The CERSUS project general objective refers to the creation of a Center of Excellence as a collaboration framework that will provide the necessary support for implementation of circular bioeconomy, improve excellence at international level, in terms of scientific visibility, potential for ground breaking research and technology transfer to industrial partners, provide opportunities for the formation and training of young researchers, thus contributing to a sustainable social and economic development.
Specific Objectives
O1. Develop innovative materials for environmental applications, resources recovery and reuse
Develop innovative inorganic, polymeric, and hybrid materials, alongside exploring molecular structures and intermolecular interactions through computational chemistry, aiming applications on circular bioeconomy.
O2. Advancing water-food-energy nexus for circular bioeconomy and sustainability
Design new processes based on advanced materials and innovative waste-based approach considering wastewater reuse/recycling, closing nutrients loop, resources recovery, and H2- based energy production.
O3. Enhancing recirculating aquaculture systems through novel materials and pollutants assessment
Identify PPs/EPs in various (waste)water matrices, assess neurotoxic potential of selected PPs/EPs, evaluate innovative materials ((bio)polymers, phyto supplements) under laboratory and real/industrial conditions.
O4. Develop biorefinery processes to recover/reuse wine and food industry by-products/wastes
Develop and implement biorefinery processes to recover/reuse by-products/wastes from wine-making and food industry, optimize sustainable extraction methods, create value-added, innovate functional wine bottling
O5. Develop a sustainability framework for materials, processes, by-products and waste valorisation
Use eco-design principles, life cycle assessment (LCA), life cycle costing (LCC), methodologies to forecast environmental impacts, circular bioeconomy implementation, economic feasibility and associated risks.