IPCF MISSION
The scientific interests of the Institute for Chemical-Physical Processes (IPCF) center around the study of condensed matter with particular attention to the thermodynamics of the collective processes responsible for the behavior and properties of materials on a mesoscopic scale. Such an intrinsically interdisciplinary activity is characterized by strong international competitiveness, touching aspects relevant to physics, chemistry and materials engineering. Research objectives move from interests purely motivated by scientific curiosity, such as the understanding of the general mechanisms underlying phenomena of self-aggregation and self-organization responsible for the macroscopic properties of complex systems, and then turn to the design and characterization of materials for specific applications and technology transfer in strategic areas as sensors, environment, energy, health, aerospace, cultural heritage with major technological implications, such as: development of organic nanostructures and semiconductors for electronic and photovoltaic applications, development of sensors with plasmonic nanomaterials (SERS, TERS, TERS imaging, etc.), creation of materials with predetermined properties (mechanical, thermal, optical, magnetic, electrical).
What We Are Doing
The Institute conducts both fundamental and applied research activities with the aim of developing advanced knowledge, materials, and technologies for strategically important sectors with significant social and economic impact. The mission of IPCF is embedded in a strongly interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary framework encompassing chemistry, physics, biotechnology, and materials engineering, addressing the major challenges of scientific and technological innovation. Its research spans topics ranging from the energy transition and environmental resilience to the mitigation of anthropogenic impacts, in line with European priorities.
IPCF is also actively engaged in advanced education and training, the strengthening of national and international collaborative networks, technology transfer to industry, and science communication activities.
Research activities start from the investigation of fundamental phenomena and underlying mechanisms and extend to the development of applications in the fields of advanced materials, sensing technologies, environment, energy, health, aerospace, and cultural heritage, through:
- Design, synthesis (including colloidal and solvothermal approaches, polymerization, and reactive blending), surface functionalization, and advanced chemical and physical characterization (microscopic, spectroscopic, thermal, electromechanical, and functional) of: (i) molecular systems; (ii) innovative materials (organic, inorganic, polymeric, hybrid, and bio-inspired); (iii) complex and/or composite materials, including micro- and nanostructured systems, exhibiting functional properties; (iv) innovative devices;
- Investigation of self-organization phenomena, surface reactivity, and interfacial processes, including structural relaxation, aging/degradation mechanisms, and molecular interactions.
- Analysis of the kinetics and thermodynamics of collective processes, such as the glass transition, which govern the behavior and properties of materials, with particular emphasis on the mesoscopic scale.
- Development of theoretical and computational models and techniques, including multiscale approaches and artificial intelligence methods, for the understanding, design, and optimization of materials, complex systems, and their performances.
- Design and development of experimental methodologies, advanced spectroscopic techniques, and state-of-the-art scientific instrumentation.