Joaquín ‘Ximo’ Silvestre, a Professor of Inorganic Chemistry at the University of Alicante, and Sergey Mikhalovsky, co-founder of UK-based micro-SME ANAMAD, have spent nearly 25 years sharing a mission to remove harmful elements from both humans and the environment. Their work converged through EU funding via the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA), enabling cross-border collaboration and the development of innovative water treatment solutions.
Their latest project, CLEANWATER, funded under the MSCA Staff Exchanges action, aims to create a cost-effective, portable device for purifying freshwater by eliminating contaminants. Through this initiative, researchers from Ximo’s university and other partner organisations across Europe visit ANAMAD to conduct experiments that strengthen the company’s data, accelerate commercialisation, and move breakthroughs from the lab into real-world applications.
The idea behind their research originated from the synergy between plasma physics and chemistry. Sergey noted that techniques used to remove harmful substances from the human body could similarly be applied to water, soil, and other contaminated environments. By partnering with countries facing real wastewater challenges, the team could test and refine their technology in situ, while engaging local communities to demonstrate its practical benefits.
MSCA Staff Exchanges provides crucial support for micro-SMEs like ANAMAD, which has a small workforce, by allowing visiting researchers to bring materials and run experiments that generate data relevant to both scientific research and potential customers. These exchanges not only expand the company’s operational capacity but also help in identifying the best applications for their technology.
Two years into CLEANWATER, the project has grown dynamically, tackling new contaminants like microplastics and PFAS in response to emerging legislation and societal needs. Ximo and Sergey emphasize that the combination of plasma, adsorption, and photocatalysis shows great promise in addressing complex pollutants, with field tests planned in rivers and groundwater sites in countries such as Mexico, Slovakia, London, and Ostrava.
MSCA stands out for its flexibility, allowing researchers to select projects that address local challenges, involve student participation, and foster international collaboration. Students gain exposure to different labs, techniques, and cultures, bringing valuable skills back to their home institutions, while communities benefit from applied solutions to environmental problems.
Ultimately, the consortium aims to translate their research into practical devices that improve environmental quality and human health. Both Ximo and Sergey remain committed to ongoing collaboration and funding applications, hoping to expand the project’s reach and ensure tangible societal benefits from their innovative water purification technology.
In 2026, MSCA celebrates 30 years of supporting over 150,000 researchers, including 23 Nobel Prize winners, highlighting its longstanding impact on advancing research, innovation, and international collaboration.
