Slovenian-led research in biofabrication architecture wins EU funding
Izola, 6 September - Anna Sandak, deputy director of the Izola-based InnoRenew research institute and a University of Primorska professor, has secured funding from the European Innovation Council (EIC) for her Remedy project, which seeks to develop engineered living materials and biofabrication processes for personalised, sustainable architecture.
Sandak has become the first scientist in Slovenia to receive funding as part of the EIC's Pathfinder programme. Its projects seek to develop cutting-edge technologies across various fields, including health, AI, computing, environment, and energy, as stated in today's press release from InnoRenew.
Remedy was chosen in the 2024 Pathfinder call, worth EUR 138 million in total, as one of 45 projects winning funds among 1,110 applications.
It aims to achieve a breakthrough in fundamental research in microbiology and synthesis, transfer knowledge and expertise to materials science through engineered living materials, and develop compatible biofabrication processes that enable personalised design in an architectural context, the institute wrote.
"Through customised decoration and functionality of different building surfaces, Remedy will promote probiotic architecture and introduce metabolic thinking into circular construction," it added.
"I'm very proud and honoured that the EIC has recognised the importance of our research idea," Sandak said, expressing her excitement about starting work and developing a new product and breakthrough technology for the construction sector.
Remedy is the third Pathfinder project coordinated by a Slovenian institution. The consortium includes six partners from four EU countries: Slovenia, Austria, the Netherlands, and Slovakia.
In addition to InnoRenew, the University of Ljubljana, the Technical University of Graz, and companies TIGER Coatings, Xylotrade, and Qres Technologies are participating in the project, with additional support from the University of Primorska.