Doctoral research and companies: cooperation for industrial development and innovation

Roberto Montanari e Maria Richetta

PhD Programme of Industrial EngineeringUniversity of Rome – Tor Vergata, ITALY

The problems of modern industry are more and more complex and require an intersectorial approach that puts together different competences.

In several cases the experimental techniques and the methods of calculus, modelling and simulation, typical of engineering must be supported by knowledges specific of other disciplines. Therefore, experts of chemistry, applied physics and medicine are present in the PhD scientific panel.

PhD Scientific Panel

In addition to professors of our university (Rome - Tor Vergata), experts of different scientific areas of other italian and foreign universities, research centres and institutions are present in thescientific panel.

In particular a strong doctoral activity is carried out at

TECHNISCHE HOCHSCHULE WILDAU , GERMANY

SCHOOL OF BUSINESS AND ENGINEERING VAUD, UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES WESTERN SWITZERLAND

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA, USA 

LEBEDEV PHYSICAL INSTITUTE , RUSSIAN FEDERATION

UNIVERSITY S. MARY'S, HALIFAX , CANADA 

The PhD programme of Industrial Engineering is like a “melting pot” where different competences and expertises meet to produce new projects and to realize machines, products and services of practical use.

The research activity is carried out by PhD students under the supervision and with the help of tutors. We believe that students at the end of their doctoral route must be able to solve industrial problems. This is of the utmost importance independently on their future employment, in academy (a little part) or in industry (the large part).

The research in Industrial Engineering requires an intersectorial and interdisciplinary approach because real industrial problems often present many different and interrelated aspects; rarely they are restricted to single topics.

Aiming to this target, problems and ideas are discussed and compared in periodic meetings of the PhD Programme on themes of large interest such as the engineering research for medicine, the production and conversion of energy, new materials etc.

To explain what are such meetings we report here the list of presentations of the last two.

Meeting Research activity of interest for medicine (16th of July 2014) 1- Synthetic diamond based dosimetric systems for radiation therapy techniques M.D. Falco 2- Scaffold fabrication for cardiac tissue engineering M. Casalboni, F. De Matteis, R. Francini, P. Prosposito3- Biomedical applications of nanomaterials P.G. Medaglia4- Surface analysis: application for biomaterials S. Kaciulis, S.K. Balijepalli, A. Mezzi5- Neurological diseases. A Physical approach to their interpretation M. Richetta, S. Mei 6- Prevention of dementia. Predisposing factors and estimation screening S. Mugnaini 7- Neuropsycology and postural disease as marker of early diagnosis of dementia L. Polverigiani, D. Cestra 8- Neurophysiology instruments for human cognitive performances evaluation E. Staderini 9- Improving the diagnostic power of otoacustic emissions A. Moleti10- Technology in sport medicine M. Febbi11- Real-time breath analysis for the identification of alcohol and drugs M. Carestia, M. Gelfusa, A. Malizia, O. Cenciarelli, R. Pizzoferrato, P. Gaudio12- Medicine Oriented Interferometry and Measurement Technologies K. Lietzau13- Polymer based Biosystems for Medical Applications C. Rogge 14- PolyMed - NEMO Network A.H. Foitzik 15- Hemodynamics in prosthetic aortic devices R. Verzicco16- Real time processing of biomedical and biomechanical signals V. Bonaiuto, S. Bifaretti17- Robotics and bioengineering: challenges, examples and applications P. Dario, A. Menciassi, L. Ricotti18- Mechanical characterization of human dentin R. Montanari19- FEM and experimental investigation of stress distribution and curing contraction in pattern resin for dental implant techniques R. Pizzoferrato, P.P. Valentini20- Simulation of thermal behaviour of teeth during reconstruction procedure and measurement of thermophysical properties of involved materials P. Coppa, G.L. Bovesecchi, E. Armellin, S.G. Condò, L. Cerroni, G. Pasquantonio

Meeting: Research Activity on Energy (17th of October 2014)

1- Energy efficiency and renewable sources integration in the distributed generation concept: a new paradigmaL. Bartolucci, G. Bruni, F. Codignole Luz, S. Cordiner, J. Luiz Rossi, A. Manni, V. Mulone, M. Nobile, V. Rocco, F. Spagnolo 2- Power electronic converters for distributed generation and future electricity networksS. Bifaretti, V. Bonaiuto 3- Advanced energy systemsM. Gambini, M. Vellini 4- Light management for photovoltaics using surface nanostructuresM. Casalboni, R. De Angelis, F. Matteis, , L. D'Amico, P. Prosposito 5- Diagnostics and statistical tools for control, security, safety and design for magnetic fusion reactorP. Gaudio, M. Gelfusa, A. Malizia, M. Richetta, I. Lupelli, E. Peluso, D. Di Giovanni, S. Talebzadeh, M. Del Vecchio 6- Metallurgical research for fission and fusion nuclear reactors: 1- FIMEC test, 2- thick W coatings on metal substrates, 3- liquid eutectic Pb-Bi alloy, 4- welding of martensitic steels.S.K. Balijepalli, G. Barbieri, M. Cesaroni, G. Costanza, L. Ciambella, S. Kaciulis, G. Maddaluno, A. Mezzi, R. Montanari, M.E. Tata, A. Varone 7- New generation ion conducting polymer electrolytes for electrochemical energy technologyL. Di Vona 8- Thermal conductivity, viscosity and specific heat of molten salts to be used as heat transfer and storage fluids in the solar thermodynamic systems (parabolic trough)G. Bovesecchi, P. Coppa, S. Pistacchio 8- Research fields at Istituto Motori of CNRV. Rocco 9- Metal foams for energy applicationsS.K. Balijepalli, G. Barbieri, G. Costanza, S. Kaciulis, G. Lapi, R. Montanari, M.E. Tata 10- Fission and Fusion Reactors: Advanced Diagnostics based on Novel Synthetic Diamond Detectors

Some presentations are given by students, others by professors. Some topics represent just new ideas to develop, other topics correspond to industrial products realized on the basis of the research work carried out in the frame of PhD.

This practice is very useful for both students and professors.On the one hand students go beyond the specific subject of their thesis to get a more general vision fundamental for developing capability and flexibility in problem solving at the basis of their future work in academy, research centres and industry. On the other hand it is possible to achieve relevant technical results.

Some examples are given in the next slides.

Diagnostics in nuclear fusion reactorsNeutron detectionNeutron detectionMain diagnostic of the fusion process

Thermal neutron detection“Fast” neutron detection (~ 14 MeV)

VUV / EUV diamond detectorsVUV / EUV diamond detectorsCharacterization of the plasma

Joint European Torus (JET)Chulam (UK)

ITER Reactor

In next generation fusion reactors (ITER) the neutron flux is expected to be too high for conventional solid state detectors.

Diamond based detectorsSynthetic single crystal diamond Schottky diodeFabricated by Plasma CVD at Rome “Tor Vergata University Laboratory”

CVD P+CVD P

HPHT substrate

Ohmic contact

Schottky contactOutput UV, Extreme-UV, Soft X detectors

Visible blind Low sensitivity to neutrons and

rays Fast response Radiation hard

10 100 1000 1000010-6

10-5

10-4

10-3

10-2

10-1

1000.1241.2412.4

Res

pons

ivity

(A/W

)

Energy (eV)

124

Neutron detectors

Contacts

HPHT substrate

CVD B-dopedCVD Intrinsic

6LiF

n

T

n + 6Li → Tritium + + 4.8 Mev n + 12C → + 9Be – 5.7 MeV

Thermal Neutrons Fast Neutrons

Contacts

HPHT substrate

CVD B-dopedCVD Intrinsic

6LiF

n

9Be

Intrinsic CVD

B-doped CVD

HPHT

Intrinsic CVD

B-doped CVD

HPHT

6LiF

n

T

«sandwich» detector

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 110

2000

4000

6000

8000

10000

12000

14000

16000

18000

20000

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

200

12C(n, n')3

12C(n, 0)9Be

Cou

nts

Energy (MeV)

2.07 MeV

x 100

2.73 MeV Tritium

Measurements of the delivered dose in water are routinely performed in Radiotherapy wards:

• Treatment Planning System (TPS) commissioning• Beam quality control

m

ED W

W

The quantity to be measured: absorbed dose in water

Energy per unit mass deposited in water by the radiation

Dose measurements for radiotherapy

Synthetic single crystal diamond dosimeterFabricated by Plasma CVD at Rome “Tor Vergata University Laboratory”

Commercialized by PTW-FreiburgmicroDiamondTM (60019)

a)

1.5 mm

8 mm

triaxial cable

diamond plate

PMMA

epoxy resin

27 mm

microDiamond dosimeter

PTW-Freiburg leaflet: www.ptw.de

microDiamond dosimeterCommercial device presented for the first time at:• AAPM 2013 conference (American Association of Physicist in Medicine) • ESTRO 2014 conference (European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology

Artificial Lymphe Node (ALN)

This was a large project (Federal Funding) with several companies, one of them an Incorporated Company (ProBioGen), the Charite Clinic, and two Universities of Applied Science (Wildau and Berlin), as well as one of the large European Research Institutes in Microelectronics (IHP).

Prof. A.H. Foitzik – University of Wildau

Direct measurement of stroke propulsion in real swimming by means of a non invasive gauge

The athlete can swim freely and the data are stored in the system. They can be acquired by a PC via a Bluetooth radio link It is based on two differential pressure sensors receiving the input from two special mini paddles on the hands of the swimmer. These sensors measure the pressure difference between palm and back of the hand, which determines the thrust.

Real time processing of biomedical and biomechanical signals

Goal: Design of combined system based on an Inertial Movement Unit (IMU) and a surface electromyography (EMG) device to study the effects of muscular activity on the cinematic. Useful for athletes performance evaluation.

Neurophysiology instruments for human cognitive performances evaluation

Prof. Enrico M. StaderiniHEIG-VD –HES-SO Western Switzerland University of Applied SciencesYverdon-les-Bains–Vaud –Switzerland

The new indoor navigation aid, produced and promoted by WINA, enables blind and vision impaired people find their way inside indoor places like public areas, railway stations, airports, theatres, commercial centres etc.

Instead of using satellites, a series of sensors (antennas) are placed on the ceiling of the indoor environment (or outdoor along sideways) and blind people are given “electronic white sticks”, i.e. small remote controllers with a headphone.

New indoor navigation aid

Unlike GPS satellites which are sending signals to the navigation systems, sensors are continuously calling all the systems (tags) in the area asking for calling back. When a given tag calls back (replies) its signal is received by all the sensors at once and its position is found by triangulation on the radio pulse flight time. In this way the central system is continuously aware of the position of all the tags in the area. The remote command is also tagged and the obstacles in the environment are known to the system. So it can guide the owner of the remote command (the blind person) into the environment.

New indoor navigation aid

In a typical area all the fixed objects are made known to the central system and all the mobile objects (like chairs, doors, windows, curtains, stores, etc.) are tagged.

Prof. Enrico M. StaderiniHEIG-VD –HES-SO Western Switzerland University of Applied SciencesYverdon-les-Bains–Vaud –Switzerland

New indoor navigation aid

Advanced energy systems

IntroductionLCA (Life Cycle Assessment) is an excellent support tool able to analyse, through a detached procedure, environmental impacts of a manufacturing system throughout its whole life span and to quantify correlated environmental effects. This research activity is in progress for over several years and it is borne out by technical works and by international esteems. Authors have applied this methodology to different studies (glass production for drink containers, analysis of possible energy scenarios, based on hydrogen, in urban districts, etc.)

ObjectivesThe LCA methodology was applied for the analysis of three models of high performance two-wheeled sport vehicle (manufactured by MV Agusta) in order to compare, through the procedure defined by 14040 and 14044 UNI standards and by means of GaBi 4.4. Software, the life cycle of these models from an energy and environmental standpoint. The analysis demonstrated that the new vehicles assured both an improvement of technical features and a strong reduction of energy and environmental impact across the whole life span.

0

0,2

0,4

0,6

0,8

1

Energy (net calorific value)

Mass

CML2001, Acidification

Potential (AP)

CML2001, Eutrophication

Potential (EP)

CML2001, Global Warming

Potential (GWP 100 years)

CML2001, Ozone Layer

Depletion Potential (ODP)

CML2001, Photochem. Ozone Creation Potential

(POCP)

Three-cylinder, new model, Life Cycle Effects

Four-cylinder, new model, Life Cycle Effects

Four-cylinder, old model, Life Cycle Effects

Environmental Life Cycle Effects of three models of two-wheeled

vehicle

Research on renewable sources integration and development of smart microgrids.

Distributed generation of energy and optimized exploitment.

Logic and control solutions to maximize the efficiency of the integrated system and its components.

Industrial partners: Ericsson, Dantherm, MES, Enel GP and Emitec

Universities and Research Centres: Argonne, West Virginia University, University of Nevada at Reno, Enea, CNR

Energy efficiency and renewable sources integration in the distributed generation

FCPoweredRBS (Telecom applications) System layout

Offgrid Telecom Stations A EU project: FCpoweredRBS

• 2 full size systems in UniRoma2 and JRC

• Widest latitude range covered (in Italy)

• Two Telco Operators involved

• Industrial Partners:– Ericsson telecommunication;– Dantherm (DK)– GreenHydrogen (DK)– MES (CH)

• Scientific Partners– EU Joint Research Center Petten

Goal: Design of the control strategy for Solar Array using an independent Maximum Power Point Tracking system for each section and distribute the battery charge current between the power sources in order to evenly divide the switching losses on the power semiconductors of the converters and, thus, extending their life time.

Power conditioning and distribution unit Power conditioning and distribution unit for new generation of Microsatellitesfor new generation of Microsatellites

Aluminium Foam Sandwiches (AFS)

Aluminium Foam Sandwiches (AFS), offer a great potential for applications in theautomotive industry. AFS are light weight, energy absorbing and incombustible and have good sound absorbing properties.

Project MISE 3.5 “Energy saving in transport: new materials and components”

Prof. R. Montanari

FIMEC indentation test

The indentation test is one of the most common techniques for the mechanical characterization of materials.

FIMEC is a flat-ended cylindrical indentation technique which employs a cylindrical punch made of sintered tungsten carbide.

Measured properties of a material

yield stress; elastic modulus E; ductile to brittle transition temperature (DBTT); surface creep; stress relaxation.

Prof. R. Montanari

FIMEC has been used to determine on a local scale the properties of welding joints and of mechanical parts produced by foundry processes.

1

2

Prof. R. Montanari

Membrane development and scale-up for Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells

Product:Product:The current-voltage characteristics of membrane-electrode-assemblies containing new membranes at 80°C are among the best in the literature and were able to operate at temperature exceeding 100°C showing interesting cell performance.

Membrane production on continuous line Membrane production on continuous line Prof. M.L. Di Vona

Membrane development and scale-up for Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells

Collaborations :

FUMATECH (Functional Membranes and Plant Technology) is the leading manufacturer of ion exchange polymers and membranes in Europe (www.fumatech.de). FUMATECH provides coating services for e.g. toll production of tailored membranes as well as for the production of catalyst coated membranes.

MATGAS 2000 A.I.E. (www.matgas.com) is an Industrial-Academic- research institute and brings together basic research projects, technological development and business management models. MATGAS is expert in testing and characterization of single H2cell

Anti-reflection coatings

An antireflective or antireflection (AR) coating is a type of optical coating applied to the surface of lenses and other optical devices such as solar cells to reduce reflection. This improves the efficiency of the system since less light is lost.

Bioinspired anti-reflection coatings Bioinspired anti-reflection coatings

Moth’s eye surface nanostructuring allows

transmittance enahncement as high as

5%.

We obtained 2D structures with pitch in the range 500 nm -2 μm and 100-200 nm in height. The coating is made of an hybrid sol-gel material.

The work was done in collaboration with RSE (Research Energy System) as part of the activities of the system research project "Electricity from solar energy" Annual Plan of Implementation 2013, agreement Ministry of Economic Development

Anti-reflection coatings

Thank You for Your attention!