University of Firenze

General

Expertise

Road Safety
While UNIFI is one of the main experts worldwide in the field of Powered Two-Wheelers safety, currently it is involved in several other project dealing with pedestrian and cyclist safety. In this sector the research is focused both on the vehicle and on the personal protective equipment, with a cross cutting approach from primary to secondary safety.

Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment
Since 2002, UNIFI has dealt with research activities focused on the environmental friendly design and assessment of products and technologies. The main research activities in the automotive field concern: the LCSA (=LCA+LCC+Social_LCA); Modelling & Simulation to optimize the environmental profile of products and processes; End-of-Life Vehicles scenarios analysis and estimation of vehicles recyclability and recoverability according to EU regulations.

Reciprocating Engines and Advanced Systems for Energy
Works on the thermo-fluid dynamic development of small engines by means of numerical and experimental approaches. Several facilities are available (static and dynamic test benches, flow bench, acoustic test bench, etc.) for engine characterization, advanced measurements and noise analysis. Consolidated collaborations are instituted with several engine OEM.

Vehicle Design and Dynamics
Works on the development of vehicle systems and vehicle components, with a special focus on hybrid and handling improving devices. From the vehicle concept to the whole system integration, V2D can provide complete CAD models, FE validation of parts and assemblies, kinematic and dynamic analyses of the full vehicle (with both numerical and experimental approach) and executive projects of mechatronics system, developed through virtual modelling and physical testing on several purpose built test benches.

Electric Mobility
Works  on the development of electric and hybrid electric vehicle powertrains. Starting from vehicle dynamics and mechatronics competencies, the field of study include modelling and simulation of key components (battery, power converters, motors) and their integration in full vehicle models. Recent researches have been focused on the proposal of energy management strategies and their optimization through the use of real-world driving cycles; processing such data include acquisition, statistical analysis and synthesis.

NVH
UNIFI expertise is used to provide reliable solutions for NVH problems of OEMs, and Tier 1 suppliers. The activities of the NVH group are tailored to industrial demands and comprise the chassis, trimmed body, acoustics components and emission. Many numerical model of car structures have been developed to improve the vibro-acoustic behaviour of components, and to define modelling strategies. The NVH team possess both numerical and experimental skills. 

Participation in EU Projects and International Activities

UNIFI is involved or has been involved in the following EU projects:

• 2BESAFE
• ABRAM
• ASTERICS
• ENLIGHT
• ESUM
• GOAL
• GRESIMO
• IMPROVE
• MID-MOD
• MOTORIST
• PV-MOREDE
• RASIF
• RESOLVE
• SAFERIDER
• SMART RRS
• SAFERIDER
• UNPLUGGED
• VECOM
• RESOLVE
• SAFE2WHEELER