ECOAEROGEL2HEAL
Advances in aerogels for biomedical applications through sustainable solutions and Artificial Intelligence tools
ECOAEROGEL2HEAL project will provide technological solutions for scaling up and producing aerogel-based materials in biomedicine employing sustainable technologies and AI tools. Scientific-technological research and innovations will focus on aerogels for biomedical uses (colonic, pulmonary, and skin drug delivery; bone regenerative medicine; and sterilization). Emphasis will be placed on (i) process integrations and scale-up with rational use of raw materials and energy, (ii) circular economy principles with the reprocessing of aerogels for the next use and the search for alternative aerogel sources of natural origin, (iii) personalized solutions through resource- and cost-efficient uses, and (iv) the use of AI tools to maximize the performance of the aerogel production process, minimize energy consumption, and optimize the characteristics of aerogels.
ECOAEROGEL2HEAL is primarily linked to thematic priority 1) Health in the Spanish Plan for Scientific, Technical, and Innovation Research 2021-2023; 4) Digital world, industry, space, and defense; and 6) Food, bioeconomy, natural resources, and the environment.
Due to the global context of the project, internationalization of the topic, technology transfer, and dissemination of results will be crucial and considered in the valorization, dissemination, and communication plans.
This project with grant reference PID2023-151340OB-I00 was funded in the Proyectos de Generación de Conocimiento 2023 call by MICIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and ERDF/EU.
What we do
The aim of ECOAEROGEL2HEAL is to develop technological solutions for producing aerogel-based materials in biomedicine, applying circular economy principles and sustainable technologies. The project focuses on biomedical uses of aerogels, optimizing the production process with AI tools to reduce energy consumption and enhance performance.
Impact
High-impact healthcare solutions through versatile aerogel systems for drug delivery and bone repair.
Sustainability promotion through circular economy principles and material recycling.
Sustainable materials
Upcycling of waste materials into aerogels.
Minimization of material and energy consumption.
Technology
Innovative aerogel processing and recycling methods integrating intensive production processes and AI-driven modeling, and maximizing performance while reducing material and energy consumption.
Interdisciplinarity
Project team from different disciplines (materials science, pharmacy, chemistry, biomedical technology, microbiology and process engineering) and sectors (companies as external advisors).
Collaborations
This project fosters collaboration with national and international companies to optimize production equipment, tailor aerogel compositions for biomedical applications, and advance recycling and valorization processes.
Dissemination
Dissemination of the project’s results in national and international forums and publications in Q1-journals.
Training of young researchers in key enabling technologies.