Detection and quantification of

emerging pollutants in marine envi-

ronments, including microplastics

Reduction of marine pollution:

prevention of microplastics contamina-

tion by filtration strategies; remedia-

tion of oil spills by polymeric membra-

nes, functional membranes, novel sor-

bents, novel bioremediation consortia

and novel biomaterials; in-situ biore-

mediation of dredged sediments, ex-

situ recovery of metals in sediments by

bioleaching and novel materials.

Treatment and reuse of bilge and

ballast water treatment: conven-

tional and emerging membrane tech-

nologies, advanced electrochemical

technologies, hybrid technologies.

Bioprospection/bioproduction of

marine natural products: screening

and isolation of new strains/consortia

with industrial applications; optimiza-

tion of bioproduct production (e.g.:

marine bio-surfactants, bioemulsifiers

for commercial exploitation, biopoly-

mers, fatty acids, carotenoids, etc.).

Aquaculture: functional hydroly-

zed protein (from fish waste to

fish feed); fish eco-prebiotics

(stimulation of beneficial microbiota);

enzymes for feed; innovative antimicro-

bial/anti-biofilms coatings for aquacultu-

re facilities; water treatment and mana-

gement in recirculating aquaculture

systems by novel filtration and electro-

chemical systems.

Management of fishing wastes:

valorisation of fishing nets as a raw

material for different sectors; valoriza-

tion of fishing wastes (bioactive ingre-

dients for food).

Control and monitoring of port/

ship air pollution based on regulated

compounds.

Modeling on pollutants dispersion.

Development of energy harves-

ting systems, based on Sediment

Microbial Fuel Cells, self-sustaining

power sources for supplying energy to

remote sensors operating in remote

environments/locations

ENVIRONMENTAL & BIO TECHNOLOGIES (EBT)

Divisions

ENVIRONMENTAL &

BIO TECHNOLOGIES

DEVICES, DESIGN &

ENGINEERING

ADVANCED

MATERIALS

BIOMEDICINE

SAFETY & SUSTAINA-

BILITY

FAST MOVING

CONSUMER GOODS

Maritime Research

& Innovation Activities

DEVICES, DESIGN & ENGINEERING (D2E)

Hull / water interaction: Multiphysical

modelling and simulation. New Computer

Fluid Dynamics (CFD) tools for air lubrica-

tion and supporting aerodynamic design. Vali-

dation of new CFD tools applied to vessels.

Underwater noise and vibrations.

Study of the useful life of devices (climatic

chambers).

Personal protective equipment for safety

of life at sea.

Mobile applications.

Design, manufacture, characterization and

development of marine sensors, biosen-

sors and telecommunication antennas

(e.g. marine monitoring for Marine Strategy

Framework Directive requirements).

Energy management: Design, assembling and

characterization, control and integration of

energy systems. Energy storage and smart

grid concepts. Energy harvesting platofmrs.

Real time monitoring, sensing and data collec-

tion for smart maintenance. Renewable ener-

gies.

Advanced manufacture processes: composites

processing, robotics, additive fabrication, prin-

ted electronics and ionic liquid technology.

Synthesis of polymers and biopolymers,

nanoparticles, nanofibres and micro /

nanocapsules.

Formulation of raw materials through pilot

processes as composites, nanocomposites

and biocomposites extrusion, electros-

pinning, preparation of inks, coatings

and paints, concrete mixture processes

and stabilized products.

Surface technology (corrosion, biofouling)

for maritime transport, boating and coastal

infrastructure.

Application of new materials by new techni-

ques such as injection, blow moulding,

inkjet, screen printing, padding and plas-

ma and sun-gel treatments

Smart materials for on-board (improved

lightweight, strength, Self-healing materials,

hydrophobic, noise insulation properties, fire

resistant).

Studies on recyclability and useful life of

new materials (e.g. fiber reinforced plastic

from dismantling recreational craft).

ADVANCED MATERIALS (AM)

BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING (BIOMED)

DNA detection for rapid identification of

toxins, drugs, infections, and biological conta-

minants

Analysis and Biosensors for the detection of

common marine food infections (anisakis and

others). Useful in aquaculture and fisheries.

Quality control of food processing

By product-waste valorisation. Identification

of active principles that could be applied to

pharmaceutical, biotech, veterinarian, and cos-

metic sectors

Marine organisms and microorganisms. Scree-

ning to identify active principles

Biosensors based on antibody-antigen or

catilis (rotifers), Artemia salina (crustacean),

Phaeodactylum tricornutum (alga)

5. Tailor-made cell-based in vitro models for

the pharmaceutical, chemical and food in-

dustries.

Human & Environmental Risk Assess-

ment.

Sustainable Production and Consump-

tion :

1. Waste minimization and valorisation

(fishing and port generated waste, recrea-

tional craft/ship dismantling, ...)

2. Transport and logistics management

(energy efficiency and emission reduc-

tion during freight transport)

3. Life cycle assessment (LCA) & life cycle

costing (LCC)

4. Ecodesign (application of environmental

criteria to crafts and components design)

Environmental Communication and

labeling (Ecolabel, awareness campaigns...).

Marine biosensors (design and develop-

ment of nanobiosensors).

Safety assessment of nanomaterials

(monitorization of their release along their life

cycle as additives in conventional materials):

1. Design set-ups for monitorization of mate-

rials release during use-phase and end of life

processes

2. Physical-chemical characterization of relea-

sed materials

3. Quantification of released materials

Toxicological studies:

1. In-vitro toxicity: Cocultures. Viability, proli-

feration, oxidative stress, inflammatory res-

ponses, cell uptake and fate, translocation.

2. In-vivo biokinetics: Distribution and accu-

mulation/ elimination studies. Bioavailability

oral and dermal studies

3. In-vivo toxicity: Short-term repeated dose

toxicity. Oral, dermal, intravenous

4. Ecotoxicity: Hazard assessment of substan-

ces entering the marine environment by

using ecotoxicological tests covering target

species belonging to different trophic le-

vels. Vibrio fisheri (bacteria), Brachionus pli-

SAFETY & SUSTAINABILITY (S&S)

LEITAT

C/ Pallars 179-185

08005 Barcelona

http://ipo.leitat.org

Tel. (+34) 93 788 23 00

Fax (+34) 93 789 19 06

Contact persons:

Lola Rodriguez-

lrodriguez@leitat.org

Laia Piñol -

lpinol@leitat.org

MARITIME RESEARCH ACTIVITIES

F OLLOW US ON

TWITTER

@LE ITAT

New solutions for the design of Home &

Care products (detergents, cosmetics) in

order to bring added value and reduce im-

pact on the marine environment.

FAST MOVING CONSUMER GOODS (FMCG)

Innovative technologies and additives for laun-

dry processes and textile finishing treatments

for the mitigation of microplastic impact in

marine environments caused by textile

washing processes).

TESTING LABORATORY FOR THE INTERNATIONAL CODE FOR APPLICATION OF

FIRE TEST PROCEDURES of the International Maritime Organization – IMO

Ver FP.1/Circ.36 (5 de enero de 2009) – List of Recognized test laboratories.