Descrizione del progetto
Nuova tecnologia per l’acqua potabile
Per migliorare la qualità dell’acqua potabile, saranno combinati il grafene e materiali affini (GRM, Graphene and Related Materials) chimicamente adattati con la tecnologia delle membrane capillari (CM, Capillary Membranes). Il progetto GRAPHEME, finanziato dall’UE, preparerà una nuova generazione di CM che combinerà la rimozione di inquinanti tossici con il rifiuto di particelle, microrganismi e solidi disciolti grazie alla sinergia tra micro/ultrafiltrazione da substrati CM e adsorbimento multitarget dei GRM. Il progetto definirà una strategia per commercializzare la tecnologia di GRAPHEME, comprensiva di posizionamento della proprietà intellettuale, indagine di mercato, modello di business e raccolta di fondi. In particolare, verrà messa a punto una dimostrazione di concetto tecnica e commerciale con lo sviluppo di un prototipo volto ad avvicinare, in definitiva, la sua tecnologia delle CM al mercato.
Obiettivo
GRAPHEME will combine chemically tailored graphene and related materials (GRMs) with capillary membranes (CMs) technology to engineer a radically new generation of CMs, exploiting simultaneously the outstanding adsorption properties of GRMs with the physical sieving potential of CMs, to ultimately improve the quality of potable water. GRMs’ hybrids hold a disruptive potential as sieving materials to boost the CMs performance as they possess an ideal tailor-made structure and tunable physicochemical properties. In a recent breakthrough, foams based on GRMs functionalized with polymers were used to sequester heavy metal ions from water with an unprecedented efficiency. Their high surface area with sp2 hybridization favors the adsorption of organic molecules. The functional groups on the GRM surface enable to tune both the water permeability and the binding of ions, thereby favoring the removal of inorganic contaminants. Significantly, no other material currently used for water treatment combines all these key properties. GRAPHEME’s CMs will combine the removal of toxic pollutants with rejection of particles, microorganisms and dissolved solids thanks to the synergy between micro/ultrafiltration by CM scaffolds and GRM multitarget adsorption. Towards the GRAPHEME technology commercialization, we will define the exploitation strategy, including IP positioning, market survey, business model and fundraising. This will also include partnering with key enablers – business-related and technological – for commercial success. A technical and commercial proof-of-concept will be established by developing a prototype to ultimately bring our CMs technology closer to the market. GRAPHEME will set new standards for the best exploitation of water for the mankind and will give the means to governing authorities to strengthen regulation. By developing new protocols for water purification, a major technological revolution will take place, positively affecting a number of industries.
Campo scientifico
- engineering and technologynanotechnologynano-materialstwo-dimensional nanostructuresgraphene
- engineering and technologychemical engineeringseparation technologiesdesalinationreverse osmosis
- social sciencespolitical sciencespolitical transitionsrevolutions
- social scienceseconomics and businessbusiness and managementbusiness models
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesmicrobiology
Programma(i)
Argomento(i)
Meccanismo di finanziamento
ERC-POC-LS - ERC Proof of Concept Lump Sum PilotIstituzione ospitante
67000 Strasbourg
Francia