Research Priorities
At the Orléans meeting of the ATHENA Research Board on February 28, 2022, the discussion on Research Priorities was initiated by the board chair Michalis Tatarakis. Contributions of the board members followed as displayed below, and the list of joint ATHENA priorities has been formed. The articulated priorities are revisited at ongoing events of the ATHENA Research Board so they are kept open for modifications based on intensified cooperation of the ATHENA partners, evolving research capabilities, advanced partnerships and broader societal needs.
Research priorities as defined by ATHENA Research Board
- Sustainable Materials and Energy
Optoelectronics, plasmas, 2d materials, nano-structural materials. - Emerging Manufacturing Technologies
Advanced manufacturing is the use of knowledge and innovative technology to produce complex products such as aeroplanes and medical devices and improve processes to lower waste, pollution, material consumption and energy use. Robotics, 3D, and 4D printing, artificial intelligence and high performance computing for modelling are also important elements in advanced manufacturing. Advanced manufacturing faces 2 important challenges – digitisation – the shift towards more environmentally sustainable production. (Source) - Artificial Intelligence
Well-coordinated use of AI can bring about significant improvements to society. It can help us reach climate and sustainability goals and will bring high-impact innovations in healthcare, education, transport, industry and many other sectors.
At the same time, the uptake of AI entails a number of potential risks and will bring about considerable socioeconomic changes. The EU must act as one, based on European values, to promote the development and deployment of AI. (Source) - Information & Communication Technologies
Following the goals of goals of the Europe’s Digital Decade: The EU will pursue a human-centric, sustainable vision for digital society throughout the digital decade to empower citizens and businesses. (Source) - Digital society & digital arts
- Health & Food Technologies
EU strives to protect human, animal and plant health, promote a high level of food and animal feed safety, contribute to the Union’s efforts to ensure sustainable food systems and enable the health and food sectors to achieve their full economic potential. (Source) - Assistive technologies
Assistive technology can be used to improve the quality of life of people with disabilities in areas such as education and employment, aiming to promote independence and active European citizenship (Source).
