SUBBIMATT: Driving innovation in sustainable and self-healing polyurethane for textiles

Agenda

12:00 – 12:05 > Kate Trompeta, Moderator, National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) | Introduction to the webinar

12:05 – 12:20 > Lien Van der Schueren, CENTEXBEL | Presentation of the SUBBIMATT Project

12:20 – 12:50 > Pegah Zahedifar, David De Smet, CENTEXBEL | The design of sustainable and healable PU

12:50 – 13:00 > Q&A Session

Dr. Aikaterini-Flora (Kate) Trompeta

Aikaterini-Flora (Kate) Trompeta is a Chemical Engineer, graduated from the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) (2008-2013). She completed the Interdisciplinary Master Program “Materials Science and Engineering” at NTUA (2014-2016), receiving the IKY Excellence Scholarship for Postgraduate Studies in Greece – Siemens Program, and was awarded for her excellence by the Limmat Stiftung Institute, graduating first in her class. Her doctoral research focused on the growth and functionalization of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and nanofibers (CNFs) through chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and their application in nanocomposite materials, including system design, reactor set up and optimization. Since 2013, she has been working at the Laboratory of Advanced, Composite, Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology (R-NanoLab) of the School of Chemical Engineering at NTUA as a researcher in Greek and European-funded programs. Her research interests focus on development of functional coatings, nanocomposites, CVD processes, carbon based nanomaterials, extrusion processes, construction materials, composites manufacturing and life-cycle assessments. Her research work has been presented at national and international conferences (>50), and she has contributed to the authorship of 33 articles published in peer reviewed scientific journals, and one book chapter (Google Scholar h-Index – 16, Citations: 1259).

Pegah Zahedifar

Pegah Zahedifar holds an MSc in Materials Science and Engineering from Sharif University of Technology, where she graduated top of her class and received recognition for outstanding academic performance. After her studies, Pegah also gained valuable industry experience as an R&D and sales engineer at a company specializing in active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). This role deepened her understanding of the intersection between scientific research, technological development, and industrial application. She later pursued doctoral research in Biomedical Engineering field at Ghent University, focusing on plasma polymerization techniques and tissue engineering. Her research led to several publications in these fields, contributing to advancements in biomaterials and surface modification technologies. Afterwards, Pegah joined Centexbel as a researcher, where she currently works on the development and application of bio-based materials for textile coatings and smart textiles. Her research bridges sustainability and innovation, aiming to enhance the functionality and environmental impact of textile products.

Dr. Lien Van der Schueren

Dr. Lien Van der Schueren holds a master and a PhD in Materials Engineering. She is working for 13 years as project manager at Centexbel where she is responsible for European and private research projects in the field of extrusion of thermoplastic polymers. Within this, she is mainly focusing on the use of sustainable, bio-based materials for textile applications.”

Abstract: Lien will be introducing the SUBBIMATT project, a Horizon Europe initiative developing sustainable bio-based and bio-inspired smart textile materials. SUBBIMATT explores innovative coatings, nanomembranes, and shape-memory filaments that can deliver functionalities such as energy harvesting, mechanical actuation, and adaptive breathability and leading to advanced applications in shape morphing building envelopes, automotive interiors, and adaptive garments.

David De Smet

David De Smet obtained his master’s degree in chemistry from Ghent University in 2006 and obtained his PhD in pharmaceutical sciences at Ghent University in 2011. Since 2011 he is working at Centexbel (the Belgian textile research institute) as a research scientist in the group “Coating and Finishing Technologies”.

His field of expertise includes the implementation of biomaterials and ecofriendly materials in textile coating and finishing. In 2015 he received the TechTextil Innovation Award in the category new materials. He has several scientific publications in the field of green materials for textile coating and finishing.