European Funding

The European Union provides funding for research through a number of programmes. Currently its main instrument is the Seventh Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development, which has been designed to respond to Europe's employment needs, competitiveness and quality of life.

Since their launch in 1984, the Framework Programmes (FP) have played a lead role in multidisciplinary research and cooperative activities in Europe and beyond. C-Tech Innovation has been involved in Framework Programmes and other European funding programmes for more than 8 years and has participated as a leader or a partner in over 25 European projects. Thus we have built an extensive network of collaborators all over Europe and have acquired significant experience in the management of European funded projects.

Recent examples of EU collaborative projects across a wide range of disciplines include:

• Powair
  • Zinc-Air Flow Batteries for Electrical Power Distribution Networks
• Nanocoat
  • Nano-Structured  aluminium Oxide coatings
• Edefu
  • New Designs of Ecological Furnaces
• BioProtect
  • Ionisation-Based Detector of Airborne Bio-Agents, Viruses and Toxins for Fast-Alert & Identification
• Rephater
  • Electrochemical Water Treatment Pilot Plant in the Dairy Industry with Phosphate Recovery
• Remake
  • REMake aims to design, implement & test a novel scheme based on innovation vouchers and comprehensive sets of related consulting tools, to provide targeted support services to bring about eco-innovation based growth in manufacturing SMEs, including innovative start-ups, in the Recycling & Resource Efficiency (RRE) lead market.
• SurfEnergy
  • SurfEnergy is a free resource and aims to contribute to strengthening competitiveness in the main target groups of surface engineering and printed circuit board industries by achieving the wide introduction of energy efficiency measures, addressing non-technological barriers to the implementation of efficient energy management in these SME-dominated “kindred” sectors.
• Polyzion
  • The PolyZion project aims to create a new class of fast rechargeable zinc-polymer battery for hybrid and small electric vehicles applications. The research programme combines fundamental material and process advances in ionic liquids, rechargeable zinc electrodes, ultra-fast pulse charge injection techniques and conducting polymers, as well as constructing prototypes battery units for industry standard testing. The resulting battery device will be low cost, have low environmental impact and have the energy and power density necessary to compete with alternative battery technologies in the HEV and EV markets.
• EcoMetre
  • The project will develop a metal recycling system for industrial waste, based on the sequential combination of existing technologies: electrocoagulation, chemical dissolution / digestion and electroplating / electrowinning. Therefore, the system would adopt and integrate already developed technologies ready for first application by the surface finishing and automotive industrial sectors
    
    C-Tech Innovation successfully demonstrate resource efficient nickel recovery technology in the metal finishing industry - Click here to watch the video
• Rebiofoam
  • REBIOFOAM aims to develop an energy efficient process for production of biodegradable starch packaging. Starch pellets will be extruded and then expanded in a pressurized microwave-assisted process to provide low-density moulded foam products. These products will be developed as a biodegradable alternative to expanded polystyrene.
• Cafe
  • The objective of the CAFE project is to provide new paradigms for the smart control of food processes, on the basis of four typical processes in the areas of bioconversion, separation, preservation and structuring. The novelty of the project lies in the capacity of combining PAT (Process Analytical Technology) and sensing devices with models and simulation environment.
• Nanoglowa
  • NANOGLOWA brings together universities, power plant operators, industry and SMEs to develop optimal nanostructured membranes and installations for CO2 capture from power plants below 20 euro/ton, with a build-in, smart, diagnostic technique.
• Sants
  • SANTS (Synthesis and Application of Nanostructured Tethered Silicates). This project harnesses the silica precipitating ability of specialised diatom proteins and biomimetics to generate a variety of silica nanoparticles. The structures will be used to entrap enzymes for biosensor and bioreactor applications.
• Saphir
  • The general objective of the project is the safe, integrated and controlled production of high-tech multifunctional nano-structured products including their recycling, and ensuring competitiveness.
• Nanosecure
  • "Advanced nanotechnological detection and detoxification of harmful airborne substances for improved public security." The aim is to harness breakthrough nanotechnologies in both detection and detoxification of a variety of key airborne substances in order to provide security for citizens against surprise attack in public buildings and in transport. The project will produce extremely sensitive detectors and highly active catalytic detoxification systems. For chemical and biological agents, detection will trigger immediate detoxification in the exposed area. In addition detectors will be developed for interception of drugs and explosives.
• Ionmet
  • The main objective of IONMET is to improve the prospects of introducing the advanced technologies of Ionic Liquids into industrial applications, targeting in particular the Printed Circuit Board and electroplating sectors, to realise opportunities for novel and economic production routes to new materials and the creation of new markets.