Sustainability
Polymer modification for recycling: polymer functionalization for reversible crosslinking of elastomers and upcycling (upgrade in recycling) of thermoplastics.
Paper-based materials: paper modification to replace single-use plastic items and functional packaging while preserving recyclability
Environment
Micro- and nanoplastics in the environment: new methods for microplastics analysis, investigation of their effects on living oranisms and human health, remediation.
Smart materials
Colloidal nanocomposite particles and coating materials: controlled heterophase polymerization for multifunctional/hybrid colloidal nanoparticle precursors in smart / super-hydrophobic coatings, biomedical nanodevices, cultural heritage protection.
Health
Nanocomposite elastomeric films: silicone nanocomposite elastomers as synthetic skin substitutes with total UV-blocking action for protection against rare diseases.
GROUP LEADER: Valter Castelvetro
TEAM MEMBERS
Technical Research Assistants (staff): Dr. Andrea Corti, MSc. Antonella Manariti
Research assistants (contract): Alessio Monnanni (Post-Doc); Riccardo Gherardini (microplastics)
PhD students: Matilde Benedettini (paper-based food packaging materials); Marco Diciotti (PVC-based materials)
MSc candidate interns: Laura Pacilio (microplastics)
MSc candidates (co-tutoring):
Former group members (Master students and contract researchers, last 10 years)
Filippo Petri (contract)
Stefano Pezzini (contract)
Hanna Pryschepa (MsC 2023 & contract)
Pier Francesco Tersigni (MsC 2023)
Daniele Filidei (with Spin-PET, MsC 2023)
Niccolò Pezzati (with South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, MsC 2023)
Cinzia Lazzarini (with Next Technology Tectotessile, MsC 2023)
Santi Galati Sardo (MsC 2022)
Marco Mansutti (MsC 2021)
Eleonora Corsi (MsC 2021 & contract)
Adriano Vannelli (with Solvay Specialty Polymers, MsC 2020)
Federico Lo Moro (MsC 2020)
Enrico Manco (MsC 2019)
Sara Montomoli(MsC 2019)
Nicola Guidugli (with AuserPolimeri, MsC 2019)
Virginia Vinciguerra (MsC 2018)
Luca Puccinelli (with IIT Genova, MsC 2018)
Lorenzo Scatena (MsC 2018)
Lorenzo Giusti (with Next Technology Tectotessile, MsC 2017)
Alessandro Bruno (with Next Technology Tectotessile, MsC 2017)
Dario Paolucci (MsC 2016)
Dario Smacchia (MsC 2016 & contract)
Franco Ghini (with Huntsman Tioxide, MsC 2016)
Antonio Tarantino (with IPCF-CNR, MsC 2015)
Tiziana Messina (with IPCF-CNR, MsC 2015)
Former National and International Projects (last 15 years)
- HOTMIC: Horizontal and vertical oceanic distribution, transport, and impact of microplastics (JPI Oceans, 2020-2023)
- CAPACITY: Cavi altamente performanti e ad elevata sostenibilità per trasporto di energia e connettività, mediante sviluppo e caratterizzazione di materiali innovativi nanostrutturati” (POR-FESR Tuscany Region, 2018-2020)
- NANOCATHEDRAL: Nanomaterials for conservation of European architectural heritage developed by research on characteristic lithotypes (EU-Horizon 2020, 2015-2018)
- SUPERTEX: Sustainable Flame Retardant Technical Textile from Recycled Polyester (EU-FP7 Ecoinnovation, 2011-2014)
- Materiali polimerici nanocompositi innovativi basati sull’impiego di materie prime rinnovabili e nuove tecniche di caratterizzazione per applicazioni elettriche, elettroniche, e per la valorizzazione e conservazione dei beni culturali (MIUR Cooperlink Italia-Marocco, 2011-2013)
- RIGEPLAST: Rigenerazione mediante processi sostenibili di plastomeri post-uso per applicazioni predeterminate con valore aggiunto (POR-FESR Tuscany Region, 2009-2011)