Project Summary: The RELIANCE project is a research project aimed at developing safe, sustainable, and long-lasting self-disinfecting nano coatings, based on the fact that microbial colonization on surfaces creates a dangerous reservoir for pathogens and contributes to the spread of infections. Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (Cu-SMIN) with antimicrobial copper additives will be used to assemble these nano coatings, and will be combined with biologically active substances that are harmless to nature and have smart release and contact-killing effects against microorganisms. This project brings together expert researchers in the fields of nanotechnology, materials science, chemistry, and biology.
The main activities of the project include the synthesis of Cu-SMINs, the creation of biologically active nano additives using antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and essential oils (EOs), the preparation and scaling up of nano coatings, and finally, testing for different industrial applications.
Scientific Output/Outcome Expected From the Project: The scientific outputs obtained from this project will provide new insights into the development and effectiveness of antimicrobial nano coatings. Additionally, sustainable approaches such as green chemistry methods used in the production of these nano coatings could potentially open up new avenues for environmentally friendly materials and products. The use of bioactive substances such as AMPs and EOs in the project presents an important opportunity for the valorization of residual products in the agriculture industry.
Target Group of the Project: The target group of the project includes a wide range of communities involved in combating global-scale major problems. These problems include climate change, environmental pollution, food safety, health issues, sustainability of energy sources, and many other important issues. The goal of the project is to provide new and innovative solutions for all communities effectively involved in combating these problems.
Importance of the project in Tackling Global Challenges: Combatting global-scale major problems is an extremely important issue in today's world. Climate change, depletion of natural resources, food safety, health issues, and many other problems are one of the biggest threats humanity faces. The solution to these problems requires collaboration and innovative solutions between communities.
Scientific/Social/Economic Innovative Contribution: The project's scientific, social, and economic innovation will contribute to solving global-scale major problems by offering new and innovative solutions. The project will provide innovation through innovative products, processes, and services, as well as by increasing community awareness, promoting collaboration, and better informing the public. For example, the project can help reduce carbon footprint by developing innovative technologies to combat climate change. Additionally, the project can improve food security through sustainable agricultural practices and provide social innovation by promoting collaboration between communities. In terms of economic innovation, the project can increase energy efficiency and support economic sustainability by offering innovative solutions for sustainable energy sources.
Contribution to the Development of Professional Skills: The development of professional skills and abilities is a significant achievement for the project's target group. The project's design, implementation, and evaluation of results contribute to the development of the target group's knowledge, skills, and abilities. The training, workshops, and mentorship programs provided under the project enhance the target group members' professional skills while also promoting career development. Moreover, the activities carried out during the project enhance the target group's professional skills. In particular, the collaboration activities and teamwork within the project contribute to the development of target group members' professional skills, such as leadership, communication, problem-solving, and decision-making.
Contribution to the Development of Human Resources: Through the training, workshops, and mentorship programs provided to the target group members under the project, the human resource capacity is increased. Moreover, the target group members' learning experiences and knowledge are enhanced during the project, leading to more competent human resources for future work and project opportunities.
Information about the other partners in the project: The interdisciplinary RELIANCE consortium has the ambition to address this challenge and brings together 15 partners, 10 countries It includes 7 industrial partners (4 of them are SMEs), 6 research organizations and 2 universities.
