Loop test bench and a techno-economic analysis of the potential impact of the developed BoP components on the HD markets will be performed. With these main targets, the aim for H2UpScale is to provide critical technological bricks enabling the creation of a TRL7 demonstrator from 2027 onwards.

Redox flow batteries (RFBs) are designed to work up temperature of 40ºC, however, discharging the battery generates heat. A cooling system is required to avoid electrolyte degradation or battery malfunction. Cooling requires energy and reduces the battery global efficiency. Moreover, higher temperatures have advantages: low electrolyte viscosity (less pump energy), better electrolyte diffusion in electrode & increase battery power due to increase electron mobility. BALIHT project aims to develop a new organic redox flow battery suitable to work up to temperatures of 80ºC, with a self-life similar than current organic ones, but with an energy efficiency 20% higher than current RFB since cooling system is not required, less pump energy & high power. Redox-active organic molecules with promising prospect in the application of RFBs, benefited from their low cost, vast abundance, and high tunability of both potential and solubility. These organic molecules are more soluble in water, which allows more concentrated electrolyte and increased battery capacity.CMBlu has developed an organic redox flow battery technology that use electrolytes from lignin, thin non-fluorinated membrane, carbon-based electrodes and plastic frames. Lignin is a renewable resource and the largest natural source of aromatic compounds from which efficient electrolytes can be produced. BALITH concept of organic RFB makes this technology suitable for many applications where the requirements for batteries are more challenging like: - Smoothing of non-dispatchable renewable power plants (like solar or wind) - Support for Ancillary services - High performance electric car recharge points - Improvement of grid flexibility and stability (at both transmission and distribution level). - Avoid cooling needs in RFB placed in warm countries (between 40º Latitude North & 40º Latitude South).