Certottica: research never stops

“Research never stops here”. The words of Luigino Boito, director of Certottica, the Italian Institute for the Certification of Optical Products, when commenting on the fact that the anti-fogging project for glass lenses set up with De Rigo Vision and Sover as part of a Temporary Group of Companies, is one of the beneficiaries of the POR Azione 1.1.2 notice for "Contributions to technological transfer processes and the development of research structures”.
Boito explained to Mido365 that “Our project is recognized by the Veneto Region and is called ‘The use of cold plasma to increase the scratch resistance and anti-fogging properties of glass lenses and thermoplastic polymers’. The innovation consists of the application of the Certottica-pioneered PECVD technology to cold plasma to perfect a new scratch-resistant and anti-fogging lens. Our aim is to prevent scratching caused by daily use and fogging due to changes in climate. We can say with all confidence that is a revolution in the eyewear world”.
Eyewear and more. Although the name has precise connotations, Certottica is involved also in other sectors.
“Certottica is an entity that is always on the move and continues to develop. In addition to giving commercial advice, an activity that has grown in recent years and aims at supporting eyewear companies for the sale of their products on the global market and the correct application of current regulations, and consultancy on the so-called “europrogettazione” (euro-planning), which means working with all sectors on the procedures in response to tenders for financing projects, we have been operating in an increasingly multi-district dimension. In order to stay in the market, the various sectors must relate to and communicate with each other. For example, the various research projects include the use of laser for depositing metal on eyewear or on jewelry to create acronyms in relief and symbols that cannot be counterfeited”.
Looking at the future of eyewear.
“We will certainly continue to develop PECVD technology with applications in different sectors. It is a field in which we are the ‘inventors’ and for which we have established profitable collaborations. Our expert chemist, Giuseppe Da Cortà, is studying the application of 3D vision together with Da Pra of Fovs and Fedon. With something new: to offer the possibility of using also prescription and/or photochromic lenses. This would considerably increase the target. The design problem has also been taken into consideration: the eyewear is designed to take corrective lenses and Fedon’s active case will comfortably hold the electrical part of the product”.
And what about the other sectors?
“Certottica is part of the world of sport, labor and renewable energy through its affiliate Dolomiticert. We are the consultants on a project for protecting woodland, enhancing forestry and rural heritage, and using biomasses for energy. There are numerous ideas and in different sectors. We are making our contribution to safety in skiing with an innovative helmet for instructors (complete with hi-fi transmission, accelerometer for skier status, anti-avalanche sensors, radio transmitter), and a project for testing new systems on the slopes, for example with regard to springs and mattresses. I repeat: at Certottica, research never stops”.