FINEP Thematic Center: Advanced Materials and Management for Circular Economy (MAGEC)

FINEP Thematic Center: Advanced Materials and Management for Circular Economy (MAGEC): Decarbonization and Integrated Circular Economy

Overview

The transition to a low-carbon economy and the adoption of circular economy principles are central challenges for contemporary industry and society. The linear production model—based on resource extraction, manufacturing, and disposal—has led to the depletion of raw materials, significant greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and severe environmental impacts. Therefore, developing solutions that promote material circularity and carbon emission reduction is essential to ensure the sustainability of industrial processes and to contribute to achieving global decarbonization targets. The thematic center "Advanced Materials and Management for Circular Economy (MAGEC): Decarbonization and Integrated Circular Economy" emerges as a strategic response to these challenges, integrating science, materials engineering, and technological innovation to address the environmental and economic issues associated with the current production model.

In Brazil, initiatives aimed at ecological transition are crucial for maintaining industrial competitiveness and promoting sustainable value chains. The Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), through the MAGEC project, seeks to address these challenges by strengthening research and development infrastructure in the field of advanced materials, through the creation of a pioneering thematic center focused on UFSCar’s core strengths—namely, Materials Science and Engineering in its various aspects. The project aims to implement innovative solutions in carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS), advanced recycling technologies, and additive manufacturing, contributing to the optimization of natural resources and the reduction of environmental impacts. These initiatives are essential to align Brazil with global sustainability goals, such as those established in the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Team

Prof. Dr. Luiz Antonio Pessan – DEMa/UFSCar (Project Coordinator)
Prof. Dr. Guilherme Yuuki Koga – DEMa/UFSCar (Deputy Project Coordinator)
Prof. Dr. Cláudio S. Kiminami – DEMa/UFSCar
Prof. Dr. Walter J. Botta – DEMa/UFSCar
Prof. Dr. Piter Gargarella – DEMa/UFSCar
Profa. Dra. Lidiane Cristina Costa – DEMa/UFSCar
Profa. Dra. Ana Paula da Luz – DEMa/UFSCar
Prof. Dr. Francys Kley Vieira Moreira – DEMa/UFSCar
Profa. Dra. Juliana Mara Pinto de Almeida – DEMa/UFSCar
Prof. Dr. Ernesto Chaves Pereira de Souza – DQ/UFSCar
Prof. Dr. Márcio Weber Paixão – DQ/UFSCar
Prof. Dra. Lucia Helena Mascaro Sales – DQ/UFSCar

Multiuser Equipment

Compact Servo-Hydraulic System for Fatigue Testing
Advanced Benchtop Spark Optical Emission Spectrometer
Opto-Digital Microscope
Laser Particle Size and Shape Analysis System
Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry System (ICP-MS)
Weatherometer
Potentiostat
Thermogravimetric Analyzer
100T Hydraulic Press
Optical Microscope with Transmittance

Steering Committee

Prof. Dr. Guilherme Yuuki Koga – DEMa/UFSCar
Prof. Dr. Piter Gargarella – DEMa/UFSCar
Prof. Dra. Lidiane Cristina Costa – DEMa/UFSCar
Prof. Dra. Ana Paula da Luz – DEMa/UFSCar
Prof. Dr. Reginaldo Teixeira Coelho – EESC-USP
Prof. Dr. Fábio Roberto Passador – UNIFESP

User Committee

Prof. Dr. Guilherme Zepon – DEMa/UFSCar
Prof. Dr. Italo Leite de Camargo – IFSP
Prof. Dr. Juliano Marini – DEMa/UFSCar
Prof. Dr. Eduardo Henrique Backes – DEMa/UFSCar

Operating Guidelines

The use of equipment at the thematic center is subject to current safety regulations, requiring the mandatory use of lab coats, gloves, and other personal protective equipment (PPE), depending on the equipment in use. Under no circumstances is the consumption of food or beverages allowed within the laboratory facilities.

All materials and consumables necessary for testing in the laboratories are the sole responsibility of the users. The disposal of test specimens after testing, as well as the cleaning of used equipment, is also the user's responsibility.

Any anomalies in the operation of the equipment must be reported immediately to the laboratory coordinators.

In case of damage, malfunction, or loss of equipment or accessories due to improper use by users, both the user and their advisor/supervisor will be held responsible and must cover the cost of repair or replacement.

If a user fails to comply with the operating rules or scheduled reservation times (including absences or significant delays) without justified reason, they will receive a warning and will be charged for the reserved time.

Users are required to acknowledge the use of the laboratories in the acknowledgments section of any resulting academic publications. A suggested acknowledgment text in English is:

"The authors thank the FINEP Thematic Center: Advanced Materials and Management for Circular Economy (MAGEC): Decarbonization and Integrated Circular Economy for the analyses carried out."

Or in Portuguese:

"Os autores agradecem ao Centro temático FINEP: Materiais Avançados e Gestão para Economia Circular (MAGEC): Descarbonização e Economia Circular Integrada pelas análises realizadas."

The service hours are Monday through Friday, from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM and from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM, except on holidays and during academic recess. Please consult the university calendar before making a reservation.

Management Plan

The management plan for the use of multiuser equipment at the thematic center is based on established practices within DEMa-UFSCar. The regular operation of the laboratories is ensured by the core team, consisting of coordinators, students, and technicians responsible for equipment operation, user training, and maintenance.
Users are granted access to the equipment upon verification of need and type of service, supported by active research projects funded by public agencies. Once registered, users benefit from subsidized rates. These subsidies are made possible through the continuous submission of individual maintenance proposals by the researchers in charge of each laboratory, as well as partial support from DEMa-UFSCar and the UFSCar Graduate Program in Materials Science and Engineering (PPG-CEM), in recognition of the quality and consistency of the services provided.
Users not involved in research activities may access the services by paying the full rate, which includes a proportional fee for equipment maintenance. Equipment usage fees are standardized for all users, whether internal or external to UFSCar, and are available on the official website.
Services may be performed by technicians, students from the research group, or by the users themselves, provided they have received proper training. When submitting a service request, users must indicate whether they require an operator or are capable of independent operation, agreeing to the provided cost estimate.
Reservations for registered users must be made online, as indicated on the center's webpage. Each user may reserve equipment for a maximum of one week per month and must wait until the current period is used before scheduling additional time. Cancellations must be communicated at least 24 hours in advance so the time slot can be made available to other users. Failure to do so will result in a charge for the reserved time unless a valid justification is provided.
To ensure proper equipment use, periodic training sessions will be offered based on user demand. This training is highly recommended for regular users to optimize equipment usage and enable technicians to provide general support or serve as operators for occasional or new users.
A User Committee has been established to oversee equipment use, ensure the proper implementation of the management plan, and propose adjustments when necessary to better meet user needs. The Steering and User Committees are composed of researchers and technicians from different institutions, as detailed on the official webpage.

User Registration and Scheduling

Users interested in accessing the equipment must visit the scheduling page on the FOM Schedule system:
https://www.instrumentschedule.com/fom/welcome?lid=0170
The first step is to register on the system by following the instructions provided on the page. After registration, users can log in with their credentials and select the equipment they wish to use.
If it is the user's first time using a particular equipment, an automatic email will be sent to the person responsible, notifying them of the user's interest. The equipment coordinator will then contact the user to determine whether they intend to perform analyses with the assistance of a technician or research group member, or if they wish to receive training for independent operation.
If the user chooses to work with assistance, the designated assistant will make the reservation according to availability. If the user opts for training, the equipment coordinator will schedule the training session. After completion, the user will be authorized to book equipment directly through the FOM system. Equipment usage must comply with the laboratory operating guidelines specified on the research group’s website.

Pricing Table

Under construction.

Contacts

Prof. Dr. Guilherme Yuuki Koga – gykoga@ufscar.br
Prof. Dr. Piter Gargarella – piter@ufscar.br
Prof. Dra. Lidiane Cristina Costa – lidiane@ufscar.br