INNOVATIVE MATERIALS FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

The course aims to provide advanced knowledge of next-generation materials developed according to the principles of sustainability and the circular economy, starting with materials currently used in construction. Specifically, mineralogical, geochemical, and physical information on innovative products will be provided, which is also useful for employment. The course will also provide an understanding of the role of geomaterials and georesources in sustainable land management. In the laboratory module, students will acquire the skills to synthesize, analyze, and interpret data, including through comparison with scientific literature.
Regarding the "Dublin Descriptors" and the core competencies of the LM-74 class, the course contributes to the acquisition of the following transversal skills:
Knowledge and understanding:
o Inductive and deductive reasoning skills.
o Ability to outline an industrial problem in terms of environmental impact.
o Know the geochemical, mineralogical, petrographic, and physical properties of geological and innovative materials, understanding their origin and transformation in natural and human contexts.
o Understand the relationships between environmental systems, georesources, building materials, and human activities, with particular attention to sustainability and the circular economy.
Ability to apply knowledge:
o Ability to apply acquired knowledge to describe the environmental impact of an industrial materials production line.
o Ability to find solutions to mitigate the impact according to the principles of sustainability and the circular economy.
Making judgments:
o Critical reasoning skills.
o Ability to identify the most appropriate methods to critically analyze, interpret, and process experimental data.
Communication skills:
o Ability to present a scientific topic orally with appropriate language.
Learning skills:
o Independently consult databases, scientific literature, and regulatory references, selecting relevant sources to explore course topics and support data interpretation.

If the course is delivered in blended or remote mode, appropriate adjustments may be made to the above, in order to ensure consistency with the syllabus.

1. National and international regulations on environmental sustainability
2. Examples of negative environmental impacts of traditional materials
3. Examples of innovative materials developed to date (e.g., graphene)
4. Geopolymers and alkaline-activated materials: chemistry, mix design, and production; physical and mechanical properties; durability; potential uses; comparison with traditional materials; case studies.
5. Principles and applications of the main mineralogical, geochemical, and structural characterization methods for the study of geopolymers and alkaline-activated materials: XRD, FTIR, and NMR.
6. Laboratory: synthesis of various precursors by alkaline activation; selection and application of characterization tests; analysis and critical interpretation of data through digital exercises; consultation of databases, scientific literature, and regulatory references for comparison and evaluation of results; life cycle assessment (LCA) of a material.

Lecture notes and publications in scientific journals.

For detailed studies:

1. Alkali-Activated Materials in Environmental Technology Applications. 2022. Tero Luukkonen. Paperback ISBN: 9780323884389
2. Cement Replacement Materials: Properties, Durability, Sustainability. 2014. Ali Akbar Ramezanianpour. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-36721-2
3. Handbook of Alkali-Activated Cements, Mortars and Concretes. 2015. Pacheco-Torgal F., Labrincha J. A., Leonelli C., Palomo A., Chindaprasirt P. https://doi.org/10.1016/C2013-0-16511-7 ISBN 978-1-78242-276-1
4. Chemically activated inorganic polymeric geopolymers (Second Edition). 2014. Leonelli C. & Romagnoli M. ISBN 9781291781816
5. Alkali Activated Materials - State-of-the-Art Report, RILEM TC 224-AAM. 2014. Provis J., van Deventer J. S. J. ISBN 9789400776722

Learning assessment may also be carried out on-line, should the conditions require it. To ensure equal opportunities and in compliance with current laws, interested students may request a personal interview in order to plan any compensatory and/or dispensatory measures based on educational objectives and specific needs. Students can also contact the CInAP (Centro per l’integrazione Attiva e Partecipata — Servizi per le Disabilità e/o i DSA) referring teacher within their department (https://www.cinap.unict.it/content/referenti).

Differences between cements, geopolymers and alkaline activated materials

Advantages and versatility of alkaline activated geopolymers/materials

Regulatory aspects regarding environmental sustainability

Description of the synthesis procedure and main characterization techniques for the study of geopolymeric materials