(QF) MATERIALS SCIENCE, CHARACTERIZATION & TESTING

The main areas of research include: the development of new materials for energy applications; stabilization/solidification of hazardous industrial solid waste, soils and sediments; the preparation of concrete and geopolymer materials based on fly ash, blast furnace slag, foundry slag, slag from the incineration of municipal solid waste. Other research lines deals with the durability of the products obtained through the formation of calcium silicate and hydrated aluminum trisulphate, even in the presence of chlorides and sulphates; ine

Reuse and valorization of industrial and natural wastes and tailings through innovative synthesis techniques with low environmental impact. Synthesis of hybrid organic-inorganic geopolymer materials. Synthesis and characterization of innovative binders and ceramics for applications in various areas, such as the protection and preservation of materials in cultural heritage. Advanced ceramics materials for high tech applications.

We have years of experience in working on preparation and characterization of PVC blends for various applications. In recent time research has been oriented to preparation and characterization of polymer blends and composites with biodegradable polymers in order to improve the properties and to expand the application fields. Particular attention has been paid to modification of polymers with by-products of processing of some Mediterranean crops, for example, modification of polylactide with grounded olive stones.

IRDL's ambition is to play, in the short term, an even more important role at the regional, national and international levels in the resolution of current issues related to the engineering of materials and systems used in the industrial sectors related to automotive, energy, aeronautics, health, transport and more particularly all areas in dynamic interaction with the marine environment, such as shipbuilding and offshore, marine energies.