QWED SPOLKA Z OGRANICZONA ODPOWIEDZIALNOSCIA

Their core work

QWED is a Warsaw-based technology SME specializing in microwave engineering and near-field microwave measurement systems, with a particular focus on microwave microscopy — using GHz-frequency electromagnetic techniques to characterize materials at micro and nanoscale resolution. In H2020, they brought this specialized measurement capability into research consortia as a technology contributor, enabling non-destructive material analysis in the MMAMA project and then applying GHz nanoscale dielectric measurements to battery solid-electrolyte interfaces in NanoBat. Their value to a consortium is precise: they are the group that knows how to design, apply, and interpret microwave-based measurement systems where conventional techniques reach their limits. For businesses, they represent a direct path to advanced non-destructive characterization for quality control, materials R&D, or next-generation battery development.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

QWED's first H2020 project (MMAMA, 2017-2020) focused on microwave microscopy as a general-purpose tool for materials analysis in manufacturing contexts — no application-specific keywords were prominent, suggesting broad capability demonstration. Their second project (NanoBat, 2020-2023) shows a sharp thematic narrowing: the same GHz microwave measurement technology is now directed at a specific, high-value challenge — the solid-electrolyte interface in batteries — combined with nanotechnology and energy storage keywords. This is a textbook specialization move: prove the measurement platform broadly, then target it at a sector with clear commercial pull and EU research priority.

QWED is directing its microwave measurement expertise toward battery technology and nanoscale characterization — a field under intense EU funding pressure — which makes them a strong candidate for energy storage and solid-state battery consortia through Horizon Europe.

How they like to work

QWED has participated exclusively as a consortium partner across both projects, never taking on a coordinator role, which is consistent with their profile as a specialist technology contributor rather than a program manager. Their 2 RIA projects collectively engaged 19 unique partners — roughly 10 per consortium — meaning they work comfortably in medium-to-large multi-partner European research teams. This pattern suggests they are sought out for a specific instrumentation or measurement capability that other partners in the consortium cannot provide internally, making them a targeted technical plug-in rather than a generalist member.

QWED has built connections with 19 unique partners across 8 countries through just 2 projects, reflecting the broad multi-national RIA consortia they join. Their European footprint is well-distributed for a 2-project SME, pointing to active engagement in internationally competitive research calls rather than domestic-only networking.

What sets them apart

QWED occupies a narrow but defensible niche: GHz-frequency microwave microscopy is a highly specialized measurement technique that very few European SMEs focus on, making them a rare resource in consortium building. While larger institutes may have broader instrumentation portfolios, QWED's SME structure likely means faster access, more direct collaboration, and commercial flexibility compared to university or institute partners. For a consortium coordinator, they fill a specific measurement gap — non-destructive nanoscale electromagnetic characterization — that is increasingly relevant as battery research, advanced materials, and nanotechnology converge.

Highlights from their portfolio

• NanoBat
  Directly targets one of the most commercially urgent challenges in clean energy — characterizing the solid-electrolyte interface in next-generation batteries — using QWED's GHz microwave measurement tools, placing them at the intersection of nanotechnology and energy storage.
• MMAMA
  QWED's largest single project by EC funding (€387,750) and the foundational demonstration of their microwave microscopy platform for industrial materials analysis and production quality control.