ICIR Euroinvent 2026

Julietta V. RAU

 Director of Research
Institute of the Structure of Matter,
Italian National Research Council, Rome, ITALY

Dr. Rau is the Director of Research, head of the laboratory and research group at the Italian National Research Council. She is the author of more than 250 articles in International Journals, about 180 presentations and 45 Invited, Plenary and Keynote talks at International Conferences, and 3 International Patents. Her present H-index is 48 (Citations about 7 000). She received several International Awards for her research achievements. She is the CHAIR and organizer of the biennial BioMaH “Biomaterials for Healthcare” International Conference (https://biomah.ism.cnr.it) and the Member of the International Scientific Committees of various International Conferences in the field of Materials Science, Nanoscience, Biomaterials and Medical devices. She is Ambassador for Italy at the European Orthopaedic Research Society. She is Honorary Member of the Romanian Society for Biomaterials. She is currently Associate Editor of the Bioactive Materials journal and FRONTIES in Biomaterials Science. Her present research interests regard innovative biomaterials for regenerative medicine, tissue engineering, orthopaedics and dentistry. She is developing also antibacterial surfaces for orthopaedic and dental implants.

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ANTIMICROBIAL SOLUTIONS FOR BIOMATERIALS AND SURFACES

Biofilm formation on implant surfaces is the primary pathogenic mechanism, protecting bacteria from host defenses and antibiotics. Conventional approaches such as antibiotic-loaded cements, spacers, and beads can deliver high local drug concentrations but are limited by poor release control, inadequate biofilm penetration, and lack of biodegradability, underscoring the need for improved strategies. Recent advances in biomaterials research provide promising alternatives, including multifunctional biomimetic materials, bioresorbable metal alloys, and nanocomposites capable of controlled antimicrobial ion release. Coated Mg- or Zn-based alloys combine antibacterial activity with gradual degradation and suitable mechanical properties, while biomimetic scaffolds and antibacterial calcium phosphate coatings can both reduce bacterial adhesion and support osteogenesis and vascularization. Overall, multifunctional biomaterials that integrate infection control with tissue regeneration and significantly improve long-term implant success.

Mohd Firdaus Bin OMAR

 Associate Professor
Faculty of Chemical Engineering & Technology, Universiti Malaysi Perlis, Malaysia

Assoc. Prof. Ir. Ts. Dr. Mohd Firdaus bin Omar is Dean of the Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology at Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP), Malaysia, and a Chartered Engineer (C.Eng MIMMM). He obtained his PhD in Engineering (Polymer Composites) from Universiti Sains Malaysia, after completing his undergraduate and master’s studies in Materials Engineering at the same institution. His research expertise lies in polymer science and composite materials, with a strong focus on static and dynamic mechanical behavior, strain-rate sensitivity, and structure–property relationships of polymeric, hybrid, and nanocomposite systems.
He has published extensively in high-impact international journals, with more than 140 publications indexed in Google Scholar and 99 Scopus-indexed articles, achieving over 3,500 citations and an H-index of 25. Dr. Omar has led and participated in numerous competitively funded national research projects, contributing to advancements in sustainable composites, conductive polymers, advanced fillers, and multifunctional materials. In parallel with his research activity, he has held several senior academic and administrative positions, serves as a UniMAP Senate member, and is actively engaged in international collaborations, editorial activities, and professional engineering organizations.

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ELUCIDATING THE DYNAMIC MOLECULAR INTERACTIONS OF METAL-ORGANIC FRAMEWORKS (MOFs)-REINFORCED POLYMER NANOCOMPOSITES

The demand for polymer-based nanocomposite-reinforced nanoporous materials is becoming increasingly important in sustainable development studies. Integrating nanoporous materials such as metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) into polymer matrices is essential for the development of sustainable advanced materials. Combining MOFs with polymer matrices can produce hybrid materials with improved mechanical strength and stability compared to their individual constituents. This study aims to elucidate the effect of synthesised UiO-66 nanoparticles incorporated into a polyurethane (PU) matrix on the resulting hybrid materials’ microstructural mechanical properties and adsorption properties. UiO-66 nanoparticles were synthesised at 120 °C, 130 °C, and 140 °C. The nanoparticles and the resulting nanocomposites were characterised using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analysis, and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). The experimental findings indicate that UiO-66 nanoparticles synthesised at 130 °C exhibited a highly desirable crystal structure and effective adsorption properties; therefore, nanoparticles synthesised at this temperature were selected to reinforce PU, forming a polymer–MOF nanocomposite. The mechanical properties of the resulting nanocomposites were evaluated using tensile and nanoindentation tests. UiO-66 nanoparticles were incorporated into the PU matrix at various weight percentages (10 wt.%, 20 wt.%, 30 wt.%, and 40 wt.%) via the solution casting technique. The results indicate that the polymer nanocomposite containing 30 wt.% UiO-66 exhibited the best mechanical performance, while loadings beyond 30 wt.% were more likely to result in nanoparticle agglomeration and brittle behaviour. The intricate interplay between MOF fillers and polymer matrices governs the structure-property relationship of the resulting polymer nanocomposites, which is crucial for tailored material design. Investigating the iodine capture analysis and dye removal capabilities of PU/MOFs, UiO-66/PU emerges as the top-performing nanocomposite. This enhancement is attributed to the unique properties of UiO-66 MOF and its well-distributed pore sizes. Adsorption mechanisms, driven by Van der Waals forces, π-π interactions, and hydrogen bonds, facilitate the binding of iodine and dyes to the nanocomposite surface. This research signifies a step toward environmentally sustainable material synthesis using MOFs, offering potential applications in energy storage and contributing to improved environmental conditions. Furthermore, it lays the groundwork for resilient rubbery-MOF nanocomposite systems suitable for real-world applications.