MADRAS includes researchers dealing with statistical approaches applied to materials and process design, and strongly oriented to environmental sustainability.
Research activity is focused on the following class of materials:
- Bio-Based materials: in a circular economy perspective, bio-based materials are one of the most affordable solutions to satisfy environmental sustainability criteria in materials formulation. The more recent research of MADRAS is focused on insects as source of nutrients and bacterial cellulose as base for new composites to be employed in biomedicine and electronic.
- Composite materials: formulation and process of this class of material is fundamental to obtain well-tailored properties in advanced sectors such as automotive and smart textiles. The work of MADRAS is focused on the design, prototyping and characterization of such materials for innovative applications.
- Building materials: environmental sustainability is a critical issue for building, where energy saving strategies and materials from natural or re-use sources should be employed. In this context, MADRAS is working on phase change materials selection through rational approaches for innovative sensors and panels.
- Materials for REACH compliance: REACH is the well-known European regulation concerning chemicals to enhance safety and health for end-users and workers. MADRAS, through deep collaboration with private companies, is working to build databases and materials selection strategies to REACH compliance.
- Materials for H2 technologies: H2 technologies further exploitation and diffusion are mainly driven by sustainable choices in terms of well tailored materials and assembly. In this context, MADRAS is working together with selected companies to (i) find new materials and solutions for membrane and electrodes assembly (ii) employ a statistical approach for test plan and multivariate results analysis
MADRAS is based on different Departments and Interdepartmental Centers of the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia:
