PROTECTION-TO-COMFORT TEXTILE VEST

THE NEED

Restore Posidonia oceanica meadows by securely anchoring cuttings to the seabed, while avoiding plastic pollution, ghost nets and microplastics.

THE TECHNOLOGY

We developed a biodegradable net concept based on biopolymers (e.g., PBSA-based systems) and textile architectures optimized for underwater handling, anchoring and controlled lifetime. The solution is assessed with partners (including ISPRA and universities) via tank pilots (e.g., Livorno aquarium) and sea trials, covering biodegradation mechanisms, durability and ecotoxicity.

THE APPLICATION

A mat that stabilizes the substrate during rooting and then degrades in seawater over the required timeframe (months to ~12–24 months, thickness-dependent), reducing the need for retrieval and lowering long-term environmental impact.

THE NEED

Enable lightweight deployable satellite reflector antennas with stringent RF and stability requirements.

THE TECHNOLOGY

We design and produce ultra-light reflective metal meshes via linear technical knitting, combining materials research with unit-cell engineering to optimize RF reflectivity/transparency in targeted bands. The textile is tuned for tensioning stability and compatibility with deployable architectures (incl. LDR and wrappable concepts), targeting only a few kilograms for large reflector surfaces.

THE APPLICATION

Demonstrator lots for qualification and integration, supporting reduced inertia and stowage volume and higher satellite agility. Collaboration with Thales Alenia Space Italia supports validation and industrialization for future Earth-observation systems.