From “Frozen Smoke” to AiryBerry: NKUA Research Opens Up New Possibilities for Aerogels

NKUA’s participation in the international research initiative AERoGELS COST Action contributed to the development of innovative aerogels, suitable for application in various fields, spanning biomedicine, environmental remediation, green technologies and sustainable nutrition. Among these, AiryBerry stands out as an innovative food product developed at the Department of Chemistry of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), for which a patent has already been granted.

Aerogels are among the lightest porous materials in the world. Although widely known for their exceptional thermal insulation properties and applications in construction and industrial insulation, international research collaboration within the AERoGELS COST Action revealed a much broader potential, from biomedical and environmental applications and sustainable production methods to novel functional foods. Approximately 600 researchers from 47 countries participated in the Action, creating a strong international network that played a decisive role in bringing aerogels to the forefront of the global research agenda.

AiryBerry: When aerogels meet sustainable nutrition

One of the most original applications to emerge from this research activity concerns an entirely different field: food. Using surplus fruit and by-products from the food industry, the NKUA research team developed edible aerogels and created AiryBerry, a light and nutritious snack with a long shelf life. The approach combines materials science, food chemistry and the principles of the circular economy, transforming raw materials that might otherwise remain unused into high-value-added products.

At a public tasting event in Athens, chefs, nutrition experts and representatives of the food industry had the opportunity to sample strawberry-, coffee- and oat-flavoured versions of AiryBerry, experiencing first-hand the product’s distinctive texture and characteristics.

The invention was developed at the Department of Chemistry by Professor Patrina Paraskevopoulou; Associate Professor Vassilis Valdramidis; Assistant Professor Marilena Dasenaki; postdoctoral researchers Eleni Kollia and Grigorios Raptopoulos; postgraduate students Aikaterini Andreou, Learda Avdylaj, Apostolos Kaplanis, Anna Kopsacheili, Artemis Mastrotheodoraki, Artemisia Zoi, Athina Maria Zoi, Evangelia Sigala and Kyriaki-Varvara Vourliotaki; and undergraduate student Georgia Prapa.

The first major distinction that AiryBerry brought to NKUA was the third prize in the 2023 national ECOTROPHELIA competition, where the innovative product was presented. This success highlighted not only the scientific and technological innovation behind AiryBerry, but also the importance of linking university research with sustainable food production, by-product valorisation and entrepreneurship.

The technology has been granted patent GR1011097 by the Hellenic Industrial Property Organisation (OBI), under the title “Ready-to-eat shelf-stable food compositions based on aerogel and xerogel technology.” The original application has also been extended through the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) at the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), under publication number WO2026027585A1.

The international impact of this research activity is also reflected in the recent COST Association publication entitled “AEROGELS: From Airy Ideas to Real-World Impact”, in which AiryBerry is presented as one of the significant outcomes of the AERoGELS COST Action and the COST Innovators Grant ECO-AEROGELS. The publication highlights NKUA’s contribution to the development of this innovation, as well as the potential of aerogels for creating sustainable and innovative food products.

The case of AiryBerry is a compelling example of how international scientific collaboration, research at NKUA and the active participation of early-career researchers and students can transform an advanced material into a tangible innovation with environmental, social and economic impact.

The initiative was carried out with the support of the Archimedes Unit of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, which will continue to support the University’s researchers in protecting their intellectual property and translating their research findings into practical applications!