Three EU-funded projects RELIANCE, NOVA and NANOBLOC, successfully hosted the Next-Gen Nanocoatings: Accelerating Antimicrobial Innovation with Modeling & AI workshop during the Smart Materials and Surfaces (SMS) Conference in Rome. The event was held on 30 October and brought together leading researchers, industry experts and materials science stakeholders to explore the future of antimicrobial surface technologies.

Held at the Courtyard by Marriott Rome Central Park, the workshop featured a dynamic agenda focused on scientific excellence, industrial relevance and real-world impact. The Communication and Dissemination lead of RELIANCE Ana Hristova, Europroject – Tinexta Innovation Hub, opened the day with welcoming remarks, emphasizing the urgent need for innovative nanocoating solutions to address global health and sustainability challenges.

Spotlight on Innovation

The morning session highlighted the three flagship projects:

• RELIANCE showcased its smart-response bio-based nanocoatings for healthier environments.
• NOVA introduced novel approaches to antimicrobial surface design.
• NANOBLOC presented real-world applications of protective nanocoatings.

These presentations underscored the diversity of approaches being pursued across Europe to combat microbial threats through advanced materials design.

Computational Modeling, AI and Data Management

The afternoon sessions explored how predictive modeling and machine learning accelerate the discovery and optimization of nanomaterials. Talks by Georgios Leonis, UPATRAS and Thibaut Soubrié, PRESTE demonstrated how AI is reshaping material science. A session on Research Data Management (RDM) emphasized the importance of robust data practices for scaling innovation, in alignment with the FAIR prinicples.

Safety, Sustainability & Industry Perspectives Speakers Elisa Feyles from the University of Turin and Guillermo Ormazabal from Tekniker addressed the environmental and toxicological dimensions of nanocoatings, reinforcing the need for responsible innovation. The final session featured industrial case studies from Arcelik and Molecular Plasma Group, offering insights into commercialization pathways and real-world deployment.