EIC Pathfinder Challenge

The prestigious award recognizes innovative projects that have the potential to develop breakthrough solutions to some of the most pressing challenges of our time.

What is the EIC Pathfinder Challenge

The EIC Pathfinder Challenge is an initiative of the European Innovation Council (EIC) that aims to promote visionary ideas and technologies. The Challenge is aimed at scientists, entrepreneurs and innovators who are at the cutting edge of technological development. The aim is to support disruptive innovations that not only promote economic growth, but also address social and environmental challenges. The challenge is aimed at interdisciplinary teams that pursue creative approaches and are prepared to take risks.

Objectives of the EIC Pathfinder Challenge

1. Promote innovation: The EIC Pathfinder Challenge supports projects that have the potential to revolutionize existing markets or create new markets.

2. Interdisciplinary collaboration: the initiative encourages teams from different disciplines to work together to develop more comprehensive and sustainable solutions.

3. Sustainable development: a key aspect of the EIC Pathfinder Challenge is to promote innovation that contributes to the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

4. Strengthen Europe’s competitiveness: By supporting innovative projects, the EIC Pathfinder Challenge helps to consolidate Europe’s position as a global innovation leader.

EIC Pathfinder Challenge 2023 - Clean and efficient cooling

The EIC Pathfinder Challenge ‚Clean and efficient cooling‘ aims at advancing scientific knowledge and technological development of novel, clean and efficient cooling solutions that fully underpin “cold economy” vision. That includes:

1. Reduce investment and operational costs
2. Increase efficiency, operational reliability and interoperability
3. Avoid the use of critical raw materials or harmful refrigerants and
4. Pursue circularity by design approaches, low environmental impact and low carbon footprint

SMACool

SMACool meets the criteria of the EIC Pathfinder Challenge 2023 ‘Clean and efficient cooling’ by developing a functional air-conditioning device for residential buildings based on the emerging technology of elastocalorics by reducing operational costs, reaching outstanding energy efficiency and zero global warming potential, using metals as solid-state refrigerant material instead of the harmful fluids used in cooling systems today.

The interdisciplinary project consortium consisting of three European Universities from Germany, Italy and Slovenia and one emerging high-tech company from Ireland.