LED&MAT is a laboratory specialized in the development, implementation, production, and characterization of coatings (thin films) through a process known as sputtering. These coatings can be applied to various components and materials to improve their functionality, quality, and performance, especially in harsh environments. We collaborate with several industries to provide protective coatings and functional surfaces for a wide range of sectors, including tooling and molds, transportation, energy, medical technology, aerospace, textiles, and agriculture.
Types of applications and aoatings:
- Micro-Nano sensors
- Protection against oxidation and corrosion
- Low friction coefficient
- Functional textiles
- Bio-activation
Committed to sustainability, LED&MAT supports the circular economy and aims to reduce environmental impact by developing materials that promote the use of natural raw materials and process by-products & waste from various sectors, adding value through recycling and reuse processes for a wide range of applications. In particular, we focus on high-performance materials with superior thermal insulation and heat capacity, aimed at applications with rigorous energy efficiency standards and extended service life requirements (e.g., buildings). We also focus on new technologies dedicated to energy harvesting and storage.
At the same time, we help companies achieve their sustainability goals by offering specialized services in environmental performance (Life Cycle Assessment - LCA) and circular strategies.
We are committed to advancing knowledge and developing materials and technologies for future, more efficient, and sustainable solutions in the following areas:
- Thermal Efficiency
- Energy Efficiency
- Promotion of Renewable Resources
- Waste and by-products valorisation
- Environmental Performance
- Strategies and circular business models
LED&MAT offers a range of specialized competences in advanced manufacturing, combining fields such as mechanical and materials engineering, product design and development, and digitalization. We embrace challenges from various organizations and sectors seeking to drive innovation through different materials, customized manufacturing products/processes, including verification in real working environments.
Our extensive in-house capabilities in materials characterization techniques are a competitive advantage, providing essential tools for monitoring and developing materials or process, with a particular focus on:
- Materials
- Manufacturing processes
- Digital models
LED&MAT offers new specialized R&D services in the field of polymer-based materials. The polymer research group is involved in the preparation of polymer-based materials with customized properties that can be used in high-value applications such as: antimicrobial materials, advanced coatings, conducting materials, among others. Our polymer portfolio is vast and includes hydrophilic and hydrophobic materials from several families, namely: poly(meth)acrylates, polystyrene, polyacrylamides, poly(vinyl chloride), stimuli-responsive polymers and functional polymers.
The research of the polymer group can be divided into 4 main topics:
- The development and optimization of new polymerization methods that can operate under eco-friendly conditions
- Synthesis or modification of monomers or polymers (post-polymerization) to introduce specific functionalities at the chain-ends of tailor-made polymers using methods that are feasible at the industrial scale
- The synthesis of new bio-based and biodegradable materials that can replace polymers prepared by fossil-based monomers (non-biodegradable materials)
- Development of new biobased polymers (bioresins) for application in additive manufacturing (3D printing and bioprinting)
