Cooling with Natural Rubber: New Materials for More Sustainable Technologies
Researchers at the University of Trento investigated natural rubber for sustainable solid-state cooling. By controlling crosslink density and adding organomodified nanoclays, they significantly improved elastocaloric performance, with up to a 12 °C temperature change and a 45% increase in heat absorbed per refrigeration cycle.
LISA: a precision release to listen to the Universe
The research by Matteo Tomasi and Daniele Bortoluzzi contributes to the development of the new GPRM for the LISA mission. Dynamic modelling, experimental testing and mechanical design were used to identify the causes of LISA Pathfinder anomalies and develop solutions for a more precise and robust test-mass release.
Printing a Hip Implant That Behaves Like Bone
Research at the University of Trento explores additively manufactured titanium lattice structures for future hip implants. Geometry, porosity and surface treatment are optimized to balance mechanical strength, fatigue resistance and bone integration, with the goal of creating implants that behave more like natural bone.
Traps from nature: bioMIPs that capture inflammation
Silk and gelatin give rise to nanoparticles capable of recognizing and sequestering cytokines, the proteins that govern inflammation. This is the biomimetic technology of bioMIPs, born from the collaboration between the BIOtech Research Centre at the University of Trento and the Department of Biotechnology at the University of Verona.
Green Co-Driver: when sustainable driving meets drivers’ expectations
The Green Co-Driver project developed a driving assistance system that balances energy efficiency and user acceptance. Tests with 72 participants showed up to 34% lower energy consumption and over 50% greater vehicle range.
Designing Hybrid Interfaces to Enhance Heat Transport in Nanocomposites
Discover how LPSQ-based polymer nanocomposites containing functionalized alumina nanoparticles enhance heat transport in thermal interface materials (TIMs). The study highlights the role of interfacial interactions in designing flexible, highly thermally conductive materials for advanced thermal management of high-performance electronic devices.
Empowering Future Particle Physics Experiments and Far Beyond with Advanced 3D Silicon Sensors
The research group led by Ye Jixing, Gian-Franco Dalla Betta, and Lucio Pancheri develops advanced 3D silicon sensors with exceptional radiation hardness for particle physics experiments. From the LHC to the future FCC, these technologies aim to enhance detector precision, timing performance, and reliability under extreme radiation conditions.
Controlling autonomy: the mathematics behind the robots of the future
The project develops control algorithms for autonomous robots capable of navigating without GPS, avoiding obstacles, and preventing dangerous operating configurations. Using hybrid dynamical systems and relative measurements, the research provides mathematically rigorous, computationally efficient solutions applicable to ground, marine, and aerial autonomous robots.
Optimal Control and Numerical Analysis: How Mathematics Guides Engineering Decisions
Optimal control defines time-dependent decision strategies for dynamic systems subject to objectives and physical constraints. Since analytical solutions are rarely available, numerical analysis provides reliable computational solutions through simulations and algorithms, supporting applications ranging from vehicles and chemical processes to robotics and energy systems.
Bio-composite Materials for Sustainable Agriculture and Reforestation
Research within the European H2020 ONEforest project developed xanthan gum and wood fiber bio-composites for biodegradable mulching films and soil amendments. These materials enhance water retention, reduce irrigation needs, and support plant growth, providing a sustainable alternative to conventional plastics for agriculture and reforestation.
