Latest Research Dissemination and Training
Latest team training
Training in Croatia
The training in Croatia is planned to involve testing and developing a new method for textile surface treatment. The training in Milestones 1 and 2 will focus on the characterization of materials and gamma irradiation, including practical execution, working principles, and potential applications. This experience will enhance the trainee's understanding of the radiation technique and may foster opportunities for future collaborative projects.
Training in Switzerland
The training in Switzerland is planned to involve conducting bacterial culture and antibacterial tests. The trainee will have intensive training regarding the antibacterial
testing methods, and protocols on the textile materials developed in Milestones 2 and 3. The transfer of expertise from Swiss experts to Croatian scientists will elevate the skill set and technical proficiency of the Croatian laboratory personnel and enable the establishment of the Antibacterial Testing Group in Croatia. This knowledge transfer is crucial for building a sustainable scientific infrastructure that can respond to future challenges in antimicrobial resistance and biosecurity.
Training in Austria
The training in Austria is planned to involve performing biocompatibility experiments. The trainees will gain knowledge and experimental skills in performing cytotoxicity tests on textiles according to ISO standards, from maintaining human keratinocytes to conducting cytotoxicity testing. The training in Milestones 2 and 3 will also cover anti-inflammatory testing with THP-1 cells, which is critical for assessing antimicrobial materials, too.
Training in Croatia
The training and research stay included the following visiting researchers from the NATO Co-director group of Prof. Eva Roblegg from the Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmacy, University of Graz:
M.Sc. Pharm. BSc. Lukas Vergeiner, visiting from 23.11.2025 to 28.11.2025
Dipl. Ing. James McFarlane Hoad, visiting from 23.11.2025 to 02.12.2025
dr. sc. Atida Selmani, visiting from 23.11.2025 to 02.12.2025
The primary scientific objective of the visit was to support the fabrication and functionalization of protective textile materials capable of providing simultaneous flame-retardant, antimicrobial, and UV-shielding performance. The activities represent a novel R&D approach to multifunctional textile engineering, emphasizing user safety, material sustainability, and environmental compatibility.
Throughout the research stay, the visiting scientists:
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Conducted experimental laboratory work using RBI facilities and instrumentation
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Contributed to layer-by-layer coating development for advanced textile substrates
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Participated in project coordination meetings and laboratory workflow discussions
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Engaged in data analysis, method optimization, and collaborative scientific exchange
Overall, the training exemplifies the NATO SAFEGUARD project's commitment to international cooperation, capacity building, and translational materials research aimed at developing next-generation protective apparel for resilient defense applications.
The photo documents a series of hands-on training and collaborative research activities conducted at the Laboratory for Precipitation Processes, Division of Materials Chemistry, Ruđer Bošković Institute (RBI), Croatia, within the framework of the NATO project SAFEGUARD – Secure, Antibacterial, Flame-retardant, Enhanced Guard Apparel for Resilient Defense.
The images capture visiting researchers and host team members actively engaged in experimental laboratory work, method development, and scientific exchange. Laboratory scenes show researchers wearing standard personal protective equipment while performing layer-by-layer (LbL) deposition processes for fabric coating, a key technique used to fabricate multifunctional protective textiles. Experimental setups include wet-chemical processing, controlled coating deposition, and sample preparation, illustrating the practical implementation of advanced materials chemistry methodologies. Group photographs also reflect the collaborative atmosphere fostered during formal project meetings and informal networking sessions, which are essential for interdisciplinary knowledge transfer.
Latest Research Dissemination
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19th Christmas Biophysics Workshop
Stift St. Georgen am Längsee, Austria
9 - 10 December 2025
Within the framework of the NATO Science for Peace and Security (SPS) Programme, Dipl. Ing. James McFarlane Hoad presented ongoing research activities from the SAFEGUARD project during an international scientific workshop. The contribution focused on the safety-oriented development of functional textile coatings intended for advanced protective applications.
The presentation highlighted the project's objective to support the development of secure, antibacterial, UV-protective, and flame-retardant textile systems relevant to military personnel protection and dual-use civilian scenarios, including emergency response, medical support, and infrastructure protection. Particular emphasis was placed on the human safety dimension, addressing the importance of skin compatibility for materials designed for prolonged use.
The workshop contribution outlined the methodological framework used within the SAFEGUARD project to evaluate the biological interaction of textile coating components. This framework integrates in vitro screening approaches, skin-relevant cellular models, and established analytical assays to support a safety-by-design strategy in materials development. Such early-stage assessments are essential for guiding formulation decisions and minimizing potential health risks associated with advanced functional materials.
The presentation further demonstrated the interdisciplinary collaboration fostered by the NATO SPS Programme, bringing together expertise from pharmaceutical sciences and materials chemistry across partner institutions. This cooperation strengthens scientific capacity, promotes knowledge exchange, and supports the responsible translation of laboratory-scale innovations towards application-oriented protective technologies.
Overall, the workshop contribution reflected the NATO SPS Programme's commitment to international scientific cooperation, risk mitigation, and societal resilience, reinforcing the SAFEGUARD project's role in advancing user-safe, high-performance protective textiles for defense and civilian use while maintaining alignment with ethical, regulatory, and sustainability considerations.
