Department name
Department of Engineering
for Innovation
Department name
Department of Engineering
for Innovation
Materials and Technologies for Constructions and Cultural Heritage Group Lab
The Lab
For more than 20 years, research activities on polymers, composites and other materials have been accomplished by the MaTech-CCult group, mainly focused on applications in Construction, Industry and Cultural Heritage Conservation. A peculiar feature of the activities and projects developed by the group, carried out in close collaboration with several Italian and International Universities, Research Centers and Companies, is their strong interdisciplinary approach and applicative character. The main expertise and proficiency of the Group are: the physical (thermal, mechanical, bulk and surface, transport) properties, the structure-property relationship, and the aging, weathering and durability of polymeric materials, including blends, toughened resins, thermosetting adhesives, composite matrices, polymeric materials for constructions, materials for Cultural Heritage, functional protective coatings.
A strong focus is always maintained on the development and analysis of innovative materials to employ in applications for Industry and Constructions and for Cultural Heritage protection, as also witnessed by the patents of new products. Research activities, grouped under the label “Polymers for a Sustainable Environment”, are aimed at studying the environmental impact of post-consumer plastics and their possible re-use in different applications, in particular in construction sector, in compliance with the principles of Circular Economy; the development of green Phase Change Materials (PCM) to be enclosed in mortars for the energy efficiency of buildings; the production of “bio-based” polymers starting from renewable/waste resources.
The labs available for the Group members are well equipped with a wide range of modern analytical techniques. The facilities are supported by a team of specialists who enable researchers to gain the maximum benefits from the instrumentation. The Group is also available to support colleagues from other specializations and to satisfy the needs of industrial clients and local community (i.e. public entities, museums, legal representatives) in a wide range of material characterization.