The Lab carries out research and development in the field of textile and polymeric materials, exploring their innovative use in architecture and construction. It has hardware and software equipment for the pre-competitive development of new textile and polymer products and for the provision of consultancy services to companies in the textile sector.
It shares its know-how with researchers of other departments, so creating the interdepartmental Textiles-Hub laboratory of the Politecnico di Milano.
Integration of photovoltaic cells in flexible materials
The study and validation of the integration of photovoltaic cells in flexible materials such as membranes and fluoropolymers.
Performance simulation and prototyping of lightweight structures
Simulation of the mechanical, thermal, optical and luminous, acoustic and safety performance of architectural components and lightweight structures.
Creation of prototypes and demonstrators for lightweight structures, design items and construction components made from textiles and/or polymers such as, for example, tensile structures, tent-like structures, pressure-supported structures, emergency tents, form-active structures, ETFE cushions, lights and other design items made from textiles and polymers, suspended ceilings, dividers, false walls and soft furnishings.
Mechanical characterisation and measurement of the optical properties of lightweight materials
Uniaxial and biaxial mechanical characterisation of woven and non-woven materials and fluoropolymer films. The measurement of UV-VIS-NIR spectral optical properties (specular and diffuse hemispherical reflectance, bidirectional reflectance and transmittance) and IR spectral properties (diffuse hemispherical reflectance and transmittance, specular reflectance of glass and normal emissivity)
Development of innovative technology and materials for architecture
Design, development and production of construction solutions such as envelopes, structures and components with innovative characteristics from a structural, environmental or technological point of view.
The study of innovative materials for architecture and construction through analytical and experimental research (geopolymers, composites, shape-changing materials, organic and inorganic materials, and others).
