Workshop Abstract:

“Perspectives on Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology for Defense Applications”

Rome - CSM, May 29^th 2008 

The collaboration between AFCEA and the Mindsh@re Communities, which was announced in Rome last February during the Mindsh@re Event, has generated this year several seminars on technologies, methodologies and tools.At present, Mindsh@re Technological Communities represents a transversal organisational model, inside the companies of the Finmeccanica group, focusing and sharing research on subjects considered to be of top industrial priority, designed with the aim of connecting people in a knowledge network. 

Of major importance was the workshop on Perspectives on Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology for Defense Applications which was held at Centro Sviluppo Materiali, on May 29^th 2008.

The introduction was made by General Finocchio (President AFCEA Roma Chapter) who highlighted the importance of the event, conceived as a relevant opportunity to share knowledge between industrial and defense partners.Dr. Bruno, (CEO of Centro Sviluppo Materiali, hosting company), presented CSM main activities with a particular focus on all projects carried out for the Italian sectors of defense.By his side, Dr. Attilio Di Giovanni (Finmeccanica Vicepresident Technology Development  and Vicepresident AFCEA Rome Chapter) remarked that the event was generated from the collaboration of Mindsh@re and AFCEA. Such collaboration is meant to have a further development through the constitution of AFCEA Communities during the workshop foreseen on next June 23^rd 2008.

A particularly interesting insight of high technical level was given by the contribution of the Finmeccanica group from different industrial and research sectors, by presenting the activities carried out by Advanced Materials & Enabling Technologies (AM&ET) Mindsh@re community through its Focus Group (CFG). Dr. Mauro Varasi - Chairman of AM&ET Community - introduced the mission and the objectives of the Community, the structure and the Corporate Projects. The AM&ET Community aims to support Finmeccanica companies in the implementation of an effective management process for the basic technology area, working in collaboration with the other Communities, by building and maintaining a network with national and International institutions and academia, capturing new technologies and competencies as well as driving towards the industrial future needs.

Dr. Carlo Falessi from SELEX-SI - Mentor of Nano Focus Group - focused on nanotechnologies in the Italian scenario,  CFG activities and the NMP project. He also deepened the application related to nanovalve and THz.

On this topic a very challenging contribution was also given by the Defense in terms of expectations put forward by Colonnel Claudio Ciaralli. Both short/medium and long term expectations were presented in terms of nanosensors for chemical detection, nanoelectronic for THz nanovalve, thermal management in microlectronic packaging, EM absorbing and frequency selective nanomaterials, metallic structural nanomaterials.

Dr. Claudio Voto from Alenia Aeronautica - Mentor of the Material Structural Functionalization Focus Group - presented the Multifunctional structures enabled to carry out different functions while maintaining the mechanical properties with the integration of structural and electronic components. Structural health management aims at managing the diagnosis and prognosis during the operative phases. Further development of multifunctional material can be achieved by nanotechnologies, self-healing materials, shape memory alloys and technologies for the low observability. Future developments will move towards the realization of structures able to adapt themselves to the different operative conditions.

Dr. Fabrizio  Casadei from Centro Sviluppo Materiali - Mentor of Surfaces & Stealthness Focus Group, presented the objectives of his CFG as well as the result of a study exposed during the BMD conference on innovative ceramic materials for high speed missile systems. The cooperation between Italian MoD and CSM will continue in this field, with new projects aimed at developing innovative ceramic materials with stealth characteristics.

The event was attended by more than 80 participants from industrial companies and associations, academies, civil and military institutional organizations.  Participants had the opportunity to visit CSM main labs and facilities related to High Temperature Mechanical Testing, Welding & Joining, Numerical Modeling, Rapid Prototyping and Foundry, Surfaces Engineering and Full Scale Tests.All workshop technical presentations are available on AFCEA web site (www.afcearoma.it)  

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