The technology is based on the development of new mesoporous materials, for the immobilisation of biomolecules, or micro-organisms, on solid substrates for creating new supports for biosensors. The development of the so called sol-gel process provided new possibilities in the field of materials science, in fact the sol-gel route using organic-inorganic hybrids for the encapsulation of fragile biomolecules is a new discovery.

The well-defined pore structure is one attractive characteristic of these materials, able to be infiltrated into these pores to generate a responsive device for specified applications. The company has extended the method for the fabrication of well ordered mesoporous titania thin films for biosensors incorporating biological elements in these materials for the detection of dioxins, making a new type of biosensor with high sensitivity and simplicity of measurement. This device allows to track the presence of dioxin but the company's target is to expand this system for creating a multisensory for the detection of different contaminants, bacteria or toxins.

The technology developed for packaging of fruits is based on the synthesis of new materials composed of natural, biodegradable, antibacterial films with innovative properties. Polymeric films can extend the shelf-life of food controlling the permeation speed of compounds with low molecular weight towards the inside and towards the outside of packages.

Innovative Aspects:
The innovative aspect of this materials, made on sol gel, for biosensors is that has never been used for the detection of food contaminants such as dioxin.

Moreover the bio-element used on the surface area of the pores identifies small quantities of the target molecule. Often, the packaging of food, the influence of the microbial growth, the presence and the concentration of gas and vapor, usually induce physical processes and chemical and enzymatic reactions able to cause in a short time the qualitative decline of food products. The technology overcomes all these problems because it allows control the porosity of the film and with some component it is possible to provide some antibacterial property to the film.

Using nanotechnology is possible to increase the mechanical properties of the film giving a bigger resistance. To improve the cosmetic formulations of sunscreen it is possible produce nanoparticles very small used in cosmetic formulations to avoid the white effect of sunscreen and with a higher shield against the sun. The technology offered ensures safer products for consumers with an anti-intusion properties and highly controlled.

The main advantage of mesoporous materials for biosensors and in particular for the detection of dioxin is that it is a simple method, low cost, easy to use, rapid, and very sensitive in comparison with the methods normally utilized, because it can immobilise small quantities of the target molecule in the nanopores. For the synthesis of these materials the company uses a new "green" method with a low environmental impact.

 

Patents/Rights: Patent(s) applied for but not yet granted

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