en.Wedoany.com Reported - Argentina's first nanotechnology laboratory focused on mining applications has officially begun operations at the National University of San Juan (UNSJ). Housed within the Mining Institute of the School of Engineering, the laboratory aims to bridge cutting-edge science with mining production and environmental needs. The team is led by Dr. Ariel Maratta, with Andrés Azcona, Bachelor's degree holder, serving as deputy director, jointly working to establish San Juan as an internationally recognized hub for technological innovation.
The establishment of the laboratory began with a foundational research initiative in 2018, initially focusing on developing new materials for the chemical analysis of mining elements. Due to the high quality of research outcomes, the initiative rapidly expanded, producing high-impact scientific publications and earning innovation awards. Subsequently, the team integrated nanotechnology into graduate curricula and supervised doctoral research focused on industrial applications, such as wastewater treatment. The team then became part of the Argentine Nanotechnology Foundation (FAN) network, recognized as the first research group in Argentina to apply nanotechnology to the mining sector. With support from multiple competitive research grants, as well as the Dean of the School of Engineering and the San Juan Science and Technology Secretariat, the team ultimately established this dedicated facility for the synthesis and characterization of nanomaterials.
The laboratory operates under four strategic pillars: scientific and academic training, knowledge generation, technological innovation, and innovative services. The team currently comprises 13 researchers, including laboratory specialists and interdisciplinary collaborators. The team has contributed a chapter to an international nanotechnology book and serves as a training center for advanced undergraduate and doctoral students. The laboratory offers multiple services to the private sector, including technology validation, custom material synthesis, specialized training, and innovation consulting.
In terms of specific projects, the laboratory's cutting-edge achievements include a superparamagnetic nanomaterial for wastewater treatment, capable of simultaneously adsorbing multiple metals and enabling water separation using an external magnet without the need for filters or centrifuges, resulting in a faster and more cost-effective process. The team is collaborating with a mining company in northwestern Argentina to scale up this technology to a pilot plant level. Additionally, in partnership with the Catholic University of the North in Chile, the laboratory is developing magnetic separation technology for recovering and separating copper from leach solutions, aiming to simplify processing, reduce water consumption, and minimize chemical reagent usage. The NanoDus project, led by Dr. Brian Carrizo, focuses on developing nanocomposites for suppressing road dust in mining areas.
The nanotechnology developed by the laboratory is also expanding into other industries. The team is collaborating with local company Maxicolor to develop ultra-heat-resistant coatings, and with Bosque Urbano to develop recycled plastics with anti-corrosion properties. Furthermore, the laboratory is advancing cooperation agreements with Biotermal and CCO Nano Solutions to validate and develop new technologies for the mining sector.
Dr. Ariel Maratta believes that nanotechnology is crucial for reducing the environmental footprint of mining, as the nanomaterials used can be reused hundreds of times, contributing to a circular economy. He emphasizes that innovation enables industries to adapt to increasingly stringent environmental regulations. The laboratory has secured support from government projects and has attracted interest from clients in the United States and Canada.
