Unit BIOCOMPATIBLE MATERIALS, BIOMASS AND SUSTAINABILITY

BIOCOMPATIBLE MATERIALS FOR BIOTECHNOLOGY APPLICATIONS

Code	A003502
CFU	6
Teacher	Assunta Marrocchi
Teachers	Assunta Marrocchi Daniela Lanari (Codocenza)
Hours	30 ore - Assunta Marrocchi 12 ore (Codocenza) - Daniela Lanari
Learning activities	Caratterizzante
Area	Discipline chimiche e chimico-industriali
Sector	CHEM-05/A
Type of study-unit	Obbligatorio (Required)
Language of instruction	Italian
Contents	The course introduces the fundamentals of biomaterial design, with particular attention to the concept of biocompatibility and to the relationship between structure, properties and applications. The main classes of biomaterials (polymeric, metallic, ceramic and composite) and selected established technologies based on their use will be discussed. The course will also address the interaction between materials and the biological environment, the role of surfaces and interfacial phenomena, as well as the main surface modification strategies. Examples of advanced biomaterial-based technologies, including biointegrated devices such as e-skin, will be presented, together with an introduction to the relevant regulatory framework.
Reference texts	eaching material available on the UniStudium platform: https://www.unistudium.unipg.it/unistudium/login/index.php Recommended reference text: L. Stanciu, S. Diaz-Amaya, Introductory Biomaterials: An Overview of Key Concepts, 1st ed., Academic Press, 2021. The text is available through the University’s electronic resources, upon access with institutional credentials via ProQuest: https://www.proquest.com/
Educational objectives	The main objective of the course is to provide students with fundamental knowledge of the design, properties and applications of biomaterials, with particular attention to the concept of biocompatibility and to the interactions between materials and the biological environment. The course also aims to provide the tools to understand the relationships between composition, structure, properties and behaviour of biomaterials, and to evaluate the role of surfaces, surface modification strategies and advanced technologies based on biocompatible materials. The main knowledge acquired will include: the concept of biomaterial and biocompatibility; the main types of bonding in materials and the basic elements of solid-state structure; the fundamental properties of materials, including mechanical, thermal, physicochemical, electrical and surface properties; the relationships between composition, structure, properties and applications of biomaterials; the main classes of biomaterials: polymeric, metallic, ceramic and composite biomaterials; established technologies based on the use of different classes of biomaterials; interactions between materials and the biological environment, with particular reference to the role of surfaces and interfacial phenomena; the main methods for surface modification of biomaterials; examples of advanced technologies based on biomaterials, including biointegrated devices and sensors; an introduction to the relevant regulatory framework. The main skills developed will include: relating composition, structure, properties and applications of biomaterials; developing selection criteria for biocompatible materials according to the intended application; recognizing the role of surfaces and interfacial interactions in the behaviour of biomaterials in the biological environment; identifying surface modification strategies to tune the response of biomaterials; discussing examples of biomaterial-based technologies and biointegrated devices, considering their potential and application limits.
Prerequisites	-
Teaching methods	The course will be delivered through lectures covering the main course topics. Flipped classroom activities will also be included, based on the guided reading and in-class discussion of selected scientific articles and applied case studies.
Learning verification modality	Assessment will be based on an oral examination of about 30 minutes, covering the topics included in the course programme. The exam will assess the student’s understanding of biomaterials and the ability to relate structure, properties, biocompatibility, applications and interactions with the biological environment.
Extended program	Definition of biomaterial and concept of biocompatibility. Overview of the main types of bonding in materials. Structure of solids: crystalline and amorphous materials, defects in solids. Fundamental properties of materials: mechanical,electrical and surface properties; relationship between composition, structure, properties and applications. Main classes of biomaterials: polymeric, metallic, ceramic and composite biomaterials. Established technologies based on the different classes of biomaterials. Interaction between materials and the biological environment: role of surfaces and interfacial phenomena. Main methods for surface modification of biomaterials. Advanced technologies based on biomaterials. E-skin as a case study of a biointegrated device. Introduction to the relevant regulatory framework.
Obiettivi Agenda 2030 per lo sviluppo sostenibile	3,9,12

SUSTAINABLE BIOMASS TRANSFORMATION PROCESSES

Code	A003503
CFU	6
Teacher	Assunta Marrocchi
Teachers	Assunta Marrocchi
Hours	42 ore - Assunta Marrocchi
Learning activities	Caratterizzante
Area	Discipline chimiche e chimico-industriali
Sector	CHEM-05/A
Type of study-unit	Obbligatorio (Required)
Language of instruction	italian
Contents	The course introduces the role of biomass and waste biomass in the energy transition and in the bioeconomy, with a focus on the principles of green and sustainable chemistry. Biomass composition, pretreatment and the main conversion processes will be discussed, with reference to the production of bioenergy, platform molecules, chemicals and bio-based materials. The course will also address the biorefinery concept, industrial applications and case studies on the sustainable valorisation of agro-industrial residues.
Reference texts	Teaching material will be made available on the UniStudium platform. Students are also encouraged to consult textbooks and bibliographic resources available through the University’s electronic resources, upon access with institutional credentials, via the ProQuest platform: https://www.proquest.com/.
Educational objectives	The main objective of the course is to provide students with fundamental knowledge of sustainable processes for the transformation of biomass and waste biomass, with particular attention to their role in the energy transition, the bioeconomy, and the production of bioenergy, chemicals and bio-based materials. The course also aims to provide the tools to understand the relationships between biomass composition, pretreatment technologies, conversion processes and valorisation strategies within a biorefinery approach. The main knowledge acquired will include: the concept of biomass and waste biomass as renewable resources; the composition of the main plant and lignocellulosic biomasses; the principles of green and sustainable chemistry applied to biomass valorisation; the main biomass pretreatment technologies; the main biochemical, chemical and thermochemical conversion processes; the concept of biorefinery and the integration of different valorisation processes; the main biomass-derived platform molecules and their use for the production of biofuels, chemicals and bio-based materials; examples of industrial applications and case studies in the field of the bioeconomy. The main skills developed will include: recognizing different types of biomass and assessing their potential use in valorisation processes; relating biomass composition to the most appropriate pretreatment and conversion strategies; comparing different biomass transformation processes in terms of sustainability, efficiency and possible applications; applying the principles of sustainable chemistry to the analysis of biomass conversion processes; discussing examples of biorefinery and industrial applications, identifying their potential and limitations.
Prerequisites	-
Teaching methods	The course will be delivered through lectures covering the main course topics. Flipped classroom activities will also be included, based on the guided reading and in-class discussion of selected scientific articles and applied case studies related to the sustainable valorisation of biomass.
Learning verification modality	Assessment will be based on an oral examination of about 30 minutes, covering the topics included in the course programme. The exam will assess the student’s understanding of biomass transformation processes and the ability to relate biomass composition, pretreatment technologies, conversion processes, biorefinery strategies and sustainability aspects.
Extended program	Biomass and waste biomass as renewable resources in the energy transition and bioeconomy. Composition of the main plant and lignocellulosic biomasses. Principles of green and sustainable chemistry applied to biomass transformation. Pretreatment technologies for biomass and agro-industrial residues. Biochemical, chemical and thermochemical processes for biomass conversion. Biomass valorisation strategies for the production of bioenergy, biofuels, chemicals and bio-based materials. Biorefinery concept and integration of different conversion and valorisation processes. Main biomass-derived platform molecules and their conversion into bioproducts. Comparison of different valorisation strategies in terms of efficiency, sustainability, energy consumption and waste generation. R&D case studies and industrial applications for the sustainable valorisation of biomass and agro-industrial residues.
Obiettivi Agenda 2030 per lo sviluppo sostenibile	7,9,12