Proposed topics for the final paper | physics

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

Topic 1: Study of pathological mutants of the Survivor of Motor Neuron (SMN) protein with implications in Spinal Muscular Atrophy.

Topic 2: 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.

Topic 3: Study of collagen fibres under dehydration conditions for applications in biomedicine and cosmetics.

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, Dip. Scienze degli Alimenti e del Farmaco, UniPR; Prof. Giulio Cerullo, Politecnico di Milano
Techniques and methodologies: Laser flash photolysis for the study of CO rebinding kinetics to haemoproteins.

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

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

Research area: Physics of Materials

Topic 1: Quantum Spin Liquids: Do they exist? Explain high Tc superconductivity?
Starting with an article in Physics Today that qualitatively introduces this issue that pervades frontier matter physics over the last thirty years and is beginning to receive clear answers.
Collaborations: PRIN QT-FLUO (Roma I e II, Napoli, PoliMi)

Topic 2: AgF2 thin films as new high Tc superconductors.
An ambitious project that aims to open a new chapter on unconventional superconductors, for which NMR measurements are planned.
Collaborations: PRIN QT-FLUO (Roma I e II, Napoli, PoliMi)

Topic 3: DFT simulation of magnetic and superconducting materials: algorithms and parallel computing in Condensed Matter Physics.
Implementation and benchmark of new approximations for the exchange-correlation functional.
Collaborations: Dr. Ifeanyi Onuorah, Dip. SMFI, UniPR, MAX EU Center of Excellence.

Topic 4: NMR study of materials for energy.
Magnetic resonance in the hyperfine, zero external field helps to clarify why some Heusler alloys are promising for energy harvesting.
Collaborations: Massimo Solzi, Dip. SMFI, UniPR

Topic 5: Spectroscopy of polarised muons and the role of hydrogen in the wide-gap semiconductor Ga2O3.
Hydrogen plays an important, but difficult to demonstrate, role in doping and passivation of semiconductors. Positive muons form a light (and radioactive) isotope of hydrogen and promise to reveal the mechanism of these effects.
Collaborations: Roberto Fornari, Dip. SMFI, UniPR

Techniques and methodologies: NMR, µSR, Density Functional Theory.

Reference professors: Massimo Solzi, Francesco Cugini

E-mail: massimo.solzi@unipr.it, francesco.cugini@unipr.it

Research area: Innovative magnetic materials for new sustainable energy conversion technologies (magnetic refrigeration and thermo-magnetic harvesting of waste heat)

Topic 1: Graphene-based functional magnetic composites for thermo-magnetic energy conversion.
Collaborations: Prof. Daniele Pontiroli, Dr. Giacomo Magnani (Dep. SMFI, UNIPR); Dr. Franca Albertini (IMEM-CNR Institute Parma); Prof. Lara Righi (Dep. SCVSA UNIPR)
Tecniche e metodologie: synthesis of intermetallic materials; preparation and optimization of composite materials enriched with carbon nanostructures; development of composite casting and printing techniques; magnetic, structural and magneto-caloric characterization; evaluation of materials performance through a setup for the simulation of Brayton thermo-magnetic cycles and a prototype of thermo-magnetic generator.

Topic 2: Metallic magnetic materials for thermo-magnetic energy conversion: study of the correlation between magnetic, structural and microstructural properties and synthesis of new materials with high thermo-magnetic performance.
Collaborations: Dr. Franca Albertini (IMEM-CNR Institute Parma); Prof. Lara Righi (Dep.SCVSA UNIPR); Prof. Paolo Veronesi (Dep. of Mechanical Engineering UNIMORE)
Techniques and methodologies: synthesis and optimization of new advanced functional materials; experimental study of the correlation between magnetic, structural and microstructural properties by magnetometry, magnetic resonance, diffraction and microscopy techniques; measurement of the magneto-caloric effect and evaluation of the thermo-magnetic performance by innovative experimental setups.

Topic 3: Realization and optimization of a prototype of thermo-magnetic energy generator: a new sustainable technology for the recovery of waste heat.
Techniques and methodologies: conception and design of the device, also by means of simulations of the thermal-magnetic-dynamic system through a finite-elements approach (Matlab); realization and experimental optimization of the prototype (geometric / mechanical configuration, permanent magnet configuration, forming of functional elements, control and acquisition hardware and software); performance testing of different thermo-magnetic materials.

Theoretical Physics

Reference professors: Marisa Bonini, Guido D'Amico, Francesco Di Renzo, Luca Griguolo, Massimo Pietroni
E-mail: marisa.bonini@unipr.it; guido.damico@unipr.it; francesco.direnzo@unipr.it; luca.griguolo@unipr.it; massimo.pietroni@unipr.it

In the final examination, topics are dealt with to study the theoretical, conceptual, modelling and/or mathematical aspects of a physical problem in one of the following areas:
a) Mathematical Methods for Physics
b) Classical Mechanics and Electrodynamics
c) Quantum Mechanics
d) General Relativity
e) Astroparticle Physics and Cosmology

Possible topics:

Path integrals in quantum mechanics.
Deformation of integration domains and Monte Carlo simulations.
Symmetries and Group Theory in Particle Physics.
Supersymmetry in quantum mechanics, Conformal symmetry in quantum mechanics.
Spontaneous rupture of symmetry.
Modified theories of relativity.
Dynamics and equations of motion of classical relativistic strings.
Neutrino masses and oscillations.
Problems of cosmological interest (dark matter and/or energy, the cosmological constant).
Machine Learning techniques (neural networks) applied to problems in theoretical physics and cosmology.
Monte Carlo simulations in statistical mechanics.
Other topics to be discussed with the lecturer.