Thesis topic proposals

In addition to the proposals listed below, see also the virtual gallery of our RESEARCH

Biophysics

Reference professor: Eugenia Polverini
E-mail: eugenia.polverini@unipr.it

Research area: Structure and dynamics of proteins using computational techniques

Topic1: Study of collagen fibres under dehydration conditions for applications in biomedicine and cosmetics.

Topic 2: Mechanisms of anhydrobiosis: bioprotection of proteins by sugar matrices under extreme conditions.
Collaborations: Prof. Giovanni Venturoli, University of Bologna.

Topic 3: Study of LOV (light-oxygen-voltage) photoreceptor proteins and design of mutants for applications in photomedicine and optogenetics.
Collaborations: Prof. Aba Losi, Dept. of Mathematical, Physical and Computer Sciences, UniPR.

Techniques and methodologies: Molecular dynamics simulations (using the UniPR HPC computing cluster), molecular modelling.

 

Reference professors: Stefania Abbruzzetti, Cristiano Viappiani
E-mail: stefania.abbruzzetti@unipr.it, cristiano.viappiani@unipr.it

Research area: Nanomedicine

Topic 1: Development of nanometric delivery systems for propharmaceuticals to be used in photodynamic tumour therapy.
Collaborations: Dr. Paolo Bianchini, IIT Genova
Techniques and methodologies: UV-Vis absorption and emission spectroscopy, time-resolved spectroscopic techniques, fluorescence correlation spectroscopy.

Topic 2: Development of nanometric systems for use in antimicrobial photodynamic therapy.
Collaborations: Dr. Paolo Bianchini, IIT Genova; Prof. Silvia Bonardi, Dept. of Veterinary Science, UniPR
Techniques and methodologies: UV-Vis absorption and emission spectroscopy, time-resolved techniques, fluorescence correlation spectroscopy.

Topic 3: Study of protective mechanisms in photosensitive diseases.
Collaborations: Prof. Giulio Cerullo, Politecnico di Milano; Prof. Margherita Maiuri, Politecnico di Milano
Techniques and methodologies: UV-Vis absorption and emission spectroscopy, time-resolved techniques, fluorescence correlation spectroscopy, ultrafast spectroscopy and imaging techniques (Politecnico di Milano).

Research area: Biophotonics

Topic 1: Study of the dynamic and functional properties of haemoproteins.
Collaborations: Dr. Stefano Bruno, Dep. of Food and Drug, UniPR; Prof. Giulio Cerullo, Politecnico di Milano
Techniques and methodologies:  Laser flash photolysis for the study of CO rebinding kinetics to haemoproteins.

Topic 2: Development of ultra-fast time-resolved techniques.
Collaborations: Prof. Giulio Cerullo, Politecnico di Milano; Prof. Margherita Maiuri, Politecnico di Milano
Techniques and methodologies: pump and probe techniques and ultrafast imaging.

Soft Matter Physics

Reference professors: Luigi Cristofolini, Davide Orsi
E-mail:  luigi.cristofolini@unipr.it,  davide.orsi@unipr.it

Research area: Structure and properties of interfaces

Topic: Foams, emulsions and single molecular layers.
In this thesis project, the structure and mechanical properties of interfacial systems will be studied.
This research, also motivated by the obvious application implications (food science, medicine ...) is part of a large project funded by the European Space Agency for an experiment to be conducted on the International Space Station ISS Collaboration
Collaborations: Istituto ICMATE-CNR di Genova; European Space Agency- Centro per la ricerca e la tecnologia spaziale ESTEC, Noorwick, Olanda; Airbus Aerospace – Friedrichshafen, Germania; Aristotle University, Salonicco, Grecia; Aix-Marseille Université, Francia; Tokyo University of Science, Giappone; Chiba Institute of Science, Giappone; Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, USA.
Techniques and methodologies: Optical correlation spectroscopies (Dynamic Light Scattering and Diffusing Wave Spectroscopy); Fluorescence microscopy, ellipsometry and Brewster angle microscopy on single molecular layers; Interfacial tension measurement under both equilibrium conditions (adsorption isotherm) and dynamic conditions (adsorption kinetics, interfacial rheological properties).

Research area: Nanomedicine

Topic 1: Development and characterisation of nanostructures for photodynamic therapy.
Recent in vitro tests have shown that the efficacy of radiotherapy sessions on tumour cells is increased in the presence of nanostructures capable of generating oxygen radical species when hit by X-radiation. Nanoparticles of CeF3/ZnO, and SiC/SiO2 nanowires conjugated with porphyrins were particularly promising; in both cases, an inorganic scintillator material is excited by X-rays and is conjugated with a photosensitising agent capable of generating the desired cytotoxic effect.

Topic 2: Development and characterisation of drug delivery structures in the biomedical field.
With a view to reducing drug doses and thus side effects on healthy tissue, scientific research has for several years been focusing on the development of drug transport capsules that can be opened on command by external stimuli. Our research is focused on the production of nanostructures that are sensitive to light stimuli, and on capsules incorporating magnetic nanoparticles that are sensitive to the application of RF magnetic fields. The latter are also capable of generating localised temperature increases (magnetic hyperthermia, used in cancer therapy).

Collaborations: A highly interdisciplinary research project, advanced spectroscopic and microscopic techniques present in Parma or in European centres at the forefront of biomedical research will be used:
Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, UniPR; Department of Food and Drug, UniPR; Lab. of Toxicology, Department of Medicine and Surgery, UniPR; CNR-IMEM Institute - Parma; J. Haber Institute of Catalysis and Surface Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Cracovia, Polonia; nB nanoScale bIomagnetics SL, Spagna.
Techniques and methodologies: Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and EDS Elemental Spectroscopy; Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM); Characterisation of nanostructure dimensions using Optical Correlation Spectroscopy (Dynamic Light Scattering); Formation of planar polymeric multilayers and biocompatible capsules with Layer-by-Layer technique, and their characterisation by Ellipsometry, Dynamic light Scattering, Zeta potential measurements; Fluorescence microscopies; Optical spectroscopies (UV-vis absorption, Fluorescence, Raman); Cell cultures; Radiotherapy sessions.

Physics of Matter

Reference professors: Elena Garlatti, Stefano Carretta, Paolo Santini
E-mail: elena.garlatti@unipr.it; stefano.carretta@unipr.it; paolo.santini@unipr.it

Research area: Molecular magnetism

Topic: Theoretical study of the coherent and incoherent dynamics of molecular qubits and single-molecule magnets.
Collaborations: Prof. Giuseppe Allodi and Prof. Roberto De Renzi, Dip. SMFI; Prof. Massimo Solzi, Dip. SMFI; Prof. Roberta Sessoli, Dept. of Chemistry “Ugo Schiff”, University of Florence; Prof. Richard Winpenny, School of Chemistry, University of Manchester (UK); Dr. Tatiana Guidi, ISIS Neutron and Muon Source, STFC-RAL (UK).
Techniques and methodologies: development of theoretical models based on the spin Hamiltonian and master equations for the simulation and interpretation of experimental data from magnetometry, inelastic neutron scattering, EPR and non-conventional NMR.

 

Reference professors: Alessandro Chiesa, Stefano Carretta, Paolo Santini
E-mail: alessandro.chiesa@unipr.it; stefano.carretta@unipr.it; paolo.santini@unipr.it

Research area: Simulation of the dynamics and temporal control of spin systems for the physical implementation of quantum computers.

Topic:  Development and numerical simulation of schemes for quantum error correction (or for the simulation of quantum many-body models) in qubits based on Molecular Nanomagnets..
Collaborations: Prof. Pietro Bonfà, Dept. SMFI.  Thesis within the framework of the European project FET FAult Tolerant MOlecular Spin processor (FATMOLS), in collaboration (among others) with the groups of Profs. Winpenny (Università di Manchester), Sessoli (Università di Firenze), Luis (Università di Saragozza), Aromí (Università di Barcellona), and IBM Zurigo.
Techniques and methodologies: Numerical simulations to study the evolution of open quantum systems (in interaction with the environment) and subjected to control pulse sequences. Inclusion of decoherence effects due to interaction with a bath and strategies to reduce them.  Ab-initio calculations (DFT) for the characterisation of molecular qubits.

Simulazioni numeriche per studiare l’evoluzione di sistemi quantistici aperti (in interazione con l’ambiente) e soggetti a sequenze di impulsi di controllo. Inclusione di effetti di decoerenza dovuti ad interazione con un bagno e strategie per ridurli.  Calcoli ab-initio (DFT) per la caratterizzazione di qubit molecolari.

 

Reference professors: Daniele Pontiroli, Mauro Riccò
E-mail: daniele.pontiroli@unipr.it, mauro.ricco@unipr.it

Research area: Innovative ionic batteries

Topic 1: Study of new electrodes for innovative graphene-based Li-sulphur ion batteries for automotive applications.
Collaborazioni: Dott. Mattia Gaboardi, Sincrotrone Trieste ELETTRA

Topic 2: Study of solid electrolytes for Li- and Na-ion batteries based on fullerene, for the realization of new solid state batteries.
Collaborations: Dott. Mattia Gaboardi, Sincrotrone Trieste ELETTRA

Techniques and methodologies: Materials synthesis, assembly of prototype cells, characterisation measurements by X-ray diffraction of powder (also in-situ and in-operando at synchrotron) and electrochemical measurements on devices (cyclovoltammetry, galvanostatic charge and discharge measurements, impedance spectroscopy).

Research area: Flexible electronics based on laser-induced graphene.

Topic1: Study of flexible micro-supercapacitors based on graphene obtained by photothermoconversion of appropriate precursors, for IoT applications.
Collaborations: Startup 1010 Srl

Topic 2: Study of electrochemical micro-sensors based on graphene obtained by laser thermoconversion. Biomedical applications.
Collaborations: Startup 1010 Srl

Techniques and methodologies: Synthesis of materials using laser techniques, electrochemical measurements on devices (cyclovoltammetry, galvanostatic charge and discharge measurements, impedance spectroscopy).

Research area: Supercapacitors for energy storage

Topic 1:  Study of biocompatible and environmentally friendly supercapacitors based on vegetable carbon (biochar) obtained from biomass pyro-gasification, for applications in large-scale energy storage and biomedicine.
Collaborations: Prof. Chiara Milanese, University of Pavia; Prof. Alessio Malcevschi, Dept. of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability.

Topic 2: Study of high-performance supercapacitors based on graphene decorated with transition metal oxide nanoparticles. Automotive applications, energy harvesting.
Collaborations: Dott. Roberto Verucchi, IMEM-CNR Trento; Dott. Giovanni Bertoni, CNR-Istitute of Nanoscience, Modena.

Techniques and methodologies: Materials synthesis, assembly of prototype cells, characterisation measurements by powder X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy (SEM/TEM), XPS, electrochemical measurements on devices (cyclovoltammetry, galvanostatic charge and discharge measurements, impedance spectroscopy).

 

Reference Professors: Massimo Solzi, Francesco Cugini
E-mail: massimo.solzi@unipr.it, francesco.cugini@unipr.it

Research area: Multiferroic-magnetoelectric materials

Topic: Unconventional techniques for the study of new multiferroic-magnetoelectric materials.
CollaborationDr. Davide Delmonte (IMEM-CNR Parma Institute); Prof. Lara Righi (SCVSA UniPR Department)
Techniques and methodologies: Synthesis of materials in High Pressure and High Temperature (HP/HT syntheses); measurement of dielectric and ferroelectric properties with a ferroelectrometer; measurement of magnetic properties in an electric field and of dielectric properties in a magnetic field.

Research area: Materials for thermo-magnetic energy conversion

Topic 1: Magnetic composite materials for thermo-magnetic energy conversion.
Collaboration: Dr. Franca Albertini (IMEM-CNR Parma Institute); Prof. Lara Righi (SCVSA UNIPR Department)
Techniques and methodologies: Synthesis of materials and composite preparation; Brayton thermomagnetic cycle simulator, magnetocaloric effect measurement, magnetic and structural characterisation.

Topic 2: Synthesis and characterisation of high-entropy magneto-caloric alloys.
CollaborationDr. Franca Albertini (Institute IMEM-CNR Parma); Prof. Lara Righi (Department SCVSA UNIPR); Prof. Paolo Veronesi (Department of Mechanical Engineering 'E. Ferrari', University of Modena and Reggio Emilia).
Techniques and methodologies: Synthesis of materials; Brayton thermomagnetic cycle simulator, measurement of the magnetocaloric effect, magnetic and structural characterisation.

Topic 3: Development of prototype Thermomagnetic Generator.
Techniques and methodologies: Simulations using the finite element technique (Matlab), experimental prototype development, materials testing.

Topic 4: Measuring the thermal conductivity of materials in a magnetic field.
CollaborationProf. Daniele Pontiroli, Dept. SMFI, UNIPR.
Techniques and methodologies: design, development and testing of the experimental setup.

 

Reference Professors: Giuseppe Allodi, Pietro Bonfà, Roberto de Renzi
E-mail: giuseppe.allodi@unipr.it, pietro.bonfa@unipr.it, roberto.derenzi@unipr.it

Research area: High Tc superconductors and their magnetic parent compounds.

General topic: PRIN 2020 QT-FLUO. From copper oxide to silver fluoride, a new family of superconductors?
Collaboration: Josè Lorenzana (La Sapienza), Marco Salluzzo (CNR-SPIN), Giacomo Ghiringhelli (PoliMi), Daniele Di Castro (Roma III) Wojciek Grochala (Warsaw).

Topic 1: Experimental study of microscopic magnetic properties of magnetic and superconducting materials.
Techniques and methodologies: NMR spectroscopy and, where compatible with the thesis timeframe, µSR at ISIS (Harwell UK) or PSI (Villigen CH).  You learn to use cryogenics with liquid N2 and He, operate complex equipment, develop data science skills.

Topic 2: Ab-initio calculations of coupling constants and linear response of the same materials.
Techniques and methodologies: High Performance Computing - Density Functional Theory, you learn how to numerically reproduce the properties of newly discovered or artificially manufactured materials.

Research area: Topological magnetic materials

Topic: Magnetic properties of Weyl semimetals: hunting for materials in which spin-orbit coupling allows the magnetic response to be selected.
Experimental and computational study of the magnetic electronic structure of compounds with particular crystal structures.
Collaborations: Vesna Mitrovich (Brown, Providence), S. Sanna (Bologna).
Techniques and methodologies: NMR spectroscopy and/or ab-initio numerical calculations, electronic properties influenced by how the bands are knotted in lattice space (topology and chirality) in newly discovered materials are addressed.

Research area: Molecular Magnetism/ Quantum Computing

Topic: Experimental study of molecular magnets for quantum gates.
Molecular magnets form the basis of several possible applications in the field of quantum computing and simulation. In particular, the nuclear spins of magnetic ions represent an important resource for quantum information processing. With nuclear magnetic resonance, experiments can be carried out to test the possibility of implementing logical operations and quantum algorithms with nuclear qubits.
CollaborationProf. Roberta Sessoli, Dept. of Chemistry 'Ugo Schiff', University of Florence; Prof. Richard Winpenny, School of Chemistry, University of Manchester (UK); ISIS Neutron and Muon Source, STFC-RAL (UK), ILL and ESRF (FR). Thesis within the European project FET FAult Tolerant MOlecular Spin processor (FATMOLS).
Techniques and methodologies: Experimental characterisation of molecular crystals with various possible techniques (NMR, EPR, inelastic scattering of neutrons and x-rays); carrying out demonstration experiments with NMR at low temperatures.

 

Reference Professors: Danilo Bersani, Laura Fornasini
E-mail: danilo.bersani@unipr.it, laura.fornasini@unipr.it

Research area: Raman spectroscopy - Structure of industrial and recycled materials with glass matrix.

Topic 1: Study by Raman spectroscopy of the structural rearrangement in tempered glasses.
The study concerns the compositional and structural changes that occur in pharmaceutical glass containers after a chemical tempering process. This  technique  involves the ion exchange during a chemical bath. The effect of the treatment parameters on the depth of penetration of the ions will be studied. The vibrational spectra features will be correlated to the effects produced by the tempering, the compositional profiles, the structure and the properties of the glass.
Collaboration: Bormioli Pharma; IMEM-CNR.
Techniques and methodologies: micro-Raman, SEM-EDX, LIBS.

Topic 2: Micro-Raman spectroscopy analysis of glass-ceramic products obtained from the recycling of CWD (Construction and Demolition Waste).
The products are obtained using Construction and Demolition Waste (CDW) from the 2016 earthquake in Marche region and other types of waste (e.g. ceramic powders, bricks, urban waste glass, incinerator ashes, etc… ). Each product is obtained with CDW and another type of waste in different percentages and thermally treated to favour the vitrification. The crystalline and glassy phases will be characterized to evaluate the structure and characteristics of the materials obtained as a function of the initial composition.
Collaborations: University of Camerino.
Techniques and methodologies: the main technique will be micro-Raman spectroscopy, supported by analysis with microprobe, XRD, XRF.