The vision of NanoWeaver encompasses the development and improvement of portable electrospinning devices that are compatible with existing acne treatments. The most common topical treatments for acne take effect quickly but only briefly, whereas electrospun nanofibers have a prolonged effect. Furthermore, electrospun fibers cover acne spots, allowing liquid foundation to be applied to their surface while the active ingredients from the electrospun fibers continue to work. The thin electrospun membrane formed on acne using the NanoWeaver device acts like a patch, but it is extremely thin, practically colorless, and allows the skin to breathe more easily, which promotes healing and prevents scarring.
Problem
Acne is a common issue not only for young people but also for older individuals, and it often causes skin lesions that can leave scars. The most common solutions involve covering acne on the face with various products that often do not help healing but instead worsen the problem and impede the skin’s ability to breathe. On the other hand, many products—although effective—are often not aesthetically acceptable and additionally dry out and damage the skin. Many treatments do have a positive effect on skin healing, but their effects are short-lived and therefore the wounds take longer to heal. The NanoWeaver team offers an innovative new skincare solution: a device that would help wounds heal much faster while also meeting aesthetic needs.
Solution
From a chemistry standpoint, electrospinning is a synthesis method more than a hundred years old. From its early beginnings, the method proved highly fruitful, leading various scientists and innovators to develop patents in this field. John Francis Coole was the first innovator to patent electrospinning back in 1900, while in the first half of the 20th century, Anton Formhals developed as many as 22 patents related to electrospinning devices. Electrospinning continues to fascinate many scientists today because it enables the production of the thinnest fibers (as small as a few nanometers—several times smaller than a human cell), outperforming all other fiber production techniques. This property enables their application in medicine, where they help heal tissues, nerves, and ligaments because electrospun nanofibers provide cells with a suitable environment for growth and development. Moreover, the method is also used for producing artificial skin, a topic covered in numerous scientific publications.
The NanoWeaver team continues to advance electrospinning technology so it can surpass existing skin treatment solutions, especially regarding acne and scarring. Although acne typically appears on the face, it can also develop on other parts of the body. They are often painful and can cause inflammation, redness and skin irritation, and healing can sometimes take weeks. Electrospinning is a well-researched method known to accelerate wound healing, with many scientific studies confirming its positive effects and reduction of healing time.
The NanoWeaver device brings something completely new to the electrospinning market, offering portable use of this technique on the go. The device is the size of a human hand and is powered by a state-of-the-art 18650 Li-ion battery that allows long-term operation. Our device gives users the freedom to choose where to use it—no laboratory environment or power outlet is required; it can be used wherever needed.
We believe that in moments of discomfort and urgency, when rapid recovery is needed, many people can benefit from our device!
Team members
The multidisciplinary NanoWeaver team consists of two PhDs in chemistry and medicine, and a PhD student from the Faculty of Textile Technology who specializes in electrospinning and completed his Erasmus+ internship at Oxford in this field.
Luka Savić is currently an assistant at the Faculty of Textile Technology, University of Zagreb (TTF). He acquired his knowledge of electrospinning technology at the University of Oxford and continued working with it at TTF. His research focuses on applying electrospinning in biomedicine, including artificial ligaments and nerves. Luka is currently the representative of assistants on the Assistant Council and president of Penkala, a nonprofit organization that promotes science and connects PhD students. He is also vice president of the “Upciklići” association, which repairs and assembles computers. Luka’s international experience and education, combined with his involvement in global forums and collaborations, provide him with a valuable international network and global perspective on business and technology trends. His research is interdisciplinary, connecting science and textile technology with medical applications. From this stems his innovative work in the NanoWeaver team, where he developed several types of miniaturized electrospinning devices after creating the initial prototype.
Dražen Juraj Petrović is a newly minted PhD in the field of medicine. He completed the doctoral program Neuroscience at the University of Zagreb School of Medicine, where he worked as a researcher on a Croatian Science Foundation project at the Department of Histology and Embryology. He is currently working under the supervision of a family physician, gaining practical experience in patient care, particularly in treating complex medical conditions such as burns and chronic wounds. Dražen’s expertise and experience make him an essential member of the NanoWeaver team. He has worked at Genos d.o.o., participated in the European “Youth in Action” program and in various other Erasmus projects.
Marko Robić is a newly minted PhD in chemistry. He earned his doctorate from the Faculty of Science at the University of Zagreb and previously graduated from the Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology in Applied Chemistry. During his studies, Marko gained not only fundamental knowledge of chemistry but also an understanding of technology and communication with engineers and innovators. He has over six years of scientific experience in chemistry, most of which he spent at the Ruđer Bošković Institute. His PhD focused on electrospinning nanofibers to synthesize new nanostructured materials with specific morphology and increased surface area, making them suitable photocatalysts with potential applications in wastewater treatment. He worked as a researcher on a Croatian Science Foundation project. Currently, he is a postdoctoral researcher at the Jožef Stefan Institute in Ljubljana, working on the “SCUALE” project (Sustainable Components for Underwater Acoustics using Lead-Free Material.
Motivation for application and vision for the end of the Nuqleus program
The exchange of ideas, experiences, and suggestions with other teams through Nuqleus’s specialized workshops was the key motivation for our application. Furthermore, educational workshops delivered by top experts allowed us to improve our initial idea and develop a business plan, strategy and final product concept and purpose. Our vision for the end of the Nuqleus program is to find the optimal legal structure and business strategy that will enable the creation of a healthy and self-sustaining company capable of securing funding for further improvement and modification of existing electrospinning device models, as well as the development of new products with various applications.
