Technologies

The technology concerns planar optical antennas composed of thin metal films and dielectric materials for the efficient direction of the light emitted by light sources, such as fluorescent molecules and bio-markers. They consist of a reflector layer, adjacent to the substrate, and a director, semi-reflective, between which the emitter is positioned, integrated into a homogeneous dielectric layer.

Plants can compete favorably with traditional expression systems (mammalian cells, yeasts or bacteria) to produce recombinant proteins/peptides of pharmaceutical/industrial/agrifood interest. This technology names “Plant Molecular Farming”. The CNR-IBBA research team offers the study of new strategies for the expression and optimization of recombinant proteins/peptides in plant-based systems (plant tissues, transgenic plants, plant cell culture). Our pipeline is based on the following modules:

The environment as well as the food production provide a number of both natural and synthetic compounds whose effects on human being as an organism have not yet been determined nor investigated.

This technology describe the synthesis of cross-linked polymeric materials in the form of macroporous gels based on poly (2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate), capable of sequestering the anticoagulant heparin from aqueous solutions, physiological solutions and biological fluids. They are morphologically elastic and mechanically stable materials, and show high specificity and selectivity for heparin as demonstrated by the negligible adsorption of specific blood proteins such as antithrombin III, albumin and total proteins.

The Q-PLL is a nonlinear circuit which can maintain a locked state when forced by two incommensurate frequencies.

The locked state is a third frequency parametrically selected among those prescribed by the theory of three-frequency resonances in dynamical systems.

In particular, the locked frequency forms a three-frequency resonance with the frequencies of the quasi- periodic input and is closely related to the pitch perception of complex sound in humans.

Recently, it has been demonstrated that Raman spectroscopy can play a fundamental role in assisting the work of the anatomopathologist by allowing classification of oncological samples with practically 100% accuracy in oncological diagnosis.

The proposed system is based on a high-resolution electrocardiograph in which the electrodes are positioned on maternal abdomen. The acquired signals are processed using a completely unsupervised software for fetal ECG extraction based on independent component analysis, maternal ECG canceling and a quality index optimization. The electrocardiograph is constituted by a light-weight and light-dimension portable unit, which acquires the signals and transmit them to a computer where the analysis software runs.

Polymer development is approaching to a new stage of advancement in which new functionalities especially in combination with conductive polymers and nanomaterials are more effective. In this context the study of new composites is the key to enable the development of disruptive technologies as additive manufacturing. Increasing electrical conductivity open the way to a new class of objects to be prototyped rapidly at low cost with a high level of customization.

The proposed technology is about the development of an innovative sunscreen obtained from cod fish bones, according to the principles of the circular economy. The sunscreen is a reddish powder, which is constituted of hydroxyapatite (a calcium phosphate main component of human bones) modified with iron. It is prepared with a simple and easily scalable process (treatment of the bones in Fe solution and successively at T = 700 oC) and could be adapted for bones of other fishes. 

Electrochromism is an optoelectronic characteristic of particular interest because it can be exploited in the creation of technologies such as smart windows (Smart Windows) to promote energy efficiency, automotive, sensor or visualization devices. Electrochromic materials change their optoelectronic characteristics, showing different colors depending on the applied electric field.

IMM has developed tactile sensors for the detection of objects and surface and for the handling of objects with humanoid robots (e-skin). These devices can be integrated on ultra-flexible and high conformable substrates and they can be used for multiple applications: 1) for a correct interaction with objects distributed in complex environment; 2) for a safe short-range interaction between humanoid robot and humans; 3) for fabricating smart wearables for the detection of biometric parameters (e.g. heartbeat); 4) for remotely control rovers with wearable gadgets.

Our treatment demonstrated the ability to kill metastatic human melanoma cells, for which there are very few effective therapeutic approaches. Use of a specific Essential Oil (EO) to inhibit the replication of human metastatic melanoma cells. This EO can be used both for direct application to the skin, and administered by mouth to reach both primary and metastatic melanomas.

Environmental monitoring is a rapidly growing field, both in academia and industry. The use of wearables for environmental monitoring is a promising technique, as it allows data to be collected continuously and comprehensively. The main problem with using wearables for environmental monitoring is the size and weight of the system, as well as the high degree of specialization required to develop a fully functional device.