Personal Information

Fields of Interest and Expertise

Self-assembly of bio-inspired surfactants (nucleolipids and ascorbic acid derivatives) and of biomolecules (cyclodextrins).

Core-shell nanostructures with tunable magnetic properties.

Inorganic nanophases applied to Cultural Heritage conservation and to nanocoating of materials (building materials, textiles, etc..).

Interaction potentials in protein solutions.

Nanostructured surfaces for biosensors application.

Additive effects on microstructure and hydration in cement pastes.

Confined water in inorganic and biological matrices.

Teaching

Chimica Fisica II (LT Chimica, Univ. Firenze)

Chimica Fisica dei Sistemi Dispersi e delle Interfasi (LM Scienze Chimiche, Univ. Firenze)

Chimica per la Conservazione dei Beni Culturali (LM Scienze Chimiche, Univ. Firenze)

Curriculum Vitae

1977: Degree in Chemistry at the University of Florence (110 cum laude /110). Thesis title: "Synthesis and characterization of semipermeable membranes for gas separation".

1978-1981: Fellowship from National Council of Research (CNR).

1981-1986: Researcher at the Department of Chemistry, University of Florence.

1986: Post-doc at the Department of Chemistry, University of Houston, USA, Prof. Larry Kevan.

1987-1989: Visiting scientist/professor at the Department of Chemistry, University of Houston, USA, Prof. Larry Kevan.

1987-1994: Associate Professor of Physical-Chemistry at the University of Udine, Italy.

1990: Visiting Professor, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Department of Chemical-Physics, Rehovot, Israel, Prof. D. Goldfarb.

1994: Visiting professor, College de France, Paris, Laboratoire de la Matiere Condensee, Profs. P.G. de Gennes and J. M. di Meglio.

1994 - present: Full Professor of Physical Chemistry, University of Florence.

2000-2003: Visiting Professor/Research Fellow, Department of Nuclear Engineering, MIT, Cambridge, Prof. Sow-Hsin Chen.

2004 – present: MIT affiliate, Department of Nuclear Science and Engineering, MIT, Cambridge.

Awards

2002: Rhodia Prize - European Colloids and Interface Society (ECIS).

2004: Grand Prix for Innovation Award.

2010: Caballero Aguila (The most prestigious recognition from CONACULTA-INAH for the Mexican Cultural Heritage conservation).

2011: Lifetime achievements for the contribution to Colloids and Interface Science (JCIS).

• Florence

• Molecular recognition of nucleic acids by nucleolipid/dendrimer surface complexes. SOFT MATTER (2014)
• High-performance and anti-stain coating for porcelain stoneware tiles based on nanostructured zirconium compounds. JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE (2014)
• Characterization and degradation of poly(vinyl acetate)-based adhesives for canvas paintings. POLYMER DEGRADATION AND STABILITY (2014)
• Multiscale structure of calcium- and magnesium-silicate-hydrate gels. JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY A (2014)
• Incoherent Quasielastic Neutron Scattering Study of the Relaxation Dynamics in Molybdenum-Oxide Keplerate-Type Nanocages. JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY C (2014)