We are pleased to invite you to the Next-Gen Nanocoatings: Accelerating Antimicrobial Innovation with Modeling & AI workshop, taking place during Smart Materials and Surfaces 2025 in Rome on 30 October 2025!
The full-day event, organized by three leading Horizon Europe projects – RELIANCE, NOVA and NANOBLOC – will explore cutting-edge advancements in antimicrobial nanocoatings. Through a unique blend of digital modeling, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) principles, the event will highlight the synergistic power of digital tools and advanced materials science to reshape innovation, from fundamental research to real-world industrial deployment.
This workshop is an exceptional networking opportunity, designed to bring together scientists, industry leaders and policymakers in our collective mission to strengthen antimicrobial resilience. The day is tailored to a diverse interdisciplinary audience of researchers, innovators, regulators and industry practitioners!
Learn more about the workshop’s mission, sessions and main topics here
All workshop participants are entitled to a conference fee discount.
Register at Setcor – Home by creating an account first. To receive the discount code, email Ms. Alexia Nardin at alexia.nardin@setcor.org with the subject RELIANCE-NOVA-NANOBLOC joint workshop.
Minimal consumption of chemistry and energy with maximum effectiveness is possible.
To have maximum and lasting effect, the sustainable antimicrobial active ingredients developed in the RELIANCE project should be pure and stay on the surfaces of products. Even better if this can be achieved without the help of additives and solvents, and ideally, consuming as little energy as possible. Without forgetting that it shouldn’t cost too much.
All these benefits are now possible with atmospheric plasma deposition, named by RELIANCE partner MPG “molecular plasma coating”. Simply put, it works by replacing aggressive chemical energy with a little bit of electricity. An electrical field excites an inert gas like nitrogen, creating a “plasma” (like in the neon lamps). This “cold” plasma is then used to apply coatings and permanently bond organic molecules onto any substrate.
PlasmaLine linear head: homogeneous plasma coating of 40 cm width
The plasma excites the surface and the chemistry, they react, and here we go with having a coated, functional surface. This can be done on an industrial scale.
Contrary to other plasma processes, this one takes place at atmospheric pressure, room temperature and at extremely low energy levels. Unlike the previous vacuum-based batch processes, the cold atmospheric plasma process is continuous. It is both environmentally sustainable and enables working with highly sensitive molecules such as the peptides being developed in the RELIANCE project. The bonus for healthcare applications is the possibility to use pure active ingredients, without the need for solvents, binders or curing agents that often become a biocompatibility hurdle. The low energy and temperature plasma allows for a wider range of organic chemistry and biomolecules, which is the main reason it was chosen as one of the coating methods in the RELIANCE project.
Tangible reduction in environmental impact
MPG’s process numbers speak for themselves when evaluating impact on the environment. The consumption of chemical precursors is in the order of less than 1 milligram per square meter of treated area, compared to grams for traditional coatings. The use of energy is in the order of 0,002 kWh per square meter when treating films continuously, almost negligible compared to the energy needed to cure and dry traditional wet coatings.
A European technology with EU support from member states Molecular Plasma Group was created as a spin-off from the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST) and the Flemish Institute for Technology Development (VITO). Its revolutionary cold atmospheric plasma technology has been described as ‘magic’ due to its limitless application potential. It is already being used in healthcare, aerospace, automotive, electronics and other applications. The machines are made in Belgium from mostly EU-sourced components.
For more information about this revolutionary technology, contact Molecular Plasma Group, Luxembourg
Authors: Dimitris G. Mintis, Marco Dompé, Panagiotis D. Kolokathis, Jasper van der Gucht, Antreas Afantitis and Vlasis G. Mavrantzas
Abstract
We study the microstructural properties and state of hydration of aqueous low-molecular-weight poly(N,N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA) solutions and their dependence on polymer concentration and pH by means of detailed atomistic Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations and experiments. For infinitely dilute solutions with a degree of polymerization of N = 30 at basic pH conditions, no temperature dependence is observed on the overall shape and state of hydration of the polyelectrolyte. This is supported by the experimental component of our work according to which the hydrodynamic radius, Rh, does not change dramatically with temperature. Small, but not drastic, changes are observed for solutions with longer PDMAEMA chains (N = 50, 70, and 110). Although the MD simulations demonstrate that temperature and salt do affect the strength of hydrophobic interactions between PDMAEMA and water, apparently these effects are not strong enough to cause drastic changes to the overall shape of the polymer. MD simulations also reveal that Na+ salt ions strongly interact with the oxygen atoms located at the side chain of the polyelectrolyte. While no significant changes in the global shape or state of hydration of the PDMAEMA chain are found, a strong dependence is revealed for the aggregation behavior of the polymer on temperature and salt in slightly more concentrated solutions. A structural transition from a collapsed coil to a stretched conformation is also observed as we move from basic to acidic pH conditions, which is strongly correlated with the degree of chain rigidity as a function of pH.
Every project exists within its environment, and its success is, to some extent, influenced by external factors – this is especially important for innovative projects that cannot rely on the example of existing ones. This makes PESTLE an important tool in support of innovative projects, such as RELIANCE.
WHAT IS PESTLE? PESTLE is a strategic management tool that contains a simple structure that enables a systematic assessment of external factors that can potentially impact the project’s success.
As its name suggests, PESTLE is about assessing the Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Legal, and Environmental factors connected to the project’s objectives. It helps in understanding the project’s macro-environment, identifying potential threats and opportunities for innovation, and supporting marketing and communication strategies.
Political factors refer to elements such as political stability in the region, the regulatory environment, funding policies, and R&D incentives. These are particularly important for research projects relying on public funding. These aspects will also impact the investment levels, which in turn affect the market uptake of the innovative products.
Economic factors include aspects such as economic growth/slowdown, business investment, interest and inflation rates, public spending, spending habits, labour costs, raw material costs, and exchange rates. These elements will impact the market uptake of innovations.
Social factors involve population growth, age, lifestyle, attitudes, and opinions. Their characteristics are determinant for the success of an innovation in the market.
Technological factors include factors such as the level of innovation in the area, the technological maturity of the market concerned, technological awareness, and new ways of communicating.
Legal factors include consumer rights and laws, as well as product labelling and product safety standards. They are particularly important for innovative products.
Environmental factors relate to environmental changes that can affect business practices, as well as to the environment-related policies.
WHEN TO START WITH PESTLE? PESTLE can be highly valuable from the very conception of the research project. From early stages, it helps identify the opportunities that the environment offers and the threats that can challenge the project and its results.
PESTLE should be conducted at important milestones of a research project to reassess the project’s feasibility in a constantly evolving world.
RELIANCE partners came together on July 9th in the vibrant city of Ghent for a highly productive two-day meeting to report on significant work progress and achieved results. The dynamic sessions were rich in exciting technical updates that underscored the project’s forward momentum in the development of advanced antimicrobial materials aimed at creating safer spaces. The meeting served as a beneficial platform for partners to update on various work packages and discuss future strategies, demonstrating the project’s continued evolution towards its ambitious goals. Key highlights from the technical sessions included remarkable progress in textile validation and the development of two novel families of antimicrobial additives.
Partners reported excellent results in the creation of protective clothing for the medical and pharmaceutical applications. This involved the careful selection of fabrics suitable for these demanding environments, which underwent advanced treatments and were rigorously tested and validated for properties such as antimicrobial effectiveness and water repellency. The consortium was happy with the outcome, confirming promising prototypes that demonstrate strong potential for real-world use in safeguarding health.
Meanwhile, work package 2 has successfully advanced the synthesis of two new additive families: smart-released Cu-SMIN encapsulating essential oils for targeted, sustained antimicrobial action and Cu-SMIN, which harnesses antimicrobial peptides for potent contact-killing performance. Early testing delivered impressive antimicrobial activity with the AMP-based formulation showing more than 80% inhibition against the Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) and above 70% inhibition against E. coli. The team is now working towards scaling up production of each additive, for broader application.
Upon technical discussions’ conclusion, our hospitable host Centexbel gave us an interesting tour of their cutting-edge textile research, testing and validation facilities and processes. The day concluded with the consortium partners also enjoying Ghent’s rich culture, with a guided tour of the city center and refreshing stops at popular drink and dine locals, offering delicious food and delightful social time. We were introduced to some of Ghent’s most iconic landmarks, including the majestic Gravensteen Castle, the historic Ghent Belfry – a UNESCO World Heritage Site and medieval bell tower symbolizing the city’s independence – and the magnificent St. Bavo’s Cathedral, home to the legendary Ghent Altarpiece. This masterpiece by the Van Eyck brothers is renowned as one of the most influential works of early Northern Renaissance art, celebrated for its intricate detail and groundbreaking use of oil paint.
Adding to the charm of the experience was Ghent’s unique dusk setting at the confluence of the Lys and Scheldt rivers, which weave through the city and lend a serene and romantic atmosphere to its lively streets and historic architecture.
As RELIANCE continues to push the boundaries of smart, sustainable surface technology, meetings like these are vital touchpoints for sharing knowledge and reinforcing the strong partnerships and spirit of collaboration driving the project forward.
As part of RELIANCE activities, POLYRISE is leading the development of innovative, sustainable sol-gel nano-coatings, designed to protect consumer goods, household appliances, and industrial components from damage caused by factors such as scratches and chemical agents. In addition to their protective function, the coatings also offer combined easy-to-clean and new antimicrobial properties.
A key objective of the project is to demonstrate the application of these coatings on final product parts. Components made of glass or stainless steel, commonly used in home appliances like refrigerators, have become a central focus, and POLYRISE is concentrating efforts on applying the new RELIANCE coatings to such materials.
On a broader scale, RELIANCE aims not only to create coatings and products with antimicrobial functionality for end users, but also to advance material design, chemical formulation, and application processes that are more sustainable and safer for both human health and the environment. This ambition reflects evolving societal values and the growing demand from European citizens for sustainable products.
In this context, new water-based, fluorine-free formulations have been developed to produce hydrophobic and oleophobic silica-based coatings. From application process side, POLYRISE have selected the electrostatic bell spraying technology, a highly efficient spraying technique to prepare coated glass or stainless-steel parts. This technology is offered by POLYRISE’s French partner SAMES, one of the major manufacturers in the world of complete painting systems for various industries. The internal charge technology of the electrostatic bell atomizer from Sames Nanocoat range.
Initial coating trials used the PPH707 SAMES atomizer, which employs internal charge technology. This equipment ensures high transfer efficiency, precise deposition, and excellent aesthetic quality of the coating formulation. The first successful series of applications included transparent glass parts and metal door handles, all finished with high visual and functional quality.
At this stage, the coatings applied have not yet incorporated antimicrobial properties. Instead, the focus has been on achieving easy-to-clean surfaces with high transparency, robust mechanical performance, and chemical resistance. Work is ongoing to integrate innovative antimicrobial and sustainable nanoparticles developed specifically for RELIANCE. The next step is the deposition of sol-gel coatings that include these antimicrobial features, fully aligned with RELIANCE’s goals.
These encouraging results point out exciting future opportunities for industry, offering sustainable coating solutions across a variety of applications, with meaningful societal and environmental benefits.
On 23 May 2025, the RELIANCE project was featured at the 1st Swiss Sustainable Polymer Conference (SSPC) in Fribourg, Switzerland. This inaugural event marked a significant milestone as the first nationwide Swiss platform dedicated to fostering dialogue and collaboration between science and industry in the field of sustainable polymers.
The conference brought together researchers, industry representatives, startups, and public stakeholders, offering a rich programme of expert presentations, laboratory tours, and innovation showcases focused on the sustainable transformation of the plastics industry.
RELIANCE was presented by Prof. Roger Marti from The School of Engineering and Architecture (HEIA-FR), who introduced the project through a poster and a dedicated booth. The presentation highlighted RELIANCE’s ambitious work in developing bio-based, circular-by-design polymers, and its contributions to the European Union’s green transition goals. The booth attracted strong interest, especially from stakeholders eager to understand how RELIANCE’s approach can contribute to a more sustainable, low-carbon polymer economy. The event provided an excellent platform to raise awareness of the project, foster connections with like-minded initiatives, and explore potential avenues for collaboration.
Key Themes of the SSPC Conference:
Circular economy and sustainable design
The circular economy is a transformative model that aims to eliminate waste and promote the continuous use of resources. Key principles of this concept were explored, including the prevention of waste through design, the retention of products and materials in use, and the regeneration of natural systems. Case studies of successful initiatives of circular economy were presented, demonstrating the economic, environmental and social benefits of this sustainable approach.
Biopolymers
Biopolymers are a sustainable alternative to conventional plastics. This section covered the development, applications and environmental benefits of biopolymers. Presentations covered different types of biopolymers, their biodegradability and the potential they offer for reducing our dependence on fossil fuels. The session also addressed key challenges in production, performance and market acceptance.
Recycling
In this session, the latest technologies and methods for recycling polymers were explored. Presentations showcased mechanical and chemical recycling processes, innovations in sorting and processing technologies, and the economic and environmental benefits of effective polymer recycling. The focus was on overcoming current challenges and scaling these technologies to make a significant impact on reducing plastic waste.
Check the poster presented during the conference here.
On June 5, 2025, the RELIANCE project was showcased during the Master’s Degree Open Day hosted by the Faculty of Sciences at the University of Rome Tor Vergata, in Rome.
The event served as a platform to present RELIANCE as a significant example of the opportunities offered through European-funded research initiatives. The presentation focused on the project’s core objectives, including enhancing data-driven research, ensuring reproducibility, and collaborative infrastructures in science. These goals align closely with the European Union’s broader agenda for open science and innovation.
Students attending the Open Day were invited to engage in meaningful dialogue with RELIANCE researchers, exploring how involvement in European projects can positively influence academic and professional pathways. Discussions centered on the practical impact of EU-funded research in fostering innovation, promoting international collaboration, and supporting interdisciplinary careers.
The participation of RELIANCE at the event reinforced the university’s commitment to bridging academic learning with real-world research. It also inspired future scientists to contribute to transformative initiatives shaping the future of science.
This premier event for the biosensor community, the largest in the field, celebrated its 35th anniversary with a lineup of high-quality plenary speakers and oral talks. Taking place from 19 to 22 May 2025 in Lisbon, Portugal, this meeting has catalysed interactions gathering a wide range of stakeholders to further this ever-expanding area.
The programme also featured daily plenary presentations followed by parallel sessions comprising a rigorously selection of submitted papers and interactive poster sessions.
The main topics of the conference encompassed:
Bioelectronics (including biocomputing, biofuel and photovoltaic cells, and electronic noses)
Commercial biosensors, manufacturing and markets
Nucleic acid-based sensors and aptasensors
Enzyme-based biosensors
Immunosensors
Lab-on-a-chip, multiplexed and multimodal sensors
Microfluidics and immobilisation technology
Wearable biosensors and personal mobile health
Nano biosensors, nanomaterials & nanoanalytical systems
Natural & synthetic receptors (including MIPs)
Organism-, whole cell- and organ-based biosensors
Printed biosensors and microfabrication
Proteomics, single-cell analysis and cancer-cell detection
Signal transduction technology
Single molecule detection
Theranostics, implantable, ingestible and resorbable sensors
CRISPR-based biosensors
Novel transducers
Synthetic biology for biosensors
AI and machine learning in biosensors
Our partners from the University of Rome Tor Vergata (UNITOV) presented RELIANCE results with a poster titled ‘Electrochemical paper-based device for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 on the surface’ that highlighted the importance of paper-based immunosensors for detecting viruses on surfaces.
The method applied by UNITOV utilizes magnetic beads as a support for the sandwich-type immunological chain, which, due to its high surface/volume ratio, enables the loading of a high number of antibodies, thereby improving sensitivity. For electrochemical measurements, they functionalised the working electrode by drop-casting with carbon black, demonstrating improved sensitivity using this affordable nanomaterial.
Happening on 8 May 2025, the INFOHappening Coating, Finishing & Printing took place in Centexbel facilities, located in Zwijnaarde, Belgium. Focusing on discovering innovative, environmentally conscious solutions in materials science and industrial technology, the event showcased a diverse range of innovations aimed at advancing sustainable materials and circular economy solutions.
Key topics included recent breakthroughs in coating and finishing technologies, such as the development of durable water-repellent and antimicrobial finishes for textiles, and eco-friendly flame-retardant coatings tailored for mycelium-based panels. They also explored the use of plasma technology to enhance textile functionality and adhesion, as well as smart textiles designed for harvesting waste heat. The programme also highlighted the use of renewable aromatics in textile coatings and the development of biobased, sustainable polyurethanes. Additionally, it delved into the transformation of large-format prints into clean resources through deinking technologies and examined the role of industrial symbiosis and extended producer responsibility (EPR) in fostering effective circular economy practices.
The RELIANCE project was featured in the conference through a presentation by project partner Centexbel. Brecht Demedts delivered a talk titled “Combined Durable Water-Repellent and Antimicrobial Finish for Textiles”, showcasing Centexbel’s cutting-edge research within the scope of RELIANCE. The presentation also explored the broader landscape of textile coating innovations, with a focus on the development of textiles that repel water and combat microbes using copper-doped mesoporous silica nanoparticles. These advanced coatings are designed to provide both water repellency and antimicrobial protection, aligning with the RELIANCE project’s mission to foster sustainable and high-performance textile technologies.
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