A5081198945- Advanced Sensor and Energy Harvesting Materials
- biodegradable polymer synthesis and properties
- Electrospun Nanofibers in Biomedical Applications
- Conducting polymers and applications
- Nanocomposite Films for Food Packaging
- Advanced ceramic materials synthesis
- Advanced Cellulose Research Studies
- Polymer composites and self-healing
- Advanced materials and composites
- Additive Manufacturing and 3D Printing Technologies
- Bone Tissue Engineering Materials
- Metal and Thin Film Mechanics
- Dielectric materials and actuators
- Surface Modification and Superhydrophobicity
- Neuroscience and Neural Engineering
- Tribology and Wear Analysis
- Microplastics and Plastic Pollution
- Osteoarthritis Treatment and Mechanisms
- Dental materials and restorations
- Silk-based biomaterials and applications
- Advanced Materials and Mechanics
- 3D Printing in Biomedical Research
- Mechanical Behavior of Composites
- Perovskite Materials and Applications
- Fusion materials and technologies
Italian Institute of Technology
2015-2024
Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Sezione di Genova
2021
University of Genoa
2015-2018
Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya
2004-2009
Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico
2005
Abstract In this work is presented a new category of self-growing, fibrous, natural composite materials with controlled physical properties that can be produced in large quantities and over wide areas, based on mycelium, the main body fungi. Mycelia from two types edible, medicinal fungi, Ganoderma lucidum Pleurotus ostreatus , have been carefully cultivated, being fed by bio-substrates: cellulose cellulose/potato-dextrose, second easier to digest mycelium due presence simple sugars its...
Poly(vinylidene fluoride‐trifluoroethylene, P(VDF‐TrFE)) and P(VDF‐TrFE)/barium titanate nanoparticle (BTNP) films are prepared tested as substrates for neuronal stimulation through direct piezoelectric effect. Films characterized in terms of surface, mechanical, features before vitro testing on SH‐SY5Y cells. In particular, BTNPs significantly improve properties the (4.5‐fold increased d 31 ). Both kinds support good viability differentiation. Ultrasound (US) is proven to elicit Ca 2+...
Bioplastics with a wide range of mechanical properties were directly obtained from industrially processed edible vegetable and cereal wastes. As model systems, we present bioplastics synthesized wastes parsley spinach stems, rice hulls, cocoa pod husks by digesting in trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), casting, evaporation. In this way, amorphous cellulose-based plastics are formed. Moreover, many other natural elements these plants carried over into the rendering them exceptional thermo-physical...
Abstract Stretchable capacitive devices are instrumental for new‐generation multifunctional haptic technologies particularly suited soft robotics and electronic skin applications. A majority of elongating electronics still rely on silicone building or sensors by multiple‐step replication. In this study, fabrication a reliable parallel‐plate touch sensor, using nitrile rubber gloves as templates, is demonstrated. Spray coating both sides piece cut out glove with conductive polymer suspension...
A water-based process to convert vegetable waste into bioplastic films with appealing properties for packaging.
Designing starch-based biopolymers and biodegradable composites with durable mechanical properties good resistance to water is still a challenging task. Although thermoplastic (destructured) starch has emerged as an alternative petroleum-based polymers, its poor dimensional stability under humid dry conditions extensively hinders use the biopolymer of choice in many applications. Unmodified granules, on other hand, suffer from incompatibility, dispersion, phase separation issues when...
The global production of thermosets has been increasing in recent years causing rapid consumption fossil-based feedstocks and contributing to the plastic waste accumulation environment, especially because they cannot be easily reprocessed or recycled at end their lifetime. These drawbacks can only overcome with development environmentally friendly, recyclable from renewable resources. For this reason, we present a facile way produce biobased reprocessable thermoset, vitrimer, by...
Sustainable biocomposites have been developed by solvent mixing of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) with a fine powder cocoa bean shells (CBS) and subsequent solution casting, using different concentrations CBS. The inclusion CBS recovers the crystallinity initially amorphous PLA films improves physical properties composites. Young's modulus increases 80% 75 wt % inclusion; however, composites maintain plasticity. barrier hydrophobic were characterized, water vapor permeability is found to be ca. 3.5...
Plastic pollution is becoming one of the most critical global problems nowadays. On other hand, polymers are very versatile materials, and their products cannot be eliminated totally, but alternatives must found. A promising candidate fungal mycelium. It a self-growing, natural material, made well-organized polymers, whose morphology, hydrodynamic, mechanical properties can tuned by changing substrate growth. In this work, we show that even small modifications in composition standard growth...
Tridecafluorononanoic acid (TFNA), a C6-fluorinated carboxylic acid, was esterified with cellulose at different molar ratios (0:1, 1:1, 2:1, and 3:1) in trifluoroacetic (TFA):trifluoroacetic anhydride (TFAA):CHCl3 (2:1:1, v:v:v) solvent mixture. Free-standing films were obtained for all formulations are presented as alternatives to composites blends of paper fluorinated molecules. Mechanical properties investigated by tensile tests, plasticizer effect chains observed. Interestingly, the...
Electrically conductive materials based on cotton have important implications for wearable electronics. We developed flexible and fabrics (∼10 Ω/sq) by impregnation with graphene thermoplastic polyurethane-based dispersions. Nanocomposite display remarkable resilience against weight-pressed severe folding as well laundry cycles. Folding induced microcracks can be healed easily hot-pressing, restoring initial electrical conductivity. Impregnated fabric conductors demonstrate better mechanical...
The lack of suitable materials solutions stands as a major challenge for the development advanced nuclear systems. Most issues are related to simultaneous action high temperatures, corrosive environments and radiation damage. Oxide nanoceramics promising class which may benefit from tolerance nanomaterials chemical compatibility ceramics with many highly environments. Here, using thin films model system, we provide new insights into oxide exposed increasing damage levels at 600 °C -namely...
In this work, we exploit the bidimensional structure and high stiffness of graphene to improve tribological response nylon-based composites. Graphene nanoplatelets, coupled with polytetrafluoroethylene microparticles, synergistically friction coefficient wear rate, as well adhesion substrate. The enhancement, threefold for both rate at optimal concentration (0.5% in weight), depends upon formation a continuous, robust transfer film steel rubbing counterpart, shown by Raman measurements....
Plant cuticles have been used as models to produce hydrophobic films composed of sodium alginate, the fatty acid fraction tomato pomace agrowaste, and beeswax. The fabrication process consisted blending components in green solvents (water ethanol) a subsequent thermal treatment (150 °C, 8 h) polymerize unsaturated polyhydroxylated acids from pomace. When alginate were blended, free-standing obtained. These characterized evaluate their morphological (SEM), chemical (solid-state NMR,...
Multifunctional bioplastics have been prepared by amorphous reassembly of cellulose, hemicelluloses (xylan), and hydrolyzed lignin. For this, the biopolymers were dissolved in a trifluoroacetic acid–trifluoroacetic anhydride mixture blended different percentages, simulating those found natural woods. Free-standing flexible films obtained after complete evaporation solvents. By varying xylan lignin contents, physical properties easily tuned. In particular, higher proportions improved...
The market of epoxy resin-based adhesives is constantly growing in automotive, electronics and healthcare industries thanks to their unique features such as high bonding strength, durability, corrosion resistance. In this work, alternative sustainable vitrimer adhesives, containing from 20 50 wt% lignin microparticles, were prepared epoxidized linseed oil (ELO) a boronic ester dithiol crosslinker (DBEDT), the absence solvents catalysts. addition unmodified commercial Kraft composites...