ENERGY & HYDROGEN
In view of an ever-wider use of energy production systems from innovative natural sources, ICMATE plays an active role in the development of materials and technologies to decouple non-programmable energy production from its final use. Batteries, piezoelectric and thermoelectric generators and solar concentrators represent some of the most promising solutions developed.
Composites for energy storage and harvesting are advanced materials designed to enhance the performance and efficiency of devices used in capturing, storing, and utilizing energy. These polymer-based materials combine two distinct components to exploit their unique functional properties (i.e. ferroelectric/piezoelectric), and adding the flexibility of the polymer, resulting in improved mechanical, electrical, or chemical characteristics.
They offer significant potential for advancing energy storage and harvesting technologies. Through careful selection of materials and the engineering of their interfaces, composites can provide enhanced performance, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness, driving the development of next-generation energy solutions.
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Piezoelectric materials have gained significant attention for their potential in energy conversion applications, particularly in harvesting energy from mechanical vibrations and pressures.
Research and development are ongoing to improve the performance and applicability of piezoelectric materials by enhancing the piezoelectric effect by using nanomaterials such as zinc oxide nanowires, developing flexible and stretchable piezoelectric polymers for wearable applications and combining piezoelectric materials with other energy harvesting technologies to improve overall efficiency.
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Thermoelectric materials convert heat directly into electricity and vice versa, used in power generation, refrigeration, and temperature control systems. At ICMATE, research focuses on
These efforts aim to create more efficient, stable, and versatile thermoelectric materials for energy conversion technologies.
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Self-cleaning coatings for energy conversion are innovative materials designed to enhance the efficiency and longevity of devices that convert energy, such as solar panels and fuel cells. These coatings help maintain optimal performance by preventing the accumulation of dust, dirt, and other contaminants on the surface of the energy conversion devices.
The ongoing research is focused on enhancing the efficiency, durability, and cost-effectiveness of self-cleaning coatings. Innovations in materials science and nanotechnology are expected to play a significant role in the development of next-generation coatings that can significantly benefit energy conversion technologies.
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The intersection of additive manufacturing (AM) and shape memory alloys (SMAs) presents exciting opportunities for advancing energy conversion technologies. The ability to design and produce complex, tailored SMA components opens new avenues for improving efficiency and performance in various energy-related applications. ICMATE is active in research activities involving the development and optimization of SMA materials suitable for additive manufacturing processes. These include fine-tuning the composition and processing parameters to ensure that the printed SMA components exhibit the desired shape memory effects and mechanical properties.
The exploration of various additive manufacturing techniques tailored for SMAs, such as direct energy deposition, selective laser melting, or other powder-bed fusion processes are active research areas. The goal is to achieve high-quality, functional components with precise control over their microstructure and properties.
SMA components are developed to be used in devices that convert mechanical vibrations or thermal gradients into electrical energy, or into thermal management systems, where the ability of SMAs to change shape in response to temperature variations is used to control or optimize heat flow in energy systems. Also AM-fabricated SMA actuators or valves are used to control flow, pressure, or other parameters.
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