Periodic Reporting for period 1 - SUSNANO (Twinning to boost the scientific and innovation capacity of the Universiteti i Tiranes to develop sustainable nanosensors for water pollution detection)
Periodo di rendicontazione: 2022-09-01 al 2023-11-30
The overall aim of the SUSNANO project is to boost the scientific excellence and innovation capacity in sustainable nanosensors for water pollution detection of Universiteti i Tiranes (UT) and its high-quality Twinning partners: Fundació Institut Català de Nanociència i Nanotecnologia (ICN2), Univerzita Palackého v Olomouci (UPO) and Intelligentsia Consultants Sàrl (INT). To achieve this aim, SUSNANO will implement a research and innovation (R&I) strategy over three years based upon five objectives.
Objective 1: Conduct exploratory research on sustainable nanosensors to detect water pollution in Albania
To develop the innovative sustainable nanosensors, the SUSNANO partners will explore three complementary research sub-topics (A, B and C)
- Research Sub-Topic A: Composite electrodes for sustainable nanosensors
- Research Sub-Topic B: Paper-based substrates with graphene derivatives for sustainable nanosensors
- Research Sub-Topic C: Printing technologies for sustainable nanosensors
Objective 2: Transfer knowledge between experienced researchers (ERs) of UT and the Twinning partners
Objective 3: Enhance career prospects of early-stage researchers (ESRs) of UT and the Twinning partners
Objective 4: Improve UT’s management and administrative capacity for European R&D programmes
Objective 5: Raise the research profile of UT and the Twinning partners
Objective 1: Conduct exploratory research on sustainable nanosensors to detect water pollution in Albania
To develop the innovative sustainable nanosensors, the SUSNANO partners will explore three complementary research sub-topics (A, B and C)
- Research Sub-Topic A: Composite electrodes for sustainable nanosensors
- Research Sub-Topic B: Paper-based substrates with graphene derivatives for sustainable nanosensors
- Research Sub-Topic C: Printing technologies for sustainable nanosensors
Objective 2: Transfer knowledge between experienced researchers (ERs) of UT and the Twinning partners
Objective 3: Enhance career prospects of early-stage researchers (ESRs) of UT and the Twinning partners
Objective 4: Improve UT’s management and administrative capacity for European R&D programmes
Objective 5: Raise the research profile of UT and the Twinning partners
By the end of Period 1, the following had been achieved:
WP1: Preparatory Research Project
o Experimentation with graphene derivatives and metallic nanoparticles for bulk or surface modification of carbon-based electrodes.
o Detailed study of the electrochemical behaviour and surface morphology of modified electrodes using techniques like Cyclic Voltammetry, SEM, TEM, and EDS.
o Modified electrodes showed better efficacy in detecting various substances, including antibiotics, heavy metals, and pesticides.
o Creation of detailed calibration graphs and performance parameters for the sensors, providing quantitative measures of their efficiency in detecting different analytes.
o Successful preparation of various graphene derivatives through fluorographene chemistry, such as graphene acid and nitrogen-enriched graphene, for advanced electrochemical sensor applications.
o Development of new types of sensors, including an electrochemical aptasensor for ampicillin detection and printed electrodes on ceramic substrates for cost-effective, mobile-operable sensors.
WP2: Short-term staff exchanges and trainings for experienced researchers
o Successful exchanges between UT's and ICN2's ERs, focusing on various aspects of sensor technology.
o Researchers gained expertise in fabricating and modifying carbon-based sensors, particularly with graphene derivatives, for sensitive detection of environmental pollutants, heavy metals, and antibiotics.
o Significant progress in the use of consumer printers for biosensor applications, with a focus on producing highly conductive inks for inkjet and screen-printing technologies.
o Development of new methods for fabricating screen printed electrodes using reduced graphene oxide modified with gold nanoparticles.
o Training in the application of lateral flow biosensors for clinical diagnosis and the use of functionalized graphene derivatives in paper-based analytical devices.
WP3: Research internships and trainings for early-stage researchers
o Extensive training exchanges between UT and partner institutions, ICN2 and UPO, focusing on the fabrication of graphene-based sensors, application of screen-printed electrodes, and electrochemical detection techniques.
o Researchers from UT gained significant experience in fabricating graphene-based Screen-Printed Electrodes (SPE) modified with various metals like Ni, Ag, Au, for the detection of heavy metals.
o Training included the preparation of screen-printed electrodes modified with aptamer for the determination of antibiotics, enhancing sensitive detection technologies.
o Focus on the development of electrodes for electrochemical detection, including the preparation of modified carbon paste electrodes and the use of reduced graphene oxide.
o Organisation of a summer school featuring lectures and demonstrations on graphene derivatives, sensor applications, and printing technologies.
o Development of joint PhD programmes including the approval of new doctorates.
WP4: Research Management and Administration Skill Development
o A comprehensive strategic plan was developed, identifying staff training needs in research management services. This included a two-stage methodology to assess needs, involving questionnaires and focus groups with administrative and research staff at UT.
o Several training workshops were conducted, including one on writing Horizon Europe proposals, held during the 22nd edition of the Trends in Nanotechnology International Conference (TNT2022) in Tirana, Albania. These workshops provided guidance on structuring and writing proposals for various European R&D funding programmes.
o Dedicated training workshops on project management were held, focusing on EU project management, financial management, and project planning and monitoring for Horizon Europe projects.
o Researchers from UT received specialized training in research management during visits to partner institutions UPO and ICN2. This included presentations on collaboration with industry, managing industry days, and participating in exhibitions.
o UT, with support from INT and ICN2, submitted proposals to Horizon Europe Widening calls, including Twinning and Teaming for Excellence. These proposals aimed to enhance scientific excellence and innovation capacity.
WP5: Dissemination, Exploitation, Communication and Outreach
o The SUSNANO FAIR data management plan was prepared.
o The SUSNANO project website, www.susnano.eu was created and maintained.
o Various materials were prepared and disseminated, including an A4 sized tri-fold SUSNANO leaflet and an A1 sized project poster.
o The consortium participated in various outreach and communication activities. This included appearances on TV programs and articles in various media outlets.
o Several workshops were organized, such as the "NanoAlb Ignite Projects" Academy of Science of Albania, the National Symposium on "Quality and Safety of Bee Products", and a workshop on the implementation of "NanoAlb Ignite Projects 2022-2023".
o The consortium partners organised two international conferences: "Trends in Nano Technology 2022" and "nanoBalkan 2023".
WP1: Preparatory Research Project
o Experimentation with graphene derivatives and metallic nanoparticles for bulk or surface modification of carbon-based electrodes.
o Detailed study of the electrochemical behaviour and surface morphology of modified electrodes using techniques like Cyclic Voltammetry, SEM, TEM, and EDS.
o Modified electrodes showed better efficacy in detecting various substances, including antibiotics, heavy metals, and pesticides.
o Creation of detailed calibration graphs and performance parameters for the sensors, providing quantitative measures of their efficiency in detecting different analytes.
o Successful preparation of various graphene derivatives through fluorographene chemistry, such as graphene acid and nitrogen-enriched graphene, for advanced electrochemical sensor applications.
o Development of new types of sensors, including an electrochemical aptasensor for ampicillin detection and printed electrodes on ceramic substrates for cost-effective, mobile-operable sensors.
WP2: Short-term staff exchanges and trainings for experienced researchers
o Successful exchanges between UT's and ICN2's ERs, focusing on various aspects of sensor technology.
o Researchers gained expertise in fabricating and modifying carbon-based sensors, particularly with graphene derivatives, for sensitive detection of environmental pollutants, heavy metals, and antibiotics.
o Significant progress in the use of consumer printers for biosensor applications, with a focus on producing highly conductive inks for inkjet and screen-printing technologies.
o Development of new methods for fabricating screen printed electrodes using reduced graphene oxide modified with gold nanoparticles.
o Training in the application of lateral flow biosensors for clinical diagnosis and the use of functionalized graphene derivatives in paper-based analytical devices.
WP3: Research internships and trainings for early-stage researchers
o Extensive training exchanges between UT and partner institutions, ICN2 and UPO, focusing on the fabrication of graphene-based sensors, application of screen-printed electrodes, and electrochemical detection techniques.
o Researchers from UT gained significant experience in fabricating graphene-based Screen-Printed Electrodes (SPE) modified with various metals like Ni, Ag, Au, for the detection of heavy metals.
o Training included the preparation of screen-printed electrodes modified with aptamer for the determination of antibiotics, enhancing sensitive detection technologies.
o Focus on the development of electrodes for electrochemical detection, including the preparation of modified carbon paste electrodes and the use of reduced graphene oxide.
o Organisation of a summer school featuring lectures and demonstrations on graphene derivatives, sensor applications, and printing technologies.
o Development of joint PhD programmes including the approval of new doctorates.
WP4: Research Management and Administration Skill Development
o A comprehensive strategic plan was developed, identifying staff training needs in research management services. This included a two-stage methodology to assess needs, involving questionnaires and focus groups with administrative and research staff at UT.
o Several training workshops were conducted, including one on writing Horizon Europe proposals, held during the 22nd edition of the Trends in Nanotechnology International Conference (TNT2022) in Tirana, Albania. These workshops provided guidance on structuring and writing proposals for various European R&D funding programmes.
o Dedicated training workshops on project management were held, focusing on EU project management, financial management, and project planning and monitoring for Horizon Europe projects.
o Researchers from UT received specialized training in research management during visits to partner institutions UPO and ICN2. This included presentations on collaboration with industry, managing industry days, and participating in exhibitions.
o UT, with support from INT and ICN2, submitted proposals to Horizon Europe Widening calls, including Twinning and Teaming for Excellence. These proposals aimed to enhance scientific excellence and innovation capacity.
WP5: Dissemination, Exploitation, Communication and Outreach
o The SUSNANO FAIR data management plan was prepared.
o The SUSNANO project website, www.susnano.eu was created and maintained.
o Various materials were prepared and disseminated, including an A4 sized tri-fold SUSNANO leaflet and an A1 sized project poster.
o The consortium participated in various outreach and communication activities. This included appearances on TV programs and articles in various media outlets.
o Several workshops were organized, such as the "NanoAlb Ignite Projects" Academy of Science of Albania, the National Symposium on "Quality and Safety of Bee Products", and a workshop on the implementation of "NanoAlb Ignite Projects 2022-2023".
o The consortium partners organised two international conferences: "Trends in Nano Technology 2022" and "nanoBalkan 2023".
SUSNANO is expected to produce the following outcomes:
Outcome 1: Support the “Economic & Investment Plan” and “Innovation Agenda” for WBC by spurring economic recovery, supporting green and digital transition, fostering regional integration & EU convergence.
Outcome 2: Improved excellence capacity and resources in WBC enabling to close the still apparent research and innovation gap within Europe.
Outcome 3: Enhanced strategic networking activities between the research institutions of the WBC and at least two internationally-leading counterparts at EU level.
Outcome 4: Raised reputation, research profile and attractiveness of the coordinating institution from the WBC and the research profile of its staff.
Outcome 5: Strengthened research management capacities and administrative skills of the staff working in institutions from the WBC.
Outcome 1: Support the “Economic & Investment Plan” and “Innovation Agenda” for WBC by spurring economic recovery, supporting green and digital transition, fostering regional integration & EU convergence.
Outcome 2: Improved excellence capacity and resources in WBC enabling to close the still apparent research and innovation gap within Europe.
Outcome 3: Enhanced strategic networking activities between the research institutions of the WBC and at least two internationally-leading counterparts at EU level.
Outcome 4: Raised reputation, research profile and attractiveness of the coordinating institution from the WBC and the research profile of its staff.
Outcome 5: Strengthened research management capacities and administrative skills of the staff working in institutions from the WBC.