Library FAQ
What are the key novelties in high-energy-density SAF development?
Developments focus on SAFs that rival conventional jet fuels in energy density, advanced insulation and storage for low-boiling fuels (LH2, ammonia), and integrating zero-carbon high-energy solid particles to boost energy output and stability.
What challenges does high-temperature TES face?
Challenges include material synthesis for storage media, containers and insulation, developing active heat exchangers with embedded storage, additive manufacturing processes, and system integration for durable operation at very high temperatures.
What impacts could advanced thermal management have in the next five to ten years?
Potential impacts include reduced global energy consumption in cooling-intensive sectors, extended EV range and improved battery safety, lower data centre energy costs, and repurposing low-grade waste heat sustainably.
What is artificial CO2 photosynthesis?
Artificial photosynthesis is a biomimetic approach that uses photocatalysts to convert solar energy, CO2, and water into storable renewable fuels and chemicals, aiming to decarbonise hard-to-abate sectors and contribute to carbon removal.
What is high-temperature thermal energy storage (TES)?
High-temperature TES stores thermal energy at temperatures above about 600°C and includes sensible heat, latent heat (PCMs), and thermochemical storage to improve energy efficiency and decarbonise industrial heat and power-to-heat applications.
What is the focus of thermal management innovations for EVs and data centres?
The focus is on ultra-low thermal resistance devices and systems that reduce energy losses, convert wasted heat into useful energy, improve reliability, and lower operational and infrastructure costs in EVs, data centres, and electronics.
What is urea electrosynthesis and why is it novel?
Urea electrosynthesis uses electrocatalytic co-reduction of CO2 and nitrogenous species at ambient conditions to form urea, offering a potentially lower-energy, lower-carbon alternative to traditional high-temperature, high-pressure processes.
What new approaches to thermal management are highlighted?
Innovations include integrating TES in EVs to separate battery power from thermal management and using thermochemical, sorption, or solid-state technologies to convert low-grade waste heat into cooling for data centres and telecom base stations.
What novelties are emerging in high-temperature TES?
Key novelties include advanced solid and liquid sensible storage materials (e.g., ceramics and molten salts), innovations in PCM-based and thermochemical storage, and specialised containers/coatings able to withstand high thermal cycling.
What opportunities exist in energy harvesting according to the source?
Energy-harvesting technologies like thermoelectrics need new operation principles and advanced materials (including exotic properties in topological or 2D materials) to overcome stagnation and enable transformative devices.
Which fuels are considered under enhanced energy density SAFs?
Examples include liquefied hydrogen (LH2), ammonia, synthesis fuels (e‑fuels), and biofuels, with approaches also exploring zero-carbon high-energy solid particles integrated into fuels.
Which TES technologies are described in the source?
The three main TES technologies are sensible heat storage, latent heat storage using phase change materials (PCMs), and thermochemical energy storage.
Why is scalability emphasized for advanced-materials R&D?
Characterisation and production methods must focus on scalability from the start to ensure that advances in materials translate into concrete, industrial-scale impact.
How does the EIC connect academia and business?
By providing researchers with tailor-made support from world-class coaches, concrete business tools and training sessions to help transform ideas into successful businesses.
How does the EIC contribute to the green transition and greenhouse gas reduction?
Through programmes like the GHG programme, the EIC has encouraged over 130 beneficiaries to commit to reductions accounting for 550 tonnes of CO2 (37% over five years) and supported co‑creation of carbon‑reducing solutions with corporates and regions.
How does the EIC support female founders and innovators?
Since 2020, the EIC has prioritised women CEOs for Accelerator interviews and launched initiatives such as Women TechEU, the Women Leadership Programme and the EU Prize for Women Innovators, plus a KPI to track and increase support to female-led startups.
How many projects and partners has the EIC Pathfinder supported?
It has supported over 500 collaborative projects involving over 3 500 European and international partners.
How was the Haarlem municipality involved with the EIC portfolio?
Haarlem scanned the EIC portfolio and is piloting AI food waste management solutions in six restaurants through a partnership with EIC beneficiary Orbisk.
What are the four main strands of the EIC’s Business Acceleration Services?
The four strands are the Corporate Partnership Programme, the Innovation Procurement Partnership Programme, the Investors Partnership Programme, and support for connecting academia and business with tailored coaching and business tools.
What best-practice path was followed in the Holcim–Nanolike collaboration?
They progressed from an exchange of ideas and numbers, to signing an NDA, developing a proof of concept (PoC) with KPIs, and then signing initial contracts to be replicated across Holcim’s activities.
What commercial and innovation outcomes are linked to Pathfinder projects?
Over 800 companies (43% SMEs) have been involved; 70% of projects are likely to result in a new or significantly improved product and 21% in a new or significantly improved process.
What does the Corporate Partnership Programme do?
It connects EIC-funded innovators with large corporates to collaborate, develop new business models and opportunities, and provide innovators with scale, resources, sales channels and connections.
What does the Investors Partnership Programme offer?
It connects EIC beneficiaries with investors through pitching events, maintains a database of more than 400 investors (VCs and business angels), and collaborates with organisations such as Nasdaq, Euronext and national promotional banks.
What is Multiwave Technologies AG and what did EIC support enable?
Multiwave is a company developing an ultra‑portable MRI device; the EIC Pathfinder-supported M-Cube project catalysed its pivot to medical imaging, helping it raise more than EUR 16 million and deliver its first devices to Mount Sinai Hospital (New York) and B...