Development of Advanced Antimicrobial Nanofibrous Textiles through Effective Nanofinishing – DANTE

The recent SARS-CoV-2 outbreak has amplified the demand for textiles with embedded antimicrobial and antiviral properties, with applications spanning from air filters and food packaging to sportswear and water purification. However, challenges like limited versatility and durability, environmental concerns, and high production costs hinder their widespread use. Most antimicrobial textiles/veils use synthetic chemicals, which may not be versatile, durable, or environmentally friendly. Electrospun nanofabrics are emerging as a solution, given their cost-effectiveness, adaptability, and multifunctional properties.

Accordingly, DANTE aims to create innovative, bio-compatible, non-woven nanofabrics ideal for
protectivε clothing and cosmetics, leveraging the antimicrobial potential of nanofiber networks and their ability to encompass nanoentities that offer multifunctionality and customizability.

DANTE’s general objectives are to: 1. Establish a long-term partnership between industrial and
academic partners that goes beyond the current project. The goal is to accelerate the development and commercialization of technologies and products, currently in R&D stage, for the health, cosmetics, and food packaging industries. 2. Leverage upon partners’ expertise on antimicrobial/viral nanoparticles and polymer nanofiber development to create hybrid nanofabrics with broad-spectrum antimicrobial efficiency. Combine antifungal, antiviral, and antibacterial properties with optimal nanofabric morphological characteristics, bio-compatibility, and biodegradability as well as with increased breathability for comfort, tailored to health and cosmetics applications. 3. Use novel, certified
methodologies to assess antimicrobial protective properties of nanoparticle-enhanced nanofabrics to accelerate screening and assessment processes for adopting the technology in health and cosmetics industries. Target TRL 7 by the end of the project.

Start date: 01 April, 2024

End date: 31 March, 2026

Funding: €599,628

Coordinator: Advanced Materials Design & Manufacturing – AMDM

Partners:

The Cyprus Institute

University of Nicosia Research Foundation – UNRF

Cyprus University of Technology

Sentinel Skin Cosmetics

DANTE is funded by the Research and Innovation Foundation of the Republic of Cyprus under the “CO-DEVELOP-AG-SH-HE” Grant, Call 0823, Program “CODEVELOP” of RESTART 2016-2020.