The activities of the SOS project, (Study of advanced materials and development of light, multi-functional, intelligent, reconfigurable and sustainable panels for Smart Operating Shelter applications), co-financed by the Puglia Region through the Innonetwork announcement, began on 19 June 2018.

SOS intends to propose the study, design and prototype development of a mobile operating unit to respond to the need to offer a specialized diagnostic and surgical service that can be used in a short time to respond to the needs of users and communities. The project is focused on two scenarios, in line with KET's, needs and challenges in the Puglia Region, regarding advanced materials to build mobile units able to provide services and performances suitable in the medical field and the acquisition, analysis, processing, monitoring, interfacing and support systems for pre-during decisions post service.

The problems related to the current production of materials for technical shelters and the need to evaluate in technical-scientific terms the added value of these applications in the healthcare environment, as well as the need to optimize processes and integration capacities, have led the SOS project partners to consolidate their collaboration in a cluster. The beneficiaries of the funding constitute a very competent multidisciplinary grouping with established industrial and planning experiences and are supported for the most advanced components of research and development by POLITECNICO DI BARI, ENEA and the CETMA CONSORZIO.

The final goal of the project is the development of advanced and eco-sustainable materials for multifunctional, intelligent, reconfigurable structural panels intended for mobile health shelters, or for transportable hybrid surgical hospital structures, ready for use within a few hours of arrival, without necessity of specialized personnel for the assembly, capable of teleconsultations via satellite also using intra-operative CT images. The structures are designed to ensure continuity of operation for hospitals in cases of planned and unplanned restructuring of operating units, in cases of temporary unavailability of operating theaters and in emergencies. The use of the service can also be exploited by hospitals also for temporary services, for the removal of waiting lists and for the structural or territorial expansion of the catchment area. The Kick off of the SOS project took place on 17 July 2018.