Category: News

Polymers 2024 Conference was co-organized by the MDPI open access journal Polymers, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and BIOMAC project, and Exelisis Co. from May 28 to 31, 2024 at the prestigious War Museum in Athens, Greece. This year’s motto of the event “Polymers for a Safe and Sustainable Future” reflects the research efforts of the polymer scientists to transition to producing environmentally friendly, safe, and non-toxic polymers that could be fully recycled or are completely degradable shortly after their use.

RELIANCE project was presented with an oral presentation by David De Smet, a researcher in Textile Functionalization and Surface Modification in Centexbel. The title of his presentation was ‘A pathway to green polyurethanes for textiles’, showcasing the results of the wash resistant biobased PU coating during the session dedicated to “Biobased and Biodegradable Polymers – Green Monomer Synthesis By Design”.

“Polymers 2024” is an international conference covering the latest progress and innovations in the fields of polymers for the production of new materials and additives for a safe and sustainable world. The latest findings in the scientific field of polymers, with a particular emphasis on the synthesis of safe polymers with unique properties for human health and environmental sustainability and green polymer chemistry were in the focus of the discussions and conference sessions.

Find out more about the conference here.

The Panhellenic Chemical Engineering Conference (PESXM) is a reference point for the professional, scientific, and educational community of Greek Chemical Engineers, offering them the opportunity to meet, exchange ideas and results, make new connections, and establish new collaborations.

Taking place from 29 to 31 May, in the sunny city of Thessaloniki, the 2024 edition of PESXM main goals was to to explore, encourage, and promote the cooperation between institutions engaged in primary and applied research, with the goal of creating innovative products and/or processes capable of ensuring the robust operation of the domestic supply chain.

As such, the scope of the 14th PESXM included the following topics: Health and Safety, Quality Assurance, Applied Chemistry, Energy, Circular Economy and Zero Waste, Pharmaceutical Technology, Polymers and Nanocomposites, Physical Chemistry and Thermodynamics, and Transport Phenomena. The PESMX was co-hosted by all Chemical Engineering Departments and Institutes in Greece and Cyprus, including the University of Patras (UPAT).

Recent experimental studies have determined the effectiveness of small keratin-derived antimicrobial peptides (KAMPs) with no ordered structure against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. However, little is known about the structural dynamics of KAMPs, and how their aggregation propensity affects their antimicrobial activity. As a first step to their analysis, the team from UPAT has sought to elucidate the structural dynamics of KAMPs in dilute and semi-dilute solutions, in order to lay the groundwork for the study of their mechanism of action. Based on their findings, interaction motifs between residues (e.g. arginine-tyrosine among others) that lead to ordered structures were identified. By properly altering these motifs, one can design de novo AMPs and variants of KAMPs that have an unordered structure.

RELIANCE partners from UPAT did an presentation of their work during the conference, related to the structural dynamics of keratin-derived antimicrobial peptides (KAMPs) in dilute and semi-dilute solutions. In more detail, Panagiotis Panagopoulos Papageorgiou covered their approach on the examination of intra- and inter-peptide amino acid interactions that lead to the formation of ordered – albeit transient – secondary structure elements.

Read the full abstract here.

The spring blossoms in May, flourishing in possibilities for RELIANCE synergy activities as well. As an important tool to broaden the impact of collaborative EU projects, they remain key enablers for knowledge exchange and capacity-building, fostering opportunities for enlarging their reach.

RELIANCE and sister project MIRIA recently held a dedicated meeting to discuss more closely potential cooperation. MIRIA focuses on developing a wide range of antimicrobial nanocoatings for use in hospitals and other settings where cross-contamination and contagion risks are significantly high. The coatings they develop will be validated in a semi-real environment of an operating theater, very closely resembling the ones in hospitals. In addition to the differences in the coating deposition techniques applied in the projects, MIRIA’s coatings are primarily based on the use of nanopowders, with graphene being in the limelight. Besides having Millidyne as a common partner, another point of convergence relies on the employment of sol-gel coating formulations on various substrates, such as textiles, polymers, glass, and metals, while using same antiviral material like the Influenza virus and SARS-CoV-2.

Some actions deliberated upon by the projects’ teams were joint presentations in workshops and webinars, working together in the area of socio-economic impact analysis of the innovative coatings, testing and validation of these new technologies, comparing the antiviral and antimicrobial aspects and the efficiency of the different coatings.

Just few days earlier, RELIANCE and NANOBLOC coordination and Communication-Dissemination teams conducted a productive introductory discussion to explore the potential cooperation. Both projects focus on designing and developing high-performance, sustainable nanocoatings with enhanced antimicrobial, antiviral, and antifungal properties for various industrial applications. The teams discussed the differences in their coating deposition technologies too.

They identified high potential for collaborating, such as producing dissemination materials that highlight the variations in antimicrobial nanocoatings techniques and their impact on aging, durability, ecotoxicity, and microbial response efficiency. Another collaborative activity could involve publishing of co-authored recommendations for new standards in antimicrobial coatings characterization, tailored to specific applications.

By combining efforts, RELIANCE, MIRIA, and NANOBLOC can jointly explore diverse possibilities, enhancing the projects’ impact and working together to promote safer and healthier surfaces through innovative nanocoating technologies in the EU.

Stay tuned for more updates on our collaborative journey!

The 5^th edition of the International Conference “CBRNE Research and Innovation” was held at the “Palais de la Musique et des Congrès” in Strasbourg, France, March 19- 21, 2024. The event focused on addressing challenges related to chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive materials and agents (CBRNE).

The conference covered various aspects including detection, identification, protection, decontamination, medical countermeasures, and risks and crisis management. Attendees, among whom researchers, responders and industry professionals, gathered to discuss and provide adapted responses to these critical challenges. The conference featured scientific updates, responders’ feedback, workshops, and demonstrations of innovative materials and technologies. Both civilian and military personnel contributed to an atmosphere of innovation and collaboration.

During the poster sessions, RELIANCE was showcased with 2 presentations from the University of Rome tor Vergata. Elisa Recchia presented a poster titled “Essential Oils as Potential Antimicrobial Agents for Biological Threats”. This topic was part of RELIANCE project activities, focused on the design and development of smart response self-disinfectant antimicrobial nanocoatings based on a new range of smart antimicrobial nanoparticles modified with bio-based bioactive compounds – antimicrobial peptides and essential oils.

Luca Fiore also presented a poster, titled: “Paper-based device for monitoring the effectiveness of environmentally friendly antimicrobial coating”, which demonstrated the ability to detect essential oils on the surface using a paper-based device, with the advantage of simplicity, sustainability, and providing broad and promising applications for detection of these compounds.

The conference provided a platform for sharing insights, fostering collaboration, and advancing research in the field of CBRNE agents.

Advancing Antimicrobial Nanocoating Technologies Community Day is a key event during the MaterialsWeek 2024!  Organized by the Horizon Europe projects  NOVA, RELIANCE, STOP, and SUSAAN, it is dedicated to the advancement of antimicrobial coating technologies.  An excellent networking opportunity, aiming to bridge diverse scientific communities, from scientists to industry leaders, in our collective fight against the transmission of disease through surfaces.
 

Join us on June 17^th in Limassol, Cyprus as we explore the latest in antimicrobial coating technologies, fostering a safer future!

Conference Programme

Conference Registration

RELIANCE project partners from The School of Engineering and Architecture (HEIA-FR) participated in the MPG Academy Workshop on Functional Coatings, organized by Molecular Plasma Group in Leuven, Belgium, on February 22 and 23, 2024.

Several leading-edge researchers presented their findings in an exciting program, in which the presenters shared their insights and expertise on utilizing Molecular Plasma Group’s cutting-edge plasma technology in their research endeavors. The presentations provided valuable information and served as a source of knowledge and inspiration for all attendees.

Among the participants representing universities, Research, and Technology Organizations (RTOs) who got actively involved in thought-provoking discussions and enthusiastic engagement transformed this event into a vibrant opportunity for collaboration and knowledge exchange.

The attendees’ expertise and valuable contributions played a pivotal role in making this workshop an exceptional success, with an impressive turnout of approximately 50 participants and an engaging lineup of 13 high-quality presentations.

The program included the following presentations:

• Plenary lecture – Michael R. Wertheimer, Polytechnique Montreal: Industrialized Plasma Processing: A Personal Perspective
• Fernando Alba Elias, Universidad de la Rioja: Applications of atmospheric cold plasma in the Food and Medical industry.
• Roberto Quintana, LIST: Atmospheric plasma deposition processes engineering for functional coatings.
• Navid Mostofi Sarkari, KUL-MTM: Application of MPG Aerosol-assisted atmospheric pressure plasma polymerization technology for developing ice phobic surfaces.
• Tijs Dekoster, IMEC: Aerosol assisted plasma deposition from a physicochemical point of view.
• Stijn Van Vrekhem, Centexbel: Plasma technology for the textile and plastics industry.
• Guillaume Nonglaton, CEA-LETI: Advancing Micro and Nanotechnologies for Healthcare: CEA-Leti’s Cutting-Edge Surface Functionalization Platform.  
• Camilo Rendon Piedrahita, LIST: Superhydrophobic coatings deposited using atmospheric pressure plasma.
• Arunjunai Raj Mahendran, Wood Kplus: Enhancing the Properties of sustainable materials through Plasma Deposition: Development and Applications.
• Lieze Dankers, KUL-MeBioS: Carboxylic acid linker-layer created with atmospheric cold plasma technology for standardized and improved biomolecule immobilization on polymer surfaces.
• Elena Contreras Garcia, CTCR: Adhesion improvement of footwear through plasma technology.
• Hatice Ferda Özgüzar, KUL-MTM: Aerosol-assisted atmospheric pressure plasma polymerization to create thiol-rich coatings on titanium implants using 3-(mercaptopropyl) trimethoxysilane.
• Dirk Vangeneugden, VITO: Faster battery charging thanks to plasma discharge.

We are united in the goal of breaking new ground in the realm of functional coatings, paving the way for state-of-the-art innovations that transcend specific industries.

More moments of exchange during the workshop below.

RELIANCE project partners were excited to attend the info session on the proposed EU partnership under Horizon Europe programme “Innovative Advanced Materials for Europe” (IAM4EU)

Briefly, the agenda was focused on familiarization with the newly proposed public-private partnership’s ambition, its suggested implementation and first outline of the Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA), based on the input from all relevant stakeholders’ communities.

The session defined advanced materials as intentionally designed materials possessing new or enhanced properties and targeted structural features to achieve specific or improved functional performance. In the context of policy making, they are seen as key enablers and innovator drivers for the Green Deal and Digital Transition due to an increasing customer demand for circular, safe and sustainable products.

The partnership ambition was framed within strengthening the EU’s resilience and strategic autonomy through accelerating advanced materials research and technology development, scaling up their innovation and manufacturing capacity as well as stepping up their industrial uptake.

The meeting evolved with defining a common vision for relevant stakeholders in the field, namely, to ensure EU industrial leadership for advanced materials through mobilising R&I investments at all levels and supporting innovative EU companies to improve their competitiveness. It further elaborated on 5 pillar actions outlined in the draft strategy: European R&I, Lab to Fab, Capital Investment and Finance, Production and Use, and Governance.

Lastly, the attendees were introduced to the guiding principles of IAM4EU partnership:

• Cover all the segments of the materials value chain, as well as technologies and infrastructures (making use of, supporting and/or developing) enabling an accelerated design, development and uptake of IAMs.
• Support the full IAMs innovation cycle (from basic research to innovation uptake)
• Recognize the key enabling role of all types of IAMs.
• As a co-programmed partnership with industry, to ensure that research investments meet industrial needs and boost uptake into marketable products.

 Source: www.ami2030.eu

The last two months have been pretty hectic for RELIANCE partners as we have been working hard summing up and organizing the first 18-month period of the project, while getting ready to report first results and achievements to the project monitoring experts of the European Commission.

The 1^st Review Meeting we held in February 2024. It went in a cooperative and friendly spirit of an open dialogue, sharing consortium impressive progress on the development of innovative, high performance antimicrobial coatings. The novel copper silica mesoporous nanoparticles (Cu-SMIN) represent a genuine topic of interest due to the new class of biocidal additives with a synergistic mode of action and low impact on the environment. The efforts so far have been focused on obtaining the Cu-SMIN structure and the initial optimization of the synthesis conditions for the nanoparticles. Various methods for incorporating copper on the SMIN particles are being explored and the activities on nanoparticles functionalization with essential oils is in progress.  With regard to the second family of additives, the AMP-functionalized Cu-SMIN for enhanced contact killing action, several antimicrobial peptides have been extracted from keratin, with proved antiviral and antibacterial activity.

With regard to the green synthesis of sustainable binder formulations for the nanocoatings, partners were eager to share that the project is on track with the development of fluorine-free hybrid (inorganic-organic) sol-gel based coatings that are considered for use with home appliances. The initial expectations regarding easy-to-clean performance combined with mechanical resistance, good aesthetic appearance and resistance to cleaning agents was upgraded in the course of the project, with oleophobicity being additionally investigated.  Another big challenge that we undertook from the beginning was to formulate liquid with lowest possible content of volatile organic solvent.

The nanostructuration techniques have been optimized, with certain methods achieving excellent results and others needing more work. Partners have been developing a process of fabrics pretreatment with hydrogels based on natural components, free of persistent chemicals.

Throughout the lifespan of RELIANCE, sustainability is at the core in all phases of the value chain. Some of our forthcoming activities comprise the full life cycle assessment of selected bioactives and nanocoatings, including “cradle to cradle” environmental footprint and economic validation of the novel developments, offering the possibility to explore additional market applications. The toxicity of novel mesoporous nanoparticles and nanocoatings are to be addressed with an eco- and cyto-toxicological regulatory evaluation which will be completed with in-vivo tests.

RELIANCE consortium continues its research and creative work towards achieving project’s ambitious objectives, pleased with the positive evaluation of the Commission and taking into account its recommendations. Stay tuned and connect with us on social media for breakthrough news and more insights on our path from the lab to the demo use cases.

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Pathogens contributing to spread of infections can cause considerable cost in human life and economic damage. It is estimated that only antimicrobial resistance infections are responsible for 110,000 deaths and 1.5 billion EUR per year in healthcare costs and productivity losses.

The saying “All roads lead to Rome” had certainly held true for RELIANCE partners who gathered last week in the ancient city spread on seven hills, for their 6^th management meeting.

The event hosted by the University of Rome Tor Vergata and Policlinico Militare di Roma comprised a busy schedule, dense with presentations on work progress, challenges encountered on the way and effective solutions for alleviating potential repercussions on follow on activities of interconnected packages.

The project has entered its mid phase, expected to deliver more than 10 deliverables by the end of May, and reach two more milestones, deriving from the completion of the development and up-scaling of the copper doped silica mesoporous nanoparticles, their antimicrobial functionalization and the development of the nanoparticles’ dispersion matrix as well as the development and upscaling of the organic coating formulations.

Along with that, the consortium is preparing for its first Review Meeting in February, to report on results and key achievements. Opportunities to continue coordinating next steps were not missed even during coffee and lunch breaks while enjoying the delicious Italian cuisine and flavorful espresso.

Excited with the impressive research progress it had scored so far, the group was happy to delve into an insightful tour of Rome and learn more about the history of the Colosseum and the gladiator battles, Basilica of San Clemente, Basilica di San Giovanni, the Vatican and so much more. Despite the drizzle, it was a beautiful evening, dissolving into a cozy dinner embraced with the fragrance of homemade bread and pasta, lively chatter, laughter and optimism for what’s next. 

The Medical Biodefense Conference (MBDC), held on October 22 – 25, 2023, in Munich, Germany, is the world’s largest specialist conference in the field of medical biodefence, bringing together experts from science, politics and the security and health sector from all over the world. It provides a platform to discuss strategies and research on measures against biological threats, that can be applied in natural disease outbreaks as well as in bioterrorist attacks.
Despite the current international crises and armed conflicts, the organisers managed to put together a full and scientifically valuable programme with over 70 talks and more than 130 poster presentations, with around 450 attendees.
Over two and a half days, participants presented and discussed a wide range of biosecurity-related topics: from decontamination of ships, application of innovative bioinformatics developments and new findings in biotoxin research to clinical cases and the potential use of bacteriophages in diagnostics and therapy. (Source https://go4bsb.de/node/284)

What were the main topics the conference covered?

• Antibiotics, Antivirals and Medical Countermeasures
• Bacteriophages for Diagnostics and Therapeutics
• Big Data for Surveillance and Outbreaks
• Bioforensics
• Biological Toxins
• Biosafety & Biosecurity
• Emerging Pathogens
• Molecular Epidemiology
• German Biosecurity Program
• Outbreak Management
• Mobile Bio-Reconnaissance and Tools for Rapid Responses
• Preparedness & Response Policies
• Vector borne and Zoonotic Diseases

How was RELIANCE represented?

✓ An oral presentation focused on the preliminary results achieved in the study of the antiviral activity of essential oils, highlighting that i) Carvacrol and Eugenol exhibit a strong virucidal activity against respiratory viruses (Influenza virus and SARS-CoV-2) and the alphavirus Chikungunya Virus; ii) Menthol and Thymol show a minor virucidal activity against the viruses studied; iii) The essential oils studied don’t exert any virucidal activity against MS2 bacteriophage.

✓ A poster demonstrated the investigation of the molecular mechanisms of E. coli in response to different concentrations of carvacrol (Ca) by studying differentially expressed genes with RNA-seq analysis, highlighting that the findings suggest that carvacrol may affect biological pathways associated with the inhibition of biofilm formation.

Follow the link if interested in downloading the poster.
More about the conference: https://conference.instmikrobiobw.de/