Innovation in the preparation and application of functionalized nanostructures in the fields of food, biomedicine, cosmetics and water decontamination technology

Provider: MPO

The Nanoprogress cluster has created and continuously continues to create, through implemented R&D projects focused on nanotechnology, a broad knowledge base in the field of preparation of nanofibrous structures, which can be followed up with another research project going to development of their own products based on nanofibrous structures and thus enabling their innovation needs to be fulfilled.

The goal of the project is to implement this research program and create a knowledge base with pre-competitive nature of research outputs in the following selected areas:

Innovation in the preparation of nanostructures using AC electrospinning (alternating current spinning technology). The technological process of laying nanofibers on base materials and the spatial distribution of spinning electrodes together with the adaptation of their geometry in order to achieve the highest possible homogeneity of the prepared flat nanofiber layers with the necessary physical, mechanical and useful properties will be researched.
Advanced methods of modifying different types of filter membranes in order to achieve their electrical conductivity for biological water decontamination and biofouling reduction
Implementation of membrane technologies in food technology, both in the conventional (filtration of edible vegetable oils) and in the highly innovative technological part (influence of nutritional and sensory properties of edible oils, removal of residues of substances detrimental to human health).
Functionalization of linear nanofibrous structures for innovative surgical suture materials to develop surgical sutures with antimicrobial and other added properties.
Development of 3D-bioprinting technology based on biomaterials, stem cells and biologically active substances for regenerative medicine and tissue engineering.
Functionalization of nanofibrous materials through natural substances for innovative medical, cosmetic and hygiene preparations.
Research and development of nanofiber detectors for allergens and pollutants, detectors for monitoring the quality of the indoor environment of buildings and air sample collectors for monitoring the quality of the outside air. The detectors will be developed for the capture of specific molecules with the aim of using the huge surface of the nanostructure for the molecules capture, both for non-specific capture and for specific capture by modifying the physico-chemical properties of the nanofibers' surface or by modifying them with specific antibodies with which the molecules react.