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Interdisciplinary research project mSPACE: Europe united for battery research!
Prof. Dr. Delio Mugnolo leads the COST-funded “mSPACE” project at the FernUniversität Hagen on multiscale research.
Interdisciplinary research project mSPACE: Europe united for battery research!
On July 2, 2025, it was announced that a significant interdisciplinary project called “mSPACE” would be launched. Prof. Dr. Delio Mugnolo from the FernUniversität in Hagen leads this project, which is funded by the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST). The project aims to analyze and model multiscale systems and was initiated in 2024.
COST's financial support amounts to between 500,000 and 950,000 euros over a period of four years. The project involves 44 scientists from 19 different European countries, carrying out both theoretical and practical research, particularly in the area of industrial battery production. Multiscale systems considered in this context combine space, time and chance, creating versatile areas of application.
Research priorities and collaborations
An important part of the project is a working group that is working intensively on the movement of ions in porous media, a key topic in battery research. The initiative also promotes collaboration with multiple industries and research institutes in countries such as France, Sweden and England. Diversity is very important because 50% of applicants are women and scientists from structurally weak countries in Europe are also included.
Particularly worth mentioning is the involvement of artists who are supposed to help present mathematical results clearly. This transdisciplinary request underlines the innovative approach of the project.
COST and its role in European research
COST, founded on 22/23. November 1971, acts as an intergovernmental organization for networking scientific and technological research activities in Europe. Currently 41 European states are members, including 27 EU member states and numerous other partner states. The main goal of COST is to promote exchange between researchers, particularly through so-called COST actions, which run for four years.
These actions are focused on networking and exchange and include financial support for workshops, conferences and other networking activities, but not for direct research activities. Researchers can propose topics using a bottom-up principle, with participation taking place on an à la carte basis. The budget for each COST action is 125,000 euros in the first year and can increase to up to 150,000 euros in subsequent years, depending on the number of countries and people participating.
| Budget distribution | amount |
|---|---|
| First year | 125,000 EUR |
| Subsequent years | Up to 150,000 EUR |
By participating in COST actions, researchers can not only increase their visibility, but also facilitate access to new research funding such as the Horizon Europe program. The structural advantages of COST are manifold: they maximize the production of new knowledge, promote international collaborations, and create opportunities for the exchange and development of ideas.
The “mSPACE” project not only exemplifies ongoing research in the field of multiscale systems, but also illustrates how diverse and cooperative the European research landscape is today. The innovative approach of connecting different disciplines and involving different actors could be groundbreaking for future research initiatives.