Objective
This project aims to use new, clean methods to convert carefully designed metal-organic compounds into metal nanoparticles in the surface of a biopolymer. The nanoparticles that most efficiently prevent bacteria from sticking to the biopolymer will be identified. The literature suggests that the addition of silver metal or silver compounds to polymeric biomaterials can prevent infection. However there is much controversy over this antimicrobial action. This is because the silver-containing biopolymers studied had been impregnated with soluble silver salts dissolved in chloroform - a toxic organic solvent - so although the results are promising, the biomaterials tested will contain toxic solvent residues. Very recently, preliminary experiments at Nottingham demonstrated that supercritical fluids offer a clean and effective alternative to the toxic solvents. The fluid used was supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2), a unique solvent with an intriguing combination of liquid-like and gas-like properties, which is now popular in industry as a 'clean solvent' for modification of foodstuffs (coffee decaffeination). In the new procedure, scCO2 behaves like a solvent to dissolve a range of metal-organic molecules, and like a gas to penetrate the biopolymer and 'dye' it with metal compound. After releasing metal nanoparticles throughout the polymer, the residues from the metal-organic are also cleanly removed, leaving a clean, metal-impregnated, antimicrobial medical implant.
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.
- engineering and technology other engineering and technologies food technology
- natural sciences biological sciences microbiology bacteriology
- natural sciences chemical sciences inorganic chemistry transition metals
- engineering and technology nanotechnology nano-materials
- engineering and technology industrial biotechnology biomaterials
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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.
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.
Data not available
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.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Data not available
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
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.
Coordinator
NOTTINGHAM
United Kingdom
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.