Report

Teaser, summary, work performed and final results

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - NANOGUARD2AR (NANOMATERIALS-BASED INNOVATIVE ENGINEERING SOLUTION TO ENSURE SUSTAINABLE SAFEGUARD TO INDOOR AIR)

Teaser

The overall project idea is on contribution to European culture and creativity through developing technological readiness of the breakthrough engineering solution for indoor air safeguard via inter-sectoral European and international cooperation, knowledge sharing, broad...

Summary

The overall project idea is on contribution to European culture and creativity through developing technological readiness of the breakthrough engineering solution for indoor air safeguard via inter-sectoral European and international cooperation, knowledge sharing, broad skills development and mobility of researchers and innovation staff. Under NANOGUARD2AR it is expected to build new and enhance existing network of international and inter-sectoral cooperation in the form of joint research and innovation activities between the project Partners with multidisciplinary skills and complementary competences in nanomaterials, physics, civil engineering, chemical engineering, green chemistry, microbiology, environmental protection, indoor air quality control and safety. It will significantly strengthen the interaction between academic and non-academic sectors within MS/AC Countries France, Portugal, Spain, Ukraine and Third Country the Republic of Belarus in the field of the innovative nanomaterials engineering application for the environmental protection.
The main objectives of the NANOGUARD2AR project are to develop and design, test, validate and demonstrate an innovative nanomaterials-based “microbial free” engineering solutions and responsive system [NANOGUARD2AR system] for the indoor air safeguard to support concept of green buildings.
To achieve this goal the NANOGUARD2AR project will explore the use of nanomaterials (NMs) as photosensitizers coupled with advanced air-curtains technology.
The emphasis of the project activities is on the proof of the concept of the innovative nanomaterials-enhanced air-barrier engineering solution towards efficient and sustainable protection of the indoor environment from microbial contaminations (fungus, fungal propagules, bacteria, their spores and germination).
The range of potential applications will also be explored in a close collaboration with project SME Partners/End Users.
The joint investigations will be carried out via transfer of knowledge and networking activities between the 8 RTO/UNI [Research and Technology Organization/University] and 5 SME from Member States [PT, FR, ES, UA] and Associated Country [UA] and 1 UNI from Third Country [BY] .
This project will reinforce and strengthen existing bilateral scientific links [PT–UA; FR–PT; FR FR; PT PT; UA UA; ES PT] and transform them into a larger network which includes all partners; it will provide momentum for long-term collaboration.

Work performed

During the reporting Period 1, the following progress was made on project objectives implementation.
(i) Within project implementation 33 ESR and ER researchers performed 90.7 persons months of secondments.
(ii) Joint activity within project led to the number of yearly based meetings successfully implemented, namely Kick-off and 1st project Workshop meeting.
(iii) All visiting researchers accessed training courses, seminars and workshops provided by host universities.
(iv) Also project website and other social media have been created to disseminate research activity.
The main results achieved so far:
Under accomplished WP1 implementation, the reference onset of the nanocomposites is elaborated. There are both Highly Innovative Dark-Operating Nanomaterials and Advanced Photocatalytic NM-based Hybrids capable for the reactive hydroxyl radicals generation to ensure antimicrobial abilities.
Under ongoing WP2 implementation, the NANOGUAR2Ar system Units were elaborated. They are NM-driven Photocatalytic Units, the Dark operating NM- driven UNITs and the Air-curtain Units.
Under ongoing WP3 implementation, the elaborated System Units are subjected to the extended testing of their efficiency towards indoor air purification form harmful airborne microorganism.
First project milestone M1 [TRL 2] on Reference onset of the Innovative NMs was achieved in time [12 project month] according to the Grant Agreement. Second milestone M2 2 [TRL 3] on Feasibility performance of the NMs SYSTEM UNIT is expected in time [26 project month].
These achievements laid down as a base for total 1 book, 1 monography of the ESR staff, 11 peer- reviewed publications, 1 ongoing PhD work and 1 patent submission.

Final results

\"Indoor air safeguard is a major concern to businesses, habitants and employees because it can impact the health, comfort, well-being, and productivity of the building occupants, as most Europeans spend up to 90% of their time indoors on their working places or in their home environment.
In the NANOGUARD2AR project, Partners have decided to develop and deliver the breakthrough engineering solution, based on Air-Curtain technology and enhanced by innovative NMs providing “microbial-free air barrier\"\", operating as antimicrobial air wall, which could be also considered as personal or targeted object protection/air cleaning system, being simultaneously both transparent and penetrable, unlike a glass and brick protection walls.
The R&D and S&I objectives are planned in the line of the Technology Readiness Levels from TRL 2 3 [current] to TRL4 [in the end of the project].
Advanced NMs-driven Photosensitizers will be fitted into the air-curtain installation designed in adjustable modular modes to provide sustainable “microbial-free” solution for indoor buildings environment. The proposed advanced NM-driven photocatalytic unit will provide both effective indoor air disinfection and high efficient sterilization of all types of the microorganisms (fungus, fungal propagules, bacteria, their spores and germination). Being penetrable, purifying/fumigating and transparent, the disinfection air-barrier will protect the premises from microorganisms, both of environmental and of accidental human origin.

Expected potential Impact.
The main features of the project make it strongly relevant to the priorities and objectives of the Future of European Cohesion Policy 2014-2020, ERDF investment priority 1 Research, technological development and innovation, by:
• Developing excellence and capacity in R&I by creation of the nanomaterials based sustainable air barrier engineering solution aimed at its practical implementation for indoor air safeguard;
• Establish advanced team, which facilitates innovative R&I; thus making a step towards promotion center of competence and international collaboration on NANO ENVIRONMENT SAFEGUARD activities toward public health and green buildings;
• Transfer the developed technology to the End-Users to insure social innovation;
• Raising attractiveness in R&I sector for industrial investment;
• Joints advanced S&T human resources, stimulating networking and clustering aimed at further application for a support from the Structural Funds;
• Supporting research and applied technology, first production in key enabling technologies exploring the cross-sector potential of nanotechnologies and advanced materials to drive competitive advantage and sustainability to the of European research and industry
• Promoting substantial advances at the frontiers of knowledge, and encourages new productive lines of enquiry, products and processes, including unconventional approaches and investigations at the interface between nanomaterials, environmental and engineering sciences;
• thus, supporting diffusion of multipurpose technologies at photosensitizers, nanotechnologies, advanced materials, civil engineering, sustainable environment and indoor air quality and green buildings.
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Website & more info

More info: http://sites.fct.unl.pt/nanoguard2ar.