Projects

MechaTwing – TWINNING FOR EXCELLENCE IN MORPHING AND AERO-MECHATRONIC WING CONTROL: A LEAP TOWARDS ECO-SMART AVIATION (101159722)

The MechaTwing is expected to decrease research and innovation gaps between CTU, and three top-class European research institutions that have an established record in the respective field: Polytechnic University of Turin (Polito), German Aerospace Center (DLR) and Technical University Viena (TUW). Associate partner in this project is CzechInvest. The specific objectives of this project are (1) to improve CTU excellence capacity and resources enabling to close the still apparent research and innovation gap within the European Union, (2) to enhance strategic networking activities between CTU and three internationally-leading counterparts at European Union level, (3) to raise reputation, research profile and attractiveness of CTU and the research profile of its staff, (4) to strengthen research management capacities and administration skills of CTU staff, and (5) to improve creativity supported by development of new approaches in R&I collaboration, increased mobility (inwards and outwards) of qualified scientists. The main activities organised in the framework of the MechaTwing work program include short-term visits of CTU students and staff to DLR/Polito/TUW, expert visits at CTU, organisation of workshops and on-site training, joint organisation of conference and summer schools, and other dissemination and outreach activities aimed to present the MechaTwing achievements to a wider community.

Project partners:

Project’s website: www.mechatwing.eu

CORDIS: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101159722

Contact:  casr@fs.cvut.cz

System for anomaly detection in transportation using LWIR polarization camera – SPACE

The main objective of the project is to develop and deploy an innovative sustainable hi-tech technology for autonomous collection of a large number of polarized images and advanced analysis of the captured images using a LWIR polarization camera. Moreover, with very high accuracy under different light and atmospheric conditions by using a calomel crystal, which will extend the functionality of the whole imaging system and increase the efficiency in a wide range of applications. Software will be developed for object detection using an autonomous polarized image rendering system based on a neural networks approach. Integrated polarization optics based on a unique calomel crystal will achieve significantly higher extinction ratios at specified wavelengths. This technology will enable a new kind of information to be extracted from data taken at different polarization planes, distance, light and atmospheric conditions. The outputs of the project will find applications in transport, space, agriculture, energy and environmental applications.

Contact: Ing. Jan Pařez, jan.parez@fs.cvut.cz

Project partner: 

AMBER - innovAtive deMonstrator for hyBrid-Electric Regional application

Funded by: HORIZON.2.5.7 - Clean, Safe and Accessible Transport and Mobility

AMBER Project ref. Grant Agreement-101102020-AMBER

https://www.clean-aviation.eu/amber-advancing-hybrid-electric-propulsion

Project start: 1 January 2023 

Project end: 31 March 2026

A hybrid-electric propulsion system for regional aircraft is seen as a promising step towards achieving a more sustainable aviation industry. To address the challenge of climate change, the EU-funded AMBER project will seek to mature, integrate and validate key technologies necessary for a megawatt-class hybrid electric propulsion system powered by hydrogen fuel cells. This will significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and fuel burn by at least 50 % compared to 2020 state-of-the-art regional aircraft. AMBER recognises the importance of regional aviation in leading the way towards sustainability and achieving ambitious environmental goals. The project is a step towards decarbonising aviation and reducing pollutant emissions.
Consortium: GE Avio S.r.l. (Coordinator), General Electric Aviation Advanced Technology Garching Deutschland Holding GmbH, GE Aviation Czech SRO, General Electric Company Polska Sp. z o.o., H2FLY GmbH, Leonardo S.p.A., GE Marmara Technology Center Muhendislik Hizmetleri Limited Sirketi,  Centro Italiano Ricerche Aerospaziali (C.I.R.A.) S.C.p.A., Deutsches Zentrum fuer Luft- und Raumfahrt e. V. (DLR), Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der Angewandten Forschung e.V., VZLU Výzkumný a zkušební letecký ústav, a.s., Czech Technical University in Prague, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering (FME CVUT), Politecnico di Bari, Politecnico di Torino,  Università di Pisa, WIA Łukasiewicz Research Network - Institute of Aviation,  AM Testing S.r.l., Dream Innovation S.r.l., Ergon Research S.r.l., NTI Engineering S.r.l., GE Aviation Systems Limited.
 

Projects in sustainability phase and closed projects:

Center of Advanced Aerospace Technology (CAAT)

The Center of Advanced Aerospace Technology (CAAT) is supported from ESIF, EU Operational Programme Research, Development and Education (project number CZ.02.1.01/0.0/0.0/16_019/0000826).

Since October 2016, CAAT engages in research of simulation degradation processes of individual components and their influence on the functionality of engines and aircraft structure parts. The Center actively participates in the experimental development of the new turboprop engine and their assembly into functional unit in the power category reaching parameters which exceed current engine concept, including finding new materials and new production processes, installation and maintenance of components and components for aircraft engines and structures.

Together with the partner institution Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at the Brno University of Technology, CAAT brings together over 100 experts across disciplinary fields with strong track record in the area of aerospace and aeronautics research.

Transformation, Acceleration, Networking, Development, Education and Mentoring – TANDEM+

The aim of the TANDEM-Project is to transform European Universities and HEIs into truly entrepreneurial entities and therefore, foster a NEW DEAL OF INNOVATION in Europe initiated by an open Alliance of universities. TANDEM aims to unleash the potential of a broad spectrum of Universities by: unleash the potential of a broad spectrum of universities: - offering a joint open alliance of experienced and RIS-Universities and their regional eco-systems - creating a mentoring and development programme for universities & professors to bridge the gap of the entrepreneurial mindset, and approaches in the different regions of Europe - providing holistic cross university education approaches to motivate and prepare young talents - using their pre-acceleration facilities to support a talents, and entrepreneurial activities in an early stage as well as professors in developing innovative cross-university formats - building bridges between universities, regional eco-systems and the services of EIT KICs to promote international collaboration and open business models - offering dedicated lifelong learning programmes based on micro credentials for students, educators, industry partners, and policy makers - Inspiring discourse on the demands of a responsible and entrepreneurial society in Europe - offering new metrics to measure societal impact and innovation performance at various levels, including: society, eco systems, universities, start-ups and students. 

Project’s website: https://eit-hei.eu/projects/tandem-plus/

National Competence Centre for Aeronautics and Space (NaCCAS)

 The aim of the project coordinated by the Technical University of Brno is to support the effective use of research and development infrastructure and know-how for the needs of applied research in aviation and cosmonautics in the Czech Republic, connecting research institutions with important industrial partners to support direct knowledge transfer and researched technologies in industrial applications. NCK partners are Brno University of Technology, AERO Vodochody AEROSPACE a.s., Compo Tech PLUS, s. r.o., Czech Technical University in Prague, Galaxy GRS s.r.o., GE Aviation Czech s.r.o., Roko Airplanes s.r.o., UNIS, a.s., VR Group, a.s., and Czech Aerospace Research Centre, a.s.

Czech Advanced Robotic Systemfor Servicing, Exploration and Resources Exploitation (CZARM)

This proposal assembles skilled and diverse team with one purpose – to study and propose the application of advanced robots that brings the highest possible benefits to future Czech and European efforts in space. Project partners are L.K.Engineering s.r.o. (coordinator), Frentech Aerospace s.r.o., 5M s.r.o., BD SENSORS s.r.o., ČVUT v Praze a THALES ALENIA SPACE ITALIA SPA. Projekt je ve fázi evaluace v rámci ITT2-Ambitious Projects for Czech Republic: Phase 0/A/B1 Studies (Activity Type C).

Within NaCCAS CTU in Prague coordinates the following individual projects:

• Experimental evaluation of residual stress relaxation due to operational loading in different materials that are being used in turbo-propeller turbine wheel. Project partners: GE Aviation Czech s.r.o., Czech Aerospace Research Centre, a.s.
• Advanced Composite Technologies for Small Airplanes (1 and 2). Project partner: Compo Tech PLUS, spol. s r.o. 
• Oil Cooler. Project partner: GE Aviation Czech s.r.o. 

EIT Manufacturing

The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) is an EU body created by the European Union in 2008 with funds from the EU’s Framework Programme Horizon 2020 for business, education and research development. Whole EIT brings together more than 1500 partners, who are divided into 8 sector-oriented communities. Since 2018 the EIT Manufacturing belongs amongst them as well. Its main focus is to promote innovation in European manufacturing sector and aims to increase its global competitiveness, sustainability, and productivity. Apart from the direct project opportunities EIT Manufacturing facilitates also various possibilities for development of profound international cooperation. EIT Manufacturing establishes an innovation community and is building a network of ecosystems where people can acquire skills and find opportunities; and where innovators are able to attract investors.
FME is actively participating in several projects, more information here.

PROCRAFT - PROtection and Conservation of Heritage AirCRAFT

The project is supported under the Joint Programme Cultural Heritage - Conservation, Protection and Use, under EU Horizon 2020, project duration: 2.11.2020 – 1.11.2023. The aim of the project is to create innovative procedures and solutions for each key step in aircraft conservation, including tailored techniques of conservation-restoration, smart coatings for outdoor protection respecting the requirements of cultural heritage safeguard, innovative solutions for preventive conservation in confined or semi-confined environments, and the development of guidelines for Al alloys restoration and conservation for non-professional actors. The engagement of the CASR team in the project includes the use of mathematical models (especially reduced CFD models) in the analysis of the impact of the environment on the life of aircraft components, ii) sensors, and iii) processing of large data. Members of the consortium are: GPLA – Arc’Antique  (Coordinator) – France, University of Ferrara  - Italy, Czech Technical University in Prague - Czech Republic, CNRS - Centre d'élaboration de matériaux et d'études structurales – France, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna – Italy.