Technologies

Uniform coverage with porous layers over extended surfaces is beneficial for many purposes. Depending on the nature/composition, thickness and interfaces of the layer, this kind of special coverage can assure pivotal properties such as transparency, bendability, high surface reactivity, intermixing capability. In the long list of desired porous materials, transparent oxides find application in the fields of Photovoltaics, Sensing, Photocatalysis, Water Purification and Splitting, Lithium Batteries and many more.

This technology concerns the development of new eco-sustainable UV physical/mineral filters with the aim of offering important innovations per the cosmetic sector. This, encouraged by European initiatives in the Green-Deal context, is constantly looking for new components with improved protection of the human health and the environment.

The invention consists of a method and apparatus for the delivery at low pressure (equal to or less than 10^-7 Torr) of monoatomic fluorine for reaction with surfaces in an ultra-clean environment. Thanks to the low pressure values involved in the proposed method, the risks associated with the use of fluorine are reduced to a minimum.

Chemical solution deposition of metal-organic precursors have favoured the research and development of thin films of simple and complex oxides such as Pb(Zr,Ti)O3, and Al2O3, up to their industrial application in pyroelectric and capacitor devices. Deposition methods used are spin-on and dip-coating. The advantages of the techniques are:

(i) low cost of equipment and chemicals

(ii) large area deposition

(iii) low crystallisation temperatures

"Transitional Wearable Companions'' (TWC) are interactive, multisensory, animal-shaped soft toys, developed as a support tool for early intervention in neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD), with particular reference to Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Thanks to internal electronics, TWC can emit coloured lights, nice sounds and mild vibrations when touched on the paws. Such stimulations are usually very reinforcing to children and attract their attention.

The NanoMicroFab infrastructure, support companies operating in the field of micro and nanoelectronics through the supply of materials, development of processes, design, fabrication and characterization of materials and devices. NanoMicroFab makes use of existing CNR facilities of the Institute of Microelectronics and Microsystems, the Institute of Photonics and Nanotechnologies and the Institute for the Structure of Matter and provides: • a complete line of development of devices based on wide band gap semiconductors.

The proposed technology offers a novel and versatile method for detecting cracks in insulating materials of electrically polarized metal devices, i.e. dielectric coatings on metals, especially in low-pressure gas environments. It uses an ionized plasma that interacts uniformly with the insulating surface, allowing to detect defects invisible to the naked eye. The detection occurs in a single test without changing the environmental conditions and without risking harmful electrical discharges.

The platform allows the deployment of a sensor network with peripheral nodes spread on the crop fields or on the environment for the monitoring of crop parameters/environmental parameters. The network architecture integrated LoRa peripheral nodes for short-medium range communication and star-center NB-IoT based for long range communication. It includes a web server and MySQL database for data storage and visualization. The network architecture is scalable to adapt to the area to monitor.

The platform allows acquisition of data from commercial and custom sensors. By now, the system has been embedded in a wearable wristband where elastomeric based strain gauge have been integrated to detect fine hand/wrist/arm movements. The platform integrates inertial sensors (accelerometers, gyroscopes) to acquire more details about the subject movements. A sensor-fusion algorithm enables advanced movement recognition (gesture, 3D orientation). A machine-learning algorithm is in development to increase the performance of the platform.

The Q-PLL is an innovative nonlinear circuit which is able to synchronize to a signal comprising two or more incommensurate frequencies (forcing).

When the forcing contains two prevailing frequencies the locking response is a third frequency parametrically selected among those prescribed by the theory of three-frequency resonances in dynamical systems.

In particular, the locked frequency is closely related to the pitch perception of complex sound in humans.

The proposing team that works at CNR ISTEC has recently patented a technology for the production of the Smart Polycrystals (SP), i.e. transparent YAG-based ceramic polycrystals (Y₃Al₅O₁₂) variably doped with rare earths ions and transition metals ions. The SPs solve the problem of the reduction of the efficiency in the solid state laser systems caused by the inhomogeneous heating of the single crystals during the emission process.

Spark anemometry based on the analysis of an electrical discharge can be implemented in the automotive sector through measurements of the secondary circuit voltage. Actual applicability of this method is quite limited, given that it requires additional hardware that is not compatible with space requirements specific for production engines (e.g. fueled with gasoline, LPG or methane); furthermore, applying high voltage measurements is complex and entails increased cost.

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.

The technology refers to a system for the safety and control of the mobility of vehicles, pedestrians, and mass transport users, in conventional and advanced contexts and is suitable for use as an infrastructure for the production/sharing of information and data, aimed at monitoring and intervention in critical areas by offering specific functions concerning the detection of potentially dangerous situations or the optimization of resources.