Partners

The “Research Unit of Advanced, Composite, Nano Materials & Nanotechnology”, R-NanoLab is situated at the School of Chemical Engineering (Department of Materials Science and Engineering) of National Technical University of Athens (NTUA). It is established since 2006; its research group has extensive experience in Design, Production and Characterization of Advanced-, Composite- and Nano- Materials.

R-NanoLab has a strong presence in European Research Activities in Materials Science, through participation in numerous EU and national funded projects. As part of the European Technological Community, R-NanoLab is an active member of several Clusters: European Materials Characterisation Council (EMCC), European Pilot Production Network (EPPN), European NanoSafety Cluster (NSC) taking part in establishment of new standard methodologies, provide suitable background for regulation and nanosafety, and support EC policy development.

IRES, an R&D consulting company founded in 2015, is dedicated to new and innovative nanotechnology solutions. Headquartered in Brussels (Belgium), IRES is a team of key collaborators that provide supporting services such as IP, market research, environmental solutions and marketing advice. Our mission is to deliver to our customers world-class innovative solutions for development of materials based products. Customised and tailored solutions on demand, often in tool form, successfully identify possible business risks and provide sustainable directions. For this, the whole lifecycle of products is considered, through a holistic evaluation of social, environmental and economic aspects based on EU standards and regulations. IRES in collaboration with external bodies and related initiatives, is part of new technological events, arising innovative technologies and strategic research trends.

The University of Limerick (UL) is one of the leading universities in Ireland and has an excellent track record of attracting national, European and industrial funding for research. The Bernal Institute within UL comprises over 300 researchers active in materials and surface science research with a strong focus on microscopic, nanoscopic and spectroscopic characterisation of materials important for health, energy, transport, clean technology and manufacturing. In recent years, UL has received national funding over €40 M to continue as a national facility for state-of-the-art materials and surface characterisation. The UL team is a partner of CURAM, the Science Foundation Ireland National Centre for Biomedical Devices.

The UL team has a strong track record of using state-of-the-art characterization techniques and developing cutting edge and innovative techniques of characterization of materials, surface and interface, drug-device combinations, and molecular biology/protein biochemistry. The UL team coordinated the FP7 project LANIR, a project that built a super-resolution label-free nanoscope based on infrared finger-printing of materials, and the FP7 project BioElectricSurface.

M-Solv is a manufacturing company that employs 70 people and it is based in Oxford, UK with an Asian support facility in Hong Kong. Its activities target the printed, large area and flexible electronics market. M-Solv is part of the Hong Kong-based CN Innovations group which is a broad-based manufacturing organisation, particularly active in the mobile sector.

M-Solv has a development lab with 12 in-house built processing machines including inkjet and spray systems with a range of printheads and capabilities and laser processing stations with different sources and optics: wavelengths from 10μ to 266nm and pulse lengths from CW to 200 fs with processing areas up to about 1m2 plus roll-to-roll. We believe that for a successful development a close working relationship is needed between process provider, material provider, machine developer and end user. So we have developed an extensive network of materials suppliers and other process providers, to align with this philosophy.

We operate a “foundry” for large-area electronic device manufacturing. It is a Class 10,000 (ISO7) cleanroom, with multiple production tools and is ISO 9001:2015 accredited

The University of Aveiro (UA) is a young university, founded in 1973, with over 15500 full-time students (Grad. and Post-graduation). The University has a strong research profile, a unique model of governance (16 Departments, 4 Polytechnic Schools and various training centre’s). The UAVR seeks to develop and maintain a supportive research environment, where individuals are valued and provided with the support they require. Students and researchers can count with a solid and experienced administrative, financial and legal structure composed by several offices, integrated in different services, from which we highlight: the Research Support Office (GAI), the Management of Human and Financial Resources, the Technology Transfer Office (UATEC) and the Mobility Centre.

CICECO – Aveiro Institute of Materials, is an Associated Laboratory of the UA and joins some 389 chemists, physicists and materials engineers making it the largest Portuguese Materials Science and Engineering (MS&E) institute (www.ciceco.ua.pt).

Created in 2002, the institute has contributed to the development of scientific and technological knowledge necessary for the innovative production and transformation of materials, for a sustainable development and the benefit of society, (from ceramics to soft matter and hybrids). With a solid international profile, 44 % of 41 full-time researchers, 30% of 104 post-docs and 18% of 119 PhD students are foreigners.

Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT is part of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, with 72 institutes, more than 25,000 employees and an annual research budget of 2.3 billion euros. The Fraunhofer ILT is worldwide one of the most important development and contract research institutes of its specific field. The activities cover a wide range of areas such as the development of new laser beam sources and components, precise laser based metrology, testing technology and industrial laser processes. As a tool, light is indisputably an innovation driver. Germany occupies a top position worldwide in the field of optical technology and is holding its own as the world leader in laser manufacturing technology. And, thanks to the intensive research it carries out at the cutting edge between science and practice, the Fraunhofer ILT has been making its own contribution to this success – for more than 30 years. The range of services offered by Fraunhofer ILT covers the entire value creation chain from process development through the design and implementation of new system components all the way to the construction of system concepts for the specific customer requirements.

Inside the M3dloc project Fraunhofer ILT will develop a new laser based toolchain for the fabrication and measurement of micro-fluidic devices. From a fundamental understanding of the laser processes and the interaction with the material ILT will build a prototype production line.

AltraTech brings biotechnology, semiconductors and genetics together, in a portable battery-operated 1-hour viral RNA detection kit. This enables rapid diagnosis and decision-making, on-site, in-clinic, nurses, clinicians, veterinarians, and eliminates the delays of waiting for lab RT-PCR results.

The founding mission of AltraTech Ltd is to offer people the biological insights they need to live the healthiest lives they can, with a new class of accessible molecular diagnostic technology. Our multidisciplinary team has over 100 years of experience in semiconductors, genetics, microfluidics, chemistry, and life-science product commercialization.

BioG3D, is a company which specializes in 3D Printing Technologies and Toxicological Assessments of engineered materials, headquarter in the premises of Technological and Cultural Park of Lavrion in Greece. BioG3D is equipped with advanced 3D printing systems and designing software to deliver upon request, advanced products with increased accuracy and precision. 3D printing and 3D scanning are employed to reduce production time and costs, thus making advanced manufacturing accessible to everyone. The ISO certified laboratory with high quality instrumentation, operating under Good Manufacturing Process (GMP), is an invaluable tool for bringing novel products to market since human and environmental safety are re-assured.

BioG3D aims to remove the barriers towards innovation and allow new products with advanced functionalities to gain access to the market. The ultimate goal is to boost up personalised fabrication and make “smart” materials easily accessible and widely accepted.  BioG3D is intended to be an effective provider of know-how to international industrial players to generate high-value 3D printed products, thereby fostering the growth of specific branches of the market.

Cambridge Nanomaterials Technology (CNT) Ltd is a nanomaterials innovation management and nanotechnology consulting company based in Cambridge, England.

The CNT Ltd helps companies, academic and government institutions to develop world-class innovative solutions for nanomaterials related to R&D and IPR strategy, partnership, products, technologies, funding, business development and markets. CNT Ltd is specialised in nanomaterials R&D consulting and collaborative R&D project management, such as H2020 project proposal preparation, innovation, exploitation and dissemination management, and consortium and supply chain building. The CNT Ltd provides expert advice and experts for your team.

The CNT Ltd is a leader of two private membership based consortiums: Nano-Carbon Enhanced Materials (NCEM) and the new Advanced Materials for Additive Manufacturing (AMAM) with members coming from leading multinational companies and research institutions.

We are experts in development and manufacture of microfluidic products.

microLIQUID is a one-stop provider of end-to-end Bioscience solutions, spanning all the microfluidic value chain from cartridge to equipment.

Starting with design and proof of concept, we work with our company customers from development to mass-production of potentially fully certified microfluidic IVD or Pharma solution. This is possible as we have under one roof Bioscience, Engineering and New Product Introduction expertise.

The University of Strathclyde (UOS) is a top ranked university in the UK national Research Excellence Framework. The Centre for Precision Manufacturing (CPM) at UOS has over 40 researchers who conduct internationally leading researches in Precision-Forming and Micro-Manufacturing, Precision Engineering, and Light Metals Advanced Technology.

The goal of CPM is to be a world-leading advanced manufacturing research centre delivering “total” precision manufacturing solutions for next generation high value-added products. With the accessibility to 40 million pounds worthy world-class manufacturing research facilities, the centre conducts cutting-edge researches in Micro-Manufacturing Technology, Precision Forming Techniques, Ultra-Precision Machining Techniques, Micro/Nano-Machining Technology, Ultra-Fine Grained Metal Technology, Light-Weight Metals Processing Techniques, Multiscale Modelling, and Manufacturing systems for Ultra-Precision and Micro/Nano-Manufacturing. The centre aims to facilitate collaborations across different manufacturing themes and disciplines. The CPM has engagement with worldwide industries and research communities (e.g. worked with more than 30 industry companies from 13 EU countries and currently working with more than 20 companies in various funded projects). The researchers of the group have generated a series of products, processes, tools and machinery designs, and analysis results respectively for material, electronic, automotive, aerospace, and machinery industries.

PolyPico Technologies Ltd. is a provider of liquid dispensing technology and based in Cork, Ireland. Founded in 2012, the privately owned company designs and manufactures, fluid dispensing solutions for both Life Science and Industrial applications. PolyPico’s core platform technology is based on a patented innovation in non-contact ultra low volume acoustic dispensing technology. This platform technology brings new features, benefits and possibilities to applications where precision fluid dispensing is required.

We are focused on revolutionising the way bio-materials and other liquids are printed and dispensed. Our versatile technology combats challenges such as: cross-contamination; dispenser clogging; wastage; and system complexity, through the use of simple disposable fluid cartridges. PolyPico has worked with several of the worlds largest and smallest pharmaceutical companies, industrial companies and research organisations. Our multidisciplinary team have a broad range of expertise in areas such as: micro-fluidics; electronics; software development; mechanical engineering; physics; business development and bio-technology. We offer customised solution and services for the Life Sciences and Industrial applications and invite you to contact PolyPico and learn how these innovations can help your company.

RayScan is a leading CT-manufacturing company with long experience also in solving technical challenges by specific system innovations, testing concepts and completely new applications. Its specialty is the high level of system integration and optimization supported by its own hardware and software development department. Well known product is the modular XCT system RayScan+, based on a flexible and modular concept it assists customers from all over the world with versatile applications. Besides XCT systems, radioscopic systems and automatic analysis software for fully automatic manufacturing control have been developed. Several times RayScan has proven its ability to develop specialized XCT systems which solve completely new demands. Outstanding successes are the mobile XCT system for inspection of the closed accelerator ring LHC at CERN and the successful design and implementation of the NanoXCT scanner. Latest development is RoboTom, the first consistent combination of industrial robotics and non-destructive testing with high-resolution XCT. With regard to the project RayScan will allocate specialists who have in total more than 80 years of experience in development of advanced X-ray inspection systems and computed tomography.

ELVESYS is an innovative company who develops and provides microfluidic chips and scientific instruments for microfluidic researches. ELVESYS now proposes the world widest brand of microfluidic flow control products. The second main mission of the company is to enhance the technological transfer of microfluidic innovations from research laboratories to medical diagnostic and cell biology market. ELVESYS management team already created four innovative companies related to microfluidic in the last five years. ELVESYS developed the FASTGENE technology which is the world fastest qPCR system. This technology was distinguished in 2014 by the Worldwide Innovation Challenge jury as one of the innovation projects that will have significant implications for the French economy, and led to the creation of a spin-off company.

ELVESYS Innovation Unit is currently involved in several research consortia to address the current challenges in the field of aging and human longevity, developing innovative tools to better understand human body and to detect and cure the diseases affecting it.

Avanzare Innovacion Tecnológica SL (AVAN) is a Spanish SME specialized in the production of nanomaterials, nanomaterials dispersions and nanotechnology based solutions. The company is specialized in the development & commercialization of special additives, mainly for different matrices and industrial sectors: plastics, rubber, paints, paper, etc., with international presence in the automotive, aeronautic, fabric, plastic, rubber, paint and building industries, the wire & cable sector and manufacturers of household appliances and packaging wood, paper, among others.

AVANZARE is the European leader in graphene and other artificial 2D nano-materials such as n-Mg(OH)2, n-Zn(OH)2 and LDHs (double layered hydroxide) among other materials. With 6,000 m2 of facilities and more than 300 Tm of nanomaterials produced in 2018, AVAN has become one of the top 3 producers of nanomaterials in last decade.

Lavrion Technological and Cultural Park (LTCP), of the National Technical University of Athens (N.T.U.A.) is a place with significant value for Greece and Europe. Ancient Greeks started mining and metallurgy in the Lavreotiki area around 3.000 BC. During the 5th century BC, Lavrion used to be a large scale silver mining and metallurgy center, providing to the city of Athens the necessary wealth for its cultural development and military superiority. After several centuries of inactivity, during the end of 19th century a Greek mineralogist Andreas Kordelas and an Italian-French entrepreneur J.B. Serpieri revived the mining and metallurgical activities in Lavrion. The French Mining Company of Lavrion (FMCL) operated for more than a century (1875-1981). It was the first and biggest foreign investment in Greece and also driver of major technological advancements till it ceased operation.The enterprise’s activity was a major contributor to the genesis of an industrial urban space, the town of Lavrio. This created a modern tradition for technical innovation, and an important national and European monument of industrial archeology.

N.T.U.A., having decided to preserve this heritage and tradition, has safeguarded a good part of the FMCL industrial complex and undertook the ambitious project to convert the former metallurgical site into a Technological Cultural Park and Museum of Technology.  During the 2nd and 3rd Structural Framework Programs (EU and National funding) two major projects were undertaken by the LTCP and resulted to the restoration and rehabilitation of almost one third of the total building capacity and to the completion of the soil restoration for the park’s surrounding environment. Since 1998, when LTCP started its operations, more than 40 companies have been incubated in the park. Some of them grew and moved out successfully, some are still active in the park and some failed. Furthermore, NTUA’s research and educational activities, mainly those related to the broader area, are hosted in the LTCP.

VITO is a leading, independent Flemish research organization that provides sustainable technological solutions to industry and public authorities. It also offers scientifically based advice and support in the research domains of Energy, Materials, Chemistry, Land use and Health in order to stimulate sustainable development.

VITO-Health aims at technological innovations for sustainable health and disease prevention. Our R&D focus is on assay and technology development for molecular diagnostics and personalized medicine. Our strengths are:

• Targeted approaches for enrichment and analysis of extracellular vesicles from liquid biopsies;
• Nanotechnology-enabled biosensing;
• Biomarker development and validation using LC-MS based proteomics, peptidomics and MALDI imaging.