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Industrial Collaborative Projects

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International Projects

 Nov 2021 –  Out 2025

2007-2010

Title: European MIC Network - New paths for science, sustainability and standards

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Acronym: Euro-MIC

Motivation:

A main challenge that inhibits the progression in MIC research and control is the lack of fluent and synergistic  collaboration/communication between materials scientists, corrosion engineers, microbiologists, chemists and integrity managers (plant/infrastructure operators) as well as the insufficient interaction between academia and industry. The main aim of this COST Action is to establish a common MIC Network in Europe (Euro-MIC), in collaboration with other non-European MIC experts, bringing together the different stakeholders, thereby supercharging the MIC research field with the goal of achieving more sustainable, safe and reliable MIC
management practices and infrastructure integrity maintenance.

Euro-MIC Website: https://www.euro-mic.org/

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Euro-MIC Cost Action CA20130

 

E. R. Silva role: Leader of WG4-Strategize ´green´ mitigation methods;

                           Management Committee (MC) member

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 Jan 2011 – Nov 2014 

Title: Environmental Friendly Antifouling Technology to Optimise the Energy Efficiency of Ships

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Acronym: FOUL-X-SPEL

Description:
Innovative coatings to combat biofouling: Marine biofouling is a well-known problem involving adhesion and growth of macro- and microorganisms on water-immersed surfaces that can pose a significant impediment to ship performance. EU-funded researchers developed environmentally safe biofouling prevention coatings that can also find use in bridges and other inland metallic structures in coastal areas and wet zones. Fouling of ship hulls can reduce a vessel's speed, requiring a large increase in fuel consumption to counter the added drag. Increasing the hull roughness only by 50 μm can raise fuel expenditure by 50 %. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) estimated that carbon dioxide emissions associated with fuel consumption from shipping could increase more than twice by 2030. Within FOUL-X-SPEL (Environmentally friendly antifouling technology to optimise the energy efficiency of ships), researchers investigated environmentally friendly coatings for ship hulls to prevent biofouling organisms from interfering with a ship's hydrodynamic performance. Previous biofouling solutions included use of toxic biocides that beyond killing organisms trying to attach to the hull also posed a threat to the wider aquatic ecosystem. Hitherto solutions based on biocide-free formulations proved to be inefficient in preventing aquatic attachment. FOUL-X-SPEL research yielded significant progress in the development of two powerful, non-toxic protective coatings. The first one was a polyurethane-based paint containing two immobilised biocides (Econea and Irgarol), and the second one a silicone-based formulation containing immobilised Econea. Researchers provided novel antifouling coating technology by fixing bioactive molecules (biocides) in the coating matrix to eliminate biocide discharge into the surrounding environment and also ensure long-term surface protection. The new coatings present very low friction with water and keep the vessel free from fouling for up to 90 months. In addition, they minimise the surface roughness and improve hull hydrodynamic properties. By reducing microorganism build-up, the newly developed coatings can substantially improve ship performance and fuel efficiency, while dramatically cutting hull maintenance costs. Furthermore, they can reduce the transport of invasive species via ship hulls.

National Projects 

 Jul 2014 – Dec 2015 

Title: Antifouling compounds for the biofouling control in aquaculture

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Acronym: ECOFOULESS

Description:

ECOFOULESS project developed new coating protection for marine aquaculture structures, in particular polymeric nets.
The main followed innovative strategy involved the immobilization of natural-based and synthetic biocidal agents in polymeric matrices used to further protect aquaculture structures or prototypes built for the purpose.
Commercial biocides have been functionalized (Patent Application WO2016/093719.A1) and immobilized together with natural-based antifouling agents for synergistic purposes. Potential results were found, and further field tests were performed.

2007-2010

E. R. Silva role: Principal Investigator (PI) of the Instituto Superior Técnico (IST). IST a subcontracted entity.

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IST Team: E. R. Silva (PI), Prof. João Bordado, Olga Fereira (Master), Samuel Santos (Master).

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Partners: Tunipex, SA (Promotor, website: http://www.tunipex.eu/pt/home.php), Faculdade de Ciências (Subcontracted) and Instituto Superior Técnico (subcontracted).

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Sponsor/Co-Sponsor: PROMAR – Programa Operacional Pesca 2007-2013 / European fisheries fund (European Commission)

 Oct 2010 – Mar 2013 

Title: Technical and technological valorization of cork stoppers by incorporating polymers of natural origin and cork byproducts

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Acronym: VALOR5

Description:

ECork stoppers manufacturing, for all winemaking styles, are the most important business in the cork industry. However, and besides the intrinsic properties of cork (low density, high impermeability and elasticity), the improvement in competitiveness depends on the profitability of the raw-material and on the availability of product ranges in order to fulfil the clients demands. Furthermore, due the intrinsic cork heterogeneity as a natural raw-material, a significant volume of byproducts is obtained from corks manufacturing, such as cork powder and natural corks of low quality. These natural corks, characterized by a relatively high porosity and a defective sealing performance, represent byproducts with a low commercial value, also leading to additional inventory costs and a relevant contribution on the raw-material profitability. As a leading global wine cork manufacturing company, Cork Supply goal is to join its experience and know-how, with those of Institute Superior Técnico and University of Coimbra research groups. Together, they aim at following a strategy of development and innovation, which includes the design of new more attractive cork stoppers adding value to those byproducts. For this purpose, the project involves: optimizing conventional recovery processes, such as the colmation process; the formulation of new mixtures for colmation using synthetic polymeric emulsions incorporating natural segments as much as possible, namely containing cork dust; the design of a new stopper, covered with an external layer of cork conglomerate, and the development of required technology for the purpose. The project is a promising challenge and particularly aims at producing and placing into market innovative products of better-quality consistency, with a better performances and higher environmental and commercial values in the concurrent market.

E. R. Silva role: Principal Investigator (PI) of the Instituto Superior Técnico (IST). IST a subcontracted entity.

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IST Team: E. R. Silva (PI), Prof. João Bordado, Olga Fereira (Master), Samuel Santos (Master).

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Partners: Tunipex, SA (Promotor, website: http://www.tunipex.eu/pt/home.php), Faculdade de Ciências (Subcontracted) and Instituto Superior Técnico (subcontracted).

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Sponsor/Co-Sponsor: PROMAR – Programa Operacional Pesca 2007-2013 / European fisheries fund (European Commission)

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