Politecnico wins three prestigious ERC Proof of Concept grants
Three research projects from Politecnico have been awarded ERC Proof of Concept funding, an initiative of the European Research Council aimed at supporting the application and the commercialisation of the results of cutting-edge research projects.
The winners of this prestigious award are Teresa Gatti, Andrea Lamberti and Elena Simone, Professors in the Department of Applied Science and Technology (DISAT). The ERC Proof of Concept programme is aimed at researchers who have already secured ERC funding, offering financial support of €150,000 to transform innovative ideas into concrete, market-ready solutions. These funds enable researchers to assess the commercial and technical feasibility of the technologies developed, establish intellectual property protection strategies and lay the groundwork for future commercialisation.
VIPER - HeaVy pnIctogens based indoor Photovoltaics with up-cyclEd caRbon electrodes
The VIPER project, coordinated by Professor Teresa Gatti, is based on the findings of the ERC Starting Grant JANUS BI and aims to develop a new generation of indoor photovoltaic cells to power sensors and IoT devices using artificial light.
VIPER uses innovative materials based on bismuth and antimony, which are free from lead and precious metals, and achieve high stability, low toxicity and good performance in low-light conditions. A further distinctive feature is the use of carbon electrodes produced from recycled waste materials, such as end-of-life tyres and residual biomass, based on the principles of the circular economy.
The aim is to transform a laboratory-validated technology into ready-to-use prototypes for future industrial applications in the fields of smart buildings, environmental monitoring and low-power electronics.
“With VIPER, we aim to transform cutting-edge research findings into practical technology for the energy of the future – says Professor Teresa Gatti – Thanks to innovative materials based on bismuth and antimony, and the use of electrodes produced from recycled industrial waste and biomass, the project offers a viable solution for powering the growing network of smart devices in buildings and cities. The collaboration with professor Antonio Agresti’s group at the Centre for Organic and Hybrid Solar Energy (CHOSE) at the University of Rome Tor Vergata provides essential added value in validating the technology on a more advanced scale and facilitating its path towards future industrial applications. Our aim is to contribute to a more efficient, secure and environmentally friendly IoT ecosystem”.
SUPRALIG – Sustainable and Ultra-PeRforming supercApacitors with 3D Laser-Induced Graphene
Professor Andrea Lamberti has been awarded ERC PoC funding for the SUPRALIG project, whose aim is to transform a laboratory-developed technology into a practical solution for designing lighter, more efficient and more sustainable energy storage systems. At the heart of the research is laser-induced graphene (LIG), an innovative material obtained by using a laser beam to transform the surface of specific polymers – including those derived from biomass and waste materials – into a porous, highly conductive carbon-based structure.
Building on the results achieved through the ERC Starting Grant CO2CAP, SUPRALIG aims to replace the traditional metal current collectors used in batteries and supercapacitors, thereby reducing their weight, costs and environmental impact.
The technology will be tested in micro-supercapacitors and conventional supercapacitors to demonstrate its effectiveness and suitability for industrial-scale production, paving the way for new high-performance energy storage devices, with applications ranging from flexible electronics to key technologies for the energy transition.
“The most sustainable energy is one that we can store most effectively – says Professor Andrea Lamberti – With SUPRALIG, we aim to transform the results obtained in our laboratories and develop a more lightweight, high-performance and environmentally friendly energy storage technology. Thanks to the ERC Proof of Concept, we have the opportunity to accelerate this process, demonstrating that innovative materials such as graphene produced by laser etching of substrates derived from biomass and recycled materials can replace traditional components that are more expensive and have a greater environmental impact. This achievement rewards years of research in the field and confirms how scientific research can contribute directly to the major challenges of the energy transition. As engineers, our aim is to take this technology beyond the laboratory, laying the foundations for a new generation of energy storage devices designed to support the electronics of the future, renewable energy and the smart applications that will be part of the daily lives of millions of people”.
ECOF2AT – Valorisation of agri-food residues via the formulation of low carbon footprint, plant-based fat ingredients for the production of functional foods
Enhancing the value of agri-food waste and developing sustainable ingredients for the food sector: this is the aim of ECOF2AT, the project led by Professor Elena Simone, which has secured ERC PoC funding.
Building on the expertise developed through the ERC Starting Grant CRYFORM, the project focuses on transforming agri-food by-products, such as rice bran and used coffee grounds, into new sustainable lipid ingredients for the food industry. The aim is to convert the fats and bioactive compounds found in these materials into functional fats capable of replacing or complementing traditional ingredients such as palm oil, cocoa butter and other tropical fats.
ECOF2AT is therefore tackling a twofold challenge: reducing food waste and developing innovative ingredients with a low environmental impact. The solutions devised might be used in baked goods, the confectionery sector and plant-based alternatives to animal-derived products, with potential benefits also for the nutraceutical, pharmaceutical and cosmetics sectors.
“The CryForm project studies dietary fats, focusing on the effect of their chemical composition on functional properties such as melting point and rheological behaviour – says Professor Elena Simone – By applying this knowledge, ECOF2AT aims to make use of waste from the agri-food industry to produce new, more sustainable food ingredients that offer the same functionality as traditionally used fats. During the project, we will be collaborating with Foreverland, an Apulian start-up specialising in the production of cocoa-free chocolate, and with the CREA research centre in Asti, which will help us to obtain ingredients that are similar to traditional fats such as butter, lard or cocoa butter”.