Graded foams by time-dependent boundary conditions in blowing agent sorption

25 septembre 2024

Pr. Ernesto Di Maio 

University of Naple Federico II / invité par Yasmine Masmoudi

Abstract:
Layered and graded foams have proven superior to their uniform counterparts in terms of structural, and functional properties. This is also suggested by nature, which is abundant with porous material structures whose attributes go far beyond any artificial foam. To date, advanced foamed structures have been generated via advanced, though complex/time consuming technologies. We have explored the possibility of generating layered and graded polymeric foams by using simple gas foaming technology, with the sole introduction of time-varying boundary conditions of the gas sorption stage. We show that by ingeniously designing the sorption step it is possible to achieve nontrivial gas concentration profiles and, correspondingly, at pressure release, foams with density and/or morphology profiles.

Date et lieu : le mercredi 25 septembre 2024 à 11h00 ; site de l’Arbois (avec retransmission à Château-Gombert). 
Ernesto Di Maio holds a Ph.D. in Technology of Materials and Process from the University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy, where he is professor of Materials Science and Technology and director of the foamlab.

The research work is focused on polymeric foams, with the study of the physical properties of the polymer/blowing agent system and the processing of the same to produce advanced foams. He is the recipient of the 2021 Morand Lambla award of the Polymer Processing Society.
He authored ca. 130 articles in indexed journals, 1 book, and 12 patents on foams and foam-related technologies.