DICEAM Laboratories
Pursuant to Article 2, paragraph 3 of Ministerial Decree 363/1998, laboratories are considered places or environments where teaching, research, or service activities are carried out that involve the use of machinery, apparatus, and work equipment, systems, prototypes, or other technical means, or chemical, physical, or biological agents.
Laboratories are also considered to be places or environments where activities are carried out outside the built-up area of the headquarters - such as, for example, archaeological, geological, or maritime campaigns.
Instrumental Research Laboratories are considered those places within which one or more professors, organized in one or more RUs, carry out their research activities through the use of machines, apparatus and work equipment, systems, prototypes or other technical means, or chemical, physical or biological agents, aimed, in terms of example but not limited to, the execution of experiments, numerical simulations or other technical products of calculation, analysis, calibration, testing, controls and/or official certification of technical results.
Location: Engineering Building, Via Rodolfo Zehender - Building C - 4th Floor Scientific
Director: Prof. Francesco Carlo Morabito
Description: The AILAB laboratory of the DICEAM Department of the Università Mediterranea di Reggio Calabria (UNIRC) is a center dedicated to research and development in the field of artificial intelligence (AI). The laboratory is committed to exploring the frontiers of AI through innovative projects and collaborations both nationally and internationally. Main research lines include: AI for medical diagnosis support systems: development of bio-inspired intelligent systems to discriminate subjects with neuropathies through EEG electrical signal processing; AI for Brain Computer Interface (BCI) systems: design of EEG-BCI systems for motion planning recognition; development of decision support systems for industrial applications (e.g., defect detection at macro-, micro-, and nanoscales) and spatial settings; Explainable Artificial Intelligence (xAI): techniques for making AI models interpretable. The laboratory has scientific collaborations with several university institutions (e.g., University of Florida, ETH Zurich, Imperial College, The Ohio State University, University of Edinburgh, University of Naples “Federico II”), important national and international agencies (e.g., Italian Space Agency, European Space Agency) and industries (e.g., ST Microelectronics, Thales Aleania Space, Aubay, g.tec).
Location: Engineering Building, Via Rodolfo Zehender - Building E - 2nd Floor
Scientific Director: Prof. Andrea Donato
Description:
The Chemistry Laboratory is committed to the study of homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis for the transformation of molecules of industrial interest, through the development of innovative catalytic materials. In recent years, it has expanded its activities to include the valorization of waste lignocellulosic biomass, polyolefin plastics, electronic waste (e-waste), and agro-industrial waste, with the aim of developing sustainable processes with low environmental impact.
Thanks to a solid scientific background and a multidisciplinary and multiscale approach, the laboratory promotes Green Chemistry solutions that can be transferred to an industrial scale, contributing to the transition to a circular economy.
Among the most recent activities is the development of resistive chemical sensors based on semiconductor metal oxides, intended for applications in the industrial, automotive, food, and biomedical sectors, for the creation of low-cost diagnostic instruments.
Part of the research is also focused on the synthesis of innovative nanocomposites based on transition metal oxides and graphene oxide, used as electrode materials for electrochemical energy storage, with the aim of improving their capacity and durability during charging cycles.
The laboratory collaborates with national and international academic institutions, including the Polytechnic University of Turin, the Universities of Bologna, Messina, Palermo, and Bari, and the Universities of Cordoba (Spain), Bochum (Germany), Sapporo (Japan), and Turku (Finland).
Scientific Director : Prof. Mario Versaci
Location: Engineering Building, Via Rodolfo Zehender - Building D - First Floor
Scientific Director: Prof. Vincenzo Barrile
Description:
The Geomatics Laboratory was created with the aim of creating and applying a scientific culture that is as accessible as possible to specialists from other sectors, to provide a multidisciplinary approach to the acquisition, analysis, integration, distribution, and application of spatially referenced and distributed data.
The activities concern the issues of monitoring/control of the territory, built environments (structures, infrastructure, cultural heritage), and the environment in general, with respect to the use of methodologies (traditional surveying, satellite GNSS, digital photogrammetry, laser scanner, digital cartography, GIS, BIM, remote sensing, lidar, UAVs (drones), GPR) as spatial analysis tools aimed at the management/control/forecasting of natural and anthropogenic risks, territorial/environmental analyses, including forecasting, cultural heritage, pollutant monitoring, multi-temporal study of changes to the earth's surface, surveys for 3D modeling, morphological characterization and digital representation (digital twin) of the territory, built environments, and the subsoil.
The adopted multidisciplinary approach favors the development of integrated, multi-source, and multi-sensor techniques and methodologies, contributing to technological and methodological innovation for analyses at different spatial and temporal scales, including through the application of artificial intelligence-based algorithms
Director : Prof. Giuseppe Barbaro
Scientific Director : Prof. Giovanni Leonardi
Location: Engineering Building, Via Rodolfo Zehender - Building D - First Floor
Scientific Director: Prof. Nicola Moraci
Description:
The laboratory's activities focus on geotechnical soil characterization, defining the main physical, mechanical, and hydraulic characteristics necessary for the design of civil and environmental engineering projects, with particular emphasis on land conservation and sustainable environmental protection and management. The laboratory's goal is to provide professionals with the tools to operate competently in the geotechnical field and researchers with the opportunity to conduct experimental (and subsequently theoretical) research in advanced areas of international geotechnical research.
The laboratory works on key national and EU research topics, such as: hydrogeological instability; liquefaction and seismic risk; environmental geotechnics; the development of innovative materials for civil and environmental engineering; and the design of sustainable structures. To this end, its research focuses on the mechanics of geomaterials; the study of complex terrains under static and cyclic conditions; landslides, slope stability, and landslide risk mitigation; soil consolidation; engineering with geosynthetics; traditional and sustainable geotechnical structures; soil dynamics, liquefaction, and seismic risk; the use and development of innovative materials, including those based on the recovery and reuse of waste materials, for geotechnical applications; controlled landfills; and the remediation of contaminated sites.
Location: Engineering Building, Via Rodolfo Zehender - Building D - First Floor
Scientific Director: Professor Matilde Pietrafesa
Description:
The Energy and Environment Laboratory's research focuses on the analysis of energy production and transformation technologies and processes, both fossil and renewable, within the context of the energy transition, along with their impacts on the human environment. In this context, the LEA pays particular attention to energy and environmental sustainability analyses, energy efficiency, and measures to reduce polluting emissions, primarily targeting buildings, including at the neighborhood scale, through the analysis of communities and energy districts.
The renewable energy generation technologies most suitable for urban use, photovoltaic systems, are being combined with hydrogen-based storage systems, through the development of a prototype for its solar generation and its conversion into electricity in fuel cells. Innovative building envelope solutions are being developed, such as passive components, green roofs, insulation, and composite materials made from a mixture of waste and plant materials, to be used for retrofitting infill walls. Indoor and outdoor environmental conditions are also being analyzed, with a particular focus on acoustics, air quality, and thermohygrometric aspects.
For environmental monitoring, a fuel cell-powered drone has been designed and built for beyond-visual-line-of-sight flights in the upper atmosphere.
Location: Engineering Building, Via Rodolfo Zehender - Building E - First Floor
Scientific Director: Prof. Paolo Salvatore Calabrò
Description:
The Sanitary Engineering and Technologies for Ecological Transition Laboratory studies technologies and processes of a predominantly biological nature aimed at the valorization, treatment, and disposal of wastewater, byproducts, and waste. Research focuses specifically on the development of biorefining processes for the production of high-value products from waste matrices, with a specific focus on the anaerobic digestion process. The primary objective is process optimization through the application of pretreatments, the use of additives, and the implementation of innovative strategies. Research activities include the recovery of chemical compounds, functional materials, biofuels, fertilizers, and soil improvers from biomass and wastewater of various origins.
The laboratory maintains international collaborations with leading institutions such as Toronto Metropolitan University, the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), the University of Edmonton, and Democritus University of Thrace, which support joint research and development activities.
The laboratory is integrated with the Chemistry research laboratory and the Materials for Environmental and Energy Sustainability laboratory, with which it shares expertise and tools for multidisciplinary approaches to ecological transition.
Location: Engineering Building, Via Rodolfo Zehender - Building D - First Floor
Scientific Director: Prof. Domenico Gattuso
Description:
The Logistics Technology Laboratory in Calabria (LOGICA) is an advanced research center, active since 2006, specializing in transportation, logistics, and transportation economics. Established as an interdisciplinary facility, it integrates expertise in transportation and systems engineering, logistics, sustainable mobility (including pedestrian mobility), public transportation, geography, and land-use planning.
LOGICA conducts applied research on models and tools for the analysis of freight transport networks and intermodal hubs, intelligent transport systems (ITS) and ICT technologies, logistics processes and agro-food processing, demand and cost analysis, freight tracking, and decision support.
It has a fixed location equipped with advanced hardware and software and collaborates with international research centers and universities, including ISTL in Sousse (TUN), Polytechnic University of Lille (F), IFSTTAR in Paris (F), ETH Zurich (CH), CRET-LOG in Aix-en-Provence (F), CRAT in Constantine (ALG), Secheny University in Gyor (H) through research projects, training collaborations, and scientific networks.
Director : Prof. Pasquale Filianoti
Director : Prof. Pasquale Giovine
Scientific Director : Prof. Patrizia Frontera
Location: Engineering Building, Via Rodolfo Zehender - Building D - 2nd floor
Scientific Director: Prof. Francesco Carlo Morabito
Description:
The NeuroLab laboratory of the DICEAM Department of the Università Mediterranea di Reggio Calabria (UNIRC) is a center dedicated to the research and development of methodologies, algorithms, and systems based on machine learning, deep learning, neural networks, fuzzy systems, and soft computing for the processing of electrophysiological signals and biomedical images.
The primary goal is to address real-world problems through a multidisciplinary research team with expertise in the analysis and synthesis of nonlinear signals and circuits, the study and management of time series and multivariate nonlinear images, multimodal data fusion, uncertainty management techniques, and the development of intelligent systems such as brain-machine interfaces, regression, and classification systems. The laboratory has scientific collaborations with various university institutions (e.g., University of Florida, ETH Zurich, Imperial College, The Ohio State University, University of Edinburgh, University of Naples “Federico II”), hospitals and clinical research centers (e.g., Bianchi-Melacrino-Morelli Hospital of Reggio Calabria and industries, IRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino Pulejo Messina).
Scientific Director : Prof. Felice Arena
Location: Engineering Building, Via Rodolfo Zehender - Building C - Ground Floor
Scientific Director: Prof. Raffaele Pucinotti
Description:
The Official Laboratory for Testing Materials and Structures performs third-party acceptance testing of construction materials, in accordance with Article 20 of Law 1086/71. This regulation recognizes as "official" laboratories those belonging to universities, polytechnics, engineering schools, and architecture schools or colleges.
In addition to ensuring material testing, the Laboratory is also active in experimental research and teaching, collaborating on scientific and training projects.
Over the years, the Laboratory has conducted numerous in-situ experimental activities, including load testing on existing structures, destructive and non-destructive investigations, and testing of historic buildings and infrastructure.
It is also equipped with a contrast frame designed for testing full-scale structural elements and substructures. The available test space measures 500 cm x 300 cm, with a contrast capacity of up to 500 kN. The stresses can be applied either monotonously or cyclically (pseudo-static), acting on the upper crosspiece or on the lateral uprights of the frame itself.
Scientific Director : Prof. Giovanni Leonardi