XXXVII
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PhD Student |
Background and Research Project |
Graphical Abstract |
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Bosco Mofatto Paulo |
Paulo Marcelo Bosco Mofatto graduated in Environmental Engineering in 2017 (Bachelor) and obtained a master's degree in water resources management in 2019 from the Piracicaba School of Engineering, Brazil. Subsequently, he obtained his master's degree in civil engineering from the University of Campinas (Brazil) in 2021. During his master’s thesis, he developed a bioreactor for water treatment that is subject to patent. Currently, he is a PhD student in Chemical, Environmental, Biomedical, Hydraulic and Materials Engineering at the University of Palermo. His PhD project (which is part of the project "Achieving wider uptake of water-smart solutions - WIDER UPTAKE" financed by the European Union's Horizon 2020) is focused on the evaluation of different wastewater pilot plant configurations, by using a wastewater pilot plant located in the UNIPA’s campus, to find a trade-off between sludge production, greenhouse gases emissions, carbon footprint assessment and effluent quality, in order to reduce the environmental impact and promote sustainable development. |
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Campisi Giovanni |
Giovanni Campisi is a chemical engineer graduated with a Master's degree (LM-22) with a mark of 110/110 cum Laude from the University of Palermo in March 2020. After graduation, he immediately began an intership for INSTM (Consorzio Interuniversitario Nazionale per la Scienza e Tecnologia dei Materiali) on the possibility of treating and valorising ‘Produced Water’ with Reverse Electrodialysis technology. Since 2022, he has been working on his PhD with the aim of studying and coupling electro-membrane processes (such as electrodialysis, reverse electrodialysis, etc.) with green hydrogen production. Its research activities range from testing the system in the laboratory to study its technical feasibility and main performance parameters, to more advanced software modelling to predict the system's behaviour and its possible up-scaling. The innovation introduced by his research is to identify, wherever there is profit, new technologies for hydrogen production that can be viable and competitive in the market.
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(n.a.) Carabillò Michele |
Profile not available
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Carbone Sonia |
Sonia Carbone is a PhD student in "Chemical, Environmental, Biomedical, Hydraulic and Materials Engineering " at Department of Engineering of the University of Palermo. She is graduated in Process Chemical Engineering cum laude in March 2021. Her master’s degree thesis, developed at the Applied Physical Chemistry Laboratory of the University of Palermo concerned fabrication and characterization of a composite coating of Chitosan-Silver Nanoparticles for Orthopaedic Implants. This experience increased her interest in research. So, she decided to start a new experimental activity during her PhD regarding the fabrication and characterization of nanostructured electrodes for electrochemical devices acquiring expertise on electrochemical techniques and characterization techniques, like SEM, EDS and XRD. In particular, her PhD research project is focused on improving the performance of alkaline electrolysers using low-cost, stable, and selective electrodes made of noble-metal-free electrocatalyst, to reduce the cost of hydrogen produced.
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Citarrella Maria Clara |
I am Maria Clara Citarrella, Ph.D. student in "Chemical, Environmental, Biomedical, Hydraulic, and Materials Engineering" at the University of Palermo. I graduated in Biomaterials Engineering with the highest honours at the University of Palermo in 2020. My Master’s thesis, partially conducted at Novamont S.p.a. (Novara, Italy) and honoured with the Federchimica Award, focused on investigating the influence of branching on the rheology and filmability properties of innovative biodegradable and compostable polyesters. The idea of contributing to overcoming environmental issues such as air, water, and soil contamination was the funding inspiration for my Ph.D. project. Aiming toward the implementation of the Circular Economy concept, my project involves the development of 2D and 3D devices based on biodegradable polymeric matrices and natural fillers derived from agricultural and/or animal scraps, capable of removing pollutants. In detail, the research objectives of my Ph.D. include the development of: bio-composites fibrous membranes based on biopolymeric matrices and agricultural or animal waste for air filtration applications; bio-composites fibrous fluff based on biopolymeric matrices and agricultural waste for FOG (fat, oil, greases) absorption from wastewater; 3D-printed devices based on biopolymeric matrices and agricultural or animal waste for Cu(II) capture from soil. |
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De Marines Federica |
Federica De Marines is a Ph.D. student in “Chemical, Environmental, Biomedical, Hydraulic and Materials Engineering”. She gained Master’s degree in Engineering and Innovative Technologies for the Environment (LM-35) with 110/110 cum laude at the University of Palermo in July 2021. Her research project involves the implementation and application of robustness indices designed to serve as an early warning tool for assessing drinking water treatment plants performance and capable of identifying potential issues by detecting deviations from water quality standards. Moreover, an innovative drinking water treatment technology will be assessed as a potential solution to address climate change-related water emergencies and aimed at removing some target pollutants to producing potable water.
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Lanzalaco Elisa |
Elisa Lanzalaco is a Ph.D. student in "Chemical, Environmental, Biomedical, Hydraulic, and Materials Engineering", enrolled in the XXXVII Cycle at the University of Palermo. Her doctoral fellowship is co-funded by the Ri.MED Foundation. Elisa completed both her bachelor's and master's degrees at the University of Palermo, focusing on research related to heart valves. Throughout her MSc program, Elisa enriched her academic experience by attending the Summer School at the University of Jyväskylä in Finland and participating in a project with Camplus and the Italian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Genoa. The project with IIT of Genoa focused on modeling a robotic leg prosthesis using SolidEdge and Simulink. Currently, Elisa is pursuing her Ph.D. at the Ri.MED Foundation within the tissue engineering division led by Prof. D’Amore. Her research focuses on the in silico and in vitro study of a mitral valve with chordal apparatus. The in silico aspect employs the finite element method (FEM) to assess the mechanics and organ-level function of the engineered mitral valve, aiming to optimize the number and locations of chordae tendineae. The in vitro component involves evaluating organ-level function using a pulse duplicator.
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Mineo Antonio |
Antonio Mineo isa Ph.D. student in “Chemical, Environmental, Biomedical, Hydraulic, and Materials Engineering.” He earned a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Chemistry at the University of Palermo. As a key member of the H2020 EU Project WiderUptake team, Antonio Mineo is actively involved in the research on polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) recovery from urban wastewater treatment by mixed microbial cultures. His doctoral research encompasses the entire PHA-producing process, from sewage sludge fermentation to culture selection, biopolymer accumulation, and downstream processing. The thesis aims to compare different solutions in terms of PHA production and environmental impact, with a focus on maximizing process productivity and sustainability.
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Pecoraro Claudio Maria |
I am Claudio Maria Pecoraro, PhD student in Chemical, Environmental, Biomedical, Hydraulic And Materials Engineering. I graduated in Chemical Engineering from the University of Palermo. My research project aims to produce simultaneously chemicals and fuels through sustainable and green processes. In this sense photocatalysis (PC) and photoelectrocatalysis (PEC) offer promising approaches, combining renewable feedstock, i.e., biomasses, and green energy, i.e., harnessing light. In both cases, achieving high selectivity for desired products is a major challenge. The main objectives of my research project are the development of a flow-through PEC system, enhance the selectivity of high-value-added products, improve the cell design to raise the output fuel pressure, and use chemically and physically stable materials, avoiding raw critical ones
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Scala Pietro |
Master's Degree graduated in Engineering and Innovative Technologies for the Environment with a grade of 110/110 cum laude in October 2021 from the Department of Engineering, University of Palermo presenting a thesis entitled "Flash Flood Guidance for the Derivation of Rainfall Thresholds of Flood Hazard. An application to a Sicilian basin." Immediately after his Master's Degree, in November 2021 he won a XXXVII cycle PhD fellowship at the Department of Engineering, University of Palermo, in "Chemical, Environmental, Biomedical, Hydraulic and Materials Engineering." During the research project titled "Analysis of coastal dynamics at regional scale in Sicily and defense approaches against coastal erosion," coastal erosion and beach surface loss caused by climate change and human activities at regional scale (Sicily) was studied. Advanced technologies, such as high-resolution satellite images processed through artificial intelligence techniques, were used to monitor changes in coastlines in Sicily. The research project also analyzes the impact of urbanization and land use changes on sediment availability and coastal erosion and evaluates the effectiveness of coastal protection works, such as breakwaters, groynes and beach nourishments, by developing predictive models of the coastline to identify sustainable solutions to mitigate erosion. The integrated approach combines advanced science and management policies to ensure the resilience and sustainability of coastal environments.
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Schembri Luca |
My name is Luca Schembri, and I obtained the master’s degree in Chemical Process Engineering in October 2021 from the University of Palermo. My doctoral project aims to simulate complex multiphase systems through computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling. Specifically, it seeks to analyze how the contact surface between phases varies under different operational conditions and system setups. Over the course of the three years of my doctoral studies, I have examined three case studies. The first involves the supercritical liquid-fluid extraction between transesterified fish oil and supercritical carbon dioxide to extract high-value compounds such as Omega-3 (EPA and DHA) from a mixture containing more than forty compounds. Alongside experimental work, I have focused on the fluid dynamics within the channels formed by the corrugations of the packing in the extraction column, particularly studying flooding conditions through CFD modeling. The second topic concerns unset stirred vessels (UUST), focusing on the variation of free surface between air and water under different operational conditions, sub-critical (when the vortex generated by the impeller's rotation does not reach the blades) and super-critical (with self-ingestion of bubbles), and assessing power consumption changes under these described conditions. Finally, in collaboration with the French university INP - ENSIACET, I have examined the fluid dynamic regime generated within a high-frequency vibromixer (100 Hz) and observed differences across various possible setups.
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Sorrenti Alice |
I am Alice Sorrenti, PhD student in "Chemical, environmental, biomedical, hydraulic and materials engineering" at the University of Palermo. I graduated in Engineering and innovative technologies for the environment with a score of 110/110 in March 2021 at the same university. My master's thesis entitled "Advanced techniques for natural sludge dehydration" inspired the doctoral work I am currently conducting. The objective of my doctoral project concerns the design, construction and development of solar greenhouses for the forced drying of sludge powered by solar panels that work directly using air as a heat carrier fluid. The "extensive" drying of the sludge will reduce the water content present until reaching a percentage of dryness comparable, if not even better, with those obtainable through thermal dryers based on the use of conventional fuels, although in longer times. This solution will allow, in addition to considerable rapid drying, also further benefits consisting in the stabilization of the sludge, measured as the reduction of volatile suspended solids, and the elimination of Odor.
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Umair Muhammad |
Muhammad Umair, PhD student in the department of “Chemical, Environmental, Biomedical, Hydraulics and Materials Engineering” at the University of Palermo, Italy. I received my bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering with honors from Muhammad Nawaz Sharif University of Engineering and Technology, Multan, Pakistan in 2018. To pursue higher education, I went to China with a Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) for the master's degree in 2018. I completed my master's degree in chemical engineering from Dalian University of Technology, China in 2021. The My master's thesis is entitled "Synthesis and photocatalytic activity of the Au/rGO/BiVO4 ternary composite". The aim of this work was to synthesize the photocatalysts and verify their activity for the degradation of organic contaminants present in water. My current PhD research activity is focused on the synthesis of economical, non-toxic, sunlight-activatable photocatalysts and their use first on a laboratory scale and then in a pilot plant for the production of hydrogen and the formation of high-value products starting from biomass derivatives. Part of the research is focused on the degradation of organic drugs for wastewater treatment.
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Virruso Giovanni |
My name is Giovanni Virruso and I am a process chemical engineer graduated at the Università degli Studi di Palermo in 2021. Soon after my graduation day, I started a PhD in Chemical, Environmental, Biomedical, Hydraulic and Materials Engineering at the same University. My PhD project deals with the production of acid and alkali solutions from salty solutions, also known as brines, employing a sustainable membrane process: Electrodialysis with bipolar membranes (EDBM). Acid and alkali solution, such as sodium hydroxide and hydrochloric acid, represent widely used bulk industrial chemicals in different industrial sectors. To reduce transportation costs, especially to remote areas, and to minimize storage as well as the handling of these hazardous chemicals, it is crucial to in situ produce them via sustainable processes. The EDBM process adopts ad hoc ion-exchange membranes which allow selective passage of ions, depending on their electrical charge, and the water dissociation reaction, generating protons and hydroxide ions. The adoption of such technology at industrial scale requires reliable modelling tools capable of predicting both dynamic and stationary operations. The goal of my PhD project is to evaluate both mechanistic and empirical model approaches and try to combine them to get the advantages of both, maintaining elevated prediction capability along with reduced computational demand.
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