Natural and artificial Gels for the Decontamination of Nanoparticles – NanoDeconGels

Very recently the government following the public debate has defined a politic for the eco-development of products containing nanomaterials. If the purpose is centred on the ecotoxicity and toxicity, metrology and formation, the development of techniques and products limiting the exposure of workers and consumers is of primary interest.
The main objective of this program is to develop six prototypes based on gels reactivity capable to remove nanoparticles waste and nanomaterial by-products from aqueous suspensions. One of these systems will be made from artificial supramolecular gel (Low Molecular Weight Gels, LMWG), whereas the second will be prepared from natural sources (medusae, xenope eggs).
These systems (NanoDeconGels), which will be used to decontaminate aquous effluents, will go well beyond the state of the art in decontamination of nanoparticles by making use of the following technological advances: a) For the first time gels featuring nano-trapping capabilities can be prepared from both artificial and natural resources, b) This first use of nanostructured and natural gels should boost the NP decontamination/extraction efficiency through nanostructured supramolecular systems (up to 100%).
Six fully operational prototypes will be developed, powders and hydrogels NanoDecon systems made of both natural (polysaccharides) and synthetic (Nucleolipids) molecules for removal of nanoparticles from contaminated. These NanoDecon demonstrators will also serve for the next manufacturing phase and market exploration.
The consortium consists of four complementary partners that have the required competences and infrastructures in all the necessary domains:
• P1. INSERM, U. Bordeaux. Coordination, Chemistry of Gels,
• P2. IMBE, U. Aix Marseille. Biology and physiology of invertebrates, medusae expert.
• P3.CEREGE, U. Aix Marseille. Coagulation-flocculation processes, life cycle of commercial nanomaterials
• P4. AquitaineValo, SATT Bordeaux. Tech transfer office (scientific evaluation, jurists and marketers).
The Pairs P1-P2 (ANR NANAN) and P2-P3 (ANR MESONET, Labex SERENADE) are already collaborating with corresponding agreement on intellectual properties. P. Barthélémy (INSERM, U. Bordeaux) will oversee the development of the NanoDecon technology. His receiving the following prizes has recognized his expertise in the field of nanotechnologies and technology transfer: Future of innovation (Innovadays 2010), Ministère-Oseo (Lauréat, Emergence 2011), Tremplin des entreprises (Lauréat, Sénat 2011).
Perspectives: The NanoDecon system is a young technology that is opening many new industrial opportunities. The performance levels in removing NPs from contaminnated effluents could lead to a highly competitive alternative to membrane, flottation and floculation devices. Hence, the perspective is to build a start up thanks to this project, which will go to the prototype namely a series of biological and synthetic molecules for coagulation-floculation of nanomaterials in aqueous suspension.