ICTM proudly announces its participation in a new project approved under the EUREKA Network (call 2024)

The EUREKA SAFEDRINK project ("Design and development eco-friendly filter media for safe drinking water"), coordinated by ICTM, aims to design and develop innovative sorbents to be used as efficient media in filters for the removal of toxic arsenic compounds from drinking water. The project's primary goal is the design and development of environmentally friendly nanomaterials and functionalized biomaterials and their composites, which are selective for the target analyte (arsenic), exhibit high sorption capacity, and preserve the natural chemical composition of the water.

Additionally, the filters incorporate innovative silver-based antimicrobial components for biological water treatment. The development of multilayer filter prototypes provides a foundation for further product development and commercialization. The project is intended for civilian use, driven by industry needs, with the ultimate goal of creating efficient water purification technology — from technical to drinking water.

Project partners include the Institute of Chemistry, Technology and Metallurgy (ICTM) – the coordinating institution of the project, Faculty of Metallurgy and Technology (University of Montenegro, Podgorica) and Analysis d.o.o. (Belgrade).

The scientific team includes:

The World Intellectual Property Office (WIPO) Gazette of International Marks, number 19/2025, published the international registration of the trademark Respisense that belongs to our institute. The trademark represents the respiration sensor we are developing, with protection in Serbia, the EU and the USA.

At the 67th International Fair of Technology and Technical Achievements, ICTM presented two innovations. Our teams, Polygraph and Selfie Breath demonstrated innovative solutions that contribute to advancements in biomedical technologies.

The Polygraph team presented respiration and heartbeat monitors based on graphene and other thin materials. The sensors are fully wearable and biocompatible and provide continuous real-time monitoring with wireless data transfer to nearby mobile devices. The research is supported by the Science Fund of the Republic of Serbia through the Polygraph project of the program PRIZMA (#4950). 

The Selfie Breath team presented a cutting-edge system for real-time monitoring of human respiration using a self-powered breathing sensor and detector. The research is supported by the Science Fund of the Republic of Serbia through the Proof-of-Concept project Selfie Breath. 

Through these projects, ICTM confirms its commitment to developing advanced technologies that improve the quality of life and encourage scientific progress. Participation in this fair further strengthens our mission to be leaders in innovation and technological solutions for the future.

In the Botanical Garden in Belgrade, on April 25, the HELASA micellar cleansing gel, the result of innovative scientific research, was officially presented. This project, based on the principles of a circular economy, was developed in collaboration with the Faculty of Biology at the University of Belgrade and the Institute of Chemistry, Technology and Metallurgy (ICTM), with the support of UNDP through the program "EU for the Green Agenda in Serbia."

The team of scientists behind this significant achievement includes: Dr. Danka Bukvički (project leader) and Dr. Ana Alimpić Aradski from the Faculty of Biology, as well as our colleagues Dr. Nataša Jović-Jovičić, Dr. Predrag Banković, and Dr. Marija Ajduković from ICTM.

Their joint work led to the development of an innovative micellar gel formulation, based on medicinal plants and biochar, providing an environmentally sustainable alternative in the field of bio-cosmetics.

HELASA is more than cosmetics – it is a symbol of science in the service of sustainability.