A-SIDE will provide an EU hub for innovation and entrepreneurship in the Deep Tech focus area of advanced manufacturing, advanced materials, as well as AI and Machine Learning including Big Data. Deep Tech is the expressed objective of providing advanced and emerging technology solutions to deep societal challenges.

This project aligns with the EIT HEI Initiative programme, enhancing the quality and competitiveness of European higher education. It will improve research and technology transfer from higher education and will support business creation through strengthening collaboration between HEIs and business partners across Europe. This project will achieve these goals via a focus on addressing the societal challenge of sustainable living through supporting the development of sustainable product design and smart manufacturing practices, which are critically needed as industries are required to move toward a greener, more efficient production and product circular economy. Advancing innovation and entrepreneurship in cutting edge sustainable design, materials and manufacturing technology is required in order to achieve our vision of a more sustainable future.

As an example, tailored professional development courses will be offered to students, researchers, academic and non-academic staff, focusing on AI-driven innovations in product lifecycle management, predictive analytics for sustainable manufacturing, and circular product design. In another example, the integration of sensors into the manufacturing workflow enables real-time process monitoring and supports an efficient, adaptive quality control system, contributing to the creation of high-quality components with minimal waste and reduced energy consumption. Training and mentorship across the knowledge triangle of business, education and research will be established across the EU through the A-SIDE consortium activities.

The benefits from such increased innovation and entrepreneurship will have cross-industry relevance, in sectors such as aerospace, pharmaceutical, food, robotics, and biomedical engineering, where such technologies are essential for adaptable, cost effective, efficient and reduced waste manufacturing. Additionally, by supporting HEI student and staff training, as well as start ups and scale ups in advanced, cost-effective solutions for manufacturing, this consortium aligns with the program’s goal of real-world long lasting impact. The project will strengthen Europe as a leader in next-generation manufacturing, ultimately driving forward sustainable innovation in high-tech industries and positioning Europe as a hub for cutting-edge, smart manufacturing technologies.

Project coordinator

Dermot Brabazon, Professor, Dublin City University (contact)