InSPIRe aims at fulfilling all the requirements of the CfP JTI-CS2-2017-CFP06-REG-01-09 “Innovative low power de-icing system” by designing, developing, and manufacturing a demonstrator for a safe, reliable and compact electrothermal low power de-icing system integrated in the wing leading edge for regional aircraft. The proposed technology will be demonstrated in the Icing Wind Tunnel at TRL5 and will be able to meet the goals of Clean Sky 2, WP2.3.1 “Low power WIPS” of the REG IADP. The core of the proposed ice protection system is a proprietary heater layer technology developed by Villinger GmbH, which is an elastic, semi-conductive polymer that can be applied as a thin coating to a variety of parts and components. The key features of the proposed system are: • Low-power electrothermal de-icing capability, offering a 40% power requirement decrease compared to the benchmark electrothermal de-icing protection system; • High system flexibility in terms of allowed configurations and full compatibility with morphing structure; • In-service fault tolerance and maintenance-free architecture; • Wider temperature operating range than the benchmark electrothermal de-icing protection system; The performance of the InSPIRe technology will be achieved due to: • Low thermal inertia of the system, reducing the runback ice formation during unheated periods • Enhanced thermal diffusivity, i.e. lower conductive and convective heat losses • Possibility of removing the parting strip, further reducing the power demand of the system • Advanced control strategy to optimise heater scheduling The InSPIRe system will be designed by a highly experienced consortium relying on state-of-the-art numerical simulation, innovative materials and manufacturing techniques, and thorough testing and qualification activities. The technology will be delivered fully compliant with Civil Certification requirements.

Energy storage systems are a crucial part to enable the transformation of our current economic system into a more sustainable one, to balance the fluctuating nature of renewable electricity production from wind and photovoltaics. There are many potential means of energy storage, that differ in their storage capacity and duration, such as batteries or redox-flow batteries. A common factor in all these systems is the importance of processes on surfaces and interfaces that control the involved chemical reactions and physical processes. To improve the current and develop novel energy storage systems, detailed understanding and insight about these surface and interface processes is required. The proposed Doctoral Network will gain insight into these highly relevant surface and interface phenomena. Advanced analytical techniques will be utilized to directly probe chemical and physical processes, relevant for the respective energy storage systems. Modelling and synthetic approaches will complement the understanding of these processes and allow the development of advanced materials and components for energy storage systems. The gained knowledge will be directly applied on real world energy storage systems, provided by the involved industrial partners. As these approaches are highly interdisciplinary, the new generation of researchers has to be trained to excel in such complex research and industrial environments. The proposed Doctoral Network will enable the PhD candidates to combine the most advanced scientific techniques (regarding analysis, modelling and synthesis) with the requirements of modern industry, in the dynamic field of energy storage systems. They will develop a deep scientific understanding of surface and interface processes and also the systemic knowledge to apply their skills in a broad range of industrial environments.

To improve aircraft resource-efficiency and to decrease fuel consumption and CO2 emissions innovative solutions with superior mechanical properties for advanced structures are in development. Ti6Al4V alloys, due to a high strength-to-weight ratio compared to steel or aluminium can keep the structural weight and size ratio low. However, lightweight construction with this alloy is currently only possible with conventional techniques as CNC machining, casting that lead to a high proportion of raw material removal. This is not cost-efficient and works with a high ecological footprint. A primary alternative for fabrication of advanced functional lightweight metallic parts is additive manufacturing (AM), offering benefits in terms of weight, design and functionality, lead time and cost/manufacturability and allowing for alternative geometric shapes, thereby decreasing the weight of the component without sacrificing component strength and safety. However, AM has not yet been approved for structural components with high safety requirements to date, as there are still technology gaps: material property control, correlation between process and structural properties, effect of defects, quality control. Material and mechanical properties of AM parts differ substantially from the properties of the same parts produced by conventional casting. Therefore, a damage tolerance assessment needs to be performed for AM parts in commercial aircraft applications to meet functional and safety requirements. The main objective of the 3TANIUM is the establishment of NDT methods that are capable to provide the secure detection of process related critical flaws and defects and to understand their effects on material and mechanical properties in Ti6Al4V AM parts. 3TANIUM will quantitatively assess the applicability of NDT methods applied on appropriately and innovatively post-treated (heat- and surface-treated) AM parts in order to realize benefits offered by AM in the aeronautical industry.