Photonics technologies have become a key enabler in the realization of modern medical devices with applications ranging from diagnostics to surgical tools and therapeutics. Characteristic nature of both photonics and application fields is high diversity. Consequently, the more widespread use of photonics technologies in scattered ecosystems presents major challenges for both end-user companies and manufacturers. In conjunction with highly regulated validation and production, the timespan from the concept phase to product launch takes years. Addressing these challenges, MedPhab will serve as Europe’s first Pilot Line dedicated to manufacturing, testing, validation and up-scaling of new photonics technologies for medical diagnostics enabling accelerated product launch with reduced R&D costs. MedPhab will bring the high-quality infrastructure and extensive know-how within easy reach of the SME’s and other European Industry. Globally unique feature of MedPhab is its operation in medical domain setting requirements to meet regulations. The competitive differentiation is the seamless operation between ISO13485 certified companies and RTOs when single-entry point can serve SMEs operating at different TRLs. Professional customer interface will be operated by staff with extensive experience in the field medical devices. The technology readiness and MedPhab operation process will be validated by: 1) Use Case Validation program, upscaling and demonstrating performance of 5 innovative medical diagnostics products; 2) Demo Case Open Calls program enabling early adoption of the technologies by external user, demonstrating the pilot line services and validating the open access business model.

The doctoral network (DN) Decentralized Infrastructure Asset MOnitoring and coNDition assessment (DIAMOND) will train a new generation of Early Stage Researchers (ESRs), who will be central to the digital transformation in EU for safety, economic competitiveness and resilience of critical infrastructure assets (civil/mechanial/social) by assimilating sensors, data analytics and sectoral needs of monitoring and assessment for timely decision making. DIAMOND addresses this timely challenge by aligning advanced computational capabilities to self-aware engineered environments (infrastructure/energy, automotive, industrial and art assets). A key enabler here is via advances in Artificial intelligence (AI), allowing for intelligent sensing nodes (AI on a chip), while concurrently establishing sustainability of such monitoring via bespoke power harvesting modalities and material choice. Our lab-ona- chip approach is a potent enabler for large-scale, cost-effective and automated implementation of responsible AI, as is necessary for monitoring applications at infrastructural scale. Our DN will explore key enablers of this decentralized approach in a cross-cutting manner, delivering deep expertise in sensor technology, data communication hardware/software, instrumentation & measurement strategies, structural health monitoring, system identification and data analytics promoting bespoke and timely interdisciplinary dialogue while promoting ethics, responsibility and environmental & societal good. DIAMOND will be an exemplar in intersectoral training for leading impactful sectors including transportation, automobile, renewable energy and art curation, while being adaptable for further sectors in an asset-agnostic way. It will establish at-location monitoring and subsequent evidence-based sustainable lifetime decisions at the core of EU processes and sectors.