Molecular NAnotechnology for HeAlth and EnvironmenT (MAAT)
Nanotecnologie molecolari per la salute dell’uomo e l’ambiente (MAAT)
MAAT
Funded by: Ministero dell’Istruzione, Università e Ricerca (MIUR)
Calls: PON 2007-2013
Start date: 2012-05-31 End date: 2015-05-30
Total Budget: EUR 13.839.925,00 INO share of the total budget: EUR 2.210.000,00
Scientific manager: and for INO is: Ferraro Pietro
Organization/Institution/Company main assignee: DHITECH – Distretto Tecnologico Hi-Tech S.c.a.r.l.
Calls: PON 2007-2013
Start date: 2012-05-31 End date: 2015-05-30
Total Budget: EUR 13.839.925,00 INO share of the total budget: EUR 2.210.000,00
Scientific manager: and for INO is: Ferraro Pietro
Organization/Institution/Company main assignee: DHITECH – Distretto Tecnologico Hi-Tech S.c.a.r.l.
other Organization/Institution/Company involved:
Abstract: MAAT Project aims at creating a technological platform for Industrial Research based on Molecular Nanotechnology processes for the development of innovative systems and functional equipments to protect the Environment and the Human Health.
The general target of this new technological platform is to create and strengthen the critical mass required to successfully face the international challenge in the field of the latest nanotechnologies, focused on environmentally friendly organic/inorganic hybrid materials and low energy manufacturing process.
Molecular Nanotechnologies (MNT) can be defined as the design, the engineering and controlled assembly of organic functional materials, within active micro/nanostructured devices. MNTs represent a new frontier in materials science as well as in the design of high-tech devices for the Environment and Human Health, as they offer huge opportunities for innovation and the creation of new markets.
The final target is represented by the fabrication of novel products, based on the aforesaid technology platform, which are capable of revolutionizing their commercial sectors:
1) semitransparent smart panels showing colour modulation, in which energy production (Solar Cells), lighting (OLEDs) and solar control/sun screening (photovoltacromics) are combined,
2) low-cost Lab-on-Chips (LOCs), integrated with OLED sources of illumination in a unique device.
The former (1) is the result of a critical reading of the basic concepts of “Intelligent Building Design” having low environmental impact and enhanced energy efficiency; the latter (2) revolutionizes the design of LOCs, allowing a relevant reduction of costs and eventually expanding the reference market.
MAAT Project also aims at boosting the competitiveness in the Apulian territory through a constant technology transfer process from the field of scientific research to local industry. For this purpose, the model of “Living Labs” will be adopted, i.e. dynamic structures allowing a continuous interaction between the industrial staff and researchers from Research laboratories and Universities. Such an organization will allow a constant matching between the industrial needs and the available solutions in the research field. This approach also offers the advantage of a continuous development of knowledge, according to an “End-user driven” research method. Within the Living Labs a structured project of dissemination and direct involvement of local industry (Confindustria, PMI, etc.) will be initiated, that will follow the whole R&D activity, in order to encourage the improvement of existing products and the design of new ones. The technology platform to be implemented will be based on the scientific community and industries already active in the area. The partners involved in the Project, CNR, UniLe, UniBA and IIT have gained knowledge and technology skills in recent years, reaching the international state of art in the field of MNTs, and employing more than 70 researchers. The research staff has established strong relationships with industrial companies, eventually gaining a unique experience in technology transfer, with reference to the Italian scenario. The joint labs among CNR, University of Salento and two companies subscribing the MAAT Project stand out: the one with Tozzi Holding, operating in the field of photovoltaics and energy-saving, and the one involving the multinational company STMicroelectronics, operating in the field of electronic components and Human Health. The synergy between technical and scientific skills of public Research structures, the interaction with a strong international network of prestigious research partners and the company profile management of the industrial partners involved, represent important features of this Project proposal, aiming at overcoming the state of art and enhancing the competitiveness of Apulia in this sector, within the international scenario.
The general target of this new technological platform is to create and strengthen the critical mass required to successfully face the international challenge in the field of the latest nanotechnologies, focused on environmentally friendly organic/inorganic hybrid materials and low energy manufacturing process.
Molecular Nanotechnologies (MNT) can be defined as the design, the engineering and controlled assembly of organic functional materials, within active micro/nanostructured devices. MNTs represent a new frontier in materials science as well as in the design of high-tech devices for the Environment and Human Health, as they offer huge opportunities for innovation and the creation of new markets.
The final target is represented by the fabrication of novel products, based on the aforesaid technology platform, which are capable of revolutionizing their commercial sectors:
1) semitransparent smart panels showing colour modulation, in which energy production (Solar Cells), lighting (OLEDs) and solar control/sun screening (photovoltacromics) are combined,
2) low-cost Lab-on-Chips (LOCs), integrated with OLED sources of illumination in a unique device.
The former (1) is the result of a critical reading of the basic concepts of “Intelligent Building Design” having low environmental impact and enhanced energy efficiency; the latter (2) revolutionizes the design of LOCs, allowing a relevant reduction of costs and eventually expanding the reference market.
MAAT Project also aims at boosting the competitiveness in the Apulian territory through a constant technology transfer process from the field of scientific research to local industry. For this purpose, the model of “Living Labs” will be adopted, i.e. dynamic structures allowing a continuous interaction between the industrial staff and researchers from Research laboratories and Universities. Such an organization will allow a constant matching between the industrial needs and the available solutions in the research field. This approach also offers the advantage of a continuous development of knowledge, according to an “End-user driven” research method. Within the Living Labs a structured project of dissemination and direct involvement of local industry (Confindustria, PMI, etc.) will be initiated, that will follow the whole R&D activity, in order to encourage the improvement of existing products and the design of new ones. The technology platform to be implemented will be based on the scientific community and industries already active in the area. The partners involved in the Project, CNR, UniLe, UniBA and IIT have gained knowledge and technology skills in recent years, reaching the international state of art in the field of MNTs, and employing more than 70 researchers. The research staff has established strong relationships with industrial companies, eventually gaining a unique experience in technology transfer, with reference to the Italian scenario. The joint labs among CNR, University of Salento and two companies subscribing the MAAT Project stand out: the one with Tozzi Holding, operating in the field of photovoltaics and energy-saving, and the one involving the multinational company STMicroelectronics, operating in the field of electronic components and Human Health. The synergy between technical and scientific skills of public Research structures, the interaction with a strong international network of prestigious research partners and the company profile management of the industrial partners involved, represent important features of this Project proposal, aiming at overcoming the state of art and enhancing the competitiveness of Apulia in this sector, within the international scenario.