The goal of this project is to establish, in South Tyrol, an Infrastructure for Advanced Hybrid and Living Materials Processing “ALIVE” designed to support pioneering research into the fabrication and integration of biodegradable, biocompatible and bioresorbable advanced organic optoelectronic and photonic devices and batteries. Furthermore, the facility will enable the exploration of new applications for inorganic-living hybrid systems, with a particular focus on plants, algae, and bacteria, thereby laying the groundwork for bio integrated electronics with potential applications in medical monitoring and/or therapy (theragnostic), environmentally compatible energy storage, and, more broadly, providing a technological platform for future sustainable technologies. ALIVE aims to contribute to the global sustainability goals fostered by industrial and academic collaborations.
The research activities are divided into three main areas:
- Biodegradable, biocompatible and bioresorbable batteries: potential applications extending from medicine to environmental monitoring, aviation, and space applications.
- Organic optoelectronic and photonic devices: for a wide range of applications including deployment in medical applications, environmental monitoring, avionics, etc and also to be powered with bioresorbable batteries for wearable and/or implantable devices and within Internet of Things (IoT) physical platforms,
- Hybrid inorganic-living systems: to develop advanced materials that can form functional interfaces with biological systems for applications such as regenerative medicine, bioelectronic systems, and smart biosensors, also leveraging their engineering at nano-, micro-, and meso-scales.
Project Purpose
To establish an advanced laboratory for the development of hybrid and living systems to support the integration of organic optoelectronics devices with batteries and based on biodegradable, biocompatible and bioresorbable materials.
Key Areas
- Biodegradable, biocompatible and bioresorbable batteries: Development of biodegradable energy storage devices for medical and environmental applications, optimizing electrochemical performance while ensuring safety and controlled degradation.
- Organic optoelectronics and photonics: Fabrication of OLEDs, OPVs, and photodetectors integrated with biodegradable, biocompatible and bioresorbable substrates for flexible, wearable, and implantable systems.
- Hybrid inorganic–living systems: Integration of functional materials with living organisms to develop bioelectronic interfaces, smart biosensors, and regenerative technologies.
Potential Applications
- Sensing, medicine, and space applications
- Smart biosensors
- Biocompatible energy technologies
Infrastructure Details
- Location: NOI Techpark, South Tyrol
- Facilities: State-of-the-art laboratories for research and development of photonic devices and living systems “augmented” via interfacing with advanced materials.
Equipment
- Thermal evaporator integrated into a glovebox cluster for air-sensitive processing
- Oxygen plasma cleaner for substrate preparation
- Fume hood(s) for studies on augmented plants, algae, and photosynthetic bacteria.
Sustainability and Impact
Long-Term Goals
- Promoting sustainable electronic solutions
- Reducing electronic material waste through biodegradable devices
- Contributing to regional and global sustainable development goals
Industrial and Academic Synergies
- Collaboration with national and international research groups
- Integration with existing research infrastructure at NOI Techpark
- Supporting advanced research in electronic medicine and energy technologies
Alignment with Sustainability Goals
- Eliminating material waste and impact on environment
- Enhancing local energy production
- Contributing to a circular economy
Contact Information:
PI: Prof. Franco Cacialli
Co-I: Dr. Manuela Ciocca
Institution: Faculty of Engineering, Free University of Bolzano
Location: NOI Techpark Alto Adige – Südtirol
Via Alessandro Volta, 13A,
Italy – 39100, Bozen-Bolzano
Emails: franco.cacialli@unibz.it, manuela.ciocca@unibz.it
Phone: +39 0471 017119