Month: October 2025

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Invited talk

Dr. Anna Sandak at the International Conference on Moisture in Buildings (ICMB 25)

Dr. Anna Sandak, InnoRenew CoE, UP IAM researcher, attended the International Conference on Moisture in Buildings (ICMB 25), hosted by the University of Minho (UMinho), held 23-24 October 2025, in Guimarães, Portugal.

Dr. Anna Sandak gave a keynote talk on Architecture that grows: from Petri dish to the building façade. She discussed how “architecture that grows” uses living materials and biological systems to create adaptive and sustainable building façades. These façades can change their function and appearance in response to environmental conditions, offering insulation, energy generation and improved air quality. She highlighted the projects ARCHI-SKIN and REMEDY.

The ICMB 25 covered a wide range of subjects, offering in-depth examination of how moisture affects and interacts with different aspects of the built environment.

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Press release

Podcast with Dr. Anja Černoša about the ARCHI-SKIN project

The newspaper Delo published a podcast with Dr. Anja Černoša, InnoRenew CoE, UP IAM researcher.

The Supermoč podcast, hosted by Petra Kovič, offers relaxed, open conversations with Slovenian entrepreneurs about what gives them motivation and their “superpower”. It features discussions with successful Slovenians about what they do, how they work, and the energy and perseverance they bring to push the boundaries in their professions.

In the podcast, Dr. Anja Černoša presented ARCHI-SKIN project, led by Dr. Anna Sandak. The project focuses on developing advanced bioactive protective coating based on fungal biofilms. Researchers are studying how the structure and function of fungi influence the formation of protective layers, aiming to create materials that can self-heal and respond to environmental changes.

You are kindly invited to read the article and watch the podcast.

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Press release

ARCHI-SKIN project featured in the Science4EU campaign

As a part of the Science4EU campaign the European Commission featured research projects that are creating new boundaries of knowledge and innovation with EU support. Among the presented projects is ARCHI-SKIN, led by dr. Anna Sandak, InnoRenew CoE, UP IAM researcher.

ARCHI-SKIN project develops bioinspired protective coating based on living fungal biofilms and other natural components. Its goal is to create materials that can self-heal and adapt to their environment, providing surfaces with sustainable and long-lasting protection.

You can watch the European Commission’s video as part of the Science4EU campaign where dr. Anna Sandak and dr. Anja Černoša share their thoughts and visions about the future development of this filed.

Watch the video here.

Image: #Science4EU campaign © European Union 2025
Categories
Press release

ARCHI-SKIN project featured in Mapping Frontier Research on the New European Bauhaus report

Project ARCHI-SKIN, led by dr. Anna Sandak, InnoRenew CoE, UP IAM researcher, was featured in the newly published European Research Council report – Mapping Frontier Research on the New European Bauhaus.

ARCHI-SKIN was presented as one of the projects that develop innovative solutions for a more comfortable build environment. It aims to develop a living, bio-inspired protective coating that uses engineered fungal biofilms to protect surfaces like concrete, metal, plastic, and biomaterials. The coating will be self-healing, adaptive, and environmentally responsive, combining living cells with bio-based ingredients. It brings life into materials, creating coatings that interact with their environment and offer sustainable, innovative protection.

Dr. Sandak explained: “Our technology has strong potential to transform surface protection in architecture, offering coatings that are self-regenerating, non-toxic, and environmentally responsive. These properties can dramatically reduce maintenance, extend material lifespans, and support carbon neutrality goals.”

You can read more about the recently published report here: https://erc.europa.eu/sites/default/files/2025-10/New-European-Bauhaus.pdf

You can read more about the ARCHI-SKIN project here: https://archiskinproject.eu/

Image: #Science4EU campaign © European Union 2025