ASINA

ASINA aims to develop design strategies for the formulation of intrinsically safe nanotechnological products and processes (safe-by-design strategies, SbD). In particular, it focuses on two representative categories of products and related processes: 1) nanostructured coatings for the abatement of organic and biological pollutants, conveyed by environmental vectors, such as water and air; 2) micro/nano-encapsulation systems for the transport of anti-aging and antimicrobial active ingredients, in cosmetic applications. ASINA project adopts an industrial methodology for the improvement of quality and safety of the proposed products/processes, according to a sequence of steps that it envisages:
• DEFINITION: formulation of process and product hypotheses
• MEASURE: measurement of technical and functional performance of the product and assessment of its impact on human health and on the environment during the life cycle of the products
• ANALYSIS: analysis of characterization factors such as the chemical-physical properties of the materials/products and of the process parameters and correlation with the response functions (performance, cost, and safety)
• DESIGN: development of product/process design alternatives, based on previous answers and identification of the most promising strategies
• VERIFY: scale-up of the proposed solutions, with implementation on a pilot scale and adaptation to regulatory requirements
CNR-ISTEC is the Project Coordinator. CNR-STIIMA is involved for the characterization of the antibacterial properties of fabrics and other coated substrates; CNR-ISAC is involved for the characterization of the inhalable fraction of nanoparticles, potentially released during the production and use of products “nano-enabled”.