PROGETTI

Research Projects

MICRAM is the acronym of Mining Critical Raw Materials, and is a project (Sustainable Circularity and CRM Recovery for MW Radiation Protection and Stealth Defence Applications) co-funded by the European Defence Agency (EDA) and the European Union. The mission of MICRAM is to advance sustainable circularity within the European defence sector by developing technologies that allow the recovery of CRM and to develop and validate high added value applications for the recovered materials, particularly MICRAM´s goal is the development of MW radiation shielding materials. The project will demonstrate the viability of recovered CRM from EOL electronic devices, using Ni for two purposes: MW radiation protection textiles for soldiers (Textile Lamination Technology); Stealth/low observable devices and vehicles that will minimise detection (Aerogel Technology). Through this approach, the project aligns with Europe’s strategic objectives in circularity, defence readiness, and resource independence. The objectives of the project are, therefore: the circular use of CRM from EOL electronic products; the development of prototypes for military tactical clothing and stealth/low observable systems for electronic devices; the test and validation of the proof of concept; the application of standardised methodologies that allow integrating sustainable principles in the developing process; the assessment of the environmental impact; finally the dissemination and exploitation plans for the results of the project. MaTHeR is directly involved in the waste collection & disassembly activities, by developing the impact-desoldering technology, selecting the components for the mining, and scaling-up the process to an industrial level.