ANTIVIRAL, ANTIBACTERIAL & ANTIFUNGAL NANOCOATING PLATFORM

Project Information

NANOBLOC

Grant agreement ID: 101057597

DOI

10.3030/101057597

Project closed

EC signature date 8 December 2022

Start date 1 January 2023

End date 30 June 2026

Funded under

• Digital, Industry and Space

Total cost

€ 5 727 388,75

EU contribution

€ 5 727 386,00

Coordinated by

POLITECNICO DI TORINO
Italy

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - NANOBLOC (ANTIVIRAL, ANTIBACTERIAL & ANTIFUNGAL NANOCOATING PLATFORM)

Reporting period: 2023-01-01 to 2024-06-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

NANOBLOC project aims to develop and upscale (from TRL3 to TRL6) new all-European antimicrobial and antiviral coatings, suitable for application on a wide variety of substrates, including porous filter materials, textiles and high-traffic solid surfaces.
NANOBLOC will use a range of advanced, green and industrially scalable technologies, including PVD technologies, organic/inorganic nanocomposite coatings and wet chemistry processes.

The consortium has established 8 main objectives:
O1- To develop new all-European antimicrobialand antiviral coatings and processing routes
O2- To acquire a deeper understanding of the mechanisms of antiviral, antimicrobial effects
O3- To acquire and apply new knowledge to guarantee the durability and functionality of the coatings
O4- To obtain scientific evidence of impact of the new Nanobloc coatings in relevant environments
O5- To demonstrate the viability of industrialization and the application of the new coatings in relevant substrates & products
O6- To boost developments, reliability & sustainability of the processes ‘by-design’
O7- To produce relevant demonstrators for different substrates & applications
O8- To validate the developments under relevant conditions & environments

Thanks to the research-industry cocreation approach, NANOBLOC will codesign and provide the key technology and market pathways to produce innovative products through an application-oriented development philosophy where the specific needs of the products (Products Ask) guide the selection of the most appropriate nanocoating technology (Science Answer) up to the products commercialization (Market Delivery) after the scaling up the appropriate technology (Engineering implementation).

NANOBLOC provides also a pathway to European Leadership by providing clean, toxic- and pollutant-free environment solutions through surfaces based on green technology.
The project will also promote Leadership in circular economy practices by using bio-based materials, strengthening cross-sectoral cooperation along the value chain and enabling SMEs to transform their activities and business models.
Furthermore, NANOBLOC is committed to increase the adoption of key digital and enabling technologies in industrial value chains and strategic sectors.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

NANOBLOC main achievements include:
• Optimized co-sputtering silver nanoclusters doped composite coatings for air filters (POLITO)
• Developed Cu-doped coatings by using a combination of cathodic arc and magnetron sputtering processes for high traffic object (TEKNIKER)
• Developed multilayer structured coatings through a combination of CAE and Sputtering containing Cr, Ti and Ag compounds for and high-traffic objects (PRIREV)
• Novel formulation of UV curable varnishes doped with nanoparticles for applications on furniture, floors, and wallpaper (SIOEN)
• Developed Electrophoretic or sprayed deposited coatings for metallic and polymeric substrates, including air filters and thermoforming felt and mattress (FAU)
• Demonstrated relevant antibacterial effect with inhibition higher than 99.9% of coatings developed by POLITO, TEKNIKER, PRIREV and FAU
• Demonstrated antiviral effect with inhibition higher than 99.9% in most cases of POLITO and FAU coatings
• Verified virucidal mechanism of actions of POLITO coatings as a function of intrinsic effect of silver nanoclusters with a partial contributions of ion release
• Preliminary successfully deposition of coatings at a pre-industrial level based on POLITO's formulations and know-how.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

The NANOBLOC project seeks to advance public health, economic stability, and sustainable innovation through the development, validation and indistrialisation of cutting-edge new all-European antimicrobialand antiviral coatings.
1. Scientific impacts
NANOBLOC advanced research on new antimicrobialand antiviral coatings for High-Traffic Applications and Filtration products, with validation in controlled environments, significantly add valuable knowledge on the mechanisms behind these effects.

NANOBLOC boosts R&D and Innovation through the collaborative nature of the co-creation chain between research and industry across Europe, involving a robust industrial value chain.
2. Economic impacts
NANOBLOC coatings are aimed to reduce illness-related absence from work and nosocomial infections, by providing effective antimicrobialand antiviral coatings for workplaces.
NANOBLOC aim is to support SMEs involved into the project, but also other small and medium-sized enterprises, by advertising NANOBLOC coatings through collaborations with regional and European associations.
3. Technological impacts
NANOBLOC use green and environmentally sustainable technologies, such as PVD, thus minimizing waste and energy use.
The development of new standards for antimicrobial and antiviral validation, based on scientific evidence, provides a competitive advantage and promotes best practices in the industry.
4. Societal impacts
NANOBLOC is focused on creating healthier environment by the production of demonstrators such as antimicrobialand antiviral air filtration units, textiles, and high-traffic surfaces, designed to perform in real life environments, to enhance wellbeing and health, specifically for vulnerable populations.
The NANOBLOC coatings have been proven successful in minimizing infection risks towards multiple pathogens, including several bacteria and viruses.

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