Infrastructure projects
The Center for Advanced Technologies (CAT) conducts intensive research, mainly based on external projects financed by Polish and international research agencies. Since 2015, CAT has implemented over 120 research and development projects, as well as collaboration projects with industry. Between 2016 and 2024, the number of grants received steadily increased, as shown by the summary of effects during this period.
Key Project of the Operational Programme for Innovative Economy
Among the infrastructural investments carried out in recent years in Poland, projects listed as key in the Operational Programme for Innovative Economy (Priority Axis II – Infrastructure of R&D sectors) play a particularly important role. One such major undertaking is the investment project for the scientific environment of the city of Poznań – Wielkopolska Center for Advanced Technologies in Poznań (WCAT). The idea of establishing WCAT aligns with the strategy for innovative economic development of Greater Poland by launching in 2016 a multidisciplinary research center of international standing in advanced technologies, which has a significant impact on the economic environment in our region and country, forming an important element in building a knowledge-based economy.
“Construction and Equipment of the Greater Poland Center for Advanced Technologies in Poznań (WCAT)”
Agreement number: POIG.02.01.00-30-169/08 signed on September 15, 2009
Investment cost: 251 461 237.16 PLN
Implementation period: 2009 – 2015
Project co-financed by the European Union from the European Regional Development Fund under the Innovative Economy Programme.
Polish Research Infrastructure Map
By including the Center for Advanced Technologies on the Polish Research Infrastructure Map, the first stages of infrastructure development became possible through grants for purchasing equipment. Funds received under Measure 4.2 POIR and Measure 1.1 WRPO enabled the expansion of infrastructure with modern research devices.
Project “WCAT 2.0 – Additive Technologies and Biomedicine Engineering Center – PHASE I”
Project number: POIR.04.02.00-00-D003/20
Funding source: European Regional Development Fund, Smart Growth Operational Programme 2014-2020, Priority Axis IV – Increasing Scientific and Research Potential, Action 4.2 – Development of Modern Research Infrastructure in Science Sector
Total project value: 5 623 094.62 PLN
EU co-financing: 4 409 669.25 PLN
“3D Printing and Composite Materials Research Center at the Center for Advanced Technologies AMU”
Project number: RPWP.01.01.00-30-0004/18
Funding source: Greater Poland Regional Operational Program 2014-2020, Priority Axis 1 – Innovative Economy, Action 1.1 – Support for R&D Infrastructure in the Science Sector Implementation period: April 2020 – December 2022
Total Project cost: 1 818 186.00 PLN
EU co-financing: 1,095,937.00 PLN
The project led by dr. hab. Robert E. Przekop, Prof. AMU, coordinator for the Technological Hall Team at CAT, aims to create a highly specialized R&D Center in the field of 3D printing and composite materials.
The result of the investment will be the establishment of the 3D Printing Research Center for Composite Materials within the structures of the Center for Advanced Technologies UAM in Poznań. It will be a highly specialized R&D center in 3D printing and composite materials, complementing the core activities of the parent unit. The main goal is to develop a thriving specialization in new composite materials and 3D printing materials. The project fosters innovation, entrepreneurship, and competitiveness, contributing to the creation of new jobs and supporting economic growth both regionally and nationally.
Additionally, the project will activate and coordinate R&D activities of small and medium enterprises in Greater Poland, provide access to prototypes for academia, and offer comprehensive support for conducting all work in one center. Market research indicates that the project responds to the demand for 3D printing and composite materials.
INFRASTAR Program
A crucial role was played by the participation of the Center for Advanced Technologies in the INFRASTAR program, which from 2021 to 2024 supported the maintenance of research centers equipped with advanced instruments through grants for the commercial use of infrastructure and its internationalization.
Grants from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education – SPUB
The unique laboratories of the Core Facility, Animal House, and Technological Hall at the Center received grants from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education (MNiSW) allocated to cover the costs related to the maintenance of scientific/research equipment and research stations:
• Specialized research laboratories of the Animal House at CAT AMU
(grant for 2021-2023 amounting to 3 400 000.00 PLN).
• Equipment for the 3D Printing and Composite Materials Research Center at CAT AMU
(grant for 2022-2024 amounting to PLN 869 700.00 PLN).
• Equipment for the Physicochemical Material Testing Laboratory (Core Facility) at CAT AMU
(grant for 2024-2026 amounting to 2 418 780.00 PLN).
Collaboration with External Entities
The openness of the research infrastructure, characterized by its multidisciplinary nature, which the Center for Advanced Technologies UAM currently possesses, significantly increases its utilization. It also allows for the development of research staff and the strengthening of capabilities to undertake increasingly ambitious and, most importantly, current research across a broad spectrum. Orders from external entities, including industrial partners, continuously professionalize the services provided by the Center and support the initiation of innovative research processes.
Additionally, at the end of 2023, the Center for Advanced Technologies UAM implemented the SEZA System (LINK: https://www.czt.seza.amu.edu.pl), which enables remote commissioning of analyses and access to the Center’s specialized research equipment on transparent and non-discriminatory terms.
Every year, the Center provides nearly one thousand paid services to various research groups within the University, as well as to other external scientific entities and economic entities. Several dozen companies actively and regularly use the Center’s infrastructure, which has also resulted in the signing of contracts for comprehensive research related to product development for industrial partners, as well as the direct transfer of ready-made solutions into business practice. These research activities are also conducted within the framework of research projects jointly obtained with business entities.