Project description
The future of adaptive separation
Current separation technologies, such as polymeric membranes and chromatography, face limitations in versatility, adaptability and throughput. As pharmaceutical companies shift towards protein and nanoparticle therapies, the need for more efficient, adaptive separation methods grows. The ERC-funded DynanoNet project aims to address these challenges by developing separation techniques based on dynamic nanofibril networks. These networks with tunable pore sizes, will enable precise control over separation processes such as centrifugation, filtration and electro-filtration. By leveraging cellulose or amyloid nanofibril technologies, DynanoNet promises adaptive separation techniques, offering real-time control to optimise separation processes for applications in medicine, biotech and beyond.
Objective
This research program will develop materials, methods, and technologies that enable adaptive separation of molecules and particles using dynamic nanofibril networks. The ground-breaking nature is the development of dynamically tunable membranes/gels for next-generation separation technology.
Current separation technologies are based primarily on polymeric membranes or gels for membrane filtration or chromatography. Membrane filtration is versatile but lacks selectivity, while chromatography is selective but with limited throughput. As pharmaceutical companies move toward protein or nanoparticle-based therapies, the size limitation of chromatography is a concern. The future separation technology should be adaptive and selective, with high resolution and throughput. It is time to develop next-generation separation technology that enables dynamic adaptability and integration with our electronic infrastructure and AI technology.
Hydrated nanofibril networks with unique nanomechanical behavior, a vast dynamic density range, and large pore sizes enable tunability that polymer networks cannot achieve. It is an unexplored class of materials for separation purposes, now available at scale due to recent cellulose and amyloid nanofibrils developments. Nanofibrils assemble in anisotropic hydrogel networks with a uniaxial swelling, ranging from 0 to 1000 g/g water content with pore sizes from a few to 1000 nm. I will study how different pretreatments or stimuli, such as electrochemistry, enable direct control of this 1000-fold change in pore size, which is unachievable for polymers. I will explore different modes of separation: centrifugation, filtration, electro-filtration, and ion-selectivity, using nanofibril networks as an adaptive mesh to sieve/repel molecules and particles of different sizes and charges. The outcome is a scientific foundation exploring how low-density nanofibril networks can lead to disruptive separation technology in a multi-billion-dollar industry.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences chemical sciences electrochemistry
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins
- natural sciences chemical sciences polymer sciences
- engineering and technology chemical engineering separation technologies
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2024-STG
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
100 44 STOCKHOLM
Sweden
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.