Number 6 - 30.09.2025

Dear colleagues,

It is a pleasure to welcome you to the sixth issue of DIS@Time.

Since October 2021, I have been the Academic Advisor for the Bachelor's Degree in Materials Engineering and the Master's Degree in Materials Engineering for Industry 4.0, taking over from Daniele Ugues, whose guidance has been invaluable to me.

In recent years, thanks to the support and dedication of many colleagues, our MSc program has not only changed its name but has also been enriched with innovative content and teaching approaches, while strengthening its international dimension. We have welcomed students from nearly every corner of the world, fostering the exchange of experiences and cultures. The goal is clear: to train professionals capable of facing the challenges of sustainable transition and the fourth industrial revolution with awareness, where innovation in materials is one of the key pillars.

This commitment is further enhanced by the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master meta4.0 (https://www.master-meta4-0.eu/ ), which recently celebrated the graduation of its first 24 students—a new generation of experts ready to lead the future of manufacturing 4.0.

Alongside teaching, a central role is played by the Quality Assurance Group, which ensures quality and promotes continuous improvement, and by the Orientation Committee, a dynamic group of young researchers and experienced colleagues who constantly experiment with new forms of communication—such as the recent participation in the European Researchers’ Night. We hope that more and more young people will be inspired by this fascinating discipline!

A valuable contribution is offered by Chiara and Alessandro, our fantastic DiSAT Teaching Support Team: their daily support, marked by availability and attention, is an essential resource for both faculty and students.

Happy reading to all!

The Department Research Integrity Committee is tasked with providing an opinion that ensures the consistency of projects with the ethical standards defined by the Politecnico di Torino and the Department. We promote a culture of integrity by safeguarding the safety, health and well-being of people, environmental protection and sustainable development (minimizing industrial impact and the use of animals) and the exclusively peaceful use of science and technology, rejecting military or destructive applications. We urge researchers to adopt a proactive approach by consulting the Committee for a preliminary (ex ante) evaluation. This step is crucial to receive guidance and to promptly identify potential issues before the formal drafting of the project or its submission.

Innovation and research are the beating heart of the Department, and while professors and researchers dedicate themselves to discovering new frontiers, the Purchasing Office works behind the scenes to translate their needs into concrete tools. Its role is fundamental: it acts as a key hub that connects the active cycle of projects, where funding arrives, with the passive cycle, where funds are spent strategically and effectively.

The goal is to transform financial resources into tangible reality: simple and complex scientific equipment, consumables, services, individual and collective protective devices, and everything else concretely needed to carry out research.

The daily activity of the Purchasing Office is a true balancing act between regulations, cost-effectiveness, and practicality.

Each purchase request received initiates a meticulous process that goes far beyond simply issuing an order.

The office’s main activities include:

• Verification and accounting allocation: each purchase request (RdA) is analyzed to understand its motivation and feasibility, with immediate accounting allocation on the related projects;
• Choice of procurement procedure: from determining the most appropriate purchasing channel to acquiring the Tender Identification Code (CIG);
• Document management: preparation of all necessary administrative documentation, including that specific for projects funded by the PNRR, ensuring every detail complies with regulations;
• Checks and drafting of documents: verification of the completeness of the documentation submitted by the successful economic operator and drafting of key documents such as the award decision;
• Order issuance and monitoring: issuing the order and monitoring contracts over time, also managing any supplementary documents

This work requires constant updating on complex regulations, making the office both legally prepared and skilled in economic management and in drafting accounting records.

A digital ally: GAD

To simplify and optimize this workflow, a new application was introduced in January 2025: GAD (Departmental Purchasing Management). Thanks to this tool, applicants can upload Purchase Requests (RdA) and monitor their status in real time.

Rationalization of purchases: greater efficiency for everyone

Beyond daily management, the Purchasing Office is engaged in a rationalization process to make procedures more efficient. The goal is to group purchases by product category as much as possible, optimizing time and resources.

In this regard, the office manages several agreements that cover different needs of the Department, such as those for glassware and compressed gases. In addition, work is underway to activate a framework agreement for reagents, a large-scale contract that, once operational, will facilitate and speed up research-related purchases.

The goal for the future is to increase tailored contracts, which represent a huge advantage both for the Offices and for those receiving the service (professors and researchers), streamlining bureaucracy and allowing everyone to focus on what really matters: scientific research.

Thanks to this synergy, the Purchasing Office is a fundamental partner for the Department, transforming operational needs into opportunities to improve efficiency and support the quality of research.

Want to know more?

For details on procedures, forms and active agreements, please consult this link.

Me and little me: an interview to introduce myself

By Dafne Cimino

When I was asked to introduce myself, I thought the best thing would be to ask a 9-year-old girl to help me. A blank page can still throw me off balance, despite the various writings I have produced over the years—from the first drafts scribbled by hand with fountain pen ink on my fingers to the digital medium—including the project that brought me here, with you.

I asked her to imagine the situation and to ask me what she would like to know about me. Here is the interview.

How old are you?

I was born in 1986, so the answer requires a little math.

What is your job?

I am a researcher, more precisely a heritage scientist. I regret using the anglicism, but the Ministry of Culture has chosen a longer and more complicated definition, too much so. In short, I am an art scientist who later specialized in polymeric materials used by artists and restorers. My doctoral project focused on a product, BEVA 371, widely used as an adhesive and consolidant in the treatment of paintings and beyond. Since then, I have never stopped working on it, following its study and contributing, as a member of technical-scientific committees, to the development of a new formulation, which has just now come onto the market.

In addition, I am Vice President of the National Association of Experts in Diagnostics and in Sciences and Technologies Applied to Cultural Heritage, which represents my profession.

Now that you are a researcher, what will you research?

For the next three years, I will work on the "COME-IN!" project, focusing on the study of new consolidant formulations for traditional paintings (tempera and oil on canvas and panel), with the possibility of extending the applications also to contemporary works, which have different characteristics in terms of composition and aesthetics since they usually have more matte finishes. If protecting a work of art means safeguarding it from deterioration caused by time, restoring it means respecting not only its materiality but also the artist’s aesthetic intention.

The research will be structured in three phases: defining the characteristics that a good consolidant must have and characterizing the most widely used formulations today, studying pictorial systems through antique works, and studying a solid-form consolidant kit accompanied by a “recipe book.”

Why, do you cook in the lab?

Not exactly. It’s like when you want to achieve a shade with watercolors: depending on how much blue and yellow you mix, you will get different greens. Here, instead of colors, we measure out polymers: depending on the relative amounts, we obtain consolidant solutions useful for responding to different needs of restorers.

Did you want to do this when you grew up?

Yes, and I consider myself lucky for my path. There were years of precarious work, a few setbacks (few, and for this I count myself fortunate), but also many satisfactions. And not everyone gets the chance to caress (with gloved hand!) one of the greatest masterpieces of Italian late Renaissance art: Titian’s Assumption of the Virgin!

Do you still have dreams?

Of course! Being here is another dream come true, and every time a goal becomes real it is time to imagine another one. So the next one? To analyze a Caravaggio and, why not, win an ERC!

For DIS@Time, Lorenza P., that is, my daughter, to whom -with my example- I wish to realize her own dreams.

FROM Los Alamos TO THE Politecnico

by Agnese Marcato

I am Agnese Marcato, a new Assistant Professor (RTD-A) at the Department of Applied Science and Technology (DiSAT). I am returning to the department after a postdoctoral appointment at the Los Alamos National Laboratory (New Mexico, USA). I studied Chemical Engineering at the Politecnico di Torino, where I also obtained my Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering. My research focuses on computational modeling, with particular interest to computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and machine learning applied to systems of interest in chemical engineering, such as filters, reactors, and batteries. During my postdoctoral work at Los Alamos, I developed new models and applications in advanced areas, including image generation using diffusion models, foundation models for material fracture, and transformer-based models for predicting spatial fields from sensor signals.

Luca Passarella

PhD Candidate in Physics 39^th cycle

Hello, what is your name and in which research group have you been working?

Name: Luca Passarella; Group: FUNDINT (Physics of Fundamental Interactions) - Nuclear and Subnuclear Fundamental Physics

Can you briefly describe your PhD research?

My research is based on finding a model that can provide an equation of state for nuclear matter under extreme conditions, i.e. at high temperatures and densities. Such a model must be able to describe the phase transition of matter from when the quarks, the fundamental particles of matter, are free, to when they come together to form other particles, such as protons and neutrons. Such theoretical models can be used in high-energy astrophysics and cosmology. For example, the derived equation of state can be used to study the structure of compact objects such as neutron or quark stars.

What have you enjoyed the most about your PhD work so far?

At the moment, the things I enjoy most about my PhD work are first and foremost the opportunity to study in detail aspects of physics that I have always found fascinating. Second is the opportunity to travel to conferences and PhD schools to meet experts in the field and meet new people to collaborate with.

What challenges or difficulties have you faced during your PhD?

The difficulties that I faced during my PhD, but which are still part of research in general, is the frustration one sometimes feels at being stuck at some point in research without knowing what the solution is. Doing research you study new aspects that have not yet been addressed by anyone and therefore there is no path to follow, so it can sometimes be frustrating to get stuck without knowing which way to go.

What inspired you to start a PhD, and why at DiSAT?

The main reason why I decided to do a PhD is that I have always loved physics and it has always been my desire to explore it further and make my own contribution to research. The Polytechnic is an excellent choice because the research topics that fascinate me, namely nuclear physics and neutron stars, have been studied here for a long time.

Looking back at your PhD journey, do you have any reflections, advice for future PhD students, or a memorable/fun anecdote from your time at DiSAT?

What I would advise is not to get discouraged when research results are slow and it seems like you are not making any progress. In my case, it took months just to figure out how to deal with a problem. Another piece of advice is to try to meet as many people as possible during your PhD, both in the department and at conferences and schools.

Have you already decided on your next career step? If so, would you like to share it with us?

As I am still in my second year, I have not yet decided exactly what my next steps will be, but at the moment I am very determined to continue my academic career and research.

Hello, what is your name and in which research group have you been working?

Jessica - POLYMAT

Can you briefly describe your PhD research?

Development of electrospun materials with specific optical properties (high thermal emittance and low solar radiation absorption) for passive daytime radiative cooling applications.

What have you enjoyed the most about your PhD work so far?

Being surrounded by talented people, with different backgrounds both personal and academic. This has allowed me to grow as a person and as a professional and to enhance my general culture and I'm happy to be able to call my colleagues also my friends.

What inspired you to start a PhD, and why at DiSAT?

My interest in science and my desire to find a solution to things even when it seems to be impossible (which happens very often in the lab). At DiSAT I found a very nice environment to grow and good role models that inspired me to follow this path.

Jessica Alexandra Talamo Ruiz

PhD Candidate in Materials Science and Technology 39^th cycle

Hello, what is your name and in which research group have you been working?

I am Andrea Muscatello, and I work in the electrochemistry group at DiSAT. My work is supervised by Professors Federico Bella and Serena Esposito.

Can you briefly describe your PhD research?

My research is primarily focused on the synthesis of oxide-based or mixed oxide catalysts. Furthermore, I am investigating the synthesis of innovative structures such as metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and metal-organic gels (MOGs), with the objective of developing novel catalysts exhibiting unique properties. These materials are also employed as precursors for oxides, with the aim of obtaining products with tailored characteristics for the specific catalytic reactions for which they are designed.

What have you enjoyed the most about your PhD work so far?

What excites me most about my research is its multidisciplinary nature. Indeed, catalysis is applied across a wide range of fields today, which allows me to observe various aspects of science up close. Moreover, this enables me to develop expertise not only in the synthesis and characterization of specific substances but also in a diverse set of skills that will be highly valuable upon completion of my research journey. As mentioned earlier, catalysis is a field where interdisciplinarity is essential, and this allows me to engage with researchers working on topics very different from my own, providing me with a broader and more comprehensive perspective on my work.

What challenges or difficulties have you faced during your PhD?

Undoubtedly, the PhD journey is not an easy one, as research activities are always accompanied by academic studies responsibilities. Given that the volume of tasks to be completed can vary and, at times, may become overwhelming, it is essential to master the art of time management to ensure each task is addressed effectively. One of the challenges I have had to face is learning how to organize my time efficiently in order to balance research activities with the learning required to successfully carry out all PhD-related tasks, while also acquiring the necessary skills to become a competent researcher by the end of the program.

What inspired you to start a PhD, and why at DiSAT?

My motivation to pursue this course of study stems from my deep passion for scientific research in functional materials. Specifically, my interest is focused on the development and optimisation of catalysts for sustainable chemical processes, a field I consider crucial to addressing the energy and environmental challenges of our time. During my degree in Materials Engineering at the Politecnico di Torino, I had the opportunity to delve into various aspects related to materials and their applications in catalysis. In particular, my thesis, centred on the synthesis strategies for obtaining nanostructured catalysts. I conducted intensive laboratory work dedicated to preparing mixed oxide systems, comparing different synthetic approaches, and evaluating differences in their chemical-physical properties. Specifically, I prepared cerium oxide-based systems using inverse micelle precipitation and the sol-gel method. The prepared materials were tested in the CO2 hydrogenation reaction through a collaborative project with the Department of Industrial Engineering at the University of Salerno. I am particularly interested in research lines related to innovation in synthesising new catalytic materials and optimising their performance for sustainable applications. Among these, I particularly appreciate the applications of catalysis in emerging fields such as electrocatalysis to produce value-added products or integration into conversion battery systems. These technologies will be at the heart of the ecological transition, and the possibilities for innovation in these fields are very broad. I believe that the Ph.D. program in Materials Science and Technology at DiSAT represents the ideal environment to further develop my knowledge in the chemistry of materials for catalytic applications and to make a significant contribution to research on new catalytic systems for energy conversion and storage.

Looking back at your PhD journey, do you have any reflections, advice for future PhD students, or a memorable/fun anecdote from your time at DiSAT?

Since I have only recently embarked on my academic journey, I do not yet possess significant anecdotes or advice to share, beyond emphasizing the importance of leveraging the doctoral experience to engage with as many professionals as possible within your field of interest. Interacting with individuals from diverse backgrounds allows for the exchange of ideas and provides the opportunity to approach your research topics from alternative perspectives. In my view, this approach not only enhances the quality of one's own work but also fosters the development of effective teamwork skills. Moreover, engaging in discussions with individuals who offer different viewpoints or methodologies is invariably intellectually stimulating and enriching.

Have you already decided on your next career step? If so, would you like to share it with us?

I do not yet have a clear vision, but I am certain that I would like to continue working in research.

With great pride and emotion, we announce that the first cohort of the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master meta4.0 has successfully defended their Master’s theses.

After a full day dedicated to thesis defenses, during which the jury members listened, asked questions, and provided valuable advice, the students of the first cohort, together with colleagues from the third and a few from the second, celebrated with a visit to LA BOULE OBUT, discovering the company and enjoying a friendly game of pétanque.

The day, full of emotions and achievements, concluded with a closing ceremony in which the students of the first cohort were celebrated and warmly applauded by participants, professors, families, and friends.

During the ceremony, the newly graduated students also had the honor of listening to inspiring speeches from Sylvie Mira Bonnardel (Director of Centrale Lyon ENISE), Laurence Bussiere (Région Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes), and Christophe Faverjon (Saint-Étienne Métropole), whom we sincerely thank for their words of encouragement and support.

A special thanks goes to:
The jury members for their dedication and commitment: Alexey Sova, Franci Pušavec, Daniele Ugues, N. Peter Østbø, Raphaël Lorain, Milena Salvo, Cédric Bosch, Steffen Brier, Cédric Courbon, Alessandro Zago, Philippe Bertrand, Damjan Klobcar, Marco Sangermano, Matthias Rehm, Rachid M'Saoubi, Fred Valiorgue, Massimo Messori.
The local coordinators of the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master meta4.0 for their constant support and enthusiasm.
OBUT for the warm and flawless welcome, and for that extra touch that shows how the Saint-Étienne region knows how to value talent with genuine human warmth.

Congratulations to all our students: you make us proud!

DiSAT is also pleased to announce that COGNE Acciai has joined the meta4.0

Alongside the celebrations, some of our graduates shared a few lines about their journey, recounting impressions and experiences and offering a glimpse into their future plans.

FOLCO PEREGO

I believe I speak for most of my colleagues when I say that the experience was over whelmingly positive. The DiSAT department of Politecnico, together with the other institutions involved in the programme, offers an incredible range of opportunities that allow students to tailor their academicpaths while growing both professionally and socially. The variety on offer, whether academic, cultural, or culinary (yes, choosing between Beef bourguignon, pasta, or fårikål was sometimes the hardest part), truly enriched our journey. Personally, I’m thankful and excited to continue this pathby pursuing further education through a doctoral programme at the École Polytechnique Fédéralede Lausanne.

CLINTON IKECHUKWU

When I look back, it feels quite surreal how quickly the journey went by. I think of that day: I was dressed in my engineering coveralls, helmet on, safety boots strapped, sitting in a van driving across Sapele Road, Delta State, Nigeria, en route to the rig, when the congratulatory mail glowed from my phone. That was the beginning of something bold and new — becoming the first cohort of the Meta 4.0 program.

When I arrived in France, it was more than just a program. I acutely remember being welcomed by a community of brilliant minds, diverse perspectives, and shared challenges. There were heat waves in Saint-Étienne at that time, and I recall the long evening strolls with newly formed friendships, colleagues, and bonds. Lectures were light at first but grew heavier with time. Then came POLITO, a proud school, full of life and many internationals, bringing its own flavours and lessons. I like to think that the overall journey was as much about people as it was about ideas.

Engineering was interrogated from a French lens, as well as an Italian and a German one. This multilayered perspective created an interesting understanding of things and showed how culture shapes the discipline of engineering.

As for what’s next, of course, there is a glowing sense of gratitude. It is, firstly, a feeling of satisfaction that lingers into an excitement about what the future holds. Today is a new beginning, and I like to think that the meta 4.0 program has shaped me into a fine, resourceful graduate capable of confronting the challenges of the industry.