AeroCare
Advanced and Sustainable Dressings for Chronic Wound Applications
AeroCare project focuses on the development of advanced and smart solutions for the management of chronic wounds. Specifically, this project aims to develop advanced dressings made with 3D-printed aerogels with antimicrobial properties, along with textile biosensors that monitor wound healing.
Chronic wounds are a significant global healthcare issue, affecting about 1–2% of the population in developed countries and posing a particularly significant burden in the Northern Portugal and Galicia regions. Infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria are a key factor in preventing these wounds from healing and are linked to ca. 33,000 deaths per year across Europe.
AeroCare consortium comprises a public-private collaboration between SMEs, research centers, and universities from Galicia and Northern Portugal. AeroCare activities include the optimization, validation, and commercialization of different materials (bioaerogels, biological materials and textiles) and the conjugation and implementation of different technologies (biosensors, sustainable and innovative bioprinting and artificial intelligence).
AeroCare project is funded by the Galician Innovation Agency (GAIN) under the Vinnovate Galicia Interregional Mechanism call, co-financed by the European Union under the Galicia ERDF 2021-2017 program.
In addition to AerogelsLab, University of Santiago de Compostela (USC), the project involves CeNTI–Centre for Nanotechnology and Smart Materials, and the companies Health Biolux and Tintex Textiles.
What we do
The aim of AeroCare is to develop advanced wound care solutions for the management of chronic wounds. Advanced dressings from smart and functional materials will be produced with innovative 3D-printed aerogels with antimicrobial properties, along with textile biosensors that will enable the smart tracking of the wound healing.
Impact
The project has a significant clinical and economic impact on the healthcare sector. It will contribute to the development of advanced solutions in the Spain–Portugal region, enabling public–private collaboration to bring innovative products to market and give innovative products to market.
Advanced materials
Products with spatial control of the texture, morphology and composition will be obtained by establishing genuine processing methods adapted to the specific application.
Technology
Green technologies especially adapted to the specific demands of the project. Novel methods of characterization, modelling and optimization of the materials properties. Innovative light-based 3D-bioprinting technologies; Biosensors development; Sustainable textile research.
Interdisciplinarity
Project team from different disciplines (materials science, pharmacy, chemistry, biochemistry, biomedical technology, microbiology, nanotechnology), and sectors (additive manufacturing and textil sector).
Collaborations
This project involves a strong colaboration between AerogelLab (USC), CeNTI – Centre for Nanotechnology and Smart Materials, and the companies Health Biolux and Tintex Textiles.
Dissemination
Participation in scientific international events and scientific publications in Q1-journals. Presence in social media and press. Training of young researchers in key enabling technologies.