Background

Anthropogenic CO₂ is the main driver of climate change. One promising strategy to mitigate emissions is capturing CO₂ at stationary sources and reacting it with green hydrogen to form methane via the Sabatier reaction. However, the process requires highly active catalysts at low temperatures, with precisely tuned properties at the nanoscale.

Ruthenium-based catalysts are among the most effective, but their performance depends strongly on nanoparticle size, doping, and the chemical interface with the support. NanoCatCO2 applies nanotechnology tools to develop tailor-made supports and Ru nanoparticles to maximize catalytic efficiency and stability.

The project

NanoCatCO2 pursues the following objectives:

• Synthesis of Ru-based catalysts using colloidal methods, flame spray pyrolysis, aerosol processes, and surface organometallic chemistry.
• Design of oxide and mixed oxide supports with tunable texture, structure, and surface chemistry.
• Precise control of Ru nanoparticle size and composition through alloying and doping strategies.
• Advanced characterization and modeling to identify key catalytic parameters.
• Scale-up and validation of the most promising catalysts in a pilot-scale reactor.

The science

The project integrates catalyst synthesis, advanced materials characterization, and molecular modeling:

• Chulalongkorn University (Thailand): Expertise in catalysis, methanation, and process scale-up.
• ETH Zurich (Switzerland): Advanced surface organometallic chemistry, spectroscopy, and computational modeling.
• UCLouvain (Belgium): Catalyst synthesis by sol-gel and aerosol processes, and CO₂ hydrogenation expertise.

Expected outcomes include new nanostructured catalyst formulations, mechanistic understanding of CO₂ methanation, and validated pilot-scale demonstrators for industrial application.

The team

The NanoCatCO2 partners are:

Prof. Piyasan Praserthdam (Coordinator), Chulalongkorn University (CU), Thailand

Prof. Christophe Copéret, ETH Zurich, Switzerland

Prof. Damien Debecker, Université catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), Belgium

Contact:

Prof. Dr. Piyasan Praserthdam                   Email: piyasan.p@chula.ac.th 

Background

Rechargeable Li–sulfur (Li-S) batteries promise much higher energy density (up to 2570 Wh/kg) compared to Li-ion batteries. However, commercialization is hindered by two main challenges: the insulating nature of sulfur and the shuttle effect caused by dissolved lithium polysulfides, which reduce active material and lead to rapid capacity fading.

Nanostructured materials offer a rational solution. Two-dimensional MXenes (transition metal carbides, nitrides, carbonitrides) and transition metal oxides (TMOs) can be engineered into heterostructures to immobilize LiPSs and catalyze their conversion, enabling both high sulfur loading and reduced shuttle effects. 

The project

ECO-MX pursues the following objectives:

• Construction of MXene-TMO heterostructures with maximally exposed chemisorption sites for LiPSs, enhancing conversion kinetics and sulfur utilization.
• Development of multifunctional electrodes and separators to suppress the shuttle effect and improve electrochemical performance.
• Characterization and mechanism studies using advanced techniques (XRD, XANES, high-resolution microscopy) to evaluate LiPSs kinetics.
• Fabrication and testing of demonstrator Li-S cells (coin and pouch cells) to validate performance improvements in real battery conditions.

The science

The project integrates expertise in materials science, catalysis, and energy storage:

• MXene synthesis and heterostructure design (Empa, Switzerland).
• In-situ characterization of LiPS conversion processes (ENTEC, Thailand).
• Membrane and separator engineering using nanofiber-based ultrathin porous films with MXene-TMO integration (Sabanci University, Turkey).

Final demonstrators will combine all components into coin and pouch cells, tested against reference batteries. The research builds directly on global initiatives in energy storage, including links to Europe’s Battery2030+ program.

The team

The ECO-MX partners are:

Dr. Jakob Heier (Coordinator), Empa – Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Switzerland

Dr. Pimpa Limthongkul, National Energy Technology Center (ENTEC) – NSTDA, Thailand

Prof. Selmiye Alkan Gürsel, Sabanci University Nanotechnology Research and Application Center (SUNUM), Turkey

Contact: 

Dr. Jakob Heier              Email: jakob.heier@empa.ch 

Background

Nanotechnology, the science of construction at nanoscale, has multiple applications in medicine, industry, and ICT. In recent years, peptides have emerged as promising therapeutic molecules for conditions like hypertension, epilepsy, chronic pain, and cancer. However, peptides are prone to enzymatic digestion and can trigger unwanted immune responses.

Nanoparticles can act as carriers to protect peptides, control their release, and improve efficacy. Designing bioactive peptide analogs and peptide–nanoparticle systems offer opportunities to treat diseases more safely and effectively, while also enabling biomedical imaging through fluorescent labeling. This project builds on advances in synthetic chemistry, nanomaterials, and neuropharmacology.

The project

PEP-NANO-DRUG pursues several specific objectives (SOs):

• Synthesis and characterization of new Spinorphin analogs with anticonvulsant and antinociceptive actions.
• Development of hybrid peptide derivatives incorporating electron-donating and electron-withdrawing groups with photoactive properties for biomedical applications.
• Preparation of nano-peptide systems using metal-based nanoparticles for delivery of therapeutic peptide molecules.
• Characterization of nano-peptide properties and evaluation of their biological applications.
• Medico-biological evaluation of synthesized nano-peptides to assess therapeutic efficacy and safety.

The science

The project integrates synthetic peptide chemistry, nanotechnology, and neurobiology:

• Engineering novel peptide analogs with enhanced stability and therapeutic action.
• Functionalizing peptides with fluorophores for dual therapeutic and imaging purposes.
• Employing nanoparticles as drug carriers to protect peptides from degradation and allow controlled release.
• Evaluating anticonvulsant and antinociceptive activities in biological systems.

The team

The PEP-NANO-DRUG partners are:

Assoc. Prof. PhD Stela Georgieva-Kiskinova (Coordinator), University of Chemical Technology and Metallurgy – Sofia (UCTM), Bulgaria

Dr. Hoa Le, Institute for Nanotechnology (INT), Vietnam National University – Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Assoc. Prof. Subaer Subaer, Universitas Negeri Makassar, Indonesia

Contact: Assoc. Prof. PhD Stela Georgieva-Kiskinova            Email: st.georgieva@uctm.edu 

Background

Cancer therapies such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy save lives but frequently destroy ovarian function in women of childbearing age. Fertility preservation methods like ovarian tissue cryobanking present risks of reintroducing malignant cells in some cancer types. Therefore, innovative strategies are needed to restore fertility safely.

The BioOva project addresses this by creating a bioinspired engineered ovary capable of replicating the supportive environment of a natural ovary. This approach integrates tissue engineering, nanotechnology, and reproductive biology to provide a safer and more effective fertility restoration solution for cancer patients.

The project

BioOva pursues three specific objectives (SOs):

• Development of BioOva 3D matrix (WP1-3): A temporary hydrogel (3Dgel) will be engineered with defined stiffness and stability, functionalized with ECM components, and validated in vitro and in vivo.
• Development of BioOva nanoparticles (WP4-6): Nanoparticles will be designed to encapsulate and release bioactive signaling factors, enabling controlled and sustained delivery to support folliculogenesis.
• Assessment of BioOva (WP7-8): The system’s ability to support complete folliculogenesis will be evaluated, with the aim of producing healthy oocytes for in vitro maturation.

The science

BioOva integrates nanotechnology, biomaterials, and reproductive biology:

• Development of synthetic hydrogels mimicking the ovarian extracellular matrix.
• Use of nanoparticle delivery systems for controlled release of biofactors, ensuring biocompatibility and signaling efficacy.
• Application of advanced molecular techniques to assess follicle survival, growth, and maturation in engineered environments.

The project builds on expertise in biomaterials, proteomics, reproductive biology, and fertility preservation from leading European and Southeast Asian partners.

The team

The BioOva partners are:

Prof. Dr. Christiani Andrade Amorim (Coordinator), Université Catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), Belgium

Dr. Martin Ehrbar, University of Zurich (UZH), Switzerland

Assist. Prof. Dr. Paweena Thuwanut, Chulalongkorn University (CU), Thailand

Contact:

Prof. Dr. Christiani Andrade Amorim                  Email: christiani.amorim@uclouvain.be