CONFETI Annual Meeting: First year under the microscope

Reviewing CONFETI’s First Year of Progress and Project Planning at the First Annual Meeting

On November 5th and 6th, the CONFETI project held its first Annual Meeting at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) Campus, in Bellaterra (Barcelona). This milestone event brought together key members of all CONFETI partners to review the progress made during the first year of the project. The meeting was attended by representatives from UAB, CNRS, BIOO, CIEMAT, UANTWERPEN, and CSIC, among others. Participants discussed progress in various research areas, shared insights on current challenges, and explored next steps to further CONFETI's mission to develop sustainable and environmentally friendly fertilizers. The event provided an invaluable platform for collaboration and exchange among partners.

Spotlight on Research Presentations

The morning of November 5th began with presentations by young researchers on the progress of the project. Oriol González (UAB) opened the session, followed by contributions from Boya Wu and Masheer Ul Haq (CNRS), Kerly Sabina and Yanis Abid Charef (UAB), Pamela Khawandi (UANTWERPEN), Ilaria Berruti (CIEMAT), Pablo Rodríguez (CSIC), Antonio Solares (BIOO), and Anna Petit from UAB-ICTA. These presentations highlighted the impact of each researcher's contributions in key areas such as CO2 capture, nitrogen activation, and the development of the innovative CONFETI system. Their findings reinforced the project's commitment to achieving sustainable solutions through cutting-edge science.

Work Package Progress Reports

On November 6th, the meeting continued with detailed presentations on the eight Work Packages (WPs) that drive CONFETI's goals. Each WP leader presented their group's work, including WP2 on CO2/N Capture & Activation Materials, WP3 on Electrochemical CO2/N2 Valorization, WP4 on Photochemical CO2/NO3 Valorization, WP5 on the Self-powered Fertilization System, and WP6 on Environmental and Economic Impact & System Validation. These reports provided insights into the interdisciplinary research efforts and the synergies among the partners, and laid a solid foundation for future achievements.

Looking ahead: Strengthening Collaboration and Innovation

The CONFETI Annual Meeting highlighted the power of collaboration to drive sustainable innovation. Attendees discussed upcoming milestones, strategic goals, and methods for overcoming potential challenges. The event not only celebrated the project's achievements, but also reaffirmed each partner's commitment to transforming CO2 and Nitrogen management in agriculture.