ELIFOAM project aims to address the strategic needs of the ELI-NP White Book/TDRs. ELIFOAM is a collaboration between INFPLR (CO) and IFIN-HH (ELI-NP Target Laboratory) (P) with two fundamental objectives: I- Develop and deliver “ready to use” free-standing low-density carbon and boron foam targets to ELI-NP; II- Facilitate the knowledge transfer and involvement of young researches into ELI-NP area of interest to ensure sustainable development.

O1 (CO): Develop free-standing, low-Z carbon foam targets with near-critical densities, and isotropic morphology for PW-class laser–plasma experiments. The isotropy degree will be assessed by 2D Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) on SEM foams images, deposited by PVD (PLD, MAPLE, etc.).

O2 (P): Develop free-standing, low-Z boron foam targets by PVD, sol–gel combined with supercritical drying for aneutronic p–B fusion, maximizing proton flux, laser coupling and reducing bremsstrahlung emission.

O3 (CO&P): Target support design and target integration to ELI-NP experiments. O4 (CO&P): Conduct comprehensive target characterization (morphology, structure, composition, density, etc.).

O5 (CO&P): Validate carbon and boron foam targets in ELI-NP-relevant high-intensity experiments.

O6 (CO&P): Strengthen the ELI-NP&INFLPR role as a training hub by integrating young researchers in fabrication, characterization, and experimental validation;