iENTRANCE operates as an integrated advanced materials research infrastructure, structured upon 14 interconnected nodes. This configuration facilitates the convergence of physics, chemistry, and engineering expertise.
Mosaic Architecture
The "mosaic" represents iENTRANCE architecture: individual nodes, like tiles, own distinct operational domains and specialized instrumentation, but provide together an additional dimension of information.
Integration and Collaboration
The integration of these nodes into a single access point overcome research fragmentation, enabling comprehensive project execution across multiple disciplines. This unified approach provides a full understanding of materials science, exceeding the capabilities of isolated research units.
Technology Transfer
We extend the mosaic beyond iENTRANCE, actively driving technology transfer, social impact, and territorial integration by leveraging and integrating regional resources and expertise.
Collaborative Research
The system facilitates collaborative research with industrial partners and SMEs, accelerating the translation of scientific findings into practical applications.
Operational Focus
The system's operational focus includes: infrastructure access, technology scouting, collaborative research facilitation, deployment project development, roadmap creation, innovation support, policy informing, knowledge exchange, and educational outreach.
Accelerating Innovation
iENTRANCE aims to accelerate materials development for energy solutions and sustainable practices through the coordinated utilization of its integrated resources. The mosaic model emphasizes the system's capacity to deliver comprehensive, multidisciplinary solutions.
iENTRANCE is founded on the values of collaborative excellence, technological innovation, and a commitment to addressing pressing societal challenges through advanced materials research.
The Boards of Partners showcases our collaborative network, highlighting partner expertise driving innovation. Together, we advance cutting-edge research.
Dr. Vittorio MORANDI
Prof. Fabrizio Candido PIRRI
Prof. Davide Calonico
Prof. Loris GIORGINI
Prof. Marco ROSSI
Prof. Marco SEBASTIANI
iENTRANCE is committed to addressing complex challenges across both technological and methodological frontiers. We aim to be a catalyst for innovation and sustainable development through targeted initiatives.
Technological Domains
Development of a Green, Sustainable, and Circular Economy & Industry
- Facilitating the transition towards eco-friendly industrial practices by providing access to cutting-edge research and resources.
- Promoting the development of sustainable manufacturing processes and materials that minimize environmental impact.
- Supporting research into circular economy models, focusing on resource efficiency and waste reduction.
Advanced Materials and Devices
- Driving innovation in functional materials for electronics, photonics, and sensor technologies.
- Focusing on emerging areas such as nanoelectronics, neuromorphic architectures, and flexible electronics, enabling the development of next-generation devices.
- Providing state-of-the-art characterization and fabrication facilities for advanced materials research.
Creation of New Materials for Energy Applications
- Supporting research into materials for renewable energy sources, including solar, wind, and geothermal technologies.
- Advancing materials for energy efficiency applications, such as thermal insulation and advanced energy storage.
- Facilitating the development of new energy vectors and conversion systems, including hydrogen storage and fuel cell technologies.
- Addressing the challenges of energy production, usage, and storage, aiming for a more efficient and sustainable energy landscape.
Facilitation of Technology Transfer and Innovation
- Providing tailored support for material-related technology transfer and innovation, catering to the specific needs of industries and SMEs.
- Offering access to expertise, resources, and networks to accelerate the commercialization of new technologies.
- Fostering the creation of new ventures based on emerging materials technologies, supporting entrepreneurship and economic growth.
Methodological Domains
Evolution into a Knowledge-Generating and Sharing Organization
- Developing robust systems for the continuous generation, sharing, and leveraging of knowledge.
- Creating platforms and tools for effective knowledge dissemination and collaboration.
- Creating accessible databases of knowledge, and best practices.
Integration of AI and Machine Learning for Enhanced Collaboration
- Utilizing AI and machine learning to analyze data, identify trends, and facilitate collaborations across diverse stakeholders.
- Expanding collaborative networks beyond traditional scientific boundaries, including industrial partners, policymakers, and the public.
- Developing AI-driven tools for knowledge discovery and information retrieval.
Reduction of Complexity in Knowledge Access
- Streamlining the process of accessing relevant knowledge, ensuring efficient delivery of information to appropriate stakeholders.
- Developing user-friendly interfaces and search tools to simplify knowledge retrieval.
- Providing personalized knowledge recommendations based on user needs and interests.
- Creating a system that can provide the correct expert, and or information, to the user, with the least amount of user effort.
The technical expertise of iENTRANCE encompasses a wide range of advanced materials research capabilities, with a strong emphasis on nanoscience and technology.
Nanoscience and Nanotechnology
iENTRANCE provides access to a comprehensive suite of tools and expertise for micro- and nanoscale processing of materials, including synthesis, characterization, manipulation and micro- and nano-technological processes and devices fabrication.
Advanced Materials Characterization
The infrastructure offers top-level expertise in micro- and nanoscale structural, compositional, optoelectronic, in-situ, and in-operando characterization. This involves the use of advanced techniques to analyze the properties and behavior of materials at the atomic and molecular levels.
Materials for Energy Applications
iENTRANCE focuses on developing materials for next-generation energy technologies, including photovoltaics, battery technologies, supercapacitors, hydrogen production and storage, fuel cell technologies, and power electronics.
Sustainable Materials and Practices
The infrastructure supports research on sustainable materials and processes, including waste valorization, (photo)catalysis, sustainable polymers, material recyclability and durability, and low-impact fabrication.
Data Management and Interoperability
A strong focus is placed on FAIR data principles, ensuring that research data is Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable. This includes the development of an online catalogue of methodologies, technologies, and facilities, with a focus on interoperability and open access.
In essence, iENTRANCE provides a comprehensive platform for advanced materials research, combining cutting-edge instrumentation, expert knowledge, and a commitment to sustainable innovation.
iENTRANCE is committed to ensuring that all data generated and managed within its infrastructure adhere to the FAIR principles: Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable.
This commitment forms the cornerstone of our data management strategy, ensuring that research outputs are not only robust but also contribute to a broader ecosystem of accessible scientific knowledge.
By embracing FAIR data practices, iENTRANCE offers significant advantages to researchers accessing our infrastructure:
Enhanced Visibility
FAIR data is designed to be easily discoverable through standardized metadata and persistent identifiers. This increases the visibility of researchers' work, maximizing its impact and reach within the scientific community.
Increased Reusability
FAIR principles promote data interoperability and clear documentation, enabling researchers to reuse existing datasets for new analyses and discoveries. This fosters collaboration, accelerates research progress, and reduces redundancy.
Compliance with Funding Requirements
Many funding bodies and research institutions now mandate FAIR data compliance. iENTRANCE's adherence to these principles ensures that researchers using our infrastructure meet these requirements, enhancing their eligibility for grants and funding opportunities.
Improved Collaboration
Through the application of the FAIR principles, that enforce standardised metadata and clear data sharing protocols, researchers will find it easier to collaborate with others, both inside and outside of the iENTRANCE organisation.
Long-term Data Preservation
By following FAIR data principles, data is more likely to be preserved in the long term, making research more reproducible.
Facilitating Innovation
When data is interoperable and accessible, it is much easier to apply new data science techniques to it, such as those using AI. This greatly aids the process of innovation.