PROJECT DATABASE
SPPW Call 2024 - Scientific abstract
Accelerating High-Capacity Lithium-Ion Batteries with Silicon based Ceramics CompositE ANoDes
Acronym: ASCEND
Programme Component Operator: Gdańsk University of Technology
Swiss Programme Component Partners: Empa; Siloxene AG
Polish Programme Component Partners: -
Total project cost (PLN): 4470897,59
Total project cost (CHF): 996900,10
Total project funding (PLN): 4357879,36
Total project funding (CHF): 971699,82
Duration: 1.07.2025 - 31.12.2027
www: mostwiedzy.pl/en
Project summary:
This project aims to develop sustainable next-generation materials for lithium-ion battery anodes, moving beyond silicon/graphite combinations. At its core is a new hybrid material, called Si/Sn@SiOxCy, consisting of silicon and tin within a silicon oxycarbide matrix, which offers a promising anode alternative thanks to its unique structure and chemistry. Silicon oxycarbide (SiOC), developed using versatile chemistry from the Swiss partner Siloxene AG, can act as a robust active host material to support alloying nanoparticles of (semi)metals like silicon or tin, which can store far more lithium than conventional graphite. However, alloying elements expand dramatically during charging cycles, which damages the structure and reduces battery life. Therefore, they must be integrated into a stable, nanoporous framework that can absorb the stress of expansion. A carbon-rich SiOxCy matrix produced through a polymer-derived ceramic (PDC) process provides this solution. It creates a robust host where metallic nanoparticles are uniformly distributed and well-supported. This not only prevents structural breakdown but also boosts the electrochemical performance compared to traditional graphite anodes. The result is a new generation of high-performance, durable, and more sustainable lithium-ion battery anodes.
Development of Innovative Probiotic and Postbiotic Beverage Formulations from Surplus Bread within a Circular Economy Framework
Acronym: BreadBiotic
Programme Component Operator: Rebread Alcohol & Bevereges Ltd
Swiss Programme Component Partners: Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich
Total project cost (PLN): 3831526,52
Total project cost (CHF): 854 336,09
Total project funding (PLN): 3 252 009,14
Total project funding (CHF): 725 117,98
Duration: 01.07.2025 – 30.06.2028
www: rebread.com
Project summary:
Led by the consortium of Rebread and the Laboratory of Food Systems Biotechnology (FSB) at ETH Zurich, this project aims to pioneer the development of probiotic and postbiotic non-dairy beverages, utilising surplus bread as a unique growth substrate for fermentation. The approach integrates principles from food microbiology, food engineering, gut microbiota research, and biotechnology, aligning with circular economy principles to reduce food waste and promote sustainable food practices.
The project progresses through distinct stages: initially, formulating surplus bread into a consistent fermentation substrate involves developing bread suspensions capable of sustaining the growth of probiotic strains. These strains will be rigorously screened to select the best candidates with high biomass yield on this unconventional substrate, production of anti-inflammatory molecules, and survival through the oral, gastric, and intestinal environments. Comprehensive research will evaluate the effects of the fermented mixtures—both live probiotics and non-viable postbiotics—on the gut microbiota, emphasising their potential to mitigate inflammation-mediated dysbiosis.
Efforts will then concentrate on formulating a beverage that maintains sensory properties and stability while preserving probiotic and postbiotic qualities throughout its shelf life.
Validation will occur at a pilot scale within a production setting to ensure consistent beverage quality and feasibility.
Ultimately, the project aims to deliver a market-ready non-dairy beverage that meets consumer demands for innovative probiotic solutions, promoting improved gut health and sustainable food systems, while advancing scientific understanding of probiotic and postbiotic applications in food and beverage production.
Novel Technology for Deposition of LIPON Solid State Ionic Conductors for Li-Ion Batteries
Acronym: DEPOION
Programme Component Operator: Łukasiewicz Research Network - Poznań Institute of Technology
Swiss Programme Component Partners: Bern University of Applied Sciences, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology
Polish Programme Component Partners: The Batteries Sp. z o.o
Total project cost (PLN): 4 462 565,15
Total project cost (CHF): 995 042,17
Total project funding (PLN): 4 185 209,15
Total project funding (CHF): 933 198,61
Duration: 01.06.2025 - 31.05.2027
www: linkedin.com/company/lukasiewiczpit/
Project summary:
The manufacturing of solid state batteries and obtaining a successful cell performance is of paramount importance when meeting sustainability targets. Also combining cutting-edge research while preserving market competitiveness will aid to achieve breakthroughs in advanced solid state battery technologies. In a battery cell, the performance is dependent not only on material used for the electrolyte and electrodes (layers), but also on the manufacturing process. Whereby the microstructure, stoichiometry, phases, and electrolyte thickness play decisive roles. In general, a state of the art solid electrolyte is optimized to have superior ionic conductivity, negligible electric conductivity, dense, 1 to 2 um thin, and, have negligible contact resistance losses at interfaces. In this project, the manufacturing of solid state layers and cell assembly is tackled using novel methods, which when combined, could deliver that next leap in the renewable energy space. A collaboration between The Batteries Sp. z o.o (a polish startup) and academic partners in Switzerland and Poland, with careful consideration on a particular market niche will allow to solve this challenge. In this project we will prove that the combination of MAR-HiPIMS for thin film deposition, laser processing methods for layer shaping and removal of unused material, and a novel fast sintering technique for target manufacturing used in deposition methods; will deliver electrolytes with ionic conductivity of ~10-6 S cm-1. That is to say, complex manufacturing methods incorporated in a production line, will improve the quality of the electrolyte and deliver a battery cell with superior performance of more than 5000 cycles.
Advanced temporal shaping of ultrashort laser pulses for processing of bandgap materials
Acronym: FEMTOSHAPE
Programme Component Operator: Fluence Technology Spółka z Ograniczoną Odpowiedzialnością
Swiss Programme Component Partners: Bern University of Applied Sciences
Polish Programme Component Partners: -
Total project cost (PLN): 4 484 395,02
Total project cost (CHF): 999 909,69
Total project funding (PLN): 3 756 418,86
Total project funding (CHF): 837588,93
Duration: 01.07.2025 - 31.12.2027
www: fluence.technology
Project summary:
The interaction between dielectrics and semiconductors with ultrashort laser pulses is highly complex, involving multiple phenomena, transient states, and dynamics that span from femtoseconds for electron absorption to microseconds for lattice relaxation. Nonlinear effects, such as multi-photon ionization (MPI), enable various laser processes, including intra-volume modification, drilling, and cutting of bandgap materials with ultrashort pulses. Optimal pulse durations, peak intensities and temporal pulse shapes depend on the bandgap width and material-specific nonlinear coefficients. To address MPI and avalanche ionization separately, with their distinct time constants for heating free electrons in the conduction band, more flexible temporal pulse shapes are needed. Experimental methods like a discrete superposition of multiple pulses using birefringent crystal splitting and recombining with defined delays approximate tailored temporal pulse shapes but lack the flexibility for industrial applications. Currently, no industrial-grade femtosecond laser system offers a turnkey solution for variable pulse shapes necessary for direct process development. The Femtoshape project aims to overcome these limitations. With interaction simulations, ALPS will identify the most beneficial temporal pulse shapes for specific processes and bandgap materials. Fluence will implement a flexible pulse shape generator into their laser sources. In the project's first phase, a laser source with a flexible delay of femtosecond and picosecond pulses will be realized. In the second phase, the laser will be installed in the ALPS lab to validate superior process control for microelectronic market applications.
Applying Super-resolution Sentinel 2 IMages for enhAncinG user Experience and increasing UPtake of satellite data among End Users
Acronym: IMAGEUP
Programme Component Operator: Institute of Geodesy and Cartography
Swiss Programme Component Partners: Gamma Earth Sarl
Polish Programme Component Partners: -
Total project cost (PLN): 4 377 117,25
Total project cost (CHF): 975 989,39
Total project funding (PLN): 3 977 718,85
Total project funding (CHF): 886 933,38
Duration: 01.05.2025-30.04.2028
Project summary:
The goal of the IMAGE-UP project is to calibrate and validate the super-resolution reconstruction method, with the aim of further applying it to analyses dedicated to three customer sectors: precision agriculture, energy infrastructure managers, and urban space management institutions.
Super-resolution reconstruction involves increasing spatial resolution through the use of mathematical models. This procedure allows us to obtain greater image detail and is able to monitor objects much smaller than in the initial image. The project will use the super-resolution reconstruction method developed by Gamma Earth from Switzerland. This method allows for an increase in the resolution of Sentinel 2 images by up to 10 times. This means that the resolution of the original image of 10 m (a pixel is 10 by 10 m) is increased to 1-2 m.
The project hypothesizes that super-resolution reconstruction affects the accuracy of the spectral response of objects recorded by the satellite. In other words, the image after super-resolution reconstruction may contain incorrect information. To estimate the error and calibrate this method to reduce the error to a level acceptable to end users, the resulting images will be calibrated, meaning the model will be retrained for dedicated application areas, known as use cases. This will improve reconstruction accuracy, and the finished satellite images will therefore achieve higher analytical value.
Based on the calibration and subsequent validation (testing with end users), three algorithms, tailored to aforementioned end users, will be delivered. This process will increase end users' confidence in this method, intensify the use of the Copernicus programme, and contribute to achieving the SDGs through the use of EO-based technologies.
The project's results will consist of four new and commercially viable key results: a validated super-resolution reconstruction method and three algorithms based on this data, dedicated to the indicated sectors.
Development of IntraMotion OCT: The first Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)intraoral scanner for surface and volumetric dental Imaging in motion
Acronym: IntraMotionOCT
Programme Component Operator: Wrocław University of Science and Technology
Swiss Programme Component Partners: Zaamigo AG
Polish Programme Component Partners: -
Total project cost (PLN): 4 310 785,67
Total project cost (CHF): 961 199,08
Total project funding (PLN): 3 967 877,63
Total project funding (CHF): 884 739,03
Duration: 01.10.2025-30.09.2027
www:
Project summary:
The project aims to develop the first dental Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) scanner suitable for clinical use. This groundbreaking device will enable fast, full-arch, high-resolution 3D surface and volumetric imaging in under one minute, addressing major limitations of current OCT prototypes—namely, high sensitivity to motion, low scanning speeds, and the lack of accurate metric measurements.
The research will focus on designing a high-speed OCT system capable of scanning up to eight times faster than current solutions. It will also involve the integration and miniaturization of the OCT device with an AI-driven pose-tracking sensor. A central innovation lies in synchronizing and interpolating volumetric OCT data with surface tracking data from moving targets. The project will investigate methods to estimate OCT poses from surface data and use these poses to redistribute and correct OCT scans in space, effectively eliminating motion distortion and delivering precise, clinically relevant 3D reconstructions.
This interdisciplinary research brings together Wrocław University of Science and Technology (Poland) and Zaamigo AG (Zurich, Switzerland). A team from Wrocław will focus on OCT hardware development, leveraging extensive expertise in laser systems and biomedical optics. Zaamigo will contribute advanced capabilities in AI, computer vision, and dental imaging, supported by experience in developing commercial intraoral scanners.
Beyond scientific and technological innovation, the project is expected to generate a significant societal impact. By enabling accurate, fast, and non-invasive diagnostics, the technology could improve early detection of oral diseases, reduce treatment costs, and enhance access to quality dental care. Results will be widely disseminated through academic publications, conferences, and open-access channels, reinforcing the project’s commitment to open science and international collaboration.
Soft manipulation of objects withdexterous sensors-equipped hand
Acronym: MAUN
Programme Component Operator: Sieć Badawcza Łukasiewicz-Przemysłowy Instytut Automatyki i Pomiarów PIAP
Swiss Programme Component Partners: Inveel GmbH; The École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
Polish Programme Component Partners: -
Total project cost (PLN): 4 483 994,61
Total project cost (CHF): 999 820,41
Total project funding (PLN): 4 336 470,69
Total project funding (CHF): 966 926,21
Duration: 01.07.2025-30.06.2028
www: piap.lukasiewicz.gov.pl/badanie/projekt-maun
Project summary:
The MAUN project focuses on developing an intelligent robotic system capable of generic object grasping and estimating their position and orientation before, during, and after the grasp. The system uses multimodal inputs, visual data, and AI algorithms. The core of the solution is a humanoid hand with an innovative polymer skin equipped with pressure, temperature, and distance sensors.
As part of the project, a specialized grasp library and a dataset will be created, supported by a virtual simulation environment. The hand will be integrated with multimodal sensors and tested in laboratory conditions on various objects. Grasping trajectories will be optimized with human involvement through teleoperation and operator hand tracking.
The tests will be automated, and the hand will serve as the end-effector in the robotic system. An open dataset will be developed to enable precise object position estimation, enhancing manipulation reliability. The entire solution will be verified for grasping efficiency and estimation accuracy.
Understanding the mechanism of immune system activation and identifying the makers of the efficacy of innovative glioma macrophage therapy
Acronym: MISAME
Programme Component Operator: Cellis Sp. z o. o.
Swiss Programme Component Partners: University Hospital of Zürich
Polish Programme Component Partners: -
Total project cost (PLN): 4 474 466,41
Total project cost (CHF): 997 695,86
Total project funding (PLN): 3 650 188,62
Total project funding (CHF): 813 902,2
Duration: 01.06.2025-31.05.2028
www: cellis.eu
Project summary:
This project focuses on understanding the immune response to MDC-735, an innovative anti-glioma macrophage therapy, and aims to identify clinical and pharmacodynamic response markers in glioma patients. These markers are crucial for Phase I and II clinical trials (CT).
Glioblastoma, a highly aggressive brain cancer, has a complex tumor microenvironment (TME). Our innovative macrophage therapy (MDC-735) is highly efficient against glioblastoma and not only kills cancer cells, but also activates the immune system and triggers immune
response and immune memory. Identifying biomarkers that indicate a positive biological response to MDC-735 is essential. Cytokines produced in the TME by immune and cancer cells are promising biomarkers
due to their non-invasive sampling, dynamic monitoring capabilities, and cost-effectiveness.
Current treatments like radiotherapy trigger immune responses that beneficially modulate the TME and promote "immunogenic cell death," releasing pro-inflammatory cytokines that play a key role in T-cell recruitment and are seen as indicators of a positive therapeutic response.
This project is critical for determining the outcome of early-phase (First in Human) CT, involving a small patient cohort. Demonstrating significant clinical outcomes is challenging at this stage, as the primary goal is to establish therapy safety. Biomarkers indicating potential
efficacy enhance the therapy's attractiveness and valuation.
Mobile ALD system for in-vacuo surface science measurements
Acronym: MOBIALD
Programme Component Operator: Centrum Badań i Rozwoju Technologii dla Przemysłu S.A.
Swiss Programme Component Partners: EMPA, Swiss Laboratories of Materials Science and Technology, Laboratory for Mechanics of Materials and Nanostructures
Polish Programme Component Partners: Akademia Górniczo-Hutnicza im. St. Staszica w Krakowie; MeasLine Sp. z o.o.
Total project cost (PLN): 4 646 320.32
Total project cost (CHF): 1 036 015.05
Total project funding (PLN): 4 478 140.32
Total project funding (CHF): 998 515.05
Duration: 01.04.2025-31.03.2027
www: cbrtp.pl/projekty/mobile-ald-system-for-in-vacuo-surface-science-measurements-mobiald
Project summary:
The MOBIALD project wants surface and interface engineering by atomic layer deposition (ALD) to profit directly from high-end surface science characterization by a mobile ALD system able to perform surface modification by plasma and atomic layer deposition. The prime objective is twofold: (i) MOBIALD delivers a mobile ALD system demonstrator with in-vacuo sample transfer for scientific studies at exactly the place where high and ultrahigh vacuum (HV/UHV) measurement systems are installed – be it in specialized laboratories or national/international research facilities, and (ii) will provide proof of surface science measurements obtained with the mobile ALD system demonstrator. The surface science measurements include X-ray absorption spectroscopy (X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy and total electron yield measurement) conducted at the Polish SOLARIS synchrotron facility by the polish AGH partner as well as X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy studies at an AGH laboratory-based instrument by the same group. The scientific goals comprise the characterization of the nucleation and early-stage growth of Al2O3, ZnO, and Cu-oxide on metal and hydroxylated surfaces, specifically how and to which extent adsorption and chemisorption of the ALD gas precursors occurs after every half-cycle of the sequentially supplied ALD gases. These measurements will inform about important aspects of the interface as well as the growing film, such as the oxidation state, the chemical and electronic state of the atoms, and the elemental composition. MobiALD achieves the prime goals by its consortium which unites complementary expertise in the fields of (a) ALD reactor simulations for uniform temperature and laminar gas flow (Swiss research partner EMPA), b) ALD gas and plasma process control and safety (Polish research partner CBRTP), c) surface science studies (Polish research partner AGH), and d) CAD manufacturing of tailored process reactors (Polish industry partner MeasLine).
Widely tunable mid-infrared source for industrial gas monitoring
Acronym: PIC4MIR
Programme Component Operator: AIROPTIC SP Z O.O.
Swiss Programme Component Partners: CSEM-The Swiss Centre for Electronics and Microtechnology; LIGENTEC S.A.
Polish Programme Component Partners: 5 325 933,25
Total project cost (PLN): 1 187 552
Total project cost (CHF): 4 380 105,35
Total project funding (PLN): 976 655,67
Total project funding (CHF):
Duration: 01.06.2025-31.05.2027
www: Airoptic
Project summary:
Processing industries require fast and accurate gas measurements for process control and emissions management. Reliable, high-performance sensors that are mass-producible and cost-effective are urgently needed for real-time field measurements. Direct spectroscopy with Tunable Laser Diodes (TLDs) has become the gold standard for industrial gas sensing due to its speed, accuracy, and sensitivity. The Mid-Infrared (MIR) region (~3.3 µm) shows strong absorption for many gases, including hydrocarbons (methane, CO₂, CO), VOCs, sulfur oxides, and nitrogen oxides. However, compact, widely tunable, affordable MIR lasers are lacking; current solutions rely on multiple lasers, increasing size, cost, and complexity.
The PIC4MIR project aims to develop a miniaturized, tunable, room-temperature MIR laser by converting telecom band laser emissions to the MIR range via nonlinear optical processes on a small chip. Telecom lasers offer mature, cost-effective technology with narrow linewidth, high power, and broad tunability, but their nonlinear frequency conversion systems are bulky and inefficient. PIC4MIR proposes creating a frequency conversion module using advanced Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs), combining the nonlinear capabilities of Thin Film Lithium Niobate (TFLN) with low-loss Silicon Nitride PIC circuitry.
Successful demonstration of the PIC4MIR module would result in a compact, all-in-one sensor greatly reducing deployment and ownership costs for applications such as combustion control, carbon capture, and hydrogen fuel purity monitoring in industrial settings.
Quantum-cascade vertical cavity surface emitting laser for gas sensing
Acronym: QCVCSEL
Programme Component Operator: Lodz University of Technology
Swiss Programme Component Partners: ETH Zurich
Polish Programme Component Partners: Łukasiewicz – Instytut Mikroelektroniki i Fotoniki; Wrocław University of Science and Technology; Airoptic Sp. z o.o.
Total project cost (PLN): 4 761 756,29
Total project cost (CHF): 1 061 754,43
Total project funding (PLN): 4 481 456,29
Total project funding (CHF): 999 254,43
Duration: 01.09.2025-31.08.2028
www:
Project summary:
In the mid-infrared (MIR) spectral region ranging from 3 to 30 μm, many molecules have strong absorption lines. Miniaturized optical gas sensors using MIR absorption spectroscopy are ideal for industrial, environmental, and medical applications. Compact, low-power, singlemode lasers are essential for these sensors. Quantum cascade lasers (QCLs), which use electron transitions in the conduction band for stimulated emission, are currently the best option. However, QCLs require high threshold current densities (≥0.5 kA/cm²) and dissipate significant power as heat (several watts), complicating their use in portable applications. To reduce the threshold current in conventional semiconductor lasers using electron-hole recombination, a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) configuration is used. VCSELs offer single-mode emission, a smaller footprint, and higher integration density. However, this configuration has not been possible for QCs due to the intersubband selection rule, which requires the optical mode's electric field to be perpendicular to the plane of the quantum wells. In this project, a QC VCSEL will be realized for the first time since Jerome Faist et al. demonstrated the first QCL 30 years ago. A QC VCSEL will feature a sub-wavelength grating integrated with the QC as one of the laser mirrors, enabling both stimulated emission and vertical light resonance. This development combines the benefits of VCSELs and QCLs, offering single-mode emission in the MIR spectral range with high-quality Gaussian beam profiles, minimal divergence, and a threshold current ten times lower than current QCLs. The goal is to use the QC VCSEL as a coherent light source in Airoptic gas analyzer system, facilitating cost-effective, power-efficient mid-infrared laser sources for high-volume gas sensing applications.
Sensitive Wideband Infrared Laser Spectroscopy
Acronym: SWIRLS
Programme Component Operator: Wroclaw University of Science and Technology
Swiss Programme Component Partners: Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich
Polish Programme Component Partners: Military University of Technology; VIGO Photonics S.A.
Total project cost (PLN): 4 644 714,85
Total project cost (CHF): 1 035 657,07
Total project funding (PLN): 4 367 568,28
Total project funding (CHF): 973 860,21
Duration: 01.10.2025-30.09.2028
www: SWIRLS
Project summary:
The SWIRLS project (Sensitive Wideband Infrared Laser Spectroscopy) aims to develop a new class of optical devices for fast, broadband, and high-resolution laser spectroscopy in the mid-infrared range, where volatile substances with a negative impact on living organisms and air quality have their unique absorption features. For this purpose, microwave-modulated quantum cascade lasers and new infrared photodetectors based on type II superlattices will be used.
Enhancing and creating new polymer powders with spheroidization technology
Acronym: Sph4Polym
Programme Component Operator: Alpha Powders Sp. z o.o.
Swiss Programme Component Partners:
- OST University of Applied Sciences of Eastern Switzerland
- ROWAK AG
Polish Programme Component Partners: Alpha Powders Sp. z o.o.
Total project cost (PLN): 5 521 895,26
Total project cost (CHF): 1 231 246,71
Total project funding (PLN): 4 484 196,20
Total project funding (CHF): 999 865,36
Duration: 01.10.2025 - 31.03.2028 (30 months)
www: alphapowders
Project summary:
The Sph4Polym project is a Polish-Swiss research initiative aiming to transform polymer powders for Additive Manufacturing, particularly Selective Laser Sintering, through Alpha Powders’ proprietary SphereNANO reactor. This technology uses spheroidization, a short thermal treatment that reshapes irregular particles into spherical forms to enhance flowability and packing density without material degradation. By combining Alpha Powders’ innovation with OST University’s scientific expertise and ROWAK AG’s industrial capabilities, the project seeks to reduce reliance on costly, high-carbon PA12 powders. It will develop novel composite materials via in-flight microcompounding, adapt the reactor for challenging powders, validate it as a recycling tool for aged PA12, and scale up production toward a pilot plant. Running for 30 months from October 1, 2025, the project targets commercial readiness at TRL 9, lower costs, and a reduced environmental footprint while contributing to sustainable development goals.
Peptide-Chitosan Composites as New Biomaterials for Diabetic Wound Care with Peptide Power and Hydrogel Magic!
Acronym: CHITOCARE
Programme Component Operator: University of Gdańsk
Swiss Programme Component Partners: University of Zurich
Polish Programme Component Partners: Gdańsk University of Technology; KAEM Maria Krystyna Krupska
Total project cost (PLN): 4 482 169.75
Total project cost (CHF): 999 413.51
Total project funding (PLN): 4 391 989.75
Total project funding (CHF): 979 305.59
Duration: 01.10.2025-30.09.2028 (36 months)
www: -
Project summary:
The global market for diabetic wound dressings is rapidly growing due to the increasing prevalence of diabetes and related complications. In 2023, it was valued at USD 11.09 billion and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.36%, reaching USD 18.25 billion by 2030 (Fortune Business Insights). Approximately 15% of individuals with diabetes develop chronic wounds. The main issue is poor blood circulation, leading to tissue death and delayed healing due to low nutrients and oxygen supply. Therefore, the key goal of CHITOCARE is the development of advanced wound dressings that enhance the vascularization, stem cell homing while reducing inflammation. To achieve these goals, bioactive pro-angiogenic, stem cell-homing and anti-inflammatory peptides will be incorporated into novel chitosan-based scaffolds (PCH). This PCH will be cross-linked using a patented, eco-friendly technology, resulting in two distinct forms: a hydrogel dressing and spray that will undergo comprehensive physicochemical characterization and rigorous testing in vitro and in vivo. Initial efforts will focus on the design and synthesis of peptides to promote angiogenesis and regeneration, and trigger M2-macrophage polarization. Moreover, sterilisation and packaging techniques for the final product will be developed with the aim of achieving reproducible production and GMP-compliant registration by the end of the project. The project outcomes will include affordable, effective and easy-to be used hydrogel and spray dressings tailored for the treatment of diabetic wounds. The core of CHITOCARE's methodology combines chemical synthesis, cell culture and animal testing with state-of-the-art dressing technology to evaluate the biological activity of novel peptides and proteins in stimulating angiogenesis. The CHITOCARE, spearheads the innovation in diabetic wound management through an interdisciplinary consortium of leading researchers in medicinal chemistry, chemical engineering, cell and regenerative biology.
Enhanced Hydrogen Production from Ammonia using Advanced Catalysts Anchored on Ceramic 3D Printed Lattices and Microbeads
Acronym: HydroProCera
Programme Component Operator: Warsaw University of Technology
Swiss Programme Component Partners: Empa - The Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology
Polish Programme Component Partners: AGH University of Krakow; Institute of Power Engineering - National Research Institute
Total project cost (PLN): 4 542 010
Total project cost (CHF): 1 012 756,42
Total project funding (PLN): 4 477 750
Total project funding (CHF): 998 428,02
Duration: 36 months
www: www.ch.pw.edu.pl
Project summary:
Growing global populations and progress in industrialization cause energy demands to be constantly increasing. The fundamental problem of the current energy production from fossil fuels is the release of greenhouse gases, primarily carbon dioxide (CO₂), into the atmosphere, which has a great negative impact on the environment. Ammonia with relatively high volumetric energy density seems to be a proper candidate for hydrogen storage. It can be readily decomposed to a gas mixture of 75% H2 and 25% N2, offering a clean hydrogen generation with zero carbon emission. Due to the fact that ammonia is widely used in fertilizer production, the transport and storage infrastructures are very well-established. The aim of the project is to develop high-entropy materials as active catalysts on stable ceramic carriers, which are used in catalytic ammonia decomposition as a key step in extracting hydrogen. Moreover, it will allow us to determine if it is feasible to catalytically produce hydrogen from ammonia with lower overall energy expenditure than using a solid oxide electrolyzer. Layered double hydroxide (LDH) and dawsonite-type materials show that the high-entropy nature allows for the incorporation of a wide range of cations into porous HE-oxide structures, many of which are known to be active in directing chemical conversion. Thus, this type of catalytic material may appear to be energy-efficient in hydrogen recovery from ammonia. The catalysts will be anchored on ceramic substrates obtained by the drop casting method and direct ink writing (DIW), belonging to additive manufacturing techniques. The research will lead to the design and construction of the device for quarter-technical scale shaping of ceramic beads by drop casting and complex 3D structures manufacturing by DIW 3D printing as catalytic supports, followed by long-term catalytic tests in a large-scale laboratory reactor.
Modular system based on Molten Carbonate Electrolysis supported by solar energy designed for synthetic fuels generation
Acronym: MOLCAR
Programme Component Operator: Warsaw University of Technology (WUT)
Swiss Programme Component Partners: Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL)
Polish Programme Component Partners: Fuel Cell Poland (FCP)
Total project cost (PLN): 4 634 194,82
Total project cost (CHF): 1 033 311,36
Total project funding (PLN): 4 432 162,82
Total project funding (CHF): 988 263,2
Duration: 36 months (starting from July 2025)
www: itc.pw.edu.pl/Projekty/MOLCAR-Swiss-Funds
Project summary:
The aim of the project is to develop and test an integrated system for the production of hydrogen and synthetic fuels using a carbonate electrolyzer (MCE) powered by solar energy and process gases from biogas reforming. The proposed solution is an innovative element of power-to-liquid technology, in which surplus renewable energy (CSP and PV) is converted into high-energy synthetic fuels that can be stored and used at any time.
In MCE technology, biogas undergoes a reforming process, and the resulting gas mixture (containing mainly H₂, CO, and CO₂) is fed into a carbonate electrolyzer. There, CO₂ is separated electrochemically and the stream is enriched with hydrogen. The endothermic operation of the electrolyzer allows for the direct use of thermal energy from the sun – supplied by a high-temperature molten salt loop – which significantly reduces the demand for electricity and increases the overall efficiency of the process. It is estimated that the electrical efficiency will exceed 100% and the cost of e-fuel production will be up to 30% lower than with conventional electrolysers.
The modular design of the MCE stack allows the system to be scaled and multiple units to be integrated to build larger production facilities. This allows the technology to be flexibly adapted to end-user requirements and operating conditions. Importantly, MCE technology allows for the construction of devices with capacities of several kilowatts and more, which distinguishes it from most fuel cells currently available on the market operating on a sub-kilowatt scale.
The project includes the development of a concept, technical design, construction, and testing of a 12 kW prototype system. The results will be used for further optimization and commercialization of MCE-based systems, with the possibility of their application in industry, distributed energy, and as flexible storage for hydrogen and e-fuels in a climate-neutral economy.
SPPW Call 2024 - Projects in a nutshell
Accelerating High-Capacity Lithium-Ion Batteries with Silicon based Ceramics CompositE ANoDes
Acronym: ASCEND
Programme Component Operator: Gdańsk University of Technology
Swiss Programme Component Partners: Empa; Siloxene AG
Polish Programme Component Partners: -
Total project cost (PLN): 4470897,59
Total project cost (CHF): 996900,10
Total project funding (PLN): 4357879,36
Total project funding (CHF): 971699,82
Duration: 1.07.2025 - 31.12.2027
www: mostwiedzy.pl/en
Project summary:
The project focuses on developing a new generation of sustainable materials for lithium ion battery anodes—materials that can outperform today’s common silicon–graphite combinations. At its core lies an innovative hybrid material, Si/Sn@SiOxCy, in which silicon and tin nanoparticles are “embedded” within a stable silicon oxycarbide–carbon matrix.
Why is this so promising? Silicon and tin can store far more lithium than traditional graphite. During battery charging, they form alloys with lithium, which allows for much higher storage capacity. But these materials also come with a challenge: their volume can change dramatically—sometimes by several hundred percent—during charge–discharge cycling. This repeated swelling and shrinking leads to structural damage and ultimately shortens the battery’s lifespan.
This is where silicon oxycarbide (SiOC), produced using innovative chemistry developed by Siloxene AG, becomes crucial. SiOC can act as a robust, nanoporous matrix that behaves like a flexible shield: it stabilizes the metallic nanoparticles and absorbs the mechanical stress caused by volume expansion. The SiOxCy matrix, created through the polymer derived ceramics (PDC) process, is carbon rich and provides a strong, uniform, and structurally resilient environment for the embedded nanometals.
This architecture not only prevents mechanical degradation but also enhances the electrochemical performance of the anode. In practice, it translates into batteries with higher capacity, longer lifespan, and improved operational stability—all achieved with a more sustainable approach to materials engineering.
The outcome of the project will be a new generation of high performance, durable, and more environmentally responsible anodes for lithium ion batteries.
Development of Innovative Probiotic and Postbiotic Beverage Formulations from Surplus Bread within a Circular Economy Framework
Acronym: BreadBiotic
Programme Component Operator: Rebread Alcohol & Bevereges Ltd
Swiss Programme Component Partners: Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich
Total project cost (PLN): 3831526,52
Total project cost (CHF): 854 336,09
Total project funding (PLN): 3 252 009,14
Total project funding (CHF): 725 117,98
Duration: 01.07.2025 – 30.06.2028
www: rebread.com
Project summary:
How can surplus bread become a drink that supports gut health?
Every day, vast amounts of bread are wasted around the world. Yet what often becomes waste can actually become a valuable ingredient for… modern probiotic beverages. This is exactly the idea behind a project carried out by Rebread and the Food Systems Biotechnology Laboratory (FSB) at ETH Zurich.
The researchers aim to create dairy‑free probiotic and postbiotic drinks based on the fermentation of surplus bread. This pioneering approach combines expertise from food microbiology, engineering, biotechnology, and gut‑microbiome research, while also fitting perfectly within circular‑economy principles.
The first step is transforming dry, unused bread into a suitable “environment” for probiotic bacteria. To achieve this, the scientists create special bread suspensions that provide microorganisms with all the nutrients they need to grow.
Next comes the selection process. Researchers test different probiotic strains, focusing on:
• which of them grow best on a bread‑based medium,
• which produce beneficial anti‑inflammatory compounds,
• which can survive the harsh conditions of the mouth, stomach, and intestines.
This ability to pass through the entire digestive system is what ultimately determines the effectiveness of probiotics.
In the following stage, the team examines how the resulting probiotic and postbiotic mixtures influence the gut microbiota. The bacteria living in our intestines play a key role in digestion, immunity, and even inflammation regulation.
The goal is to determine whether bread‑fermented mixtures can improve microbial balance (known as eubiosis), reduce the negative effects of inflammation and support everyday gut health. This is particularly important given the rising incidence of digestive issues and diseases linked to gut dysbiosis.
Once the best strains and the optimal fermentation process have been identified, the researchers move on to the stage that future consumers are most curious about: creating the final drink.
They aim to ensure that the product tastes good, is stable and safe, and maintains its probiotic and postbiotic properties throughout its shelf life.
The recipe will then be tested in production‑like conditions to confirm that the beverage can be manufactured easily and consistently on a larger scale.
The outcome of the project will be an innovative, dairy‑free probiotic drink that:
• supports gut health,
• is made in a sustainable way,
• uses ingredients that would normally be discarded,
• and responds to the growing interest in functional foods.
Gut health and reduced food waste — two goals achieved in one project. It’s a powerful example of how science, technology, and environmental responsibility can work together to shape the future of food.
Novel Technology for Deposition of LIPON Solid State Ionic Conductors for Li-Ion Batteries
Acronym: DEPOION
Programme Component Operator: Łukasiewicz Research Network - Poznań Institute of Technology
Swiss Programme Component Partners: Bern University of Applied Sciences, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology
Polish Programme Component Partners: The Batteries Sp. z o.o
Total project cost (PLN): 4 462 565,15
Total project cost (CHF): 995 042,17
Total project funding (PLN): 4 185 209,15
Total project funding (CHF): 933 198,61
Duration: 01.06.2025 - 31.05.2027
www: linkedin.com/company/lukasiewiczpit/
Project summary:
Metal-ion batteries are type of cells in which energy is stored through the movement of metal ions between two electrodes. During charging, the ions migrate toward one electrode, and during discharge they return to the other, while electrons flow through an external circuit, generating electric current. Such batteries are widely used, for example, in portable devices and electric vehicles.
An important factor determining the development directions of materials used in metal-ion batteries is improving their safety. One solution addressing this challenge is to change the type of electrolyte, that is the substance enabling ion (e.g., lithium) transport between the electrodes in a battery, from the commonly used liquid form to a solid one. In this case, safety can be increased by limiting leakage and flammability, as well as enabling battery operation at elevated temperatures.
The DEPOION project focuses on developing a technology for manufacturing films of such an ion conducting material (solid electrolyte), which will allow for:
• Shortening the battery manufacturing time
• Efficient battery operation (the film must conduct ions well)
• Long battery life and fast charging.
To achieve this, the research partners use advanced techniques such as:
• FAST/SPS → rapid sintering of disks (sputtering targets) made of ion conducting material (the material from the disk is used for depositing thin films via the MAR-HiPIMS method)
• MAR-HiPIMS → deposition of thin ion conducting films that enable ion flow between electrodes
• Laser processing → shaping the films into their final form
The project will demonstrate that combining the abovementioned advanced manufacturing techniques will contribute to improving the quality of the ion conductor and will make it possible to obtain high-performance batteries with long service life.
Advanced temporal shaping of ultrashort laser pulses for processing of bandgap materials
Acronym: FEMTOSHAPE
Programme Component Operator: Fluence Technology Spółka z Ograniczoną Odpowiedzialnością
Swiss Programme Component Partners: Bern University of Applied Sciences
Polish Programme Component Partners: -
Total project cost (PLN): 4 484 395,02
Total project cost (CHF): 999 909,69
Total project funding (PLN): 3 756 418,86
Total project funding (CHF): 837588,93
Duration: 01.07.2025 - 31.12.2027
www: fluence.technology
Project summary:
To achieve this, the research partners use advanced techniques such as:
• FAST/SPS → rapid sintering of disks (sputtering targets) made of ion conducting material (the material from the disk is used for depositing thin films via the MAR-HiPIMS method)
• MAR-HiPIMS → deposition of thin ion conducting films that enable ion flow between electrodes
• Laser processing → shaping the films into their final form
The project will demonstrate that combining the abovementioned advanced manufacturing techniques will contribute to improving the quality of the ion conductor and will make it possible to obtain high-performance batteries with long service life.
Applying Super-resolution Sentinel 2 IMages for enhAncinG user Experience and increasing UPtake of satellite data among End Users
Acronym: IMAGEUP
Programme Component Operator: Institute of Geodesy and Cartography
Swiss Programme Component Partners: Gamma Earth Sarl
Polish Programme Component Partners: -
Total project cost (PLN): 4 377 117,25
Total project cost (CHF): 975 989,39
Total project funding (PLN): 3 977 718,85
Total project funding (CHF): 886 933,38
Duration: 01.05.2025-30.04.2028
Project summary:
How Can We Sharpen Satellite Images? The IMAGE-UP Project Explained
Satellite images are a powerful source of information, but their resolution often limits the level of detail we can analyze. The IMAGE-UP project aims to break this barrier using super-resolution reconstruction technology. What does that mean? In short – increasing image resolution with advanced mathematical models. This process allows us to “sharpen” images and detect objects much smaller than in the original picture.
The project uses a method developed by the Swiss company Gamma Earth, capable of boosting Sentinel-2 image resolution up to 10 times. In practice, this means that a pixel originally covering 10 × 10 meters can be reduced to just 1–2 meters. That’s a huge leap in data quality!
But there’s a challenge: does the enhanced image still represent real information about objects? Super-resolution might introduce errors in spectral response – how the satellite “sees” colors and materials. That’s why IMAGE-UP focuses on calibrating and validating this method, ensuring accuracy and adapting it to specific applications.
The project targets three key sectors: precision agriculture, energy infrastructure management, and urban planning. For each, dedicated algorithms will be developed to guarantee top-quality data. The result? Greater trust from end users, better utilization of the Copernicus program, and a real contribution to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
IMAGE-UP will deliver four major outcomes: a validated super-resolution reconstruction method and three tailored algorithms for the mentioned sectors. Thanks to these, satellite imagery will become an even more valuable tool for analyzing and managing our environment.
Development of IntraMotion OCT: The first Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)intraoral scanner for surface and volumetric dental Imaging in motion
Acronym: IntraMotionOCT
Programme Component Operator: Wrocław University of Science and Technology
Swiss Programme Component Partners: Zaamigo AG
Polish Programme Component Partners: -
Total project cost (PLN): 4 310 785,67
Total project cost (CHF): 961 199,08
Total project funding (PLN): 3 967 877,63
Total project funding (CHF): 884 739,03
Duration: 01.10.2025-30.09.2027
www:
Project summary:
A Breakthrough in Dental Diagnostics – the First Clinical OCT Scanner
Imagine a device that can produce a three‑dimensional, highly detailed image of your teeth and oral tissues in under a minute — pain‑free, radiation‑free, completely non‑invasive. This is exactly what the project aims to achieve: the development of the first clinical OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) scanner designed specifically for dentistry.
Why is this such a big deal? Until now, OCT prototypes used in dentistry had several serious limitations: they were extremely sensitive to motion, operated too slowly, and did not provide sufficiently accurate measurements. The new solution is set to change that — the scanner will be up to eight times faster than current systems, while also being miniaturized and equipped with an intelligent, AI‑powered position‑tracking sensor. This will make it possible to synchronize volumetric data with a moving object and correct motion‑related distortions, resulting in precise, clinically useful 3D reconstructions.
The project is a collaboration between Wrocław University of Science and Technology and the Swiss company Zaamigo AG. The Wrocław team is responsible for developing the OCT hardware, drawing on its expertise in biomedical optics. Zaamigo contributes its strengths in artificial intelligence and dental imaging.
The result?
Faster, more accurate, and fully non‑invasive diagnostics that enable earlier detection of oral diseases, lower treatment costs, and improved access to high‑quality dental care. The project outcomes will be widely shared in the spirit of open science — through publications, conferences, and online platforms.
Soft manipulation of objects withdexterous sensors-equipped hand
Acronym: MAUN
Programme Component Operator: Sieć Badawcza Łukasiewicz-Przemysłowy Instytut Automatyki i Pomiarów PIAP
Swiss Programme Component Partners: Inveel GmbH; The École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
Polish Programme Component Partners: -
Total project cost (PLN): 4 483 994,61
Total project cost (CHF): 999 820,41
Total project funding (PLN): 4 336 470,69
Total project funding (CHF): 966 926,21
Duration: 01.07.2025-30.06.2028
www: piap.lukasiewicz.gov.pl/badanie/projekt-maun
Project summary:
A robotic hand that can feel – the MAUN project
Imagine a robot that can not only see an object, but also sense it — its shape, temperature, distance, and even subtle changes in pressure during a grasp. This is exactly what the MAUN project focuses on: creating an intelligent robotic system capable of precise, versatile object grasping and estimating an object’s position and orientation before, during, and after manipulation.
At the heart of the project is a humanoid robotic hand covered with an innovative polymer “skin.” This is no ordinary coating — it contains pressure, temperature, and distance sensors that allow the robot to feel its surroundings in a way similar to a human hand. Combined with cameras and multimodal sensors, the system can analyze objects using multiple sensory inputs simultaneously.
To ensure the robot doesn’t have to learn everything from scratch, the project will create a specialized grasp library — a collection of hand configurations and movements adapted to various object types. It will be supported by a large dataset, including data generated in a virtual simulation environment. These datasets will enable the AI system to make informed decisions about how to pick up or manipulate objects.
One key component of the training process is teleoperation — the robot observes and imitates the hand movements of a human operator. In this way, it learns optimal grasping trajectories directly from human motion.
After the learning phase, the system will undergo fully automated tests. The robotic hand will function as the end effector of a larger robotic platform, and researchers will evaluate how effectively it can grasp and manipulate a variety of objects.
An important outcome of the project will be the creation of an open dataset for precise estimation of object position and orientation. This will improve the reliability of manipulation systems — both within MAUN and in future solutions developed across the scientific and industrial communities.
What does this mean in practice?
By integrating tactile sensing, computer vision, and AI algorithms, MAUN will enable the creation of a robot that not only knows what it is grasping but also understands how to grasp it best. Such technology could be used in:
• industrial robotics,
• logistics,
• elderly care and assistive robotics,
• service robots,
• and future humanoid robotic platforms.
MAUN is a step toward robots that can manipulate objects with human‑like precision — intelligently, consciously, and safely.
Understanding the mechanism of immune system activation and identifying the makers of the efficacy of innovative glioma macrophage therapy
Acronym: MISAME
Programme Component Operator: Cellis Sp. z o. o.
Swiss Programme Component Partners: University Hospital of Zürich
Polish Programme Component Partners: -
Total project cost (PLN): 4 474 466,41
Total project cost (CHF): 997 695,86
Total project funding (PLN): 3 650 188,62
Total project funding (CHF): 813 902,2
Duration: 01.06.2025-31.05.2028
www: cellis.eu
Project summary:
The project aims to determine how the human body responds to MDC 735 – a breakthrough macrophage based immunotherapy for glioma. By identifying clinical and pharmacodynamic biomarkers, the study seeks to pinpoint early signals of treatment efficacy. These markers are vital in early-phase clinical trials, providing a roadmap for both patient safety and therapeutic success.
Glioma is one of the most aggressive forms of brain cancer, characterized by a complex microenvironment that actively suppresses the immune system. MDC 735 is engineered to overcome these immunosuppressive barriers. This innovative therapy not only directly eliminates tumor cells but also reactivates the patient’s immune response. Crucially, it induces immune memory, offering potential protection against cancer recurrence.
To evaluate the therapy's true efficacy, researchers are searching for biomarkers that provide a rapid and reliable readout of the biological response. Cytokines – signaling molecules produced by immune cells and tumor cells within the tumor microenvironment – stand out as especially promising candidates. Because their levels can be monitored non invasively, repeatedly, and cost-effectively, they serve as ideal tools for tracking the patient’s reaction to treatment in real time.
It is worth noting that even standard-of-care treatments, such as radiotherapy, trigger immune responses that favorably remodel the tumor microenvironment. They induce ‘immunogenic cell death’ – a process where dying tumor cells release pro inflammatory cytokines. These molecular signals attract T lymphocytes, the key cancer fighting cells, often serving as am early indicator of a positive therapeutic response.
This project holds particular significance as it supports First-in-Human trials—the very first administration of this therapy to patients. In such early studies, the participant group is small, making it challenging to statistically demonstrate clinical efficacy. This is precisely why reliable biomarkers indicating potential therapeutic benefit are so valuable. Successfully identifying them would not only clarify MDC 735’ mechanism of action but also significantly increase the therapy’s clinical and developmental prospects in advanced trial phases.
Podpisy załączonych rycin:
EN_MRI.png
Dose-dependent therapeutic efficacy of MDC-735 in mice with CT-2A glioma. MRI scans compare tumor size in the control group (receiving inert PBS solution) versus mice treated with MDC-735 (2 injections of 2 million cells). Tumor boundaries are outlined for clarity.
PL_MRI.png
Skuteczność terapeutyczna MDC-735 u myszy z glejakiem CT-2A w zależności od dawki. Obrazy rezonansu magnetycznego (MRI) ukazujące wielkość guza u myszy z grupy kontrolnej (otrzymującej roztwór obojętny PBS) w porównaniu do myszy leczonych MDC-735 (2 iniekcje po 2 mln komórek). Granice guzów zaznaczono obrysem.
EN_Schematic_MDC.png
The figure illustrates the mechanism of MDC-735 – a breakthrough macrophage-based immunotherapy. Utilizing the TRAIN mechanism (TRansfer of Iron-binding protein), macrophages transfer the drug directly into glioma cells. The therapy acts via a dual mechanism: it not only directly eliminates tumor cells but, by inducing immunogenic cell death (ICD), reactivates the immune system within the tumor microenvironment. Signaling molecules released during this process serve as key efficacy biomarkers, recruiting T lymphocytes and inducing immune memory, offering potential protection against disease recurrence.
PL_Schematic_MDC.png
Rycina ilustruje działanie MDC-735 – przełomowej immunoterapii opartej na makrofagach. Zgodnie z mechanizmem TRAIN (transfer białka wiążącego żelazo), makrofagi przekazują lek bezpośrednio do komórek glejaka. Terapia działa dwutorowo: nie tylko bezpośrednio eliminuje komórki nowotworowe, ale indukując immunogenną śmierć komórek (ICD), reaktywuje układ odpornościowy w mikrośrodowisku guza. Uwolnione w tym procesie cząsteczki sygnałowe stanowią kluczowe biomarkery skuteczności, przyciągając limfocyty T i indukując pamięć immunologiczną, co potencjalnie chroni przed nawrotem choroby.
Mobile ALD system for in-vacuo surface science measurements
Acronym: MOBIALD
Programme Component Operator: Centrum Badań i Rozwoju Technologii dla Przemysłu S.A.
Swiss Programme Component Partners: EMPA, Swiss Laboratories of Materials Science and Technology, Laboratory for Mechanics of Materials and Nanostructures
Polish Programme Component Partners: Akademia Górniczo-Hutnicza im. St. Staszica w Krakowie; MeasLine Sp. z o.o.
Total project cost (PLN): 4 646 320.32
Total project cost (CHF): 1 036 015.05
Total project funding (PLN): 4 478 140.32
Total project funding (CHF): 998 515.05
Duration: 01.04.2025-31.03.2027
www: cbrtp.pl/projekty/mobile-ald-system-for-in-vacuo-surface-science-measurements-mobiald
Project summary:
The MOBIALD project aims to deepen our understanding of what happens on material surfaces during atomic layer deposition (ALD) processes that use plasma. ALD is one of the most precise techniques for creating ultrathin coatings, but many of the key reactions involved take place in fractions of a second and under strict vacuum conditions. Studying these surface processes in real time is extremely challenging.
MOBIALD addresses this challenge with an innovative solution: a mobile ALD system that can be transported directly to specialized national and international laboratories, enabling surface analysis without ever exposing the samples to air.
The project’s main goal is to develop a demonstrator of a mobile ALD reactor capable of in vacuo sample transfer—that is, moving samples in vacuum—straight into high or ultra high vacuum (HV/UHV) instrumentation. This allows researchers to study surface properties in an unchanged state, which is crucial for understanding of the material growth mechanisms apart of interaction with air.
MOBIALD will deliver concrete measurement results proving that the mobile system enables high quality surface science experiments.
These measurements include:
• X ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS)—both fluorescence and total electron yield—performed at the SOLARIS synchrotron,
• X ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) carried out on AGH’s laboratory equipment.
These techniques allow for identification, which atoms are present at the surface and how they interactduring individual so called ALD half cycles.
The scientific objective focuses on nucleation—the very first step in forming an atomic layer, which determines the final quality of the deposited film.
Researchers will study the growth of Al₂O₃, ZnO and CuO oxides on pure and hydroxylated surfaces of different materials. A major focus is understanding how gaseous ALD precursors adsorb and/or chemisorb after each sequential gas pulse.
These observations will reveal critical information about:
• interfacial chemistry,
• the composition of the growing layer,
• the chemical and electronic states of individual atoms.
Such insights are vital for optimizing ALD processes used in electronics, photovoltaics, and advanced protective coatings.
MOBIALD succeeds thanks to the consortium members whose expertise fits together:
• EMPA (Switzerland) – simulations of ALD reactors, gas flow dynamics, and thermal uniformity,
• CBRTP (Poland) – control of gas and plasma ALD processes and safety systems for reactors,
• AGH (Poland) – advanced surface analysis using XAS and XPS,
• MeasLine (Poland) – design and construction of the process reactors.
Together, they are creating a system that brings ALD research to a new level—more flexible, more mobile, and more accurate than ever before.
Widely tunable mid-infrared source for industrial gas monitoring
Acronym: PIC4MIR
Programme Component Operator: AIROPTIC SP Z O.O.
Swiss Programme Component Partners: CSEM-The Swiss Centre for Electronics and Microtechnology; LIGENTEC S.A.
Polish Programme Component Partners: 5 325 933,25
Total project cost (PLN): 1 187 552
Total project cost (CHF): 4 380 105,35
Total project funding (PLN): 976 655,67
Total project funding (CHF):
Duration: 01.06.2025-31.05.2027
www: Airoptic
Project summary:
PIC4MIR – A New Generation of Miniaturized Lasers for Gas Detection
In modern processing industries, every fraction of a second counts. To keep technological processes safe and efficient, factories need fast and accurate gas measurements—whether it’s the gases used as raw materials or those that can become harmful emissions. Ideally, these measurements should be performed in real time, without bulky, expensive equipment or complex maintenance.
Today, the gold standard in gas detection is spectroscopy using tunable diode lasers (TDL). These systems are fast, highly sensitive, and capable of detecting even trace amounts of gases in the air. Their most valuable operating range is the mid infrared (MIR) region—exactly where many gases, such as methane, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, or volatile organic compounds, strongly absorb light. This makes MIR an ideal window for high precision sensing.
The problem is that the MIR lasers currently available are large, expensive, and often require multiple light sources to cover a broader wavelength range. This drives up costs and complicates system design.
PIC4MIR introduces an intelligent bridge between two technological worlds. Instead of building new MIR lasers from scratch—an endeavor that is difficult and costly—the project proposes to take telecommunication lasers in near-infrared, which are widely available, affordable, and technologically mature, and convert their light into the mid infrared using nonlinear optical processes.
The key lies in advanced photonic integrated circuits (PICs)—miniaturized optical chips capable of guiding, amplifying, and transforming light much like electronic circuits manipulate electrical current. In PIC4MIR, such a chip combines two cutting edge materials:
• thin film lithium niobate (TFLN) – with exceptional nonlinear properties ideal for frequency conversion,
• silicon nitride (SiN) – enabling low loss, stable, and efficient photonic circuits.
The result is an ultra compact module that takes in light from a telecom laser and “translates” it into MIR wavelengths—quickly, precisely, and at a fraction of the cost of existing systems.
If the PIC4MIR demonstrator succeeds, it could open the door to compact, multifunctional gas sensors that are easy to install even in harsh industrial environments. Such sensors would dramatically reduce monitoring costs while offering the kind of measurement quality that is currently achievable only with large laboratory grade systems.
Potential applications include:
• optimizing combustion processes,
• monitoring industrial emissions,
• carbon capture and CO₂ analysis,
• monitoring the purity of hydrogen fuel,
• rapid gas quality assessment in chemical and petrochemical plants.
In practice, this means cheaper, more reliable, and widely accessible sensors that can significantly improve the operation of many industrial sectors.
Quantum-cascade vertical cavity surface emitting laser for gas sensing
Acronym: QCVCSEL
Programme Component Operator: Lodz University of Technology
Swiss Programme Component Partners: ETH Zurich
Polish Programme Component Partners: Łukasiewicz – Instytut Mikroelektroniki i Fotoniki; Wrocław University of Science and Technology; Airoptic Sp. z o.o.
Total project cost (PLN): 4 761 756,29
Total project cost (CHF): 1 061 754,43
Total project funding (PLN): 4 481 456,29
Total project funding (CHF): 999 254,43
Duration: 01.09.2025-31.08.2028
www:
Project summary:
In the world of advanced optoelectronics, the mid infrared (MIR) region—covering wavelengths from 3 to 30 micrometers—acts almost like a scientific superpower. This is where many gas molecules leave exceptionally clear “fingerprints” in the form of strong absorption lines. That makes MIR the perfect spectral window for detecting gases in industrial settings, environmental monitoring, and even medical diagnostics.
But to harness this “superpower,” we need very specific lasers: small, energy efficient devices that emit purely single mode beam. And right now, such lasers are surprisingly hard to find.
The best MIR light sources currently available are quantum cascade lasers (QCLs). They’re highly versatile when it comes to generating mid infrared wavelengths, but they come with significant drawbacks:
• they require extremely high threshold currents (at the level of hundreds of miliamps),
• they dissipate a lot of heat—often several watts,
• and they are difficult to use in portable, battery powered systems.
As a result, QCL based gas sensors tend to be large, hot-running, and power hungry—far from ideal for mass market applications.
In many semiconductor lasers, a popular way to reduce energy consumption is to use a VCSEL (Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser) design. VCSELs:
• emit light perpendicular to the chip surface,
• are extremely compact,
• operate in a single mode,
• and can be efficiently integrated into large arrays or small devices.
However, this architecture has never worked for QCLs. Quantum cascade transitions obey strict selection rules that require the optical electric field to be oriented in a very specific direction relative to the quantum well layers. For 30 years—ever since Jerome Faist and colleagues demonstrated the first QCL—researchers could not combine QCL physics with the VCSEL geometry.
This project aims to do what has never been done before: create the first ever QC VCSEL—a laser that merges the advantages of QCLs and VCSELs into one device. The key innovation is a subwavelength grating integrated directly into the QCL structure, acting as one of the mirrors of the optical cavity. This enables:
• vertical emission of the laser beam (like a VCSEL),
• preservation of the QCL’s intersubband gain mechanism,
• stable single mode operation,
• a Gaussian beam profile with minimal divergence,
• and a threshold current up to ten times lower than in existing QCLs.
In essence, it combines two previously incompatible laser technologies into a unified, compact MIR light source.
The ultimate goal is to use the QC VCSEL as the coherent light source inside Airoptic’s industrial gas analyzer. Such a laser would make it possible to build:
• low cost, low power gas sensors,
• portable, battery friendly instruments,
• devices suitable for mass deployment in everyday industrial environments.
If successful, this technology could transform gas sensing markets—bringing high precision MIR absorption spectroscopy out of specialized labs and into widespread, practical use.
Sensitive Wideband Infrared Laser Spectroscopy
Acronym: SWIRLS
Programme Component Operator: Wroclaw University of Science and Technology
Swiss Programme Component Partners: Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich
Polish Programme Component Partners: Military University of Technology; VIGO Photonics S.A.
Total project cost (PLN): 4 644 714,85
Total project cost (CHF): 1 035 657,07
Total project funding (PLN): 4 367 568,28
Total project funding (CHF): 973 860,21
Duration: 01.10.2025-30.09.2028
www: SWIRLS
Project summary:
In the air we breathe, dozens of chemical compounds are floating around — from completely harmless ones to those that can negatively affect human health and the environment. Detecting them quickly and with high accuracy requires tools capable of “looking into” the unique optical signatures of these substances. This is precisely the focus of the SWIRLS project (Sensitive Wideband Infrared Laser Spectroscopy), which aims to create a new class of instruments for exceptionally sensitive, wideband laser spectroscopy.
Most volatile chemical compounds — including many toxic gases and pollutants — have characteristic absorption lines in the mid infrared (MIR) range. These can be thought of as a set of “barcodes,” each molecule revealing its identity through its spectral fingerprint. With a precision laser operating in the right part of the spectrum, it becomes possible to detect even extremely small amounts of a given substance.
To achieve the sensitivity required for such measurements, SWIRLS uses quantum cascade lasers (QCLs). These are among the most advanced light sources in the MIR range, known for their stability and their ability to operate at many different wavelengths. Yet the project takes this even further — the QCLs will be additionally modulated using microwaves, enabling a wide measurement bandwidth and very high resolution, while significantly speeding up spectral scanning.
A fast, wideband laser is only half the solution. Equally important is a detector capable of capturing subtle changes in light after it passes through the analyzed gas. SWIRLS will employ new detectors based on type II superlattices — structures composed of extremely thin layers of semiconductor materials. Such superlattices can record MIR signals with exceptionally high sensitivity while operating faster than traditional detectors.
By combining advanced microwave modulated QCLs with superlattice detectors, SWIRLS aims to develop a system that:
• rapidly analyzes gas mixture composition,
• covers a wide spectral range,
• delivers precise and detailed absorption spectra,
• enables the detection of even trace concentrations of harmful substances.
Such devices could play a crucial role in:
• air quality monitoring,
• rapid detection of toxic substances,
• medical diagnostics (e.g., breath analysis),
• industrial process control and safety.
Enhancing and creating new polymer powders with spheroidization technology
Acronym: Sph4Polym
Programme Component Operator: Alpha Powders Sp. z o.o.
Swiss Programme Component Partners:
- OST University of Applied Sciences of Eastern Switzerland
- ROWAK AG
Polish Programme Component Partners: Alpha Powders Sp. z o.o.
Total project cost (PLN): 5 521 895,26
Total project cost (CHF): 1 231 246,71
Total project funding (PLN): 4 484 196,20
Total project funding (CHF): 999 865,36
Duration: 01.10.2025 - 31.03.2028 (30 months)
www: alphapowders
Project summary:
3D printing with polymer powders is one of the fastest growing manufacturing technologies — it enables the creation of complex, lightweight, and durable components without the need for molds or sophisticated tooling. However, its development is slowed by one key limitation: the high cost and significant environmental footprint of powders, especially the commonly used PA12. The Sph4Polym project aims to change that.
It is a joint initiative of Polish and Swiss researchers, focused on developing a new generation of polymer powders for additive manufacturing, particularly selective laser sintering (SLS). The centerpiece of this effort is an innovative spheroidization technology developed by Alpha Powders. It involves short, precisely controlled exposure of the powder to high temperatures inside the SpheroNANO reactor. As a result, irregular powder grains transform into smooth, spherical microbeads — improving flowability, uniformity, and packing density, all without risking material degradation.
But this is only the beginning. The project combines this technology with the scientific expertise of OST University of Applied Sciences and the industrial experience of ROWAK AG to achieve several key objectives:
• Creating new, more accessible powder composites. Using in flight microcompounding, researchers will be able to combine different polymers during the spheroidization process itself, resulting in entirely new materials with specialized properties.
• Adapting the technology for high melting point powders. Not all polymers respond easily to thermal processing, so the SpheroNANO reactor must be adapted for more demanding materials to expand the range of feedstocks available for 3D printing.
• Recycling used PA12. Spent powders from SLS processes are often discarded. The project aims to reactivate and recover them through spheroidization, helping reduce costs and lower the environmental impact of production.
• Preparation for scaling-up. to prepare the solution for commercialization, a strategy and scaling roadmap will be prepared, based on the obtained results.
The ambition of the Sph4Polym project is to achieve Technology Readiness Level 9 — highest degree of commercial readiness
3D printing with polymer powders is one of the fastest growing manufacturing technologies — it enables the creation of complex, lightweight, and durable components without the need for molds or sophisticated tooling. However, its development is slowed by one key limitation: the high cost and significant environmental footprint of powders, especially the commonly used PA12. The Sph4Polym project aims to change that.
It is a joint initiative of Polish and Swiss researchers, focused on developing a new generation of polymer powders for additive manufacturing, particularly selective laser sintering (SLS). The centerpiece of this effort is an innovative spheroidization technology developed by Alpha Powders. It involves short, precisely controlled exposure of the powder to high temperatures inside the SpheroNANO reactor. As a result, irregular powder grains transform into smooth, spherical microbeads — improving flowability, uniformity, and packing density, all without risking material degradation.
But this is only the beginning. The project combines this technology with the scientific expertise of OST University of Applied Sciences and the industrial experience of ROWAK AG to achieve several key objectives:
• Creating new, more accessible powder composites. Using in flight microcompounding, researchers will be able to combine different polymers during the spheroidization process itself, resulting in entirely new materials with specialized properties.
• Adapting the technology for high melting point powders. Not all polymers respond easily to thermal processing, so the SpheroNANO reactor must be adapted for more demanding materials to expand the range of feedstocks available for 3D printing.
• Recycling used PA12. Spent powders from SLS processes are often discarded. The project aims to reactivate and recover them through spheroidization, helping reduce costs and lower the environmental impact of production.
• Preparation for scaling-up. to prepare the solution for commercialization, a strategy and scaling roadmap will be prepared, based on the obtained results.
The ambition of the Sph4Polym project is to achieve Technology Readiness Level 9 — highest degree of commercial readiness
3D printing with polymer powders is one of the fastest growing manufacturing technologies — it enables the creation of complex, lightweight, and durable components without the need for molds or sophisticated tooling. However, its development is slowed by one key limitation: the high cost and significant environmental footprint of powders, especially the commonly used PA12. The Sph4Polym project aims to change that.
It is a joint initiative of Polish and Swiss researchers, focused on developing a new generation of polymer powders for additive manufacturing, particularly selective laser sintering (SLS). The centerpiece of this effort is an innovative spheroidization technology developed by Alpha Powders. It involves short, precisely controlled exposure of the powder to high temperatures inside the SpheroNANO reactor. As a result, irregular powder grains transform into smooth, spherical microbeads — improving flowability, uniformity, and packing density, all without risking material degradation.
But this is only the beginning. The project combines this technology with the scientific expertise of OST University of Applied Sciences and the industrial experience of ROWAK AG to achieve several key objectives:
• Creating new, more accessible powder composites. Using in flight microcompounding, researchers will be able to combine different polymers during the spheroidization process itself, resulting in entirely new materials with specialized properties.
• Adapting the technology for high melting point powders. Not all polymers respond easily to thermal processing, so the SpheroNANO reactor must be adapted for more demanding materials to expand the range of feedstocks available for 3D printing.
• Recycling used PA12. Spent powders from SLS processes are often discarded. The project aims to reactivate and recover them through spheroidization, helping reduce costs and lower the environmental impact of production.
• Preparation for scaling-up. to prepare the solution for commercialization, a strategy and scaling roadmap will be prepared, based on the obtained results.
The ambition of the Sph4Polym project is to achieve Technology Readiness Level 9 — highest degree of commercial readiness
Peptide-Chitosan Composites as New Biomaterials for Diabetic Wound Care with Peptide Power and Hydrogel Magic!
Acronym: CHITOCARE
Programme Component Operator: University of Gdańsk
Swiss Programme Component Partners: University of Zurich
Polish Programme Component Partners: Gdańsk University of Technology; KAEM Maria Krystyna Krupska
Total project cost (PLN): 4 482 169.75
Total project cost (CHF): 999 413.51
Total project funding (PLN): 4 391 989.75
Total project funding (CHF): 979 305.59
Duration: 01.10.2025-30.09.2028 (36 months)
www: -
Project summary:
The global market for diabetic wound dressings is expanding rapidly - and for good reason. As the number of people living with diabetes continues to grow, so does the prevalence of related complications, including chronic, hard to heal wounds. These wounds affect an estimated 15% of patients, and treating them is often exceptionally challenging. Poor blood circulation is the main culprit: tissues don’t receive enough oxygen or nutrients, slowing down the healing process and, in severe cases, leading to necrosis.
This is exactly the issue the CHITOCARE project aims to address by developing a new generation of wound dressings designed to support wound healing and tissue repair. The strategy combines three essential functions: improving vascularization, attracting stem cells that support regeneration, and reducing excessive inflammation.
At the heart of the project are bioactive peptides – short protein fragments capable of stimulating the formation of new blood vessels, guiding stem cells toward the wound site, and calming excessive inflammation. These peptides will be integrated into innovative chitosan based scaffolds, a natural biopolymer known for its wound-healing-supporting and antimicrobial properties. This will result in a material called PCH, which can be engineered into two types of dressings: a hydrogel and a spray.
To ensure the scaffolds are stable and durable, they will be cross linked using a patented, eco friendly technology. Afterwards, both formulations will undergo extensive testing: from physicochemical characterization to cell based studies and animal models. Researchers will examine, among other things, whether the peptides effectively stimulate angiogenesis — the formation of new blood vessels — and whether they can “reprogram” macrophages, the cells responsible for inflammation, toward the more regenerative, M2 phenotype.
In parallel, sterilization and packaging methods for the final product will be developed to enable reliable large scale manufacturing and compliance with GMP requirements. The end result will be affordable, effective, and easy to use dressings designed specifically for diabetic wounds.
CHITOCARE thrives on close collaboration between experts in medicinal chemistry, chemical engineering, cell biology, and regenerative medicine. Thanks to this interdisciplinary approach, the project has the potential to bring meaningful innovation to the treatment of one of diabetes’ most persistent complications.
Enhanced Hydrogen Production from Ammonia using Advanced Catalysts Anchored on Ceramic 3D Printed Lattices and Microbeads
Acronym: HydroProCera
Programme Component Operator: Warsaw University of Technology
Swiss Programme Component Partners: Empa - The Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology
Polish Programme Component Partners: AGH University of Krakow; Institute of Power Engineering - National Research Institute
Total project cost (PLN): 4 542 010
Total project cost (CHF): 1 012 756,42
Total project funding (PLN): 4 477 750
Total project funding (CHF): 998 428,02
Duration: 36 months
www: www.ch.pw.edu.pl
Project summary:
Energy production is one of the major challenges facing the modern world. Energy demand is steadily increasing, while at the same time greenhouse gas emissions must be reduced. For this reason, scientists are intensively searching for solutions that will enable energy to be produced in an efficient and environmentally friendly way. Hydrogen may become the fuel of the future, because when it reacts with oxygen it releases energy, and the only product of this reaction is water (H2O). However, hydrogen is a very light and small element, which makes its storage and transport particularly challenging, as hydrogen molecules can penetrate almost any material. In this context, ammonia (NH3) is gaining attention as a convenient hydrogen carrier. Ammonia is well known in industry, relatively easy to store and transport, and its decomposition produces hydrogen and nitrogen without emitting carbon dioxide (CO2).
For ammonia to be practically used in the energy sector, an energy-efficient and highly effective decomposition process must be developed. This is the focus of the HydroProCera project. Its goal is to develop new catalysts that will enable efficient hydrogen production from ammonia. The catalysts will be based on unconventional materials known as high-entropy oxides (HEOs), composed of multiple layers with different metals incorporated between them. These materials will be synthesized in specially designed devices and then deposited onto ceramic supports. The supports must be porous in order to accommodate as many catalyst particles as possible. The resulting system can then be placed in a reactor, where ammonia is decomposed into hydrogen. The ceramic supports will be fabricated using 3D printing technology and a drop casting method to form porous microbeads.
The project includes testing in a large-scale laboratory reactor, bringing the technology closer to industrial application. Experiments at this scale will allow researchers to evaluate the durability and performance of the developed catalysts and to assess whether the solutions proposed in the HydroProCera project can compete with currently used technologies, such as electrolyzers. Ultimately, the project may contribute to the development of simple and efficient methods for hydrogen production, supporting the energy transition and the advancement of clean energy technologies.
Modular system based on Molten Carbonate Electrolysis supported by solar energy designed for synthetic fuels generation
Acronym: MOLCAR
Programme Component Operator: Warsaw University of Technology (WUT)
Swiss Programme Component Partners: Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL)
Polish Programme Component Partners: Fuel Cell Poland (FCP)
Total project cost (PLN): 4 634 194,82
Total project cost (CHF): 1 033 311,36
Total project funding (PLN): 4 432 162,82
Total project funding (CHF): 988 263,2
Duration: 36 months (starting from July 2025)
www: itc.pw.edu.pl/Projekty/MOLCAR-Swiss-Funds
Project summary:
The growing share of renewable energy sources is a huge opportunity, but also a challenge. One of the most important questions in modern energy is: how to store surplus clean energy so that it can be used later—in the form of fuel, electricity, or heat?
The answer may lie in the technology developed as part of this project, which combines a molten carbonate electrolyzer (MCE), solar energy, and biogas into a single integrated system that produces hydrogen and synthetic fuels. This innovative approach is part of the power-to-liquid concept, which involves converting surplus renewable energy into high-energy fuels that can be easily stored and transported — a bit like "liquid batteries" for the economy of the future.
The system starts with biogas, which undergoes reforming. This produces a mixture containing mainly hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and CO₂. This mixture then goes to the MCE. And this is where the most important stage takes place:
• CO₂ is electrochemically separated,
• the gas stream is enriched with hydrogen,
• the entire process is endothermic, i.e., it uses heat instead of just electricity.
And this heat... comes directly from the Sun. The system works with a solar installation based on concentrators (mirrors: Concentrated Solar Panel: CSP). As a result, the electrolyzer requires significantly less electricity, which translates into exceptional electrical efficiency of the entire process. Estimates indicate that electrical efficiency may exceed 100%, and the cost of fuel production will be up to 30% lower than in technologies based on conventional electrolysers.
Another advantage of MCE technology is its modular design. The stack can be easily expanded by adding more units—like building blocks, from which an installation tailored to the user's needs can be built. Unlike many of the sub-kilowatt systems available today, MCE allows the construction of devices with capacities of several kilowatts and more, opening the way for industrial applications.
The team will develop the concept, prepare the technical design, and then build and test a 12 kW prototype. The tests will allow for the evaluation of both the efficiency of the process and the durability of the entire installation. The results will serve as a foundation for further optimization and commercialization of the technology—so that it can be used in industry, distributed energy, hydrogen energy storage systems, and e-fuel production in an economy striving for climate neutrality.