Antoneta Tomljenović, Ph.D., employed as assistant professor at the University of Zagreb, Faculty of Textile Technology, Department of Materials, Fibres and Textile Testing, spent her research secondment within FP7 T-Pot project at the new premises of LEITAT Technological Center in Terrassa (Barcelona), from 28^th February 2011 to 18^th March 2011.

LEITAT is a Technological Center, member of TECNIO and recognized by the Ministry of Science and Innovation, that aims to collaborate with companies and institutions by adding technological value both to products and processes, and focuses its activity on research, development and industrial innovation (R+D+2i). As Technological Partner, the Center is clearly committed to adaptation to transform the technological challenges into economic and social value. Since its foundation in 1906, LEITAT has prioritized its vocation of proximity by strengthening the principles of professionalism and respect to people and environment at the same time. Since 1914 LEITAT has been located on Passeig 22 de Juliol and at present it is located in the Parc Científic i Tecnològic de Terrassa (Orbital 40) where they continue their work in this new headquarters building which is expected to meet the specific needs of a Center such as LEITAT: sustainability, technological innovation, functionality, environmental quality and integration in the environment.

a.	b.	c.

LEITAT RELIABILITY

Certifications of the Center

·         Quality management system (standard UNE EN ISO 9001: 2000)

·         Environmental management system (standard UNE EN ISO 14001: 2004)

·         R+D management system (standard UNE 166002: 2006)

·         Collaboration to the Community system of management and environmental audit (EMAS) Governed by Regulation EC No 731/2001

Accreditations of the Center

Quality management system (standard UNE EN ISO/IEC 17025: 2005), to the following technical dossiers

·         Wool and textiles products (18/LE026)

·         Behavior to burning (18/LE274)

·         Personal protective equipment PPE (18/LE705)

Self-Validation of RENAULT for testing parts of the interior and exterior as well as mechanical and electrical components

Laboratory recognized by the International Federation of Automobile for testing on protective clothing and gloves for pilots according to standard FIA 8856 - 2000

LEITAT RESEARCH UNITS

From a traditional structure to a flexible and dynamic organization, LEITAT seeks to ensure a rapid and effective response by reducing levels of decision-making and bureaucracy. Prioritizing teams work and projects with a horizontal communication and a definition of responsibilities in order to achieve meet the expectations of the client and society.

Biomed

R & D into new drugs aimed at cancer therapy, generation of monoclonal antibodies customized, Identification of new therapeutic indications for drugs, design of biosensors and diagnostic kits.

Industrial Biotech

R & D in biotechnological solutions (microorganisms and enzymes) with application in industrial processes; Development and study of the effectiveness of antimicrobial, antifungal and dust mite.

Nanomaterials

Customized preparation and characterization of new nanomaterials, nanofibers and nanofluids with new advanced properties for application in several industries.

Nanosecurity

Assessment of risk to human health and the environment from the use of nanomaterials in products, R & D production methods and recycling of nanomaterials.

Surface Treatments

R & D and monitoring specific functionalization of surfaces with new advanced technologies, optimization of formulations and industrial finishing processes

Smart Systems

R & D in new concepts of intelligent systems based on sensors - actuators; industrial application of the thermoelectricity; new generation and energy transfer methods.

Renewable Energies

R & D on new solar cells and solar concentrators, R & D on thermoelectric materials for implementation of Energy Harvesting; biopiles and mass storage Biorefinery.

Environment

Treatment and Minimization of industrial water consumption for advanced technologies, energy efficiency studies and life cycle analysis.

Textile Technologies

R & D on new textile materials and textile applications through a full investigation from fibres to clothing, technical textiles, personal protective equipment and smart electronics integration.

Advanced Polymers

Preparation of new polymers and biopolymers. R & D in composites and nanocomposites for high performance and sustainable. Studies of recyclable and new applications.

Fast Moving Consumer Goods

R & D aimed at adding value and sustainability for FMCG products. Methods and technologies for the treatment, protection, maintenance and improve of different products in the domestic and industrial sphere e industrial.

Analytical Chemistry

Development, validation and application of new analytical methods. Studies of emerging pollutants. R & D aimed at the recovery of waste and materials from renewable sources, preparative and industrial chemistry Replacing highly dangerous chemical reagents.

New Production Processes

(R+D) and industrial support in new additive manufacturing processes. Design and adequacy of industrial processes, productive tools and prototypes; Manufacturing processes for obtaining new products of high performance

FIELDS OF KNOWLEDGE & MARKET

Today the transformation of the LEITAT is continuous and draws a new model for the future, enabling them to provide greater technological value long-term to their customers that enable them to maintain their principles and values. From the collaboration they harness synergies between their units research bringing a more critical mass to deal with risk projects.

They work to be ahead and transform the technological challenges and needs companies and institutions face regarding their high value products and processes, satisfying the market´s changing needs. Their mission is to transfer knowledge to their clients, while guiding them and conducting a follow up of the challenges they propose, achieving at the same time the consolidation of the four working areas of the center:

·         R+D Transference (applied, competitive, and collaborative research)

·         Advanced Technological Services (testing, material behavior under extreme conditions and according to the regulations)

·         Notified Body (homologation and certification of products according to specifications and regulations)

Innovation and new technologies (management models and tools to foster corporate innovation)

STAY OF DR. ANTONETA TOMLJENOVIĆ IN LEITAT

·  Person In-Charge: Dr. Roshan Paul, Principal Investigator of Textile Technologies (TTE) Division

·   Objective:

- To carry out research activities for developing Multifunctional Protective Uniforms. This includes the chitosan microcapsule/microsphere development for its incorporation on textiles. A second part involves incorporation of thermochromic pigments inside PLA polymer by extrusion.

 - Additionally to learn about ECO-Label, LCA, Textile R&D and Textile Testing.

     Working plan:

A. Plan for the week 28/02/2011 to 04/03/2011

  B. Plan for the week 07/03/2011 to 11/03/2011

  C. Plan for the week 14/03/2011 to 18/03/2011

RESEARCH REPORT

Outline of the prescribed work:

The general goal for the project is to develop protective uniforms, incorporating multiprotective properties. The protective uniforms will be able to protect against the multiple hazards of risky situations: protection against wetting and water permeation; protection against extreme environment temperatures; protection against microbial contamination; protection against fire and associated heat; protection against static electricity.

A. Development of chitosan microcapsules/microspheres by suspension crosslinking

Microencapsulation

•          Microcapsules are micrometer-sized particles formed by an external thin spherical polymeric shell covering an active ingredient found in the interior (core), due to the antimicrobial action and the polymeric nature of the chitosan microcapsules can be formed exclusively of chitosan to form both the core and the shell.

•          Main objectives of microencapsulation are:

-         Immobilize a compound

-         Protect it of external agents  

-         Controlled release

Methods of microencapsulation

 1. Chemical methods:

 ·         Interfacial polymerization: Characterized by wall formation via the rapid polymerization of monomers at the surface of the droplets or particles of dispersed core material.

·         Coacervation method: MCs are formed by interionic interaction between oppositely charged polymers.

·         Ionotropic gelation: Driven by a syringe pump, the chitosan solution flowed out of the hollow needle and was divided into liquid droplets by the high voltage electrostatic force that reacts with coagulation solution forming MC.

 2. Physical methods:

 ·         Spray-drying: Chitosan solution is sprayed, air-dried followed by the addition of a crosslinking agent The preparation parameters with the spray dryer technology (size of nozzle, feeding pump rate, inlet temperature, and compressed air flow rate) influence the particle size of the microsphere. Is a versatile and economical method to encapsulated compounds.

Spray dryer	Microcapsule

Cross-linking agents

Chitosan can be cross-linked either ionically or covalently:

•          Ionic cross-linkers: Polyanions such as triphosphate (TPP), citrate or natural polymers like hyaluronic acid or chondroitin sulfate.

•          Covalent cross-linkers: A covalent network could be performed if the amino or the hydroxyl groups of chitosan react with functional groups of the cross-linker molecules. Examples of covalent cross-linkers: di- or polyaldehydes (glutaraldehyde) oxidised starch and oxidised cyclodextrin, carboxylic acids, azides, epoxides, diisocyanates and silanes.       

                               Chitosan microspheres preparation by suspension crosslinking

Research activities

The antibacterial functionalization of textiles will be addressed trough the development and application of chitosan microspheres/microcapsules. Chitosan microspheres/microcapsules may provide antibacterial properties. It contemplates the development of chitosan microcapsules or microspheres using the suspension crosslinking method and their subsequent application on textiles. Following the suspension crosslinking method, an acetic aqueous of chitosan is initially prepared and dispersed in a continuous organic phase. Subsequently, the crosslinking agent is added to the dispersion and the precipitated crosslinked microspheres are recovered. Different types of bifunctional agents (glutaraldehyde and triphosphate) are used for this purpose.

Chitosan micro- spheres preparation	Microscopic laboratory	Dispermat

Microbiological laboratory	Chemical laboratory

B. Incorporation of thermochromic pigments in PLA polymer by extrusion

Research activities

Twin screw extruder with polymerization reactor + melt spinning pellets unit or melt spinning monofilament unit

C1. ECO-Label, LCA and other certifications

The Environment Unit of LEITAT Technological Center participates in regional, national and European projects regarding environment and sustainability.The main fields of activity are the following:

Industrial Ecology

Sustainable combination of technology, environment and economy. Assimilation of the function of industrial areas to natural ecosystems with more efficient processes and with an interrelation between industries and environment closing material cycles.  

• -    Energy Efficiency: Energy Analysis of processes, installations and buildings

  -    Water: Consumption reduction, management, treatment and reutilisation of waste water

  -    Waste (prevention, minimization and recycling): Utilization of waste at the same industry,  studies on waste minimization, feasibility study on the reuse of generated waste.

  -    Sustainable Mobility: sustainable mobility studies

  - REACH, CLP: Registration, evaluation and authorization of chemical substances,  classification and labelling.

Ecodesign

Incorporation of environmental criteria into the design of a product/service in order to reduce the negative impact on the environment.

-    Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) LCA of a product, a service...

-    Ecodesign of a product, a production process, a package...

-    Carbon Footprint

-    Green procurement

-    Greening events

Awareness and Environmental Education

Good environmental training helps to improve business competition, Corporate Identity and the relationships between interested groups.

-    Best Environmental Practices: Consume reduction, Waste minimization ...

-   Environmental awareness campaigns Waste reduction campaign, resources  minimization...

-    Green procurement and events: Sustainable events ...

- Training sessions and Seminars. Environmental Management, Ecodesign, Life Cycle   Assessment, Best Available Techniques, Energy Efficiency, Social Responsibility, Good environmental practices, REACH, CLP...

Environmental Management and Qualification

Voluntary instruments which enable the organization to reach a high level of environmental protection and a compromise on a continuous improvement.

• -    Environmental Management Systems (EMS) in accordance with the EU Regulation EMAS and  the International standard ISO 14001

  -    Energy Management Systems UNE 16001 , Ecodesign management UNE 150.301

  - Social Responsibility Plan for equal opportunities between men and women, court  settlement f work and family life, EFR, SGE21...

  -    Ecological Label of the European Union (Ecolabel)

  -    Emblem of Guarantee of Environmental Quality of the Catalan Government (DGQA)

  -    Environmental product declarations (EPD)

Emblem of Gaurantee of Environmmental Quality European Union

o Water Saving Systems
o Recyclable products made of cardboard
o Rural tourism establishment
o Service and delivery stations
o Establishment of a perfect photo finishing
o Products made of brushwood
o Dry cleaner's
o Dry recycling products
o Customer Services Offices
o Office Buildings

Eco Label of European Union

o Textile Products
o Laundry Detergent
o Soil Amendments
o Cultivation Substrates
o Interior paints and varnish
o General cleaning products
o Soaps and Shampoos                            

Members of the Environment Unit of LEITAT (Gertri Ferrer Vinardell, Marc Torrentellé Soler, Natalia Fuenes Cortés, Raquel Villalba Gonzāles) and Antoneta Tomljenović

C2.Textile laboratories: R&D, testing and characterization

R&D Textile Technologies Division works in different textile subareas from traditional textiles to the new technologies and trends of the market. The research activities of the Division include new fibres, spinning, weaving, textile finishing, technical textiles, PPEs and smart textile structures.

• Fibres: Division works with all kind of fibres; Study of innovative and sustainable processes
• Spinning: Expertise in the spinning sector
• Knitting and weaving with convectional fibres or with modified and new fibres
• Dyeing and finishing: Microencapsulation (microcapsules development with new properties, microencapsulation, application on textile substrates); Nano-finishing (Ultraviolet protective textiles, Lotus effect textiles, Self cleaning textiles); Eco-treatments (Anti-odour textiles, Antimicrobial textiles, Flame retardant nonwovens, Textiles dyed with natural mordants and dyes, Textile dyeing incorporating hydrolyzed protein, Optical brightening incorporating hydrolyzed protein); Bio-finishing (Cotton bio-finishing; Hydrophilic and easy-care bio finishing); Special pigments (Thermochromic textiles, Photochromic textiles, Phosphorescent textiles, Optically variable textiles)
• Smart Textiles (Electronic parts in textiles; Intelligent materials)
• Personal Protective Equipments (different application fields)
• Technical textiles (different application fields)

a. Printing equipment - application of phosphorescent pigments	b. Electrolux Wascator FOM71LP-lab
c. Finishing powder spray equipment	d. Laundry
e. ATLAS Xenotest ALPHA	f. Salt spray cabinet

 LEITAT laboratories: a. Marolda Brouta-Agnésa and Antoneta Tomljenović, b., c. Antoneta Tomljenović, d. Ester Delgado, e. Marolda Brouta-Agnésa, f. Provi Ortiz

CONCLUSION

The overall aim of the FP7 Project-REGPOT-2008-1: Unlocking the Croatian Research Potentials (T-Pot) is to strengthen the scientific potential of the Faculty of Textile Technology of University of Zagreb -in that will allow greater inclusion of the Croatian textile organizations in the research activities at European level and thus support the process of harmonization and integration of European research (European Research Area - ERA). With purpose of mobilization of human resources and given the current trend of lifelong education and the necessity of permanent adoption of new knowledge and skills, the T-Pot project organize shorter visits of Croatian researchers in European institutions, and vice versa, for the purpose of the transfer and application of new knowledge. We hope that stay of Antoneta Tomljenović in LEITAT Technological Center, Spain will result with good future cooperation between our two institutions and scientists primarily through joint publications and projects.

 Comfortable LEITAT work areas: a. Roshan Paul and Antoneta Tomljenović, b. Roshan Paul, Lorenzo Bautista and Antoneta Tomljenović, c. Anna Surribas, Laia Crespo Solana and Antoneta Tomljenović, d. Antoneta. Tomljenović; and LEITAT restaurant: e. Roshan Paul, Moisés Moron and Antoneta Tomljenović and f. Laia Crespo Solana, Mercè de la Fuente Jordà and Helena Esteve

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I, Assist. Prof. Antoneta Tomljenović, Ph.D. would like to thank Prof. Sandra Bischof Vukušić, Ph.D. (FP7 T-Pot European project coordinator) for professional support. I would like to express special thanks to Dr. Roshan Paul, Principal Investigator of Textile Technologies Division, LEITAT, for professional and friendly help. Additionally I would like to thank Mrs. Meritxell De la Varga Ortiz, Manager, R&D Department for professional support and all the employees of LEITAT who provided my pleasant stay in LEITAT.

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