Ljubljana, 14 June 2025 − The European Research Council (ERC) has selected the PureWater project, led by prof. dr. Matevž Dular from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, for funding under the ERC Proof of Concept (PoC) call.
The PureWater project addresses one of the most critical global challenges — water pollution — by developing a compact device that uses a combination of cavitation and non-thermal plasma (CAP) to efficiently and safely disinfect water while saving energy. This is a follow-up to the successful CABUM basic research project. In that project, the team demonstrated that cavitation using mechanical forces effectively kills microorganisms, and that precise control of the conditions enhances the effect. In the PureWater project, the technology will be upgraded by igniting the plasma in a low-pressure zone to further increase disinfection efficiency.
The project aims to develop a compact pilot plant that can safely and efficiently disinfect water systems in public and industrial facilities at high risk for Legionella pneumophila in the long term. At the same time, it will provide a freely accessible solution for decentralised drinking water treatment in socially and infrastructurally deprived environments.
“Receiving ERC Proof of Concept funding is great recognition for our team and confirmation that our project has great potential to make an impact in the real world,” said prof. dr. Matevž Dular.
In collaboration with researchers from the Faculty of Biotechnology UL, the project aims to develop robust, portable, and reliable technology that provides access to clean water in challenging conditions. This achievement makes prof. dr. Dular the only researcher in Slovenia to have received two ERC Proof of Concept projects, further confirming his exceptional contributions to developing sustainable solutions to global challenges.
At the announcement of the ERC results, the Dean of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering prof. dr. Jernej Klemenc emphasized, “The PureWater project is the result of several years of systematic research and successful interdisciplinary collaboration. One important benefit of the project will be translating excellent basic research into concrete applications. It combines scientific excellence and technological innovation with a clear focus on sustainable development. The fact that the project was designed and implemented at our Faculty confirms the high level of research capacity, expertise, and human resources available in the Slovenian research field.”
The PureWater project is an important step for Slovenian science. It demonstrates that domestic research can contribute significantly to solving global challenges. At the same time, it paves the way for technology transfer, economic cooperation, and sustainable solutions for the future.
The Rector of the University of Ljubljana, prof. dr. Gregor Majdič, added, “I am extremely pleased that the UL has been awarded a new ERC project, the European Union’s most prestigious program. This award proves the UL’s international success and breakthrough. At the same time, I am very pleased that the project has been awarded to a researcher who has previously led ERC projects. The new project builds on previous research and aims to apply its findings to everyday life. Through this project, the progression of scientific research is illustrated, from the basic research a researcher began in their first ERC project to the attempt to translate knowledge into everyday life for the benefit of society. Of course, this process is not usually as quick as it was in this particular research. This is why it is important to maintain strong funding for basic research in Slovenia and throughout the EU, as it has the potential to produce breakthrough results.”
Foto: Katja Bidovec in Arne Hodalič
