Products obtainable from polymers and renewable resources: An alternative to polyurethanes that guarantees savings in raw materials and reduces the final weight. It is possible to manage, by selecting the materials and setting the parameters for the expansion process, a number of the characteristics of the cell structure, such as the average size of the cells and/or their possible level of interconnection, all making for especially versatile expanded products. The materials sued are biocompatible and recyclable.

Technologies for fabrics made from polymers – odour absorption and the scenting of fabrics: Polyelectrolyte gels, and especially hydrophilic ones, are a category of materials with an elevated power for absorbing water, being referred to as super-absorbents. The Centre has developed polyelectrolyte super-absorbing hydrogels, optimising their mechanical and transport-related capacities.

Biomaterials for reconstructive orthopaedic and orthodontic surgery: In order to regenerate bone tissue, substitutes, both injectable and otherwise, have been prepared and characterised, studies have been run on the kinetics of controlled-release pharmaceuticals and techniques have been defined and validated for in vitro biocompatibility. In the field of orthodontics, with regard to adhesives and supports, efforts have included the characterisation and rationalisation of the treatment process, the development of adhesive materials with improved properties of resistance and sealing, analyses of the biomechanical behaviour of teeth and replacements and the combining of microtomography with X-rays.

Technology for the integration of systems for the distributed production of electric energy These are highly qualified services involving training, information, consulting and technical and organisational support on topics related to electric energy, such as: the dissemination and transfer of know-how for integration in distribution networks, innovative technologies for generation and accumulation in distributed form, support of the integrated dissemination of innovative technologies and the development and transfer of know-how in the analysis of economic, social and environmental impact, as well as of regulatory measures.

Innovative devices for the electronics industry: The capacity to produce on demand for the automotive, telecommunications and electronics sectors, as well as for testing, in the oxides sector and with polymers, in addition to being able to characterise the properties of greatest interest in electronics and create prototype devices. In terms of the chemical-physical synthesis of materials, the Regional Centre of Competence has manufactured prototype devices with a very promising memory effect.

The Centre avails of the collaboration of a number of departments of the universities of Naples who in the last 6 years have developed valid competences and delivered ambitious output, resulting from important product and process innovations.

The centre is aimed at the technology and innovation markets. This determines a relatively short lifecycle for products/services due to the continuous development of technological innovations on a global scale. The potential target markets have already emerged following the initial projects outlined, in particular in advance materials in textiles, in footwear, in biomaterials, in aeronautics and in electronics. In detail: the development of “intelligent” fibres and fireproof fabrics in the textile sector; instruments for bone repair in orthodontics made from biomaterials; the use of new materials in shoes and bio-functional arch supports in footwear; the development of industrial technologies in the aeronautical sector.

SPECTRA TEC, CTT Group, Seconda Università degli Studi di Napoli, Università degli Studi di Salerno, Università degli Studi di Napoli Parthenope, Università degli Studi del Sannio, Istituto Nazionale per la Fisica Nucleare, CNR, Enea, Consorzio Technapoli, Istituto Nazionale Fisica della Materia