Renewable energies provide clean, inexhaustible, and increasingly competitive energy source differing from fossil fuels in diversity, abundance, and potential for use. Solar energy capacity in European Union has been increasing in recent years with Germany, Spain and Poland leading the way in new installations. In 2022, the European Union added a record-breaking 41.4GW of solar power, increasing the total solar power capacity by 25%. Within the solar energy market, perovskite-based solar cells (PSCs) will contribute significantly towards the overall mix of solar energy due to PSCs differentiators compare to other solar Photovoltaic technologies of: (i) low-cost, (ii) excellent power-to-weight performance and (iii) high power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 25.7% at lab-scale in 2022, up from 3.8% in 2009. A key challenge of PSC technology is replication at large-scale as there is a substantial difference in performance from small-area cell (lab-scale) and large-area module performance. PERSEUS is designed to establish a foundation for PSC production and application development within Europe. The project will develop and demonstrate 3 different large area PSC architectures that offer broad adoption potential across multiple industries such as Floating Photovoltaics, Building Integrated and Applied Photovoltaics, Agri-Photovoltaics and Urban Photovoltaics. As each end-user requires different properties (e.g. performance, lifetime and cost targets), PERSEUS will develop parallel solutions to meet end-user needs covering: (1) single-junction opaque modules (2) semi-transparent modules and (3) 4T Perovskite + CIGS tandem module architectures. These will be translated into ‘blueprints’, of multi-stage manufacturing line(s) which have validated, matched outputs and allow immediate post-project progress to the commercialization phase.

Fertiliser and clean water are resources a farmer needs to use wisely, due to firstly, the rising cost and shortage of fertilisers globally and clean water or water purification systems and secondly to limit the environmental damage of over use of fertilisers and discarding used fertilisers into the environment. In the event that insufficient fertiliser is used, there is a detrimental impact on crop yields and quality. A limiting factor in fertiliser management is the lack of affordable and reliable fertiliser sensor systems. Combining the experience and capabilities of the 4 partner organisations we aim to fill that gap: 1\. CleanGrow UK Ltd has over 10 years experience in designing, researching and producing solid state sensors for individual ions in farming and horticulture 2\. Dycotec are world leaders in producing flexible biosensor materials including unique and patented highly conductive and hydrophobic signal transducing inks 3\. Symitech: develop advanced Internet of Things (IoT) sensor systems based on printed / hybrid electronics. The company's foundations lie in highly qualified and experienced staff with over 60 years industrial in areas as diverse as analogue/digital electronics design, AI based data analytics and cloud-based computing and software development. 4\. New Energy Farms, in addition to their outdoor farms, they are one of the largest hydroponic farms in the UK. Our multi-ion analysers will be validated by New Energy Farms for both vertical farming and outdoor use. Combined, these are the exact technologies needed to provide an affordable, point of site real time sensing system for the main nutrient components of fertiliser and ions found in soil and waters. The project goal is to build a prototype next generation ion analyser device based on the experience of developing similar products by CleanGrow, however now implementing the advanced materials technology of Dycotec and the IoT experience of Symitech to create an affordable smart and connected nutrient analyser for the horticulture and soil testing industry. The outcome will have ground breaking developments for the smart use of fertilisers in the indoor, vertical and conventional greenhouse industry. We will also explore the feasibility of an outdoor version for real time soil analysis for field agriculture.

Several advantages arise from the incorporation of carbon electrode in the perovskite solar cell (PSC) architecture such as reduced material cost, improved device stability and simplified device fabrication process as well as lower emissions. Thus, the primary objective of PEARL is to realize flexible perovskite solar cells processed with industrially viable, scalable and environmentally sound methods, showing long term operational stability surpassing the IEC standards, efficiency of > 25%, lowered production costs below 0.3 EUR/Wp and minimal emissions < 0.01 kg CO2eq/kWh. To reach these objectives, PEARL is focusing on the development of planar, conventional n-i-p, and further n-i-c, device architectures utilizing low-temperature carbon pastes as the top electrodes aiming to the emerging markets of building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV), vehicle integrated photovoltaics (VIPV) and internet of things (IoT).

A novel sensor system will be developed for real-time measurement of biomass, water and biocide contamination in sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs). Deployment of these systems will ensure SAFs are maintained in optimum condition to ensure efficient fuel use, improved predictive maintenance to avoid engine damage and eliminate fuel dumping.

Dycotec Materials and the Compound Semiconductor Applications Catapult will prototype and demonstrate reduced cost and high performance power module architectures using additive processes.

ENERGY-3GBT will place the UK at the centre of next-generation power transistor production, ensuring UK industry is not impeded by global power semiconductor supply chain bottlenecks and can lead the world in improving energy-efficiency in the drive to net-zero. ENERGY-3GBT will develop, optimise and demonstrate low-cost UK-based pilot-scale manufacture of 99% efficient silicon-based third-generation bipolar transistors (3GBTs) that outperform 95%-efficient Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistors (IGBTs) and best-in-class 99% efficient Gallium Nitride (GaN) and Silicon Carbide (SiC) metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETS) in applications requiring 10-100A, ≤1700V, ≤50 kHz switching speeds. ENERGY-3GBT initially targets replacement of IGBTs in industrial variable frequency drives (VFDs) through project partner Siemens UK. Secondary applications targeted include wind turbine power-converters, next-generation electric vehicles, rail electrification, 5G and more. Adoption of the 99% efficient 3GBT in industrial drives in the UK (accounting for about half of the manufacturing sector's delivered energy use) could save users £228.4m/year in reduced electricity costs and reduce greenhouse emissions by 440ktCO2e/year. Ultimately, replacement of IGBTs in industrial drives, renewable energy power converters, electric vehicles, rail, 5G and many more high-power products has potential to make a significant contribution to the UK's net zero ambitions.

AIMES is a collaborative feasibility addressing the challenges with development in-mold electronics or IME, for Zero Emission Vehicles and the wider automotive sector. The project will improve the user experience in ZEVs through creation of smart surfaces, embedding electronics inside 3D surface materials, and enables further opportunities in integrated sensing control and communication electronics.

Vehicle electrification is driving a revolution in power-electronics, where higher power densities are creating the **need** for enhanced thermal management in combination with higher operating voltages necessitating superior electrical insulation. **Project vision** is to address the power-electronics challenge by developing, low-cost **Thermal Interface Materials (TIMs) with thermal conductivity, λ\>10W/mK and operating temperatures up to 175°C, whilst being electrically insulative**. Three high-λ TIMs have been identified, representing the full range of properties and process approaches required for each critical interface. **Key Objectives:** 1\. To develop novel TIM materials 2\. To develop thermoset TIMs: a. **"3D-fill" TIM, λ\>3W/mK**, that can be applied to chips using vacuum dispersion or transfer moulding at room temperature for void-free filling of 50µm gaps. b. **TIM sheet, λ\>10W/mK.** c. **Conformable Beta-stage Pre-Preg TIM, λ\>10W/mK** applied as partially cured film to be laminated using standard PCB processes. 3\. To implement TIMs to current MTCL "Standard" Direct bonded copper (DBC) power MOSFET module chip design (that will form the basis of MTCL's future power modules) to achieve temperature rise ≤0.1°C/W and maximum Tj=175°C. **The focus areas** are in new and existing power-electronics for EVs, with secondary markets in rapidly growing markets in zero-carbon, renewable energy markets as a part of smart grid power distribution, with further applications in high-speed data technologies, such as 5G. HI-IMPERATIVE is a **game-changing** approach to develop thermoset nanocomposites that will lead to commercial implementation of high performance TIMs. HI-IMPERATIVE is **significantly ahead of other ceramic and polymer based TIMs, in terms of technical performance (very high thermal conductivity and operating temperature whilst being electrically insulative) and optimised flow properties** that will enable application of low-cost TIMs to achieve effective thermal control for the first time, opening up global market opportunities for high-power-electronic components for EVs. HI-IMPERATIVE has 3 partners: * **Dycotec Materials Limited (DML):** SME that will manufacture and commercialise hybrid hBN/BNNT-thermoset nanocomposites; * **Microchip Technology Caldicot Ltd (MTCL)**: Part of Microchip Technology Incorporated, a global power-electronics OEM ($5.27(£3.87)Bn revenue 2020), that will apply solution to commercial power-electronics systems; * **The University of Manchester (UoM)**, a world-class materials research institute, that will help develop and characterise the materials.

PROFIT will develop techniques and barrier layer materials which will protect sensitive, flexible, conductive, interconnects and electronic devices against the effects of sulphur within rubber, during or post vulcanisation. The project output will be a batch of UHF RFID tags which will be subjected to a complete tyre manufacturing (vulcanisation) process and tested using a major tyre manufacturer.

A novel all copper interconnect technology will be developed and demonstrated as an alternative to nanosilver die attach materials for semiconductor power devices such as Insulated-Gate Bipolar Transistors (IGBTs) and Metal-oxide-semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFETs).

Smart wearables are becoming increasingly pervasive, driven by sustained advances in miniaturisation of electronics, improvements in sensors and connectivity, and a growing capability to embed electronics in a variety of products. The next generation of wearable electronics will include smart garments where the electronics are embedded within the textiles themselves and are therefore invisible to the user. These wearables would be used in a variety of different applications, including sports for improved monitoring and performance, medicine for easy to use, continuous health monitoring in the home, and by the military. Through this project, the consortium aims to solve challenges related to the scaled manufacture of such garments to create flexible, durable, and comfortable textiles for future wearable applications.

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The project objective is enabling the transition from 2D planar LED light-guides to 3D formed materials. In this feasibility study, innovative stretchable conductive materials will be employed with thermoforming processes and surface optics to demonstrate the potential of such 3D functional lighting to the automotive sector.

"Smart wearables are becoming increasingly pervasive, driven by sustained advances in miniaturisation of electronics, improvements in sensors and connectivity, and growing capability to embed electronics in a variety of products. For example, smart glasses and smartwatches are now widely available. Smart garments are also appearing on the market: OMSignal market garments that monitor heart rate, steps taken and breathing depth, which is washable once the microprocessor has been detached; Athos market a biometric shirt with integrated sensors to measure muscle activity, whereby wiring is encapsulated and docking station enables wireless data transfer for analysis. Wearable energy-harvesting devices first appeared almost 100 years ago, with the self-winding wrist-watch (itself based on the self-winding pocket watch that first appeared in the late 1700s). Given this context, it is perhaps surprising that the uptake of energy harvesting technologies has been slow in the market for wearable electronics. However, we believe this is set to change. The next generation of wearable electronics will include garments whereby the electronics are embedded within the textiles. These will be powered by energy-harvesting technologies that are also embedded into the textiles. Through this project, we will create flexible, durable and comfortable textiles that will power future wearable technologies."

SIGNIFICANT will develop high performance, silicone free thermal interface materials for enhanced heat management in electronic and electrical applications. Advances in graphene based nanocomposites and shape modified ceramics will be exploited producing favourable thermal, electrical and mechanical properties. These materials will be the basis of a range of new thermally conductive dispensible gap fillers, putties and sealants. Global market sales will be aimed towards specialist and consumer CPU applications, covering set top boxes, handsets, and high performance electronics, insulated gate bipolar apps, and automotive battery applications for sealing and thermal contacts. The global market for TIMs has a compound annual growth rate of 11.2% pa and is projected to reach $2.3Bn by 2021. Customer demand is increasing for silicone-free TIMS with low thermal contact resistance and conformability to meet critical heat management and reliability objectives. Exploitation of the technology through our existing global network of distributors will result in significantly increased revenues and profits, making our consortium partners more competitive globally. Manufacture in the UK (materials manufacture, Swindon, Dycotec Materials and production processing, European Thermodynamics, Leicestershire), and graphene and functionalised nanoparticles production by Abalonyx, Norway, will also give us greater control of the supply chain and quality, allowing us to achieve long-term competitiveness.

Awaiting Public Project Summary

This feasibility project enables a low cost sodium ion battery (NIB) option for Residential Energy storage (RES) to partner with PV. The project aims to transfer knowledge from the conductive ink industry into the battery industry and develop carbon pastes and electrodes to enable a low cost NIB as an alternative rechargeable battery technology to lithium ion batteries. Dycotec Materials Ltd, will work with Sharp Laboratories of Europe Ltd and Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG). Combining Faradion’s NIB technology with Dycotec’s capability in carbon paste formulation and WMG’s large scale coating know-how, the PHOENIX project will demonstrate the feasibility of a non-toxic aqueous based carbon paste for manufacture of a novel hard carbon anode. Enabling a low cost anode formulation and coating for a cost effective sodium ion battery technology, optimised for the RES markets.

Electronic technology is continuously advancing and increasingly impacting on all areas of life and business through the use of products (such as mobile phones, lap-tops, tablets, and LED lighting) where there is an increasing need for higher power and more compact electronics. As a result, overheating is becoming a critical issue limiting further miniaturisation, power, performance & reliability. Thermal management to reduce heat build-up and minimise thermal damage is a critical need for a range of customers such as large electronic OEMs including: Intel, Apple, HP, Sony, Siemens, Sharp, Panasonic, Cisco and LG. These OEMs are actively searching for Thermal Interface Materials (TIMs) that can be applied to their market offerings. Due to the tight cost constraints within this industry, it is important that any solution can be applied quickly and cost-effectively preferably using existing equipment. The TRIuMPHANT project Approach and Innovation is to develop a Phase Change Thermal Interface Material that can achieve thermal conductivity >7W/m.K, twice that currently achievable, that can be cost-effectively applied using conventional deposition techniques. Exploitation of the technology through our existing global network of distributors will result in significantly increased revenues and profits, making our consortium partners more competitive globally. Manufacture in the UK (Swindon and Leicestershire) will also give us greater control of the supply chain and quality, allowing us to achieve long-term competitiveness.

Solar PV systems represent a large and rapidly growing global market with large growth rates traditionally met by low-cost c-Si systems imported from the Far-East. Recently markets for thin-film technologies based on CdTe and CIGS have started to grow rapidly giving European manufacturers greater market share. However thin film systems are limited to efficiencies of 15%. Smart coating technologies based on functional nano-materials offer a tremendous opportunity to increase thin-film cell efficiency with relatively low investment. This approach is commercially attractive and offer technical and commercial advantages for solar PV systems, directly addressing the energy trilemma. However, outstanding issues relating to degradation and efficacy have to be overcome to achieve commercial acceptance. INTREPID will develop coating technologies for smart coating systems based on organic / inorganic coatings that can achieve 1% increase in cell efficiency for lifetimes 20 years for in-process and in-field application.

In recent years there has been an exponential increase in embedded electronics within cars as OEMs strive to satisfy consumer demand for greater comfort, safety, convenience, reliability, fuel efficiency, infotainment and fun, and stringent legislative targets for automotive emissions. Position sensors represent a key enabling technology used for monitoring and control of systems throughout the car, from engine management through to pedal position monitoring. Consumers demand intelligence as standard and at no extra cost. The state of the art provides two sensor types: i) contact based devices (low performance at low cost); and ii) non-contact devices (high performance at high cost). Utilising the unique properties of graphene based coatings (wear resistance combined with customised conductivity and barrier) the ENDURANCE consortium will assess the feasibility for development of a low cost high performance linear and encoder position sensors enabling realisation of disruptive solutions meeting well defined user needs. The ENDURANCE technology has the potential to extend far beyond the automotive market (£770m) to secondary markets worth >£7.4 billion.

The purpose of this project is to use a novel cell interconnect process to enable perovskite based semi-transparent Photovoltaic (PV) modules with non-standard dimensions for Building Integrated Photovoltaics (windows of high rise buildings), flexible PV modules using the material CIGS or for industrial roofs, and conventional thin film PV modules (CIGS/CdTe). In this project, the interconnect is achieved using a new laser ablation/inkjet process that works at speeds of up to 3m/sec. The sales target for this new process is >$10M per annum with attractive ongoing sales of specialist inks. The project will dramatically changes the way PV modules are manufactured reducing complexity and cost of manufacture, with flow on savings to customers and increased uptake of solar technologies which will offset fossil fuel demand, decreasing GHG emissions and increasing security of energy supply in the UK.