New Materials Redefining Space Exploration

• May 11th, 2026

One month after Artemis II’s return to Earth, attention is still fixed on the sky. Among the unresolved questions, the spotlight is on the “heat shield”, the critical layer that allows a capsule to survive the intense conditions of atmospheric reentry. We spoke with Prof. Alberto Ortona, head of the Hybrid Materials Laboratory, and researcher Marco Pelanconi, who leads CERAM-X, an ESA Phi-Lab–funded project developing next-generation ceramic materials for aerospace applications.

Faster, greener skis: the race to develop PFAS-free waxes

• February 3rd, 2026

With the Winter Olympics just days away and the world’s best athletes preparing to fight for medals, attention turns to a small but decisive factor in performance: ski and snowboard waxes. Two projects from the Institute of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Technology (MEMTi), working with KV+ Sagl, ZHAW and Swiss-Ski, are racing to develop alternatives to fluorinated waxes—banned over environmental and health concerns but still considered the gold standard for speed.

Life in plastic is fantastic?

• October 17th, 2025

Often at the center of debate due to their environmental impact, polymeric materials have represented a radical change in our lives. In this first chapter of a series of three in-depth articles, we analyze the world of plastics without prejudice, taking a look at the progress made by research and industry in their recycling and reuse.

Call for Paper - Symposium on modeling and engineering simulation

• September 22nd, 2025

The event, taking place on February 10, 2026, is dedicated to numerical simulation applied to design, analysis, and optimization in the industrial field. It offers an opportunity to discover methods, tools, and use cases, and is aimed at professionals working in both academia and industry.

Targeted and Intelligent Sanitization with RPD Technology

• September 17th, 2025

A robot that detects, reaches, and disinfects contaminated surfaces in a targeted way: this is the outcome of the project “Responsive Precision Disinfection for Environmental Surfaces” (RPD), funded by Innosuisse. It marks a new frontier in the sanitization of healthcare and public environments through autonomous and adaptive technologies.

Gabriele Campi Awarded for a Project on Fire Safety in Photovoltaic Systems

• July 30th, 2025

Gabriele Campi, Master of Science in Engineering student specializing in Mechanical Engineering, has received an award from the SFPE Foundation—an international body promoting fire safety through research, education, and technological innovation.

Call for Abstract - Conference on Molecular Modeling for Energy and the Environment

• June 11th, 2025

The Call for Abstracts for poster or talk presentations is now open. Submissions can be made until Tuesday, August 26, 2025.

From Catalyst to Aerospace: How the Matrix First Method Transforms Composite Materials

• June 10th, 2025

"Matrix First" is a new approach to the design and production of composite materials, developed for applications in the catalytic, aerospace, and energy fields—where optimizing the thermo-mechanical, chemical, and structural properties of materials is essential. The goal: to ensure efficiency, reliability, and durability even under complex operating conditions.

Future Materials: SUPSI honoured by the American Ceramic Society

• May 7th, 2025

Researcher Marco Pelanconi has received the prestigious John E. Marquis Award 2025, presented by the Manufacturing Division of the American Ceramic Society (ACerS), for a scientific article dedicated to the 3D printing of advanced silicon carbide ceramics.

The Global Star Award 2025 of the American Ceramics Society to Alberto Ortona

• January 30th, 2025

During the opening ceremony of the 49th International Conference on Advanced Ceramics and Composites (ICACC), organized by the American Ceramics Society, Prof. Alberto Ortona, Head of the Hybrid Materials Laboratory, was honored with the Global Star Award 2025.

Molecular models to extend battery life

• November 27th, 2024

With the LIBDEMO project, the Computational Materials Science Laboratory (SUPSI) and the Energy Storage Research Centre (BFH) study and simulate the degradation factors of lithium-ion batteries to optimize cell management, aiming to improve their performance and lifespan.

New frontiers in medicine: development of synthetic nanocarriers for advanced therapies

• September 4th, 2024

With the MIMIC-KeY project, the Computational Materials Science Laboratory (CMS) is contributing to the development of synthetic nanocarriers, nanoparticles designed to transport therapeutic agents or other substances to specific sites. By mimicking natural extracellular transport, these nanocarriers promise to offer highly effective pharmaceutical therapies.

New Head of Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering appointed

• August 7th, 2024

The Direction of the Department of Innovative Technologies has appointed Luca Diviani as the new Head of the Bachelor’s Degree Program in Mechanical Engineering. Eng. Luca Diviani will take up his role as of 1 September 2024, with a four-year term of office.

CrazyFinish' project for high-performance tool design kicks off

• June 12th, 2024

The Institute of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Technology (MEMTi), Dalle Molle Institute of Artificial Intelligence (IDSIA USI-SUPSI) and Mikron Tool are collaborating on the “Crazy finish” project to develop cutting tools with performance optimized to the customer's application.

GreenHub project for seasonal energy storage kicks off

• March 12th, 2024

MEMTi Institute is participating in the GreenHub project, led by the Ostschweizer Fachhochschule (OST), to develop advanced solutions in renewable energy. The goal is to develop innovative systems to produce, convert and store green energy into liquid fuels, using raw materials from sustainable processes such as waste recycling.

Sustainability and innovation to combat PFAS

• February 6th, 2024

MEMTi's Polymer Engineering Lab showcased some applied research projects on PFAS during the RSI program "Il Giardino di Albert".

Appointed the new Director of the MEMTi Institute

• December 4th, 2023

The Direction of the Department of Innovative Technologies (DTI) has appointed Prof. Maurizio Barbato as the new Director of the Institute of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Technology (MEMTi) and member of the DTI Board of Directors.

Research on synthetic fuels takes off

• October 9th, 2023

The Institute of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Technology takes part in the study of these synthetic energy carriers within the refuel.ch consortium.

Eco-sustainable innovation for product and food packaging

• July 21st, 2023

The Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering is participating in a project with the Red Cross, WFP, and UNHCR to innovate the bags used for packaging food and relief products.

CADFEM & Ansys Simulation Conference - Call for Papers opened

• July 13th, 2023

The Call for Papers is now open for the CADFEM & Ansys Forum conference, organized by SUPSI, SAECON and CADFEM, to be held on Wednesday, Oct. 18, at the Sala Polivalente on the USI-SUPSI East Campus.