micro- & nanoencapsulation services in the catalan institute of nanotechnology
DESCRIPTION
- MICRO- AND NANOENCAPSULATION SERVICES - The Micro- & NanoEncapsulation mission is to assist private companies and public research institutes to develop novel encapsulation products. Within the Catalan Institute of Nanotechnology (ICN), the Supramolecular NanoChemistry and Materials (NANOup) team provides expertise, specialized equipment and dedicated laboratory space for product R&D and industrial scale-up. Covering product design, development of tailored manufacturing processes, quality control parameters and scale-up to commercial quantities, a complete product development is provided. - CUSTOM SOLUTIONS - We can help you to protect solid particles or liquid droplets and ensure controlled release of the active components. With extensive experience and knowledge in the microencapsulation field, we can solve your technical problems in any industrial sector. - CONTACT US - We are already working with several companies to develop new commercial products and techniques that incorporate Micro- and NanoTechnologies. Questions on encapsulation? Feel free to contact us! [email protected]TRANSCRIPT
Micro- & Nanoencapsulation Services
Catalan Institute of Nanotechnology
Supramolecular NanoChemistry & Materials Group
Micro- & Nanoencapsulation Services
Presentation
About us
Catalan Institute of Nanotechnology (ICN)
The Catalan Institute of Nanotechnology (ICN) is a non-profit private foundation created in 2003 by the Ministry of Universities, Research and Information Society of the Catalan Government (DIUE) and the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB). It is part of CERCA, the network of Research Centres launched by the Catalan Government as a cornerstone of its long-term strategy to foster development of a knowledge-based economy.
ICN's research lines focus on the newly discovered physical and chemical properties that arise from the fascinating behaviour of matter at the nanoscale.
Supramolecular NanoChemistry & Materials
The Supramolecular NanoChemistry & Materials (NANOup) group was set up in 2009 by ICREA Research Prof Daniel Maspoch. It comprises 5 senior researchers, 6 PhD students and 1 project manager.
NANOup uses supramolecular chemistry to explore new materials and applications (in close collaboration with several private companies) in diverse areas, including micro- and nanoencapsulation, drug-delivery systems, contrast agents, and novel sensors and magnetic platforms.
Carlos Carbonell Contracted PhD
Marta Rubio ICN Fellow
Marta González Project Manager
Dr. Sonia García Contracted Post-Doc
Dr. Nereida MejíasSenior Technician
Àngels RuyraRamón Areces
Fellow
ICREA Prof. Daniel Maspoch
Group Leader
Dr. Inhar Imaz RyC Researcher
Dr. Mary CanoResearcher
Dr. Kyriakos StylianouMarie Curie Fellow
Iván BurneoSENESCYT
Fellow
Arnau CarnéFI Fellow
Javier AriñezFPU Fellow
NANOup
team
Nanoscale Supramolecular
Materials
Supramolecular Nanostructures
on Surfaces
Micro- and Nanoencapsulatio
n Technologies
Research Lines
Ba
sic Re
search
Micro- a
nd N
an
o-e
ncapsu
latio
n
Se
rvices
Packaging micro- or nanoparticles of solid, liquid or gas (the core or active substance) within a secondary material (the matrix or shell), to form nano- or microcapsules
Micro- and Nanoencapsulation Technologies
The core material is protected by a shell and only delivered when needed.
Triggered release (pH, T, pressure)Target release (site recognition)Sustained release (shell decomposition)
Functional advantages
Protect core material
Change properties (increase solubility, mask taste, etc.)
Reduce costs
Decrease toxicity (reduce required dose; local release)
Aesthetic improvements
Micro- & Nanoencapsulation Services
To help private companies and public research institutes to develop novel encapsulation products
Our mission:
we provide a complete product development
service
Design
From the lab to the market:
Development Quality Control
We design and fabricate new products, based on in-house technology, and assist collaborators with scaling-up.
Scale-up to Commercial Quantitites
Our expertise
Core
Hydrophobic liquids
Aqueous solutions
Solids
Emulsions
Dispersions
Gases
Shell
Polymers:
natural (polysaccharides, proteins, etc.),
synthetic (polyamides, polyesters, polyureas, polyurethanes, urea/melamine-formaldehyde resin, polystyrene, etc.),
semi synthetic (chitosan, cellulose, starch, etc.)
Lipids: cholesterol, phospholipids
Inorganic materials: SiO2
We have developed diverse types of micro- and nanocapsules to match each industrial sector and application. These differ by their membrane, which is carefully selected to suit the customer’s needs. Depending on the final application, the membrane can be further optimised.
• Prevent environmental oxidation or deactivation• Separate incompatible materialsProtect core material
• Mask organoleptic properties like color, taste, odor of substances• Safe handling of toxic cores
Modify properties of the core material
• Reduce handling costsConvert liquids to free- flowing solids
• Improve adhesion, penetration or recognition of tissues and cells• Reduce active doses, and therefore, potential toxicity/side-effects
Controlled and targeted release of encapsulated
cores
• Provide sustained release maintain optimal concentration• Provide triggered release based on environmental changes (T, pH)• Marketing & product aesthetics
Modify core material via release
• Enable more stable, efficient and biocompatible products, based on nanocapsulesDevelop novel products
We can encapsulate core materials in different polymer membranes. Encapsulation protects the active component in the core, enables controlled release and reduces or eliminates toxicity.
Our capabilities
+
In-situ, interfacial & radical polymerisation• Melamine-formaldehyde, polyurethane, styrene, polyurea,
polyamides, polyesters, silica, ethylcellulose
Simple and complex coacervation• Gelatin, acacia and glutaraldehyde • Casein, chitosan, PVA
Liposomes & Solid Lipid Nanoparticles• Lipid-cake hydration and homogeneisation by extrusion, ultrasound•
Emulsions • Nanoemulsions, double emulsions• Polymeric surfactants
Spray-drying• Particle miniaturisation (300 nm to 100µm)• Encapsulate peptides, drugs or food ingredients
Our equipmentThrough specialised facilities—some of which are unique in Spain—we offer high-level technical assistance to collaborate with external partners, including for commercial R&D.
Equipment for synthesis
Pilot plant
Characterisation
Nanochemistry Lab
Rotary evaporatorFreezer (-80 ºC)
LyophiliserUltracentrifuge
Spray-drying
Nanospray Spray Drier (Büchi)
Mini Spray Drier (Büchi)Particle miniaturisation
Extrusion
LIPEXTM extruder (Northern Lipids)
Liposome preparationat 10 mL scale
High pressure homogenisation
M-110L Microfluidiser Processor
High-shear fluids processing
Microfluidics
Pilot plant reactor
Dispermat CN0.5 to 40 LDissolver
Bench scale mixers
Overhead stirrersUltraturrax (IKA)Ultrasound probe
Stability studiesTurbiscan
Mastersizer
Direct Visualisation
SEMTEM
Cryo-TEM
Rupture force & deformability studies
Nanoindentator
Full physical characterisation
Viscosimeter
Full chemical characterisation
IR, UV, Elemental analysis, EDX, TOF-SIMS,
X-ray powder diffraction
Study of the release
Porosity studiesBET
Size determinationDLSSEM
4 mm
Custom solutions
With extensive experience and knowledge in the microencapsulation field, we can solve your technical problems in any industrial sector.
We can help you to protect solid particles or liquid droplets and ensure controlled release of the active components.
Agriculture
Textiles ConstructionNutrition
Drugs
Cosmetics
Nanotechnology does not always involve expensive equipment or rare materials: it can often be incorporated into existing industrial processes with minimal capital investment.
Fragrance encapsulation for detergents and softeners
Biocide encapsulation for paintings
Disinfectant encapsulation for clinical surfaces disinfection
Enzymatic encapsulation
Peptide micronisation
Capsules for self-repairing wood
Development of encapsulating matrices using metal-organic systems
Encapsulation of phage & inmunostimulants in liposomes and in polysaccharide & biocompatible polymers
We are already working with several companies to develop new commercial products and techniques that incorporate Nanotechnology:
Thank you for your attention!
Group Leader, NANOUP
Micro- and Nanoencapsulation Technologies Leader, NANOUP
Questions on encapsulation? Feel free to contact us!