CESAM researchers are developing new anti-fouling products designed to prevent biofouling on coatings used in marine structures, port infrastructure and maritime transport, through disruptive, long-lasting and environmentally sustainable solutions.
The work is part of the co-promotion project NanoBioEscudo – “Next-generation bio-inspired technologies for the prevention of marine biofouling”, carried out by a team coordinated by Roberto Martins, researcher at CESAM/DBIO, which also includes Ângela Cunha and Anthony Moreira, researchers at CESAM/DBIO and specialists in microbiology and marine biotechnology. The team also includes Maria Margarida Almeida (PhD student), Diogo Gama (research fellow), and Beatriz Freire and Raquel Rodrigues (master’s students).
The project is being developed by a consortium comprising CESAM/UA, the Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Porto (FFUP), the Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR), and the company Smallmatek, which leads the initiative.
NanoBioEscudo, which has been underway since early 2025, has a total budget of more than €1.1 million, of which €367.8 thousand correspond to eligible costs of UA. The initiative is funded by Compete 2030, through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), under the Innovation and Digital Transition programme (COMPETE2030-FEDER-01194000; Ref.: 17414).
The main objective of the project is to develop innovative anti-fouling products capable of preventing biofouling in coatings used in marine structures, port infrastructure and maritime transport. The innovation relies on bio-inspired molecules with anti-fouling properties, synthesised by FFUP, which are subsequently immobilised in nano- and biomaterials developed by Smallmatek and UA, enabling their controlled release. This approach increases the effectiveness and durability of coatings currently available on the market, while contributing to both economic and environmental benefits.
At UA, researchers are responsible for the immobilisation of bio-inspired molecules in biomaterials, as well as for evaluating the antimicrobial effectiveness, environmental behaviour and environmental impact of the NanoBioEscudos developed by the consortium. The team also plays an active role in the dissemination and communication of the project.
The initiative is aligned with environmental sustainability goals defined by the European Union, namely the European Green Deal and the United Nations Sustainable Development Agenda, promoting the development of a new generation of sustainable and intelligent solutions. The project also strengthens UA’s collaboration with the business sector, contributing to the valorisation and transfer of scientific knowledge to society and the economy.
Original news: UA News, 5 March 2026.