Project description
A new bioactive nanohybrid agent for anti-biofouling strategies
Surface biofouling presents a significant global challenge, affecting maritime operations, water management, and food/beverage systems. The primary issue arises from the accumulation of microorganisms on water-contact surfaces, leading to the formation of biofilms. These biofilms can harbour disease-causing pathogens and contribute to Microbially Influenced Corrosion (MIC). Current anti-biofouling strategies, which often rely on toxic agents, fail to effectively prevent biofilm formation. Supported by Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA), the BioNanoAct project aims to develop a novel bioactive nanohybrid agent. This will involve synthesising metal nanoparticles within enzyme-grafted bio-graphene matrices. These nanohybrids will then be used to produce nanocomposite coatings with long-lasting antifouling and anti-MIC properties. Additionally, the project seeks to foster collaboration between researchers and industry professionals to advance biofouling mitigation strategies.
Objective
Biofouling on surfaces is one of the most pressing global threats, exacerbated by the world growing population and subsequent industrial activities, as well as climate change. It affects all societal infrastructures, including maritime operations, water management and food/beverage systems. The main problem underlying all these infrastructures is the colonisation of microorganisms on water-contact surfaces, forming biofilms. Biofilms can harbour microbial populations of disease-causing pathogens, which are associated with waterborne disease outbreaks that occur every year worldwide, and their disinfection is currently a critical and challenging process. Biofilms are also associated with Microbially Influenced Corrosion (MIC), which is estimated to affect up to 20% of corrosion in water management systems, costing billions of dollars only for rehabilitation. Hitherto, the most effective anti-biofouling strategies rely on the release of toxic and persistent bioactive agents, remaining ineffective to prevent biofilm formation on surfaces under the current demand and environmental guidelines. Under BioNanoAct, a new bioactive bio-nanohybrid agent generated by the in-situ synthesis of metal nanoparticles in enzyme-grafted bio-graphene matrices will be developed and immobilised in polymeric formulations to produce novel nanocomposite coatings with long-lasting anti-fouling and anti-MIC protective effects on surfaces. These multifunctional bio-based nanomaterials will overcome current limitations in biofouling mitigation and enable scientific breakthroughs, particularly in synthesis and grafting methodologies, as well as in the interaction between biofilm-smart material and engineered waterborne systems. This project will also bring together researchers and industry professionals working on state-of-the-art strategies for biofouling mitigation and MIC that will provide interdisciplinary training and a solid platform for knowledge transfer to the MSCA researcher.
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.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
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.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
- natural sciences earth and related environmental sciences environmental sciences sustainability sciences
- engineering and technology materials engineering coating and films
- natural sciences earth and related environmental sciences atmospheric sciences climatology climatic changes
- engineering and technology environmental engineering natural resources management water management
- engineering and technology materials engineering nanocomposites
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.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
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-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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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) HORIZON-MSCA-2023-PF-01
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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.
1749 016 Lisbon
Portugal
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.