Polysaccharide-Based Microspheres: A Versatile Material for a Multitude of Applications (PolySpheres)

Polysaccharides comprise 70-80% of all plant biomass, the predominant renewable material resource on Earth. A multitude of scientific and technological opportunities relies now on development of advanced biomaterials based on polysaccharides with multi-functionalities that are suitable for different value chains and end-uses. Polysaccharide-based microspheres are spherical particles with diameters in the micro to millimeter scale. They can be tailored and functionalized using biopolymers and water-based processes, having excellent potential to be applied both in industry, medicine, agriculture, construction, food and cosmetics. In this project, we design and prepare new polysaccharide microspheres using sustainable technologies and advanced chemical engineering. The microspheres will be applied in pharmaceutical technology for developing new process of encapsulation and purification of drugs, food biotechnology for new dietary supplements and environmental clean technologies for water and air purification. This project combines new opportunities for innovation and advancement of sustainable processes with improvement of life quality and wellbeing in Flanders and in Europe.

Keywords:polyspheres

Disciplines:Catalysis and reacting systems engineering, Chemical product design and formulation, General chemical and biochemical engineering, Process engineering, Separation and membrane technologies, Transport phenomena, Other (bio)chemical engineering