SKHINCAPS project will explore an innovative and sustainable in situ self-assembly nanoencapsulation technology to deliver novel products for skin healthcare applications, with increased efficiency and cost benefits, leading to ground-breaking innovations on the actual products. Using this safe, sustainable and easily scalable technology, different actives will be addressed for nanoencapsulation: phase-change materials (PCMs), a cocktail of vitamins and antioxidants, and natural essential oils. The nanocapsules will be engineered to achieve three possible release mechanisms, enhancing actives efficiency. Different demonstrators will be developed with these customised and safe nanocapsules for skin healthcare applications: - First layer garments with no-release nanocapsules loaded with PCMs, to improve thermal management and skin comfort; - Creams with triggered nanocapsules containing the cocktail, to improve the anti-ageing effect on the end-users skin; - Lotions and textiles containing targeted nanocapsules loaded with natural essential oils to prevent or even mitigate bacterial infections on the end-users skin. These demonstrators will be fully tested for their safety and performance assessment to fulfil the present regulation requirements. SKHINCAPS comprises SMEs from different stages of the supply chain, so it will promote stronger collaborations between materials suppliers, manufacturers and end-users. SKHINCAPS is therefore entirely aligned with the European 2020 strategy, contributing to boost competitiveness and support the creation of jobs and new sources of growth. SKHINCAPS is also committed with the flagships initiatives, and with a number of wider H2020 objectives including: control healthcare expenditure, H2020 strategic cosmeceuticals sector and plural H2020 Key Enabling Technologies (KETs).

Multimaterial systems combining metals with thermoplastic fiber reinforced polymer composites (TP-FRPC) are the key for light weight design in the automotive industry. However, the joining of the material partners remains main issue. Currently, no approach exists which sufficiently meets the three core requirements: weight neutrality, cost- and time efficiency and bonding strength. Technologies like adhesive bonding or bolted joints show good results for one or two of the criterions, but not for all three of them. The FlexHyJoin project aims at the development of a joining process for hybrid components, which satisfies all three criterions. Induction Joining (IJ) and Laser Joining (LJ) are combined, since they have complementary fields of application and most of all they do not require additional material and are therefore weight neutral joining methods. Thus, the full lightweight potential is preserved. Additionally, a surface texturing method for the metal is integrated in the approach, which leads to a form closure bonding, providing a high mechanical bonding performance. Finally, a main aspect of the FlexHyJoin project is to integrate the surface texturing as well as both joining methods in a single, continuous, and fully automatized pilot process with an overall process control and supervision system. This leads to a maximum of time- and cost-efficiency and will allow the future application of the approach in the mass production of automotives. The key for the automation is an online process control and quality assurance. The FlexHyJoin project provides an essential enabler technology for future mobility concepts. The final result is an innovative joining process for fiber reinforced polymers and metals, suiting the strict requirements of automotive industry and enabling the broad application of hybrid material systems.

With strong growly rates of 13% in the aero sector, and demands predicted to be doubled by 2032, carbon composites (CC) are under the spotlight. CC production requires a quick ramp-up that needs to be based on robust materials & processes and a solid manufacturing supply chain, where higher production rates and cost reduction are essential. The aim of AIRPOXY is to reduce production & MRO costs of CC parts in aeronautics by introducing a new family of enhanced composites that preserve all the advantages of conventional thermosets, while showing new unprecedented features such as Re-processability, Reparability and Recyclability. This will be possible through further development & validation of a family of ground-breaking thermoset resins (recently invented/patented by CID) including dynamic bonds which enable such smart behaviour. Conversion of the technology from TRL3 to 5 will be achieved in AIRPOXY, through 2 representative demonstrators of aircraft panels. Thermoforming processes previously unthinkable for thermosets will reduce manufacturing cost of CC parts by35% vs autoclave, reducing processing times from hours to minutes. Faster/cheaper repair technologies, in combination with SHM, will reduce significantly MRO costs. Additionally, a novel welding process will reduce CC bonding costs by up to 50%. Such new features will foster competitiveness & sustainability in the European aeronautics sector. AIRPOXY relies on a multidisciplinary consortium of 11 partners from 6 countries; CID as resin inventor, key technology providers IVW (thermoforming & welding), EUT(RTM), COEX(SQRTM), UOI(SHM); AEF (process simulation software), aircraft components manufacturers (EIRE, IDEC, SON), standardization experts (UNE) & an aeroconsultancy (ART). They will be supported by a strong advisory board (AIRBUS, Leonardo, Huntsman, SGL and EREA). Maximum impact of AIRPOXY will be ensured through well-balanced dissemination, communication and exploitation activities.