Project: TECHBIKOM
The use of antimicrobial and antiviral substances from bark extracts for potential applications in FFP-2 masks is the research focus of the project. It combines the competences of experts of the Kompetenzzentrum Holz GmbH and scientists of the research center CEITEC BUT in Brno/CZ.
Project aim:
The main objective of the project is to develop innovative materials with antibacterial properties from bark waste in combination with bio-based and biodegradable polymers.
Scientists and innovative research institutions around the world are striving to reduce environmental pollution. One way is to fully exploit the potential of waste materials. As part of the Czech-Austrian INTERREG project work is underway to partially put bark waste, of which more than 30 million tons are produced annually in the European forestry industry alone, to alternative use. Bark has been shown to be a raw material rich in bioactive compounds with the potential to produce specialty chemicals and value-added products. In the last decade, the bark beetle plague, a consequence of climate change, has severely affected not only the territory of the Czech Republic, but also Upper Austria. This has resulted in an increased amount of damaged wood with the corresponding bark waste, which is generally not utilized to the extent that it could be.
The main task of Wood K plus within TECHBIKOM is the processing of bark by means of extractions to get extracts of bioactive substances. These will be handed over to scientists at the CEITEC BUT research center in Brno. Within the Advanced Biomaterials research group, led by Assoc. Prof. Lucy Vojtová in collaboration with the group of Dr. Radka Přikryl from the BUT Faculty of Chemistry, the substances will be used to produce submicron fibers from biodegradable polymers. In this process, centrifugal spinning (similar to the production of cotton candy) is used to produce fibers from a material with antibacterial and antiviral properties. The fiber properties are being tested in a pilot study as part of the TECHBIKOM project to produce a functional sample for an FFP-2 mask.
Project consortium:
The project is initiated and executed by two research institutions:
- CEITEC BUT in Brno (CZ) - Advanced Biomaterials research group.
- Wood K plus (Kompetenzzentrum Holz GmbH) with the location in Linz (CZ).
- Strategic Partner: Training Forest Enterprise Masaryk Forest Křtiny.
Thus, the expertise of these research institutions is used synergistically and advantages are generated on several levels. Synergies in the research areas of microbial efficacy, biodegradability, thermoplastic processing and wood chemistry are particularly noteworthy.
Funding programme:
Interreg V-A Programm für grenzüberschreitende Zusammenarbeit zwischen Österreich und der Tschechischen Republik 2014-2020.
Project lead:
CEITEC BUT Brno (CZ)
Duration:
1 Jahr (01/2022 - 12/2022)
Consortium:
CEITEC BUT Brno
Wood K plus
Links:
https://www.at-cz.eu/at/ibox/pa-2-umwelt-und-ressourcen/atcz287_techbikom
The project "TECHBIKOM" is 85% funded by the INTERREG V-A Czech Republic - Austria cooperation program (European Regional Development Fund/EFRE) and 5% by the federal province of Upper Austria.