SIMTI - Materials Science and Engineering for Innovative Technologies

Mission

SIMTI pursues the common calling of its members to combine fundamental research with technological and pre-industrial development of innovative materials. The aim is to build a multifaceted cultural identity, which can apply to all class of materials and their combinations in order to define a sound, integrated and highly competitive approach to meet the demanding and complex requirements of new materials and innovative fabrication technologies. Scientific collaboration with international partners and companies, leaders in the material and device fabrication, is SIMTI priority. In particular, the focus is on new knowledge and technology development to be combined, complemented and supported by the acquisition of structural funds from European and International bodies. The scientific reputation of SIMTI and the significant presence of its members in leading bodies and boards are key to support the natural vocation of SIMTI members towards innovative research and technology development.

Main Targets

  • Study of processes and innovative technologies for the production, consolidation and eventual thermal treatments of alloys for high temperature applications and chemically aggressive environments, of tools for cold and hot forming, of light alloys, of iron-based alloys with advanced properties and of precious metals; the study of innovative techniques and materials is combined with evaluation of process sustainability so to extend their industrial application, also in agreement with the main leaders of each reference sector at national and international levels
  • Optimization of Additive Manufacturing for the production of components and microstructures impossible to be obtained with other manufacturing processes and evaluation of the characteristics of the products as a function of processing parameters
  • Development of ceramics and micro and nanostructured composites for extreme environments (turbines for energy and propelling applications at high temperature T>1300°C).
  • Development and recycling of nanocomposites for structural and functional applications in the field of transport
  • Development of innovative ceramic compositions and treatments to fabricate new devices for sensors, mechanical, thermal, environmental and biomedical applications
  • Design and manufacturing by 3D printing (in particular with Robocasting and Digital Light Processing techniques) of engineering ceramics for the above-mentioned applications, and in particular for biomedical scaffolds and environmental devices (e.g. CO2 capture)
  • Tailoring of powders and ceramics at the nano-micro and macro structural level.
  • Development of innovative cements, with particular attention to sustainability. Development of mortar and concrete containing SCM or waste products. Development of self-healing cementitious materials.
  • Design and development of innovative materials, specifically referring to bioplastics and reactive-extrusion processes in order to provide peculiar functionalities suitable for enhancing their flame retardancy and thermo-mechanical features as well.
  • Surface engineering devoted to: i) design and obtainment of multifunctional coatings having enhanced thermal, antibacterial and fire behavior; ii) utilization of microorganisms suitable for degrading elastomeric systems (even vulcanized)
  • Development of new metallic materials and components through additive manufacturing technologies
  • Increase the penetration of additive manufacturing in the industrial environment through the development of next generation machines.
  • Design and development of multifunctional, smart nanostructured materials
  • Development of sustainable processes to produce multifunctional 3D structures using 3D printing and electrospinning technologies for applications in the tissue regeneration, energy and environmental sectors (objective with close synergies between the ceramic, additive manufacturing and biomaterials sections)
  • Engineering of injectable formulations (cements, hydrogels) for the release of therapeutic and/or bioactive agents (objective with close synergies between the ceramic and biomaterials sections)
  • Innovative and green materials for the construction sector: binders with low environmental impact, structural materials derived from industrial by-products, self-healing and self-sensing construction materials, materials for the capture and permanent storage of CO2

Leader

Prof.ssa Laura MONTANARO

Research teams

Additional contents