WE ARE

The Mechanical Engineering team at the University of West Attica (UNIWA) leads the VERDEDRIVE project as its coordinator, leveraging expertise in Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to enhance sustainable energy processes. Our cutting-edge internal combustion lab rigorously tests green diesel performance, while our materials lab specializes in selecting corrosion-resistant materials and evaluating catalyst properties. UNIWA is a key player in advancing eco-friendly diesel production. The Mechanical Engineering team at UNIWA exemplifies innovation and leadership in the VERDEDRIVE project. Dedicated to meeting the evolving demands of modern society, UNIWA fosters skilled professionals with strong scientific and technological foundations. With 27 departments across six schools, including the distinguished School of Engineering, our Mechanical Engineering Department is pivotal in driving advancements in sustainable energy. In the VERDEDRIVE consortium, UNIWA spearheads the evaluation of oils for green diesel production and contributes to catalysts' evaluation for eco-friendly diesel production. Our efforts include developing numerical models to optimize green diesel production, conducting laboratory tests to measure performance and emissions, and creating computational models to improve combustion in engines. We also assess engine wear from green diesel use, ensuring our solutions are both effective and sustainable. In collaboration with all partners, UNIWA will contribute to the sustainability assessment, applying Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to evaluate the environmental performance of the production cycle, identify hotspots, and develop more efficient and sustainable value chains for bioenergy and transportation solutions. Additionally, UΝΙWA plays a crucial role in project coordination, supervising collaboration among partners, implementing thorough planning, and proactively addressing potential risks. We ensure efficient monitoring of project progress, meeting defined targets within established time and budget parameters, while fostering effective communication among participants. Professor Ioannis Sarris is a Professor of Fluid Mechanics and Magnetohydrodynamics at the University of West Attica, appointed in 2020. He leads the UNIWA team in the VERDEDRIVE project, overseeing project management and coordination. His research expertise in fluid mechanics, transport phenomena, and magnetohydrodynamics informs the development of advanced biofuels and enhances energy system efficiency. Dr. Konstantinos Moustris, a full Professor and leader of the Air Pollution Laboratory at UNIWA, focuses on laboratory tests for diesel engines to benchmark green diesel performance. He also integrates artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) into modeling efforts. Dr. Panagiota Pimenidou is a Postdoctoral researcher in Mechanical Engineering at UNIWA, specializing in in catalysis, combustion, emissions reduction, and bio-oil utilization. She plays a vital role in optimizing fuel production modeling and engine combustion tests and modeling and supports the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to enhance environmental performance. Dr. Georgios Spyropoulos, a Laboratory Teaching Staff member and deputy leader of the Air Pollution Laboratory, conducts diesel engine tests and installs sensors to measure atmospheric pollutants. His expertise in AI and ML will further enhance the project's modeling capabilities. Dr. Christos Liosis, a Postdoctoral researcher in Mechanical Engineering, contributes to simulations on diesel engines to improve performance and understanding of physical processes. His work in ML will support the project's analytical tasks. Dr. Sofia Peppa, an Associate Professor in Naval Architecture, specializes in computational modeling. She focuses on optimizing green diesel production and enhancing combustion efficiency through advanced numerical models.

The Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy of the University of Belgrade is the leading and the oldest accredited high education, scientific and research institution in our country and the region in the field of chemical technologies. A long and rich tradition of almost 100 years. The Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy pays particular attention to its cooperation with economy, scientific and research work and transfer of technologies and knowledge. In order to perform more effiently in those fields, the Faculty includes the following: Innovation Centre of TMF Centre for cleaner production Centre for water technology Centre for nanotechnologies and functional materials Centre for graphic engineering RIC Centre for pulp, paper, packaging and graphics industry Dedication to the quality of teaching, scientific work and activities and cooperation with business entities is also confirmed by the fact that the Faculty is certified for an integrated system of quality management by the certifying body YUQS-Belgrade for the systems: SRPS ISO 9001:2008 Quality system management SRPS ISO 14001:2005 Environmental protection system management SRPS OHSAS 18001:2008 Management of health and safety at work. The Faculty educates experts in basic academic, master и doctoral studies within 17 accredited study programs.

Higher education in Elazığ began with the opening of the Higher Technical School in 1967. That same year, the Ankara University Senate's decision to establish the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in Elazığ was approved by the Ministry of National Education. In 1969, the Higher Technical School was transformed into the Elazığ State Academy of Engineering and Architecture (EDMMA), and in 1970, the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine began operating as part of Ankara University. On April 11, 1975, the various higher education institutions in Elazığ were united under the name "Fırat University. Firat University aims to: Educate and nurture individuals who excel in education and research, uphold scientific and ethical values, engage in continuous professional development, consider stakeholder expectations, and possess a strong sense of social responsibility. Contribute to the advancement of our country by producing science, art, and technology at both national and international levels.

The Faculty was founded by the Law on Amendments to the Law on the University of February 27, 1905 ("Official Gazette of the Kingdom of SHS" No. 85, Year I, dated August 23, 1919) Immediately after the end of the First World War, at the first session of the University Council, held on March 28, 1919, the rector announced an act of the Ministry of Education, in which the wish was expressed to open and start work at the Faculty of Agriculture, with two departments: agricultural and forestry. In commemoration of this day, the Faculty celebrates March 28 - Faculty Day. In its ninety-two-year history, the Faculty of Agriculture has always been actively engaged in all activities of the University. It has always been an honor and recognition for the professors and associates of the Faculty of Agriculture to be in the Council, councils, commissions, boards and other bodies of the University. The Faculty of Agriculture had its professors as rectors in three mandates and its professors as university vice-chancellors in six mandates. Scientific research work is carried out through 8 institutes, 31 departments, a large number of specialized and accredited laboratories, the "Radmilovac" sample property, a large number of scientific societies operating within the Faculty, with intensive cooperation with related organizations in the country and abroad.

Ghent University is an internationally renowned, open, pluralistic and socially engaged university in Belgium. The University was founded in 1817. Over the past 200 years, Ghent University has counted many eminent scientists, ministers and even Nobel laureates among its staff and alumni. The team of Department of applied physics focuses on the physics and applications of non-thermal or 'cold' plasmas. Next to the development of innovative plasma sources for environmental, surface engineering and biomedical applications, part of the research involves fundamental studies on underwater plasmas, plasma-surface interactions and microplasmas.

Established in 2009 VenusRoses Labsolutions is a contract research, development, and manufacturing company of innovative nutraceutical, herbal medicines, and food supplements, specializing in all- natural herbal dietary supplements. •GMP certified manufacturing facilities (tablets, capsules, sachets). Laboratory for extraction of natural products and synthesis of bioactive compounds. •Elaboration of physicochemical, skin permeation properties, stability and safety assessment. •Pilot scale production. •Regulatory affairs and IPR issues, sustainability; •Economic maturation of the novel validated green products.

Innovation Hive, established in early 2020 in Larissa, Greece, is a private non-profit organization dedicated to advancing research and innovation through the principles of social innovation. Our mission is to enhance economic and social cohesion across European societies by addressing contemporary innovation challenges and fostering sustainable growth. We strive to maximize our impact on local, national, and European levels through a holistic approach that integrates cocreation methodologies and a quadruple helix model. By engaging stakeholders from industry, academia, and civil society, we aim to create synergistic links that combine knowledge, skills, tools, values, and motivation.