From Trenčín to the world: How FunGlass is shaping the future of materials science

The European Commission recognized the FunGlass project as a Horizon 2020 Success Story, highlighting its significant contributions to scientific collaboration and innovation. FunGlass focused on developing advanced glass and ceramic-based materials essential for the green transition. The project demonstrated how expertise from top European institutions could be transferred to an emerging research center, fostering excellence and innovation.

With the support of partners from Germany, Italy, and Spain, FunGlass established four new research departments and recruited over 100 skilled researchers from 20 countries. The team was dedicated to pioneering materials for photocatalysis, hydrogen-powered glass melting, antibacterial treatments, waste glass recovery, and more.

A key achievement of the project was the transformation of research infrastructure in Trenčín, with a EUR 10 million investment creating the Centre for Functional and Surface Functionalized Glass. This led to a surge in scientific output, including over 50 publications annually, 39 competitive research projects, and several patent applications.

Education and institutional development were also central to the project, with extensive training programs benefiting 345 researchers and students. Collaborations with prestigious universities across Europe, including double-degree PhD programs, further strengthened FunGlass’s impact.

Beyond academia, FunGlass established 24 new industrial partnerships and secured multiple contractual research projects. Its success was reflected in prestigious awards, including the Scientist of the Year award in Slovakia for Prof. Dušan Galusek and the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science award for Dr. Akansha Mehta.

By fostering cooperation and excellence, FunGlass exemplified how EU-funded initiatives could drive scientific progress and sustainable development across Europe. Although the project concluded in 2024, the Centre for Functional and Surface Functionalized Glass continues its mission, building on the strong foundation established by FunGlass.

Read the full story:  https://projects.research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/en/projects/success-stories/all/trencin-world-how-funglass-shaping-future-materials-science