Periodic Reporting for period 1 - FORGREENSOFT (Advancing Research & Innovation of FORTH in Green Soft Matter)
Période du rapport: 2022-12-01 au 2025-11-30
FORGREENSOFT aims in advancing the research and innovation capacity of FORTH in Green bio-based soft materials, replacing current synthetic polymers and colloids in major applications, bringing invaluable environmental, economic, and societal benefits.
This will be achieved by transferring knowledge from world-leading Institutions in the field of Green Chemistry, Experimental and Computational Soft Matter, as well as expertise in Innovation and collaboration with Industry.
The research aim is to address challenges posed by the need for Green/Eco-friendly systems, products and processes, first by extending the research capacity of FORTH, in new areas and secondly by working in two key applications.
This will involve creating a new experimental and simulation toolbox, complementary to current local expertise. Research will focus on Green membranes for water desalination and Green coatings for antifouling surfaces using Green soft matter systems based on cellulose and lignin.
Moreover the program aims in advancing FORTH’s capacity and transform its capabilities in three key areas: successful participation in a wider range of EU calls, attracting industrial funding, and promoting innovation.
This will be achieved by transferring knowledge from world-leading Institutions in the field of Green Chemistry, Experimental and Computational Soft Matter, as well as expertise in Innovation and collaboration with Industry.
The research aim is to address challenges posed by the need for Green/Eco-friendly systems, products and processes, first by extending the research capacity of FORTH, in new areas and secondly by working in two key applications.
This will involve creating a new experimental and simulation toolbox, complementary to current local expertise. Research will focus on Green membranes for water desalination and Green coatings for antifouling surfaces using Green soft matter systems based on cellulose and lignin.
Moreover the program aims in advancing FORTH’s capacity and transform its capabilities in three key areas: successful participation in a wider range of EU calls, attracting industrial funding, and promoting innovation.
Training activities were carried out according to plan with three summer schools (2023, 2024, 2025) at FORTH, one Soft Skills workshop at UNIVIE and Industrial training.
We've done 32 research visits among partners
The Scientific Objective focuses on the use of Green Soft Matter building blocks for the development of anti-fouling coatings and water desalination membranes.
UNIVIE trained FORTH personnel on MPCD in polymeric and colloidal systems, rheo-microscopy, TOK in DDM and related analysis code, TOK of optical microscopy methods.
MPG-Mainz trained FORTH personnel on TOK related with advanced AFM methods and computer simulations, extraction of ligning from bamboo using deep eutectic solvents, AFM imaging and force spectroscopy of cellulose membranes, CNC based membranes and coatings.
MPG-CI trained FORTH personnel on extraction of cellulose nanocrystals and nanofibrils and synthesis experiments.
We've done 32 research visits among partners
The Scientific Objective focuses on the use of Green Soft Matter building blocks for the development of anti-fouling coatings and water desalination membranes.
UNIVIE trained FORTH personnel on MPCD in polymeric and colloidal systems, rheo-microscopy, TOK in DDM and related analysis code, TOK of optical microscopy methods.
MPG-Mainz trained FORTH personnel on TOK related with advanced AFM methods and computer simulations, extraction of ligning from bamboo using deep eutectic solvents, AFM imaging and force spectroscopy of cellulose membranes, CNC based membranes and coatings.
MPG-CI trained FORTH personnel on extraction of cellulose nanocrystals and nanofibrils and synthesis experiments.
The project results is contributing to all the expected outcomes set out in the work program, according to our initial plan as follows:
- The project strengthens the capacity for research excellence, the effective utilization of the resources of FORTH and the scientific expertise of its member scientists in all the dimensions of soft mater and specifically in the fields of Green, bio-based advanced nanomaterials, functional polymers and colloids and green preparation/formulation processes. Collaborative friendly alternatives with equal or better properties and comparative cost, fields in which MPG-C is already a world leader. Specific applications we work towards within FORGREENSOFT include membranes for desalination and coatings with anti-fouling response for marine and other applications.
- The project is already enhancing the internal capabilities and expertise of FORTH. Young as well as senior researchers received training in collaboration with Advanced Partners to increase their research capacity in complementary fields and advance their research in emerging interdisciplinary topics related to their fields of expertise. In addition, we were trained and got hands on experience from industrial collaborators, strengthening their understanding of the industrial needs in leading European countries as well as developing collaborations and finding potential interested parties for licensing their research results.
Finally the progress of the project so far towards delivering scientific impact, based on its objectives can be summarized in the following:
- A successful isolation, purification and functionalization of bio-based materials leading to Cellulose based systems (CNC and CNF) and Lignin particles with environmentally friendly methods has been achieved. Further samples will be produced (with a fine tuned process) and characterized.
- Significant progress has been made on building of experimental set-ups combining DDM and rheometry in collaboration between FORTH and UNIVIE. This allows the development of research methodology to probe non-equilibrium structure and the shear induced dynamics.
The progress of the project so far towards delivering economic impact, based on its objectives can be summarized as follows:
-The scientific advances in synthesizing bio-based polymers and colloids following environmentally friendly methods will have impact in the design synthesis and better control of the physical properties and functionalities of commercial products. More specifically they may provide control over industrial processing and product development of green antibacterial coatings and antifouling membranes of improved selectivity – permeability with strong economic (as well as societal) benefits.
- The laboratory based combined rheometry DDM setups may also be a first step to a simplified device for complex materials response under shear for industrial use.
- The project strengthens the capacity for research excellence, the effective utilization of the resources of FORTH and the scientific expertise of its member scientists in all the dimensions of soft mater and specifically in the fields of Green, bio-based advanced nanomaterials, functional polymers and colloids and green preparation/formulation processes. Collaborative friendly alternatives with equal or better properties and comparative cost, fields in which MPG-C is already a world leader. Specific applications we work towards within FORGREENSOFT include membranes for desalination and coatings with anti-fouling response for marine and other applications.
- The project is already enhancing the internal capabilities and expertise of FORTH. Young as well as senior researchers received training in collaboration with Advanced Partners to increase their research capacity in complementary fields and advance their research in emerging interdisciplinary topics related to their fields of expertise. In addition, we were trained and got hands on experience from industrial collaborators, strengthening their understanding of the industrial needs in leading European countries as well as developing collaborations and finding potential interested parties for licensing their research results.
Finally the progress of the project so far towards delivering scientific impact, based on its objectives can be summarized in the following:
- A successful isolation, purification and functionalization of bio-based materials leading to Cellulose based systems (CNC and CNF) and Lignin particles with environmentally friendly methods has been achieved. Further samples will be produced (with a fine tuned process) and characterized.
- Significant progress has been made on building of experimental set-ups combining DDM and rheometry in collaboration between FORTH and UNIVIE. This allows the development of research methodology to probe non-equilibrium structure and the shear induced dynamics.
The progress of the project so far towards delivering economic impact, based on its objectives can be summarized as follows:
-The scientific advances in synthesizing bio-based polymers and colloids following environmentally friendly methods will have impact in the design synthesis and better control of the physical properties and functionalities of commercial products. More specifically they may provide control over industrial processing and product development of green antibacterial coatings and antifouling membranes of improved selectivity – permeability with strong economic (as well as societal) benefits.
- The laboratory based combined rheometry DDM setups may also be a first step to a simplified device for complex materials response under shear for industrial use.