CAPACITY: sustainable innovation for high-performance cables
Co-financed by POR CREO FESR Tuscany 2014–2020
Action: 1.1.5 – Sub-action: a1 – Call 1
Advanced materials for smart electrical cables
The CAPACITY project (High-Performance Cables for Energy, Advanced Connectivity, and Smart CITY) aims to develop a new generation of electrical and fiber optic cables with enhanced performance, safety, and sustainability. The goal is to create eco-friendly, high-performance energy cables that are competitive both nationally and internationally, fully compliant with the strictest EU CPR standards, while focusing on material innovation and life-cycle environmental impact reduction.
The project involves the development of:
Innovative nanostructured materials: Use of advanced materials to improve the performance properties of polymer sheaths, semiconductive layers, and flame-retardant coatings protecting metal conductors and optical fibers.
Environmental sustainability: Adoption of bio-based polymer matrices derived from plant sources, such as Bio-Polyethylene, to reduce carbon footprint and improve recyclability.
Reversible crosslinking technologies: New chemical or physical crosslinking methods for polyolefins that reduce energy use in production and facilitate end-of-life recycling.
Experimental design methodologies (DoE): Optimization of materials and processes through advanced modeling and structured experimentation.
Expected results and impacts:
The project aims to:
Improve the technical performance of cables in terms of resistance, durability, and safety.
Reduce environmental impact through recyclable, low-energy materials.
Make production processes more efficient, cutting costs and energy consumption.
Ensure compliance with EU CPR regulations, boosting product competitiveness.
Partnerships and collaborations:
The project is carried out through collaboration between universities, research centers, and industrial companies, with a focus on product and process innovation in the fields of smart mobility and energy distribution.
Technological innovation:
CAPACITY introduces key innovations:
Advanced polyolefin nanocomposites enriched with high-performance nanofillers like carbon allotropes (graphene) and nanoclays for flame resistance.
Bio-based functionalized polyolefins to improve compatibility and dispersion within polymer matrices.
LCA/LCC analysis (Life Cycle Assessment/Cost) to evaluate environmental impact and production cost compared to conventional cables.
Project Funding and Partners
Project: CAPACITY – Application: CUP 7165.24052017.112000007
Project Duration: 2018–2020
Total Project Budget: €3,859,072
Opus Automazione Budget: €438,550.29
Financial Support Received: €219,275.15
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