Five EU institutions have come together to establish a new research centre in Trencin, Slovakia, that specialises in cutting-edge functional glass research. The project, Centre for Functional and Surface Functionalised Glasses (FunGLASS), is based at the University of Trencin, with participation from international groups in Germany, Italy and Spain. Alexander Dubcek from the University of Trencin heads up the project with coordinating professor Dusanberg, of Germany. Also involved are Friedrich Schiller from the University of Jena; the Institute of Ceramics and Glass of Spanish National Research Council (with A Duran); and the University of Padova, Italy (with E Bernardo). Their work focuses on materials for personalised health care and energy-related issues; utilisation of waste materials for the production of glasses, glass-ceramics with high added value, and the application of glass-based coatings in the automotive and machinery industries. The goal of the project is to support training and education of young researchers and to establish an international graduate school issuing joint diplomas with project partners from high-performing EU countries. The project is part of the EU Horizon 2020 Program, focused on the design and development of a new Centre of Excellence starting with the current Centre in Trencin. The project will be one of the models taken into account to define the goals and management of the new centre. To read more, please visit: cordis.europa.eu/project/rcn/197110_en.html
