IIT’s lab uses MaterialsZone to organize complex nanomaterial data.
Correlating data reveals interactions influencing material properties.
Introduction
The Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), a prominent scientific research center based in Genoa, Italy, is committed to advancing science both in Italy and globally through technology-oriented discoveries. Within IIT, the Automated Nanomaterials Engineering group, led by Dr. Milena Arciniegas, focuses on developing advanced functional nanomaterials with tailored optical properties. The group’s mission is to revolutionize the development process of new materials by optimizing automated synthesis laboratories using robotic tools powered by MaterialsZone’s data collection and analysis platform.
Background
In 2020, the MaterialsZone platform was introduced to Dr. Arciniegas’s research to document all scientific experiments and facilitate collaboration within the group and across several research teams. The group recently secured additional funding to expand the platform’s use, recognizing its potential to enhance research efficiency and data management in the fast-evolving field of nanomaterials.
The Challenge
As is common in many academic institutions, IIT faced challenges with knowledge preservation and transfer, particularly when students and researchers transitioned out of the group. Additionally, a lack of collaboration and proper documentation impeded the efficient progress of research projects. This led to the need for a robust platform that could support professors, researchers, and students by streamlining data management and enhancing collaborative efforts.
