ENGLISH
We continue evolving our research approaches with a clear goal in mind: to discover crucial connections between the structure and properties in materials of biological or synthetic origin that contain polymeric components. Our research line:
Bionanocomposites can be seen as a subcategory of nanocomposite polymers, where the nanoreinforcements, the matrix or both are obtained from renewable sources. Our aim is to pioneer the development of novel materials centered on bionanocomposites, capable of supplanting traditional plastics derived from hydrocarbons. These versatile materials find utility across a spectrum of applications, from short-lived packaging to biomedical uses, fostering sustainable progress through economically feasible and eco-friendly technologies. Within our team, we've achieved breakthroughs in developing nanocomposites using a variety of polymers like starch, chitosan, and bacterial cellulose.
Biodegradable polymers are materials that decompose in the presence of biological agents, ensuring their compatibility with the environment. They are fundamental elements in materials such as plastics and gels. For a material to be considered biodegradable, quantifiable tests are carried out to verify the capacity of microorganisms to decompose the material through enzymatic action, generating carbon dioxide, water and biomass. In our laboratory, we have developed several bioplastics, especially using native starches.
We have engineered advanced porous structures for tissue engineering by utilizing biopolymers and bionanocomposites. These innovative materials represent a significant leap forward in the field, offering enhanced support for cell growth and tissue regeneration.
Our laboratory centers on studying organic materials with various surface characteristics. We examine both hard surfaces, such as fish scales, seeds, and fish exoskeletons, and soft surfaces, including bacterial cellulose gels and giant squid mantles, as well as spider silk and mollusc byssus fibers. Our objective is to understand the structure-property relationships of these materials through a comprehensive approach that incorporates mechanical, thermal, and morphological characterization, alongside numerical simulations.
The laboratory team is dedicated to researching materials for energy applications, with a particular focus on the innovative use of polysaccharides derived from natural sources like potato starch, bacterial cellulose, algae, and crustaceans. These polysaccharides offer a sustainable alternative to conventional materials and are being investigated for integration into the manufacturing of electrical components such as batteries, supercapacitors, fuel cells, dye-sensitized solar cells, and triboelectric nanogenerators. By harnessing the unique properties of these natural polysaccharides, our research aims to enhance efficiency and sustainability in energy generation and storage, thereby opening new avenues for the development of advanced energy technologies.
