Projects / Programmes
Polimeri in polimerni materiali s posebnimi lastnostmi (Slovene)
January 1, 2009
- December 31, 2014
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 2.04.00 |
Engineering sciences and technologies |
Materials science and technology |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 2.05 |
Engineering and Technology |
Materials engineering |
Researchers (27)
Organisations (2)
Significance for science
Through profound understanding and innovative solutions of scientific challenges the proposed program provides an important contribution to the world treasury of knowledge. New discoveries were published in high quality polymer journals and were presented in domestic and international conferences, whereas the most innovative solutions were protected by patents. Research in the field of health was focused on improving the solubility of poorly-water soluble, low-molecular weight antidiabetic drug glimepiride by preparing solid dispersions based on dendritic polymers. Solid dispersions were further incorporated into the final pharmaceutical form – tablets. The improved glimepiride water-solubility was explained by specific H-bond interaction between the drug and the carrier. The results present an original contribution and innovative approach for drug dosage optimization with the aim to achieve the desired therapeutic effect. The scientific results provide better understanding of the specific structure of the formed complexes and the underlying mechanism for the improved glimepiride solubility, which is necessary for effective transfer of the gained experimental insights into the practice, i.e. industrial production of final pharmaceutical forms. Protein drugs or biopharmaceuticals are becoming the key drugs of the future. Their major drawback is labile structure, which can be solved by employing suitable delivery system. One of the best and technologically the simplest approaches to overcome this issue is the preparation of nanoparticles formed by spontaneous complexation of the protein and the polymer carrier. Since no organic solvents are used in this procedure, there is no fear of losing protein activity due to denaturation. The most important part is to select an appropriate “smart” polymer designed for a specific protein, which enables efficient complexation and, in addition, is responsive to external stimuli. We synthesized novel polymers which proved to be highly efficient for association with selected protein and resulted in formation of stable nanoparticle systems. The protein loading in nanoparticles was high and even exceeded the values reported so far in the literature. The results were protected in three patent applications and published in several articles. The utility of renewable resources for the production of commercial products represents a very important and innovative topic in which the researchers from our research group as well as industry were involved. We have focused on substitution of traditional fossil fuel based polymers with biobased substitutes. Findings in the process of liquefaction of lignocellulosic materials were the basis for the optimization of the synthesis of polyesters based on renewable resources as well as polyurethane foams as potential materials for insulation. In addition, we optimized the composition of adhesive mixture for the manufacturing of particle boards based on the knowledge of condensation pathways of the liquefied lignocellulosic material and melamine-urea-formaldehyde polymers. In this way, the formaldehyde emission was reduced which has a direct impact on the residence quality in places where the furniture and construction elements are made of particleboards. Finally, we invented and optimized a new simplified procedure for production of nanocellulose from natural sources, which was patent protected. Polymer nanocomposites are an important field in polymer chemistry, since they enable expansion of application fields of polymer materials. Our program group has established new modifications of nanoparticle surfaces with polymers to enable enhanced interactions with chemically similar polymer matrices as compared to conventional nanoparticle modifications. In this way, we prepared polymer materials with improved properties (hardness, thermal stability, etc.).
Significance for the country
The content and goals of the program took into account the newest discoveries and directions of European and global polymer science and technology, and are closely connected to Slovenian chemical industry, which creates a substantial part of the national income. Successful realization and generated results during program implementation did not only contribute to the world treasury of knowledge but are also beneficial for further progress of Slovenian polymer industry. The research in the field of health proceeded within the framework of two applicative projects with a Slovenian pharmaceutical company Lek on the topics, which have been aligned with the company interests, i.e. improvement of poor water-solubility of low-molecular weight drugs and improved efficiency and safety of medical treatment with biopharmaceuticals. Thus, the results of this research have a significant applicative potential for the development of technologically promising new drug delivery systems of utmost importance for pharmaceutical industry, which is an important financial element in Slovenia, already involved in the development of biopharmaceuticals and distinguished by a large number of products with high added value. Current technological, social and economic situation raises important environmental questions regarding the waste disposal and the use of non-renewable energy sources. As a consequence, a lot of research has been focused on development of polymer materials derived from renewable resources, which represent an alternative to current fossil fuel based polymer materials. The use of renewable resource essentially contributes to the sustained development of humanity. The procedures to obtain new materials from natural sources involve rational utilization of wood, wood waste, waste cellulose pulp, which are abundant in Slovenia. These products, replacing to some extent raw materials derived from crude oil, are of high added-value and are ready for implementation in Slovenian industry. The importance of biomass liquefaction and nanocellulose production for Slovenia is confirmed by construction of a pilot reactor in company GGP – Gozdno Gospodarstvo Postojna and, finally, by the Silver award for innovation in 2010 and the Puch award of Republic of Slovenia for innovation of the year 2012 granted by Gospodarska zbornica Slovenije and Območna zbornica Ljubljana, respectively. Interest of Slovenian companies in the field of polymer nanocomposites indicates established collaborations of the program group with industrial partners (Podkrižnik d.o.o., Akripol, etc.). The research group is involved also in education process and other type of knowledge dissemination, which is important for Slovenia development and indirectly for its promotion. In the area of biopolymers we participated in the international project Innovative Value Chain Development for Sustainable Plastics in Central Europe (PLASTiCE) where we had the role of coordinator (13 partners from 4 countries). In the project we (co)organized 7 seminars/conferences and contacted more than 100 companies. We conducted 4 case studies resulting in 3 industrial prototypes. We established an international network of national focal points currently covering 9 countries (www.sustainableplastics.eu). Currently, we coordinate the project Derelict Fishing Gear Management System in the Adriatic Region (acronym DeFishGear) with 16 partners from 7 countries in the Adriatic region. Our program group is connected in several Slovenian associations, educates new workforce and is active in international cooperation to support the social development guidelines.
Audiovisual sources (1)
Most important scientific results
Annual report
2009,
2010,
2011,
2012,
2013,
final report,
complete report on dLib.si
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Annual report
2009,
2010,
2011,
2012,
2013,
final report,
complete report on dLib.si
