On 13th of November 2024, the SWEB team led by ERA-Chair holder Dr. Smagul Karazhanov organized the initial meeting of the “ERA Chair Club” hosted at the Institute of Solid State Physics (ISSP UL). The event brought together ERA Chair holders and coordinators under the SWEB Project’s initiative to set the foundation for a sustainable, collaborative network, focusing on knowledge exchange and strategic partnerships among ERA Chair projects across Widening countries. Representatives from leading European research institutions in fields such as physics, materials science, and artificial intelligence participated in this hybrid event to share best practices, address common challenges, and foster a long-term collaboration framework. This event supports ISSP UL's mission to elevate research excellence and visibility in line with the SWEB project’s objectives to support impactful science and innovation across the EU.
Dr. Andris Anspoks, Director of ISSP UL, opened the meeting with a presentation, highlighting the Institute's commitment to advancing scientific discovery and strengthening ISSP UL contributions to the European Research Area (ERA). Throughout the meeting, participants presented a diverse range of pioneering research initiatives. CAMART2 project coordinator Andris Ozolins shared insights from his experience in developing the Excellence Centre on Advanced Material Research and Technology, underscoring ISSP UL leading role in advancing material sciences. Dr. Alvar Kurrel, representing the COEL (Cognitive Electronics) project, highlighted COEL’s focus on fostering both industrial and academic partnerships. He emphasized the project’s proactive approach to risk management in budgeting and recruitment, key factors in sustaining cutting-edge research teams. Dr. Sanja Bauk, leading the MariCybERA (Maritime Cyber Security) project, spoke about the critical importance of safeguarding oceanic vessels from cyber threats, addressing unique challenges in integrating researchers from diverse fields, from software to hardware development.
Dr. Ernesto Alfaro from the SiNfONiA project (Safety in Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology) provided insights into nanosafety's importance for public health, focusing on international collaborations and biosensor development for nanotoxicity detection. Meanwhile, Dr. Andreas Kyritsakis of the MATTER project (Materials in Extreme Environments) discussed innovative methods in multiscale simulations and biomaterials research, noting the team’s adaptability in overcoming structuring challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Andrei Kholkin presented the FeLow-D project, ISSP UL latest project to be kicked off on 21st of November 2024, examining the role of nanoscale ferroelectrics for advanced electronics and biomedical applications.
Further presentations included Dr. Vangelis Harmandaris from the SimEA project, who underscored the significance of computational tools like CAD and DFT in enhancing engineering materials, and Dr. Maciej Sibinski from 5GSOLAR, who outlined the project’s potential in next-generation photovoltaics and unique training opportunities for emerging researchers. Additionally, Dr. Smagul Karazhanov, representing the SWEB (Smart Windows for Zero Energy Buildings) project, shared ISSP’s pioneering work in energy-efficient building technologies. Projects from CIPHR (Computational Imaging), AIFORS (Artificial Intelligence for Robotics), and NATALION (Natural Products Research) were also highlighted, with leaders discussing challenges from project management to sustainable solutions bridging biology and chemistry.
The event highlighted SWEB's ongoing dedication to creating an inclusive and collaborative EU research space. Bringing together ERA Chair projects across various disciplines, the event promoted SWEB’s mission to bolster research networking, increase the visibility of widening countries in the EU, and support the creation of impactful partnerships. Representatives from projects including COEL, MariCybERA, SiNfONiA, MATTER, FeLOW-D, SimEA, 5GSOLAR, and others shared insights into their research journeys, strategies for overcoming team challenges, and the importance of industry engagement for wider societal impact.
The ERA Chair Club
This meeting also marked the beginning of a broader collaboration framework, with plans to develop an annual networking event to support the ERA Chair projects further. This initiative will provide a robust platform for sharing experiences, building mentorship connections, and extending support to new ERA Chair teams across widening countries. This initiative reflects SWEB’s forward-looking vision of fostering a collaborative ecosystem where knowledge exchange and support can seamlessly drive new advancements within the EU.
As the meeting concluded, participants echoed a shared commitment to transforming these interactions into long-term, impactful partnerships. A dedicated ERA Chair holder’s forum was proposed to facilitate ongoing communication, challenge resolution, and knowledge exchange across institutions.
"This event was a foundational step towards establishing ISSP UL as a hub of research excellence in line with the SWEB objectives", said Dr. Boris Polyakov: "Through collaborative research, we aim to push the boundaries of scientific understanding, foster innovation, and drive sustainable solutions in energy efficiency and sustainable energy areas critical to the EU”.
The next ERA Chair meeting is scheduled for the University of Zagreb, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing, Croatia, ensuing the next important step to sustain this network of collaboration that will fuel scientific discovery and innovation across Europe.
The SWEB Project, based at ISSP UL is committed to pioneering research on Smart Windows for Zero Energy Buildings, driving advancements in sustainable building technologies. The project reflects a dedication to transformative research with significant environmental and economic impact, positioning the Institute of Solid State Physics UL as the regional leader in advanced material sciences and just the right place for innovation.
