Research topics

• Nano-structured and massive magnetic materials for applications in high-density magnetic recording, sensing, and magnetic refrigeration: preparation and characterization. Study of the influence of morphological properties and micro- and nano-structuring on magnetic, magnetocaloric, and magnetotransport properties
• Magnetic materials with reduced dimensionality: magnetic multilayers, molecular nano-magnets

• Superconductivity, magnetism, multiferroic materials
• Synthesis and characterizations of metastable high electron-correlation materials under high-pressure conditions (piston-cylinder, multi-anvil, hydrothermal)
• Model systems for studying ordering mechanisms (charge, orbital, spin)
• Structure-property correlation

Development of analytical, imaging, lithographic and manipulation diagnostic methodologies for nanoscale study of structural, optical, transport, magnetic and chemical properties of materials for applications in nanoscience

• Hybrid organic-inorganic nanostructured materials: preparation, study and functionalization. Optimization of functional properties through fabrication and characterization of prototype test devices
• Growth of self-organized one-dimensional nanoscale structures for (bio-) sensor, photovoltaic, optoelectronic, nano-electronic applications: metal oxide nanostructures, silicon carbide nanowires. Morphological, chemical, structural, magnetic, optical and electrical characterization
• Carbon-based nanostructured materials: nanotubes, fullerenes and graphenes

• Devices obtained by epitaxial growth and thin-film deposition techniques: epitaxial growth of crystalline germanium-based structures for thermo-photovoltaic generators and for high-efficiency multi-junction photovoltaic cells. Growth by pulsed electron beam deposition technique of CuGaInSe-based thin-film devices. Development of techniques based on photoluminescence and electron microscopy for measuring quantum efficiency, carrier lifetimes and surface recombination rate
• Photovoltaic technologies in the field of distributed microgeneration
• Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs): Deposition techniques of nanostructured ceramic semiconductors on rigid and flexible substrates; new nanostructured materials for anodes, electrolytes, and cathodes; sealing systems

• Growth and characterization of optical, electrical, and photoconductive properties
• Study of electrical contact properties
• Preparation and characterization of prototype devices, particularly for X-ray detection

• Epitaxial deposition (MOVPE) of semiconductor oxides (epsilon-Ga2O3) and doping methods (n-type)
• Study of electrical contacts in as-grown and intentionally doped semiconductor oxides (epsilon-Ga2O3)
• Study of optical properties, electrical and transport properties in as-grown and intentionally doped semiconducting oxides (epsilon-Ga2O3 type-n)
• Study of 4H-SiC thin films, doped for ion implantation with p- and n-type conductivities, and junction devices
• Tetrahedral coordination semiconductors for photovoltaic applications

• Design and synthesis of reversible polymeric materials whose formation/fragmentation is activatable via bimodal coordination-type self-assembly (or H-bonding) and via host-guest interactions
• Study of self-repairing properties of such compounds and the possibility of obtaining auxetic materials, i.e., materials that exhibit the property of lateral expansion under longitudinal stretching (negative Poisson's ratio)

• Integrated sensors of chymoxaline/MOS cavitands on Si wafers for environmental monitoring of benzene
• Molecular recognition fluorescent sensors for selective detection of alcohols in complex mixtures
• Molecular printboards of phosphonate cavitands on Si for protein detection

• Design, synthesis
• study of properties as catalysts for eco-friendly synthetic processes or as supramolecular devices for applications in nanoscience and nano(bio)technologies

• Bistability and multistability phenomena in molecular materials: spectroscopic analysis and modeling of intra- and/or intermolecular charge transfer molecular systems. Electron-vibration interaction as a source of multistability. Phase transitions, phase coexistence, domains, metastability. Photoinduced phase transitions
• Molecular materials for applications in photonics and electronics. Spectroscopic characterization and modeling of functional molecular materials. Supramolecular and surround interactions. Cooperative and collective phenomena
• Electron (absorption and fluorescence) and vibrational (micro)IR and micro-Raman optical spectroscopy also at low temperature or in diamond anvil cell

Design, synthesis, and characterization of powders and processes for the production of bioceramics and composite materials for the following applications: implants for bone, vascular, and soft organ regeneration; ceramics for prosthetics; hybrid nanocomposite materials for the regeneration of multifunctional anatomical regions; systems for drug delivery; biomorphic transformations; bone cements; antibacterial applications

• Process design and optimization for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) and solid oxide electrolyzer cells (SOECs)
• High-temperature materials and membranes for carbon capture and gas separation (O2, CO2 and H2)
• Piezoelectric and multiferroic systems for energy storage and sensing
• Ultra-refractory solar absorbers for CSP plants.

• Structures, films, and surfaces with functional properties: controlled multiscale porosity, superhydrophobicity, anti-freezing, anti-fouling, antibacterial, self-cleaning, photo-catalytic, etc.
• Nanosecurity: nanostructures for security and biocatalytic.
• Design, synthesis and characterization of structural ceramics (powders, monoliths, composites, fiber-reinforced, ...) for mechanical applications (anti-wear, cutting tools, ballistic protection), ultra-high temperature and extreme environment applications (thermal protection systems, anti-corrosion and ablation-resistant ceramics).
• Transparent ceramics for solid-state lasers, windows for spectroscopy and IR sensors, transparent armor technology
• Geopolymer and chemically bonded ceramics such as filters, catalytic media, heat exchangers, insulating panels, and for waste valorization
• Ceramic pigments and digital decoration
• Technological process and technical process, raw materials and waste recycling
• Archeometry, diagnostics and conservation: innovative materials and techniques