Micro- & Nanoencapsulation Services

Catalan Institute of Nanotechnology

Supramolecular NanoChemistry & Materials Group

Micro- & Nanoencapsulation Services

Presentation

About us

Catalan Institute of Nanotechnology (ICN)

The Catalan Institute of Nanotechnology (ICN) is a non-profit private foundation created in 2003 by the Ministry of Universities, Research and Information Society of the Catalan Government (DIUE) and the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB). It is part of CERCA, the network of Research Centres launched by the Catalan Government as a cornerstone of its long-term strategy to foster development of a knowledge-based economy.

ICN's research lines focus on the newly discovered physical and chemical properties that arise from the fascinating behaviour of matter at the nanoscale.

Supramolecular NanoChemistry & Materials

The Supramolecular NanoChemistry & Materials (NANOup) group was set up in 2009 by ICREA Research Prof Daniel Maspoch. It comprises 5 senior researchers, 6 PhD students and 1 project manager.

NANOup uses supramolecular chemistry to explore new materials and applications (in close collaboration with several private companies) in diverse areas, including micro- and nanoencapsulation, drug-delivery systems, contrast agents, and novel sensors and magnetic platforms.

Carlos Carbonell Contracted PhD

Marta Rubio ICN Fellow

Marta González Project Manager

Dr. Sonia García Contracted Post-Doc

Dr. Nereida MejíasSenior Technician

Àngels RuyraRamón Areces

Fellow

ICREA Prof. Daniel Maspoch

Group Leader

Dr. Inhar Imaz RyC Researcher

Dr. Mary CanoResearcher

Dr. Kyriakos StylianouMarie Curie Fellow

Iván BurneoSENESCYT

Fellow

Arnau CarnéFI Fellow

Javier AriñezFPU Fellow

NANOup

team

Nanoscale Supramolecular

Materials

Supramolecular Nanostructures

on Surfaces

Micro- and Nanoencapsulatio

n Technologies

Research Lines

Ba

sic Re

search

Micro- a

nd N

an

o-e

ncapsu

latio

n

Se

rvices

Packaging micro- or nanoparticles of solid, liquid or gas (the core or active substance) within a secondary material (the matrix or shell), to form nano- or microcapsules

Micro- and Nanoencapsulation Technologies

The core material is protected by a shell and only delivered when needed.

Triggered release (pH, T, pressure)Target release (site recognition)Sustained release (shell decomposition)

Functional advantages

Protect core material

Change properties (increase solubility, mask taste, etc.)

Reduce costs

Decrease toxicity (reduce required dose; local release)

Aesthetic improvements

Micro- & Nanoencapsulation Services

To help private companies and public research institutes to develop novel encapsulation products

Our mission:

we provide a complete product development

service

Design

From the lab to the market:

Development Quality Control

We design and fabricate new products, based on in-house technology, and assist collaborators with scaling-up.

Scale-up to Commercial Quantitites

Our expertise

Core

Hydrophobic liquids

Aqueous solutions

Solids

Emulsions

Dispersions

Gases

Shell

Polymers:

natural (polysaccharides, proteins, etc.),

synthetic (polyamides, polyesters, polyureas, polyurethanes, urea/melamine-formaldehyde resin, polystyrene, etc.),

semi synthetic (chitosan, cellulose, starch, etc.)

Lipids: cholesterol, phospholipids

Inorganic materials: SiO2

We have developed diverse types of micro- and nanocapsules to match each industrial sector and application. These differ by their membrane, which is carefully selected to suit the customer’s needs. Depending on the final application, the membrane can be further optimised.

• Prevent environmental oxidation or deactivation• Separate incompatible materialsProtect core material

• Mask organoleptic properties like color, taste, odor of substances• Safe handling of toxic cores

Modify properties of the core material

• Reduce handling costsConvert liquids to free- flowing solids

• Improve adhesion, penetration or recognition of tissues and cells• Reduce active doses, and therefore, potential toxicity/side-effects

Controlled and targeted release of encapsulated

cores

• Provide sustained release maintain optimal concentration• Provide triggered release based on environmental changes (T, pH)• Marketing & product aesthetics

Modify core material via release

• Enable more stable, efficient and biocompatible products, based on nanocapsulesDevelop novel products

We can encapsulate core materials in different polymer membranes. Encapsulation protects the active component in the core, enables controlled release and reduces or eliminates toxicity.

Our capabilities

+

In-situ, interfacial & radical polymerisation• Melamine-formaldehyde, polyurethane, styrene, polyurea,

polyamides, polyesters, silica, ethylcellulose

Simple and complex coacervation• Gelatin, acacia and glutaraldehyde • Casein, chitosan, PVA

Liposomes & Solid Lipid Nanoparticles• Lipid-cake hydration and homogeneisation by extrusion, ultrasound•

Emulsions • Nanoemulsions, double emulsions• Polymeric surfactants

Spray-drying• Particle miniaturisation (300 nm to 100µm)• Encapsulate peptides, drugs or food ingredients

Our equipmentThrough specialised facilities—some of which are unique in Spain—we offer high-level technical assistance to collaborate with external partners, including for commercial R&D.

Equipment for synthesis

Pilot plant

Characterisation

Nanochemistry Lab

Rotary evaporatorFreezer (-80 ºC)

LyophiliserUltracentrifuge

Spray-drying

Nanospray Spray Drier (Büchi)

Mini Spray Drier (Büchi)Particle miniaturisation

Extrusion

LIPEXTM extruder (Northern Lipids)

Liposome preparationat 10 mL scale

High pressure homogenisation

M-110L Microfluidiser Processor

High-shear fluids processing

Microfluidics

Pilot plant reactor

Dispermat CN0.5 to 40 LDissolver

Bench scale mixers

Overhead stirrersUltraturrax (IKA)Ultrasound probe

Stability studiesTurbiscan

Mastersizer

Direct Visualisation

SEMTEM

Cryo-TEM

Rupture force & deformability studies

Nanoindentator

Full physical characterisation

Viscosimeter

Full chemical characterisation

IR, UV, Elemental analysis, EDX, TOF-SIMS,

X-ray powder diffraction

Study of the release

Porosity studiesBET

Size determinationDLSSEM

4 mm

Custom solutions

With extensive experience and knowledge in the microencapsulation field, we can solve your technical problems in any industrial sector.

We can help you to protect solid particles or liquid droplets and ensure controlled release of the active components. 

Agriculture

Textiles ConstructionNutrition

Drugs

Cosmetics

Nanotechnology does not always involve expensive equipment or rare materials: it can often be incorporated into existing industrial processes with minimal capital investment.

Fragrance encapsulation for detergents and softeners

Biocide encapsulation for paintings

Disinfectant encapsulation for clinical surfaces disinfection

Enzymatic encapsulation

Peptide micronisation

Capsules for self-repairing wood

Development of encapsulating matrices using metal-organic systems

Encapsulation of phage & inmunostimulants in liposomes and in polysaccharide & biocompatible polymers

We are already working with several companies to develop new commercial products and techniques that incorporate Nanotechnology:

Thank you for your attention!

Group Leader, NANOUP

daniel.maspoch@icn.cat

Micro- and Nanoencapsulation Technologies Leader, NANOUP

mary.cano@icn.cat

Questions on encapsulation? Feel free to contact us!