Publication by the University of Sassari in the journal Nature Reviews Methods Primers

Frontal polymerization, useful for the manufacture of numerous commonly used objects, confirms itself as a technology of great interest for the development of advanced polymeric materials, thanks to the speed of the processes and high energy efficiency. Taking stock of this innovative technique is Alberto Mariani, professor at the University of Sassari, author of the scientific article “Frontal polymerization for rapid low-energy synthesis”, published in the international journal Nature Reviews Methods Primers .

Frontal polymerization allows you to transform monomers, small simple molecules, into polymers , i. e. Long molecular chains with completely new properties. A monomer can be compared to a single bead: only when many beads are joined together you get a necklace. Similarly, monomers such as ethylene or acrylates, once bonded together, give rise to polymers such as polyethylene or acrylic resins, widely used in daily life and in industry.

Polymers are in fact present in numerous commonly used objects : soft contact lenses, elastics, paints that harden after application, synthetic sponges or pencil erasers. Even in nature there are fundamental polymers, such as cellulose, which makes paper and wood, or DNA, the long molecular chain that contains genetic information.

A fundamental contribution to the development of frontal polymerization is represented by Frontal Ring Opening Metathesis Polymerization (FROMP), a variant developed by Mariani and recognized by the international scientific community as a key tool for the design of advanced materials. The technique has been applied to the creation of intelligent materials, nanocomposites - including those based on graphene - self-healing materials and innovative solutions for 3D printing. Furthermore, a few years ago NASA tested it on the International Space Station.

In the most advanced technological applications, the same principle allows the design of high-performance materials, such as the carbon fiber-reinforced polymer composites used in the frames of Formula 1 cars, which are light but extremely resistant, or materials intended for aerospace, regenerative medicine, electronics and fast-hardening resins.

«Front polymerization allows you to obtain advanced materials extremely quickly and with minimal energy consumption», underlines Alberto Mariani. «The growing interest of the international scientific community demonstrates how this technique can offer concrete solutions for more sustainable and efficient production processes».

The article published on Nature Reviews Methods Primers  represents an important recognition of the role played by the research of the University of Sassari in the international scientific panorama.