Greener and Safer Energetic and Ballistic Systems Erasmus Project

Project Title

Greener and Safer Energetic and Ballistic Systems

Project Key Action

This project related with these key action: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

Project Action Type

This project related with this action type : Strategic Partnerships for higher education

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2014

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: ICT – new technologies – digital competences; Environment and climate change; International cooperation, international relations, development cooperation

Project Summary

Energetic and ballistic systems (EBS) include all the applications of energetic materials (explosives, propellants and pyrotechnics), propulsion systems using energetic materials (EM) or compressed gases and ballistic protective systems. EBSs are widely used in extractive industry, automotive safety, space but mostly in security and defense sectors. In the context of harsher European environmental legislation and global concern related to environmental impact and safety in manufacture, use and disposal of EBSs, technological innovations have reshaped the strategy of developers, industry and beneficiaries from the entire spectrum. Given the fact that EU faces difficult economic times and a lot of EBS production/use capacities have been decreased, relocated or closed due to the environmental legislation or safety issues, the concrete aim of the project was to provide an Intensive Study Programme for MSc and PhD students coming from four prestigious HEIs across Europe: University of Coimbra; Ecole Nationale Superieure De Techniques Avancees Bretagne – Brest; Imperial College Of Science, Technology And Medicine – London and Military Technical Academy – Bucharest, as program coordinator. The IP addressed the latest approaches and concepts in the field of greener and safer EBSs, using ICT tools and Open Educational Resources. This included a wide range of multi and inter-disciplinary lectures in the following areas: Environmental impact of EBSs; Greener EM and their applications; Insensitive EM and their applications; Materials and techniques for ballistic protection (projectile, blast and shock effects mitigation); ICT tools for modeling and simulation of EBSs and protective equipment; Environmental and toxicology Life-Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA) of EBSs including the use of ICT tools. The main target group of the IPs were 62 (2×31/IP) students from MSc (or BAC + 4 years higher education students) and PhD study programmes related to EBS subject, from the partner universities. A broader target group was addressed by the dissemination activity, especially by the conferences organized after each IP. This group included more than 200 young teachers, researchers, specialists from industry and governmental organizations, active in the field of EBS. The main activities of the project consisted in: 2×10 days intensive study programmes (one IP/year, during two years); 2 multiplier events (one international conference/year, during two years and one international workshop) that brought together more than 300 participants, national and transnational specialists; 4 transnational project meetings and numerous dissemination activities. The main beneficiaries of the IPs were the participating students. They had the chance to acquire knowledge and skills in the area of greener and safer EBS under the coordination and supervision of renowned European teachers and researchers. These knowledge and skills gained in cutting edge technologies during the Intensive Study Programme should provide decisive competitiveness in the EBS industry and related governmental positions. The students had the chance of gaining experience of working in a international environment. The teachers also benefited through the exchange of ideas and best practice in the area of EBSs. The interdisciplinary approach of the IPs provided to the teachers and students a wider perspective over the field of greener and safer EBSs, and enhanced their skills in the area of didactic and pedagogical methods. The IPs will facilitate further development in the field of teacher and student mobility between the partner universities. The nature of the lectures and the broad spectrum of teachers provided new links and opportunities for new joint degree study programs or other form of collaborations (stages, publications). Besides the lectures taught during the IPs, the presentations and papers disseminated through the conferences, website, proceedings, posters etc., contributed to the education of numerous (more than 100) specialists from industry, government, academia, and research area. The implementation of the IPs increased the level of cross-cultural dialogue and cooperation by the involvement of students and teachers from four countries. It also provided to all the participants experience and new skills in the field of management and coordination of international cooperation projects. By implementing this IP the administrative structures of the partner universities enriched their experience regarding the management of Community Programmes. The staff involved in the project management gained experience in organising transnational and intercultural processes, methodologies and events, increasing their skills in development and implementation of EU programs.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 80500 Eur

Project Coordinator

Academia Tehnica Militara Bucuresti & Country: RO

Project Partners

• UNIVERSIDADE DE COIMBRA
• IMPERIAL COLLEGE OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND MEDICINE
• ECOLE NATIONALE SUPERIEURE DE TECHNIQUES AVANCEES BRETAGNE