Contents
WELCOME
On behalf of the Organizing Committee, we are pleased to invite you to the 2nd International Conference on Aerogels for Biomedical and Environmental Applications, which will be held from June 29 to July 1, 2022, in Athens, Greece.
The meeting is organized by the AERoGELS COST Action (https://cost-aerogels.eu) and the Department of Chemistry of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece.
AIMS & SCOPE
Aerogels are widely known as nanostructured porous ultra-light materials comprising mostly of air. With unique properties traceable to their nanostructure, aerogels make their way into advanced technology. With thermal insulation being their flagship application, aerogels are rapidly penetrating all current areas of nanotechnology, with special momentum in biomedicine and the environment.
Biomedical applications include aerogel-based materials as drug carriers, synthetic bone grafts (implants) or advanced wound dressings. Environmental applications include heat insulation, sound insulation, sensing and detection of air and water pollutants, wastewater treatment and air decontamination.
This conference aims at assembling and integrating the most recent scientific-technological knowledge in aerogels and other nanostructured materials on a wide range of fundamental topics in terms of novel designs, processes, modelling tools, characterization techniques and uses from academia, industry and regulatory experts, focusing on biomedical and environmental applications. It also aims at strengthening and creating new ties and collaborations in the aerogel community all over the world.
Networking among conference participants will be encouraged through specific Working Group meetings, coffee breaks, poster sessions, meals, sponsor booths and social events. Early-career investigators such as PhD students and young postdoctoral scientists will also have special sessions within the programme that will assure more visibility of their research.
Participants are invited to submit high quality research works on several topics of interest which include, but not restricted to, the following areas:
- Aerogels for biomedical (pharmaceutical, regenerative medicine, cosmetics) and food applications
- Aerogels for environmental (pollutant detection, remediation) applications
- Bio-based aerogels from biorefinery and circular economy approaches
- Modelling of aerogels
- Innovative processing technologies for aerogel-based materials
- Characterization techniques
- Life cycle and health risk assessments of nanostructured materials
- Scale-up and industrial uses of aerogels
- Other nanostructured materials (hydrogels, functional nanoparticles, dendrimers, zeolites, MOFs…) for biomedical and environmental applications
ORGANIZING COMMITTEE
Patrina Paraskevopoulou (Chair, NKUA, GR)
Carlos A. García-González (University of Santiago de Compostela, ES)
Theophilos Ioannides (FORTH/ICE-HT, GR)
Margarita Chatzichristidi (NKUA, GR)
Grigorios Raptopoulos (NKUA, GR)
SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE
Can Erkey (Koç University, TR)
Claus Rebholz (University of Cyprus, CY)
Falk Liebner (BOKU University, AT)
Irina Smirnova (Hamburg University of Technology, DE)
Luísa Durães (University of Coimbra, PT)
Monica Neagu (Victor Babes Institute, RO)
Naveen Kumar Chandrasekaran (Central Electrochemical Research Institute, IN)
Pasquale Del Gaudio (University of Salerno, IT)
Tatiana Budtova (Mines ParisTech, FR)
Wim Malfait (EMPA, CH)
PROGRAMME
Click here to download the full programme
Plenary speakers
Prof. Nicholas Leventis (Aspen Aerogels, USA)
Prof. David Avnir (The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel)
Prof. Michael Scoullos (UNESCO Chair and Network on Sustainable Development Management and Education in the Mediterranean)
Mr. Otmar Geiss (European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Italy)
Symposium on Aerogels for Food Applications
Given their peculiar physical properties and compatibility with human diet, biopolymer-based aerogels provide new opportunities for food applications as sustainable ingredients with improved technological and health functionalities, biodegradable food packaging materials, food processing adjuvants able to remove contaminants from food and beverages, and assistants in advanced food analytical techniques.
In this symposium, food applications of aerogels are addressed, and current opportunities, challenges and future research developments are discussed.
Oral and poster abstracts are now invited on several topics, including, but not limited, to:
- Shaping the structure of bioareogels
- Designing aerogels to deliver target functionalities
- Aerogels in food packaging
- Aerogels as food contaminant absorbents
- Aerogels in food analysis
Symposium organizers:
- Lara Manzocco (University of Udine, IT)
- Kirsi Mikkonen (University of Helsinki, FI)
- Stella Plazzotta (University of Udine, IT)
AERoGELS MC-meeting
The MC meeting will take place on 1 July 2022 from 15:00-18:00 at the Athens University History Museum (5 Tholou St., Plaka; http://en.historymuseum.uoa.gr/the-museum.html). The Museum is housed in a historic building which dates back more than 400 years, beneath the imposing heights of the Acropolis with a panoramic view of Plaka, the Ancient Agora, the Athens Observatory and the Lycabettus Hill. In the 19th century the building was the home of the renowned Greek architect Stamatios Kleanthis, and from 1837 to 1841 it served as the premises of “The Othoneion University”, the first home of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. The Museum was inaugurated in May 1987 during the 150th anniversary celebrations of NKUA.
IMPORTANT DATES
Abstract deadline: 7 April 2022 28 April 2022
Abstract decision: 12 May 2022
Early bird registration: 20 May 2022
ABSTRACT SUBMISSION
We invite you to submit your abstract for Oral or Poster Presentation at the event. The abstract submission deadline is 28 April 2022.
Please, fill in the template provided in this link and send it to aerogels2022@chem.uoa.gr. Abstract submission will be open from 15 January 2022.
A notification of acceptance will be sent before 12 May 2022.
The registration of the presenting author is compulsory.
VENUE
Conference location
Scientific Programme:
Amphitheater “Aristotle”
Department of Physics
National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
Panepistimiopolis Zografou
Athens, Greece
GPS: 37.96775, 23.78248
https://www.google.gr/maps/dir//AmphitheatreAristotle
AERoGELS MC meeting:
Athens University History Museum
5 Tholou St., Plaka
Athens, Greece
GPS: 37.97316, 23.72690
https://www.google.gr/maps/dir//AthensUniversityHistoryMuseum
Tourist information
Athens is the capital and largest city of Greece. It is the historical capital of Europe, the land of Parthenon and the Acropolis and the birthplace of democracy, arts, science and philosophy of the western civilization. Having a recorded history of 3400 years, Athens is one of the world’s oldest cities. This is a feeling that anyone can realize wandering around the city on foot or by bike. The ‘’Grande Promenade’’ around Acropolis is an unforgettable journey. Also, a large part of the town’s historic center has been converted into a pedestrian zone, which leads to the major archaeological sites (“archaeological park”), recreating – to a large degree – the ancient landscape.
But Athens is far away from an ancient city. It is a contemporary, multicultural and vivid city. The perfect Mediterranean climate with the legendary greek sunlight, the magical Athens riviera, the unique combination of glorious history with modern, urban innovation, the coexistence of great culture with astonishing natural beauty, the museums and the numerous cultural events, the vibrant rhythm of life, the wide choice of opportunities for shopping, dining and night life and of course the Greek philoxenia and the warmth of the Athenians feature Athens as the ideal all-year-round city break destination.
For more information please visit:
https://www.cityofathens.gr/en/
https://www.visitgreece.gr/mainland/attica/athens/
Transportation in Athens
The city center is accessible from Athens airport via different means of transportation, including train, metro, bus and taxi. For more information, please visit:
https://www.airport-athens.com/transport.php
The Department of Chemistry is accessible via bus, lines 250 (from metro station “Evaggelismos”), E90 (from Piraeus or metro station “Syggrou-Fix”) and 608 (from multiple bus stations in the city and from metro station “Evaggelismos” – 10 min walk). Transportation to the Department of Chemistry via taxi from metro station “Evaggelismos” costs around 5 € and from the city center (Syntagma) costs around 8€.
For line, schedule and real-time information on public transportation in Athens, please visit:
https://www.oasa.gr/en/
Accommodation options
Athens offers an enormous variety of hotels in a wide range of price categories (including youth hostels and local accommodation options). Early reservation of accommodation is strongly advised.
The Conference Secretariat has arranged for reduced prices for the conference attendants in some hotels.
– B4B Athens Signature Hotel (****)
A modern 4-star boutique hotel in the heart of Athens.
For all conference participants the hotel is offering a special 15% discount for all room types (single, double, triple & family rooms).
Make your reservation via the official hotel website: https://www.signatureathens.com/
using the promotional code: AEROGELS2022
– Airotel Parthenon Hotel (****)
In the atmosphere of old Athens.
For all conference participants the hotel is offering a special 10% discount.
Make your reservation via the official hotel website: https://www.airotel.gr/en/Parthenon-Hotel-795.htm
using the promotional code: CORPACC
– Airotel Stratos Vassilikos Hotel (****)
In the center of Athens, a modern regeneration.
For all conference participants the hotel is offering a special 10% discount.
Make your reservation via the official hotel website: https://www.airotel.gr/en/Stratos-Vassilikos-793.htm
using the promotional code: CORPACC
– Airotel Alexandros Hotel (****)
In the center of Athens, for an unforgettable stay.
For all conference participants the hotel is offering a special 10% discount.
Make your reservation via the official hotel website: https://www.airotel.gr/en/Airotel-Group-948.htm
using the promotional code: CORPACC
REGISTRATION AND FEES
Registration to the conference is free, but it is required for all participants.
For registration, please complete the form in the following link and return it to aerogels2022@chem.uoa.gr. Registration will be open from 15 January 2022.
* Meals include lunches during the 3 days of the event, welcome dinner and gala dinner for the conference participants, and welcome dinner and gala dinner for accompanying persons. Limited tickets for the dinners will also be available on-site and will cost 30 € each. VAT is included.
** Reduced fees for all Action members, registered in the Action webpage (https://cost-aerogels.eu/join-us/).
SPECIAL ISSUE
An article collection under Research Topic Towards a Century of Aerogels – Advances and Perspectives will be hosted by Frontiers. The article collection will be cross-listed with journals Frontiers in Chemistry, Frontiers in Materials, Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, and Frontiers in Soft Matter. For up-to-date information, please visit the following website: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/35305/towards-a-century-of-aerogels—advances-and-perspectives.
CONTACT DETAILS
Conference Secretariat: aerogels2022@chem.uoa.gr
SPONSORS
