Periodic Reporting for period 1 - ProtCap (Protein Capsules)
Periodo di rendicontazione: 2018-11-01 al 2020-10-31
The project ProtCap focused on the further development of fundamental protein science advances made in the context of the ERC project PhysProt towards commercial applications in the form of a microcapsule technology based on fully natural proteins. The microscale structure of the capsules was generated using droplet microfluidics and the molecular structure and stability of the material was achieved purely through self-assembly of the natural building blocks, and without the requirement of any artificial cross linking. The objective of the project was to demonstrate the feasibility of this technology platform for encapsulation of industrially relevant cargo species for which currently the only solutions available are non-sustainable and require either synthetic, cross liked or petroleum based building blocks. Furthermore, the project had objectives centered around market analysis and business development, aiming to get the technology to a point where it is suitable for bringing to the market. Both the technical and the commercial objectives were met. We were able to demonstrate the suitability of these fully natural capsules with cargoes from industries ranging from personal care to food. In the market analysis we established significant unmet needs at the industry is facing pressure to transfer from non-renewable materials to more sustainable solutions. The work in the project allowed the technology to be taken to a stage where it is fully ready for commercialisation. The next steps are now taken by a Cambridge University spin-off company that we have founded, Xampla, that is licensing the protein capsule technology.