Thesis Title: Transparent conductive oxide films and nanostructures for plasmonic and electro-optic applications
Level: Bachelor / Master
Scope: Growth/ Characterization / Nanofabrication / Data Analysis
Project Overview: Transparent conductive oxides combine a low resistivity and a high transparency with a plasmon resonance that can be tuned from the VIS to mid-IR range, interesting for optoelectronics, gas sensing and CMOS devices.
This project studies their growth by physical methods, the nanofabrication by lithography and the characterization of films/nanostructures by means of several state-of-the-art techniques (XPS, SEM, XRD, Hall transport, AFM, optical spectrophotometry), present at the Physics Department and CNR-NANO and other external collaborations.
Student Profile: Physics, Material Science.
Contact: stefania.benedetti@cnr.it; alessandro.dibona@cnr.it
Thesis Title: Synthesis, functionalization and advanced studies of oxide ultrathin films and metal/oxide core-shell nanoparticles
Level: Bachelor / Master
Scope: Fabrication/Characterization/Data Analysis/Simulation
Project Overview:
The goal of the project is to enhance visible and near infrared light harvesting efficiency and to promote the formation of long-lived excited states, crucial for the development of highly efficient photocatalysts or sensors. Studies will be devoted to the ultrafast dynamics of photoexcited states in oxide-based materials combined with plasmonic nanoparticles through ultrafast spectroscopies, also exploiting X-rays.
A central activity concerns also the fabrication and studies of physically synthesized metal and core–shell nanoparticles .
Student Profile: Background in Material Science / Physics who are interested in experimental activities in campus, at international synchrotrons and free electron laser facilities.
Contact: paola.luches@nano.cnr.it, daddato@unimore.it
Thesis Title: Resonant Inelastic X-ray Scattering (RIXS) on quantum materials
Level: Bachelor / Master
Scope: Simulation / Data Analysis
Project Overview: This project will investigate the elementary excitations (spin, charge, lattice, orbital) of quantum materials such as high temperature superconductors (cuprates and nickelates), colossal magnetoresistive manganites, and single photon emitters (hBN) aiming to understand the mechanism leading to those properties. The spectroscopic data are RIXS data collected at large scale facilities worldwide (such as Brookhaven National Lab, USA and Diamond Light Source, UK)
Student Profile: We seek motivated students with a background in Physics / Chemistry / Materials Science interested in fundamental research and x-ray spectroscopy.
Contact: jonathan.pelliciari@unimore.it.
Thesis Title: Wetting and traction force of cell spheroids
Level: Master
Scope: Characterization / Data Analysis
Project Overview: This project explores the process of cell aggregates active wetting of surfaces. It includes the study of the process similar to the wetting of a liquid drop on a surface, while at the same time measuring the active traction exerted by the cells on the substrate. The project will also include the development of specifically designed devices.
Student Profile: We seek motivated students with a particular interest for a multidisciplinary approach to biophysical systems.
Contact: andrea.alessandrini@unimore.it.
Thesis Title: Wetting and traction force of cell spheroids
Level: Master
Scope: Characterization / Data Analysis
Project Overview: This project explores the process of cell aggregates active wetting of surfaces. It includes the study of the process similar to the wetting of a liquid drop on a surface, while at the same time measuring the active traction exerted by the cells on the substrate. The project will also include the development of specifically designed devices.
Student Profile: We seek motivated students with a particular interest for a multidisciplinary approach to biophysical systems.
Contact: andrea.alessandrini@unimore.it.
Thesis Title: Protocols for the manipulation of molecular spin qubits
Level: Bachelor, Master
Scope: qubits, quantum information processing, quantum sensing
Project Overview: This thesis project will explore sequences of microwave and/or radiofrequency pulse for encoding spin qubits using molecular spins embedded into quantum circuits for the realization of advanced magnetic resonance techniques and optically-excited spectroscopy. The applications are related to quantum technologies.
Student Profile: experimental physics, engineering or related fields.
Contact: marco.affronte@unimore.it;
Thesis Title: Coherent and nonlinear magnonics
Level: Master
Scope: magnons, superconductors, nonlinear effects
Project Overview: This project investigates magnon-photon hybridization and nonlinear phenomena in planar circuits integrating magnonic modes in magnetic films with superconducting waveguides operated at microwave frequencies. The study will address characteristic effects of the ultrastrong-coupling regime and the generation of magnon frequency combs, with the broader goal of implementing photonics-inspired functionalities in solid-state magnonic circuits.
Student Profile: experimental physics, engineering or related fields.
Contact: alberto.ghirri@nano.cnr.it; marco.affronte@unimore.it
Thesis Title: AI-Assisted Electron Microscopy and Spectroscopy of Functional Energy Materials at the Nanoscale
Level: Bachelor / Master
Scope: TEM/STEM / EELS / Machine Learning / Energy Materials
Project Overview: This project combines high-resolution TEM/STEM, EELS and machine learning to study functional materials for energy applications. Students will develop automated tools for image simulation, hyperspectral data analysis or microscope acquisition, using the monochromated SPECTRA 300. Activities may include phase recognition, chemical and optical mapping, quantitative comparison with simulations, and low-dose or operando workflows.
Student Profile: Students in Physics, Materials Science or related fields with interest in microscopy, scientific programming and data analysis. Prior Python experience is welcome.
Contact: stefano.frabboni@unimore.it; giovanni.bertoni@nano.cnr.it; enzo.rotummo@nano.cnr.it
Thesis Title: Design and Optimization of Electron-Beam Shaping Elements for Advanced Microscopy
Level: Bachelor / Master
Scope: Electron Optics / Numerical Simulation / MEMS / Beam Shaping
Project Overview: The project explores devices that control the phase and amplitude of electron waves inside a transmission electron microscope. Students may design electrostatic or MEMS-based phase plates, simulate electron-optical fields with analytical or finite-element methods, optimize beam transformations, and compare predictions with experimental TEM data. Applications include vortex beams, OAM sorting and quantum-enhanced microscopy.
Student Profile: Students in Physics, Engineering or Nanoscience interested in electron optics, numerical modelling and laboratory work. Experience with Python, MATLAB or COMSOL is advantageous.
Contact: vincenzo.grillo@nano.cnr.it; marco.beleggia@unimore.it
Thesis Title: Study of the triboelectrical properties of materials
Level: Bachelor / Master
Scope: tribo-electricity, tribo-chemistry, friction, wear
Project Overview: The sliding between opportunely selected macro-materials can generate an electric current, leading to the development of new electric generators. However, the physico-chemical processes which are at the base of this phenomenon are still under debate, being dependent, among all, on the electrical characteristic of the pair. In this context, different tribo-pairs are going or be studied to give deeper insights.
Student Profile: We seek motivated students with a background in Physics interested in hands-on research.
Contact: alberto.rota@unimore.it
Thesis Title: Study nano-functionalization of DLC surfaces
Level: Bachelor / Master
Scope: DLC, friction, lubrication, nano-objects
Project Overview: The synergic effect of nano-objects (graphene, nanodiamonds, nano-scroll) together with C-based bulk materials (DLC) shows excellent properties in terms of extremely low friction and wear, but the mechanism and the role of the boundary conditions are still to be understood.
Student Profile: We seek motivated students with a background in Physics interested in hands-on research.
Contact: alberto.rota@unimore.it
Thesis Title: Oevelopment of a RICH detector for the ALADDIN experiment at CERN LHC
Level: Bachelor / Master
Scope: Simulation / Photodetector characterization / Prototype fabrication, beam test and data Analysis
Project Overview: This project explores the design of a Ring Imaging Cherenkov (RICH) detector with unprecedented performances in particle identification at high energies, to be used by the ALADDIN experiment at CERN LHC accelerator.
The selected candidate will focus on simulation of the RICH detector and/or on the characterization of position-sensitive Cherenkov radiation photodetectors.
Student Profile: We seek motivated students interested in simulation and/or in laboratory hands-on research.
Contact: andrea.bizzeti@ fi.infn.it