Projects from PW received funding in the M-ERA.NET program
In mid-February, the ranking list for the M-ERA.NET 3 Call 2024 was published. The list includes two projects from PW, involving researchers from the Faculty of Materials Science and Engineering: “BAS4WIND - Basalt Fiber Composites for Sustainable Wind Energy” and “BioCAN - Development of bio-based polymers with covalently adaptable networks for recyclable natural fibre reinforced composite production”. Both projects have received funding under the program.
The BAS4WIND project will be conducted by a multidisciplinary, international consortium that includes academic partners: Technical University of Denmark, University of Latvia, İzmir Katip Çelebi University, and Warsaw University of Technology, along with two SMEs—Polish company TMBK Partners Sp. z o.o. and Danish company Fiber Joints. The project is coordinated by the Faculty of Materials Science and Engineering at WUT, with Prof. Anna Boczkowska, PhD, as the project leader.
The project aims to develop an innovative composite material as a sustainable alternative to carbon and glass composites used in wind turbine blades.
"The lack of recycling options for complex composites results in over 43 million tons of waste annually, severely impacting the environment. Additionally, synthetic composites are primarily produced using harmful chemicals and petroleum-based ingredients, consuming large amounts of energy and emitting CO₂ during their lifecycle. This highlights the urgent need to replace synthetic composites with sustainable and recyclable alternatives," emphasizes Paulina Latko-Durałek, PhD, research coordinator at WUT’s Faculty of Materials Science and Engineering.
The researchers will focus on using mineral basalt fibers, thermosetting bio-resin, thermoplastic bio-nonwovens, and additives to create a new generation of composite materials for wind turbine construction. To achieve this goal, the project will utilize multiscale modeling techniques, complex analysis of mechanical properties before and after aging processes, and life cycle assessment.
The BioCAN project will also be carried out by an international consortium. It is coordinated by the Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry, with partners including Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry CAS, Charles University, TU Dresden, the Faculty of Materials Science and Engineering at WUT, and two companies—Polish NOMA Resins Sp. z o.o. and German Leichtbau-Zentrum Sachsen GmbH. The project leader from WUT is Kamila Sałasińska, PhD.
The researchers aim to develop new bio-based, recyclable thermosetting resins—known as vitrimers—for use as the matrix in polymer composites.
"BioCAN aims to revolutionize polymer composite production by incorporating vitrimers made from renewable raw materials, flax fibers, and lignocellulosic-based flame retardant systems. This will reduce dependence on fossil resources, further decrease reliance on imports, and mitigate supply risks, ultimately supporting regional autonomy," says Kamila Sałasińska, PhD. The composites developed in this project could potentially be used in the automotive and transportation industries.
The M-ERA.NET 3 programme seeks to coordinate research and development efforts, fostering a strong scientific community while advancing the European economy through innovative materials and technologies.
In this edition of the programme, seven projects from Poland have been recommended for funding by NCBR (National Centre for Research and Development). The full ranking list can be found on the official website: https://www.gov.pl/web/ncbr/m-eranet-3-call-2024.