Gdańsk Tech Leading in Horizon Europe Program Project
“New Approach to Innovate Technologies in Manufacturing (NEPTUN)" is a project focused on training and research activities in fields such as 3D printing, human-machine interaction, creation of Digital Twins, manufacturing and testing of metamaterials, and drones in production facilities.
“New Approach to Innovate Technologies in Manufacturing (NEPTUN)" is a project focused on training and research activities in fields such as 3D printing, human-machine interaction, creation of Digital Twins, manufacturing and testing of metamaterials, and drones in production facilities.
The NEPTUN project is conducted by scientists from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Ship Technology in cooperation with foreign universities. Together, they will work on enhancing the excellence level of the university in the broadly understood field of manufacturing.
Main tasks
– The main tasks in the project are to raise the competencies of the academic staff through training at partner institutions and at Gdańsk Tech. We have also planned the organization of a summer school for doctoral students, master's students, and young researchers – says PhD Eng. Marek Chodnicki from the Institute of Mechanics and Machine Design at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Ship Technology.
The project partners are leading European research centers: Technische Universität Berlin (Germany), Kungliga Tekniska Högskolan Stockholm (Sweden), and National Technical University of Athens (Greece).
– An important aspect of improving the quality of our science is research projects. Together with the partners, we will jointly conduct research whose scope will be defined as a result of an in-depth analysis of research gaps. The research will be carried out using the equipment available at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Ship Technology as well as equipment purchased with the project budget – adds DSc Eng. Mariusz Deja, Vice-Dean for Cooperation at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Ship Technology.
The project also includes a package related to strengthening the competencies of the administrative project staff. The aim is for the faculty's project team to expand skills related to managing European projects by learning from our partners.
Cooperation with industry
An important activity in the project is also cooperation with industry. At Gdańsk Tech, an Excellence Cluster and an Advisory Board for Manufacturing Companies will be established. The participants will also jointly create a Compendium of Good Practices.
The Excellence Cluster will play a leading role in advising and improving local, regional, and national industry. The cluster will enhance research capabilities and implement innovations, triggering structural changes and building stronger links between industry, the academic environment, and authorities. Through the cluster, these entities will be more engaged in the R&D&I process (research, development, and innovation activities). Companies involved in the cluster will be able to compete more effectively in the market and will build green, smart, efficient, and innovative industry. This goal will be achieved only if entrepreneurs cooperate with R&D&I institutions such as Gdańsk Tech to ensure access to the latest scientific achievements.
Within the cluster, an Advisory Board for Manufacturing Companies will be established, which will serve local and regional entrepreneurs to link the scientific and research achievements of the university with practical industry knowledge. The board will include academic scientists, entrepreneurs, and representatives of local governments. The board’s primary duties will involve providing recommendations for academic institutions regarding the implementation of the latest industry achievements into curricula and for business entities concerning industry conditions to ensure its continuous development based on solid foundations of scientific progress.
Project participants will also jointly create a Compendium of Good Manufacturing Practices. SMEs will find guidance there on implementing Industry 4.0 principles in their production processes. The Compendium will be made available free online and will be a collection of information about Industry 4.0, its principles, and implementation methods.
Information days
Furthermore, within the project, information days and conferences will be organized for all interested parties.
– Most activities in the project are open; we warmly invite anyone interested in participating in trainings or research to cooperate with us – adds PhD Eng. Marek Chodnicki.
The first such meeting is planned for mid-January 2023.
Horizon Europe
The NEPTUN project is implemented under the Horizon Europe (HE) program, the successor to the H2020 program. HE is the EU’s framework program funding research and innovation projects. The HE budget is €95.5 billion.
Project duration: 36 months.
Project start date: 1 November 2022.
Project budget: €1,487,733.00
Consortium:
- Gdańsk Tech – project leader
Project partners:
- Technical University of Berlin
- KTH Stockholm
- National Technical University of Athens