On 19 December, the Foundation for Polish Science announced that Centrum Astronomiczne im. Mikołaja Kopernika PAN (NCAC PAS) has received a grant from the European Union under the International Research Agendas (MAB) action, financed by the European Funds for a Modern Economy (#FENG) programme, for the project “ASTROCENT – Particle Astrophysics Technology Centre.”
Project description:
The overarching goal of the project is to develop breakthrough, highly scalable and multi-channel detection systems for scientific and commercial applications. The technologies being developed are crucial for research into the biggest questions of modern physics (including dark matter, neutrinos and gravitational waves), while also opening up new opportunities in areas such as medicine, security, environmental and climate monitoring, renewable energy, and seismology (including early-warning systems).
Four main research and development lines will be delivered within the project:
- LAr PET: adapting xenon-doped liquid-argon scintillation detector technology to build a PET scanner prototype.
- Materials for UV-to-visible light conversion technology: for use in next generation large-scale detectors as well as with potential applications in photovoltaics.
- Large-area photosensors: developing innovative photosensor arrays based on organic and hybrid coatings.
- Networks of infrasound and seismic sensors: preparing an infrasound sensor network for commercialisation and developing its improved version; in parallel, developing a new technology for seismological applications.
The work will be carried out in international cooperation with leading centres: the strategic partner of the project, APC/CNRS (France), as well as other Astrocent partners in the Teaming project: Gran Sasso Science Institute (Italy), McDonald Institute (Canada), DESY (Germany), and, in Poland, the Łukasiewicz Centre.
Target groups:
Researchers and engineers working on detector technologies, organisations and companies interested in medical diagnostics, clean-energy solutions, and seismic monitoring/early-warning systems, as well as innovation stakeholders supporting technology transfer and commercialisation.
Project objectives:
- Develop next-generation, scalable detection technologies with improved sensitivity
- Enable technology transfer from fundamental research to societal and industrial applications
- Increase technology readiness and prepare selected solutions for implementation/commercialisation
Expected results:
Prototypes/demonstrators of new detector technologies, increased technology readiness for selected solutions, and strengthened R&D capacity and international collaboration.
Project leader: Dr hab. Marcin Kuźniak
Total project value: 34 046 400,00 PLN
European Funds contribution: 34 046 400,00 PLN
#FunduszeUE #FunduszeEuropejskie
