NEFERTITI will develop an innovative highly efficient photocatalytic system enabling a simultaneous conversion of CO2 and H2O into solar fuels (ethanol and alcohols with longer chain such as (iso)propanol) and thus provide a breakthrough alternative to transform CO2 into valuable products for energy and transport. NEFERTITI aims to integrate novel heterogeneous catalysts (Covalent organic frameworks and metal oxides combined with metallic nanoparticles) and luminescent solar concentrators into two Photocatalytic flow reactors sourced by sunlight energy. The reaction mechanisms for the photocatalytic CO2/H2O conversion and C-C bond formation will be defined and optimised. As this has never been done before, NEFERTITI will develop a completely new way of producing such compounds in a continuous manner having a significant impact on the scientific understating of this technology. Modelling of C-C bond formation from activated intermediates will then determinate the reaction pathways, barriers and selectivity for C-C, C-O and C-H bonds. By increasing the sunlight conversion efficiency and improving light-harvesting and charge separation, NEFERTITI will overcome the remaining technological challenges, improve the competitiveness of the photocatalytic technologies and enable a carbon-neutral production of solar fuels in a single-step process as an alternative to traditional multi-step processes. Novel photocatalytic materials, optical and chemical light-harvesting components and flow reactors will be designed, developed and integrated in a system reaching a TRL4 at the end of the project. Economic and sustainability assessment throughout the entire life cycle will consider socio-economic and environmental impacts, as well as workers’ health & safety to maximize productivity and resource efficiency and minimize the risks. The consortium is composed of an experienced multidisciplinary team from EU, China and USA, supported by an international Advisory Board.

Modern technologies required for the transition to a climate-resilient sustainable green and digital future (wind generators, electric motors) heavily rely on rare-earth (REE) permanent magnets. However, with China covering 98% of the supply to Europe in 2022, the continent is left in an extremely vulnerable position with respect to these critical raw materials. In this framework, BEETHOVEN seeks to address the challenge brought forward in the Topic description to reduce the amount of REE employed in the new energy sector. The main goal of the project is to develop innovative and sustainable advanced magnetic materials that substitute REE in the energy and transportation sectors. We will work on developing and upscaling 3 types of magnetic phases: high-entropy alloys, ferrite-based composites and W-type ferrites, that could be deployed at large scale in the permanent magnets market. Substitution will be demonstrated in final applications by developing REE-bonded magnets for automotive components, and by designing and building prototypes for a REE-lean wind generator, a REE-free flywheel and a REE-free/lean e-motor for electric vehicles. With a total budget of 7.5 Million €, balanced between the parallel technological developments and across the project´s value chain, BEETHOVEN will address the 6 activities specified in the Topic Description. To do so, a team of experts from 14 partners and 10 countries -with demonstrated experience working collaboratively at the frontier of knowledge in the permanent magnet sector- has been assembled. The successful implementation of the project is expected to put BEETHOVEN in the position to contribute to the expected outcomes and wider impacts of the call by reducing Europe´s REE magnets imports by an estimated 2,200-4,900 tons by 2033. The key technologies, skills and materials to achieve this impact will be developed within EU borders, contributing to a more resilient, autonomous and industrially competitive Europe.

Nature uses foam or sponge-like structures in various organisms for purposes like shock absorption, noise reduction, and vibration compensation in a remarkable example of evolutionary adaptation and functional design. On the other hand, many products still rely on non-sustainable materials of fossil-based origin, for example foams and elastomeric used for vibratory motion, sound, harshness, energy, and shock-impact absorption in industries such as automotive, aerospace and marine. Example of such Noise Vibration and Harshness (NVH) materials are rubber and engineering resins. Bio.3DGREEN develops and demonstrates a novel manufacturing approach for a cost-effective bio-inspired platform of bio-based components based on graphene foam (GF) to meet the industrial needs, i.e. vibration, sound and shock-impact absorption and durability in extreme conditions. Bio.3DGREEN democratizes graphene technology and enables the unscalable fabrication of graphene-based components of complex geometries to be demonstrated at TRL 6 through a high throughput, laser-based Additive Manufacturing (AM) procedure. The procedure is bio-inspired, mimicking structures such as the human bone, and is based solely on bio-based graphene system with vegetable oil as the raw material, resulting in carbon-positive manufacturing of the new components. Bio.3DGREEN demonstrates the superior bio-based GF parts in four different industries, aiming to drive the optimization of the new manufacturing approach through an application-driven approach: Automotive suspension systems & isolation panels, aerospace applications and quiet shipping. Bio.3DGREEN achieves a multi-disciplinary approach to develop, optimize, and improve smart manufacturing application-driven, bio-based GF components, also considering the performance of current materials used, their cost, market size, wastage and recyclability, sustainability of manufacturing process, inclusion in Europe’s circular economy and LCA, LCC aspects.

EmergeNOW uses digital, molecular tools for rapid CBS, HLB detection, enabling early warning at EU import points. Consortium introduces novel tools and autonavigated robots for inspectors: a) on-site Phyllosticta citricarpa (P.c) and Candidatus Liberibacter’ (Ca. L) species rapid detection a molecular tool based on Recombinase Polymerase Amplification kits, b)Fluorescent Array-based Sensing Technology for P.c and Ca.L rapid detection, c) Artificial Intelligence- powered mobile apps for rapid CBS and HLB image analysis detection integrated with low-cost hyperspectral imagers, d) UAVs for AI-based RGB and hyperspectral imaging of abiotic and biotic symptom response of CBS and HLB and similar to these; e) Autonomous Mobile Robots for HLB and CBS AI imaging symptoms detection discriminate from abiotic stress. Also, deployment plans are in place for detecting the vector Diaphorina citri (ACP), Trioza erytreae (T.e ), and Cacopsylla citrisuga (C.c) by: f) e-Nose sensors, g) AI - based robotic traps for real time detection and monitoring, and h) AI-powered mobile apps for their early detection. Τhese systemic innovations could be incorporated in the EFSA Survey Cards. Digital tools link in systemic alert system with blockchain, ML analytics and will enable informed decisions for import control. Focusing on showcasing real problem scenarios, the developed tools and methods will be initially tested and optimised in biosecure enviroments at Plant Health Centers (PHC) and afterwards validated in citrus orchards in USA (CBS, HLB, ACP), Uganda (CBS, HLB, T.e), Vietnam (HLB, ACP, C.c), and in Cyprus (ACP). The optimised tools will be demonstrated in authorized Border Control Posts in Greece, Italy, Spain and Cyprus.

A dramatic rise in the implementation of renewable energy sources is needed if we want to meet European climate protection targets. Photovoltaic (PV) costs have decreased spectacularly over time, turning photovoltaics into one of the most competitive sources of electricity in the EU. An economically feasible and space-saving approach to increase the capacity of renewable energy sources is to integrate PV systems into structures that already exist or to build new structures that originally integrate a PV function. Building-integrated and infrastructure-integrated PV are technologically proven solutions. Due to its multifunctionality, building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) installations can achieve a better economic and ecological balance over their lifetime than conventional building elements. New technologies for PV cells, electrical connections, and front and back covers allow a free choice of formats and colours for integrated PV modules. Likewise, infrastructure-integrated PV offers a large potential for PV integration, due to the unique advantages of somewhat standardized constructions, little emphasis on aesthetics and a small number of builders and owners compared to the building sector. However, integrated PV (IPV) is still a niche market. Several barriers are still preventing the massive integration of PV into buildings and infrastructure. The project MASS-IPV has been conceived as a multidisciplinary action that connects key players along the PV and construction value chains. The goal of the project is to demonstrate that suitable tools, technologies, and methods, combined with a collaboration framework among key stakeholders, can overcome the barriers preventing the mass deployment of IPV and deliver multifunctional and cost-effective IPV systems for buildings and infrastructure. Six different built objects will be used to demonstrate the technology, representing different construction typologies in five different locations in Europe.