EU Project Archive - BioMembrOS

Article in Membranes Journal

We are proud to share that we published a new paper – „A Validated CFD Model for Gas Exchange in Hollow Fiber Membrane Oxygenators: Incorporating the Bohr and Haldane Effects“ – in the open-access journal Membranes. The study, led by Seyyed Hossein Monsefi Estakhrposhti as first author, presents a new computational model to better understand how oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged in hollow-fibre membrane oxygenators — devices that play a vital role in supporting patients with severe respiratory failure.

By incorporating important physiological effects that are often overlooked in existing models, the team was able to create a much more realistic picture of how gas exchange happens under clinical conditions. Their work was carefully validated with experimental data and showed very high accuracy. This approach offers new opportunities for designing and testing future oxygenators more efficiently, with less reliance on costly and time-consuming laboratory trials.

This publication highlights the innovative research carried out within BioMembrOS, and also underlines how collaboration across engineering and biomedical sciences can help drive forward the next generation of artificial respiration technologies.

The full article is available open access in Membranes: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/15/9/268

LaPMET Scientific Meeting 2025

We are pleased to share that BioMembrOS team members from Técnico Lisboa — Monica Faria, Aline de Mitri, and Tiago Ferreira — took part in the 2nd Jornadas LaPMET hosted at the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Porto (FCUP).

The event gathered researchers from the fields of physics, materials science, and emerging technologies, fostering a dynamic environment for scientific exchange and collaboration. Our colleagues actively contributed to the discussions, strengthening connections within the research community and highlighting the breadth of expertise represented in the BioMembrOS consortium.

Participation in such events is an important step in building bridges across disciplines and showcasing how innovative materials and technologies can drive progress in biomimetic artificial respiration.

Consortium Meeting in Johannesburg

On July 8–9, 2025, the BioMembrOS consortium came together at the University of Johannesburg for a productive and inspiring project meeting.

Despite the chilly winter temperatures, our team received a warm and generous welcome from our hosts. The meeting was held in a hybrid format, with some partners attending on-site while others joined online. This setup allowed for broad participation and created the opportunity for lively, inclusive discussions.

Day 1 focused on presenting recent progress, highlighting key results, and fostering interdisciplinary exchange. The day concluded with a joint dinner — an excellent opportunity to connect informally and strengthen personal ties within the consortium.

Day 2 looked toward the future, with in-depth discussions on how the project will proceed. Partners worked together to align next steps, refine milestones, and share ideas for upcoming collaborations. A highlight of the day was the opportunity to visit our colleagues’ laboratories, offering valuable first-hand insights into the impressive facilities supporting the research.

We extend our sincere thanks to our colleagues in Johannesburg for their excellent organization, warm hospitality, and the inspiring exchange of ideas. With strong collaboration and clear plans ahead, the consortium is well-positioned to advance the BioMembrOS mission: developing the next generation of biomimetic artificial respiration devices.

Most of the on site team at dinner in a lovely restaurant

A fountain inside a little pond, surrounded by trees and lawn. In the background a building of the university of Johannesburg

The team sitting around U-aligned tables in a conference room

A table with four plates with some snacks. Above is some wooden africen art on the dark blue wall

Fountain in the middle, surrounded by trees and lawn with Students in red and grey uniforms sitting on it. In the back a building of the university of Johannesburg

trhee white plates with snacks, cookies, cheese and vegetables on a colorful tablecloth in front of a dark blue wall

The Entrance to the University of Johannesburg. From the path with red bricks, some stairs lead up to the building, that is a combination of red and grey bricks and a has huge glass windows

Our team in front of the University of Johannesburg

Consortium Meeting in Bologna

The BioMembrOS Project Team gathered at Alma Mater Studiorum – Università di Bologna for an engaging two-day consortium meeting, packed with insightful discussions, project updates, and strategic planning. This meeting was even more special as it came right after our one-year anniversary—a milestone worth celebrating!

We wrapped up the event with a fantastic dinner together—great food, great company, and inspiring conversations.

A big thank you to everyone who participated. Here’s to another year of innovation, collaboration and great teamwork!

th BioMembrOS team in the conference room, sitting at tables in U formation anmd listening to a presentation

The BioMembrOS team sitting at a table waiting for dinner

The BioMembrOS Team in front of a wall with the Zoom interface of Michael Harasek projected on to it

Seyyed Monsefi and Jing Jing Xu at RWTH Aachen

PhD Students Seyyed Monsefi and Jing Jing Xu from TU Wien have been kindly invited by Prof. Khosrow Mottaghy and Dr. Ali Kashefi to join them for two days at RWTH Aachen. During this time they got a great insight into their work and current problems, discussed challenges and got new input to evolve the BioMembrOS Project together.

European Researchers Night 2024

On 27th September 2024 we had the opportunity to present the BioMembrOS project at the European Researchers’ Night 2024. We were represented by Professor Mónica Faria with the Support of Post Doc Rita Pires, Phd Student Flavia Rodrigues and Master Students Margarida Valente and Johanna Grimm. Thanks to their help, the booth ran smoothly during the whole evening.

Our booth was set up at „Pavilhão do Conhecimento“ (Pavilion of Knowledge) and we were present from 6pm until midnight. With approximately 1800 event attendees, the night was a success.

In our booth visitors were able to see and interact with a lab-scale extracorporeal (false) blood circulation setup, fabricate flat sheet membranes and become familiar with the project.

Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship

Tecnico Lisboa is offering a Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship for the BioMembrOS Project in the Scientific Areas of Thermofluids and Energy Conversion Technologies or Chemical Engineering Sciences.

Please submit you applications to bolsas@drh.tecnico.ulisboa.pt until July 29th 2024.

Admission Requirements:

to hold a PhD degree obtained in the 3 years previously to the submission of the fellowship application;
to have carried out the research work that led to the PhD degree in a different entity from the host institution of
the fellowship;
not to exceed, with this fellowship contract, including the possible renovations, an accumulated period of 3 years
in this type of fellowship, continuously or with interruptions;
not to have previously held a post-doctoral fellowship from IST.

Workplan:

Viscosity characterization of fluids used in experiments (deionised water, plasma and animal blood).
Flow visualisation within specific microdevices (mimicking fibre membranes of MBO (membrane blood oxygenators)), with deionised water and/or plasma, acquiring images with a CMOS (complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor) camera mounted on a microscope, and digital image processing to quantify the mixing level based on each pixel colour intensity.
Measurement of flow velocities within the same specific microdevices, with deionised water and/or plasma, using micro-PIV.
Visualisation and characterisation of animal blood flows within the same specific microdevices, acquiring images with a CMOS camera mounted on a microscope, and digital image processing.
CFD modelling of the above-mentioned flows. Modelling & Optimization of flows and mixing inside microdevices mimicking fibre membranes sets with recourse to relevant parameters such as mimicking fibres shapes, arrangements, number and sizes, fluids properties, mass flow rate, mass transfer rates of O2 and CO2, etc.
Modelling and optimization of parameters of the system using machine learning and artificial intelligence algorithms.
Assist the IST research team in the preparation of technical reports, presentations, and meetings, as well as the purchasing process of materials and services required for the development of the project according to plan.

Duration & Allowance:

The research fellowship will have a duration of 12 months. It is expected to begin in September 2024 and
may eventually be renewed up to the maximum of 36 months, including the duration of the initial contract. The monthly mainenance Allowance is € 1801,00.

Find more Information at https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/255670