PROMATAI project aims to develop a product in the field of testing the extrusion method of nanomaterials/bio(nano) composites using AI algorithms. Prototype will be developed and made of a special design for the Feed Opening Section (FOE), the Adjustable Groove Section (AGFS), the Rotary Barrel Section (RBS) and the additional Plasticizing System (PS) of the single-screw extruder, which will be tested in virtual and real conditions of their operation depending on the size of the introduced part.

It is assumed that these improvements will increase the efficiency of the extrusion process, reducing the amount of waste and energy usage and enable usage of new materials. The first prototype in the world of a "smart extruder" is planned, which will adjust its geometric elements to the dimensions of the material.

Project activities are aimed at significantly strengthening cooperation between industry and academia, creating new and transferring existing knowledge between partners. Project consists of 7 WPs: WP1-4 are focused on the development of innovative extruder elements, including: FOE, AGFS, RBS and the entire plasticizing system. WP5 focuses on networking activities conducted by delegations, including workshops, trainings, and lectures on the topic of the project and the development of skills in the field of R&D infrastructure, competences, digitization and internationalization.

WP6 is about the wide dissemination of knowledge and the exploitation of project results (conferences, fairs, publications, IPR, website, social media, outreach to public activities), WP7 is about management and administration of the whole project. PROMATAI is coordinated by Łukasiewicz Research Network - Institute of Engineering of Polymer Materials and Dyes (Poland), partners are: Lublin University of Technology (Poland), Technical University of Kosice (Slovakia), University of West Attica (Greece), LPH a.s. (Slovakia), UAB Dirmeta (Lithuania) and Cerca Trova Ltd (Bulgaria).

Beneficiaries:

ACADEMIC:

1. Sieć Badawcza Łukasiewicz- Instytut Inżynierii Materiałów Polimerowych i Barwników (IEP), established in UL MARII SKLODOWSKIEJ CURIE 55, TORUN 87-100, Poland.

IEP exists for over 60 years, currently it is the largest research institute of polymer materials and their processing in Poland, being part of the Łukasiewicz Research Network, which includes 23 institutes operating in various specialties. The activities of the IEP concern, among others, research and development in the field of material engineering, processing technology, recycling, modification of polymeric materials and composites; prototype and experimental construction of machines, devices and instrumentation for the processing and recycling of polymeric materials; dissemination and commercialization of the results of scientific research and development works, opinions and expert opinions, standardization activities, trainings, internships, supporting the innovativeness of enterprises. The effect of IEP's activity is over 200 patents and over 220 scientific and industry publications from year 2019.

2. POLITECHNIKA LUBELSKA (LUT), established in NADBYSTRZYCKA 38D, LUBLIN 20 618, Poland.

LUT is a state institution and the largest technical university in the region, established in 1953; it currently comprises 6 faculties, as well as units specializing in innovation transfer, management and IPR. Its staff consists of over 1140 employees (43 professors, 118 associate professors and 272 assistant professors, 98 assistants); educates 49 doctoral students at LUT’s Doctoral School and 7 480 students (over 11% foreign students). LUT maintains close relations with academic institutions and communities around the world (over 215 bilateral agreements), which translates into joint research, joint projects, joint international conferences, student and staff exchanges and common education programmes. Representative of the academic sector, hundreds of scientific and research achievements in engineering, materials engineering, manufacturing and mechanical engineering, technology and machine design (monographs, patents, publications, medals, diplomas, new technologies and materials, applications, licenses sold), modern laboratories, significant organizational, technical and human resources, leader in the country. Members of the project's key personnel represent the discipline with the highest scientific category "A+".

3. TECHNICKA UNIVERZITA V KOSICIACH (TUK), established in LETNA 9, KOSICE 042 00, Slovakia.

TUK was founded in 1952 and it has overall more than 10 600 students in 9 faculties. TUK is an internationally recognized research and educational institution providing education and smart solutions into various life areas. Considering its status and results it belongs among the strongest universities in Slovakia. TUK caters for a wide range of educational needs not only in the East-Slovak region, but throughout Slovakia and Central Europe, as in many specializations it is the only centre of education and research in this area. TUK closely co-operates with other universities and with industrial organizations. TUK has modern laboratories, significant technical and human resources, leads a number of national and international projects, many of which it coordinates. As a distinguished educational institution, TUK has many awards, patents, publications, medals, diplomas, also participated at EXPO 2020 Dubai.

4. PANEPISTIMIO DYTIKIS ATTIKIS (UWA), established in PETROU RALLI KAI THIVON, AIGALEO 12244, Greece.

Our University, despite its recent establishment (2018), originates from three historical and dynamic educational and research entities in the region of Attica, the Technological Educational Institute of Athens, the Piraeus University of Applied Sciences and the National School of Public Health, which has produced thousands of graduates and contributed to the development of the country and also worldwide. The University of Western Attica (UNIWA) is the third largest university in Greece. More than 55.000 students participate in undergraduate and postgraduate programmes run by 27 faculties. The university employs 608 permanent faculty members, 138 teaching and technical staff in special laboratories and 345 administrative staff. UNIWA has many well-equipped laboratories, three modern conference centres, a significant number of research laboratories with modern and specialized apparatus, and experienced scientific and technical staff.

NON-ACADEMIC:

5. UZDAROJI AKCINE BENDROVE DIRMETA (DIR), established in DRAUGYSTES G. 19, KAUNAS 51230, Lithuania.

Dirmeta UAB is a production company, engaged in designing and production of non-standard technological equipment, progressive dies, injection moulds, and also in spare part production for various industry sectors. With many years of experience, we provide CNC machining, metal processing, stamping and plastic part injection moulding services. 80 employees work for the Company, and 62 among them are highly qualified machine-tool operators, metal-workers and design engineers. Administration has 18 employees with higher technical or economic education. Our employees improve their qualification on a permanent basis.

6. LPH A.S. (LPH a.s.), established in POD DOLAMI 838, VRANOV NAD TOPLOU 09302, Slovakia.

The main business purpose of our company is production of plastic presswork, including the assembly of complexes. We are a private company with a 100%-share of Slovak capital. LPH a.s. company has operated on the market since 1995. We concentration the manufacture of load-bearing construction elements of appliances from PP, technical presswork from plastic on a basis of PA 6.6, 11, 12, POM, PBT and parts creating visual surfaces of final products on an ABS, PC basis. Among the most significant LPH customers there should be ranked world-known and domestic producers of garden equipment and office equipment. LPH has a wide range of technologies for plastic processing. It owns technologies for: the processing of thermoplastic by injection moulding, processing of two kinds of thermoplastic by concurrent injection - so called bi-injection, processing of thermo-sets by injection moulding, thermo-sets processing by direct pressing.

7. CHERKA TROVA (CERCA TROVA LTD), established in G. S. RAKOVSKI STR. 145, VH. G, ET. 1, AP. 6, SOFIA 1000, Bulgaria.

Cerca Trova Ltd is a high-technology industrial SME founded in Sofia, Bulgaria, with capabilities and expertise in the areas of Industrial ICT/IoT Automation/Control, Sensing, Measurement Systems, Data Acquisition, Composites/Polymers, AI, Interdisciplinary Finite Element Analysis, Electronics Design, e-Platform & database development, Marketing & Dissemination and Interactive Educational Programs. With a multidisciplinary expertise, the team ventured in creating a centre for consulting & technical services aimed in assisting businesses to research and discover their hidden potential and apply innovative solutions to existing and also to undiscovered problems.