Teaming for Capacity Development and Synergies in Micro-nanofabrication and Flexible Electronics for Widespread Impact

The TEAM-NANO proposal addresses the modernisation of SUNUM, a state-funded, autonomous Centre of Excellence in Turkey, with the strategic partnership of two European CoEs: 1) Univ. of Southampton (UoS) and 2) TUDelft. Currently, SUNUM has strong infrastructure and personnel for conducting research in nanotechnology.

However, SUNUM’s R&I infrastructure needs to be upgraded and modernized and the skills of researchers /technical staff must be updated and improved, to keep up with the recent technical advances in the field and to attain a competitive position at EU and global value chains.

The project will strategically link the unique expertise of each partner to establish smart and connected flexible electronic platforms.

While UoS develops forefront AI hardware and active flexible components; TU Delft leads in sensors, 2D materials, and packaging. This way, both partners will provide SUNUM complementary training dimensions to develop functional systems.

SUNUM’s open access infrastructure and national co-funding will catalyse the three-way collaboration, creating a triple-win situation, for the host organisation and European partners.

This strategic vision will be realized by six objectives: 1) Institutional advancement of SUNUM’s technical and managerial capabilities 2) Skills enhancement of SUNUM researchers by support from EU partners, 3) Developing symbiotic collaborations with EU partners, 4) Stimulating Turkish R&I ecosystem via collaborations and leadership, 5) Long term sustainability via the creation of value-added, 6) Cultivating a collaborative community via open innovation and capacity building.

These objectives will be accomplished through training activities, recruitment, infrastructure investment, dissemination, and outreach activities; networking with EU partners; ensuring SUNUM’s role as a driver of change in regional R&I, attainment of excellence in advanced technologies and established collaborations within ERA serving the objectives of the Call.