The smart³ project, funded jointly by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and the consortium partners, ran from January 2021 to June 2022 with a 50 % contribution from the ministry and the remaining 50 % from the participating institutions. The consortium, led by Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy and Energy System Technology (IWU) and coordinated by the smart³ e.V. network, brought together research institutes, industry partners and public institutions across Europe to advance smart materials. The overarching goal was to establish a sustainable, interdisciplinary network that could transition from research to industrial application and remain active beyond the funding period.
A key technical outcome was the development of a SQL‑based database that serves as a project‑management tool for the smart³ network. The system was designed according to a detailed specification, evaluated against existing solutions, and implemented to support data management, collaboration and reporting across the consortium. This platform underpins the strategic monitoring activities (AP 2.2) and facilitates the integration of results from scientific strategy workshops into the evolving smart³ roadmap. In addition, the project produced a knowledge‑management and intellectual‑property framework (AP 2.4) that analyses the protection‑right situation of partners, identifies gaps, and provides guidance on IP issues, with findings displayed on the network’s technology platform.
The project also delivered a mobile exhibition system, the NEUESwagen, which was showcased during a roadshow in September 2021 at two venues in Dresden and Berlin. The NEUESwagen carried standardized demonstration modules that highlighted the breadth of smart³ projects and the innovative products of partner companies. Visitors could interact with the modules, gaining insights into current research and potential applications. The roadshow reinforced the network’s visibility and fostered new project ideas, demonstrating the practical value of the consortium’s research outputs.
Scientific monitoring (AP 2.2) and the organization of research competitions (AP 2.3) were established to align ongoing projects with the strategic goals outlined in the smart³ roadmap. These activities ensured that the consortium’s research portfolio remained focused on the four technology fields identified in the roadmap and that new proposals were evaluated against the current state of knowledge. The project’s communication strategy (AP 1.5) included virtual advisory board meetings held via Microsoft Teams, reflecting the consortium’s adaptability during the COVID‑19 pandemic, and the dissemination of results through the smart³ website and social media channels.
The collaborative structure of the project emphasized interdisciplinary networking. During the symposium and subsequent roadshow, participants from academia, industry and public bodies exchanged ideas on future interdisciplinary projects and potential commercial applications of smart‑material research. Feedback from attendees confirmed the value of regular events, leading to a consensus on establishing an annual format with a high‑innovation agenda. The hybrid event model—combining expert presentations with outreach to the broader public—was retained to keep the wider community informed about smart materials and their uses.
In summary, the smart³ project achieved significant technical milestones, notably the creation of a dedicated database for project management, the deployment of a mobile exhibition platform, and the establishment of systematic monitoring and competition mechanisms. These outputs were delivered within a tightly coordinated consortium that leveraged both public and private funding, ensuring that the network’s scientific and commercial objectives are well positioned for continued growth and impact beyond the project’s original timeframe.