Simone Angioni, Post Doc Researcher

 

I am at present a post-doc researcher at the Department of Chemistry of University of Pavia. I have got my Degree in 2005, my Master Degree in 2007 and my Ph.D. in Chemistry in 2011. My research activity started in 2008. I am the author of co-author of 7 publications with over 40 citations. My actual h-index is 3 (Scopus). I am co-advisor of one thesis work and one P.h. D. project. I am a chemist specialized in green chemistry and polymer chemistry. I first worked in photochemical field, in particular on the photocatalysis mechanism of decatungstate. After the Master Degree I focused my attention on renewable energy and new materials. My research activity includes organic synthesis of a new generation of polymers for proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) starting from commercial and cheap chemicals. In 2011 I expanded my research field including the production of bioethanol from cellulosic biomass, using microwave, with innovative methods. During this year I gain experience in the field of biomass treatment and bioenergy, in particular converting cellulose from grass and algae to monosaccharides. From 2012 my post-doc research activity is focused on synthesis and electrochemical characterization of HT-PEMFCs. The goal of the work is to overcome the limits of PEMFC starting from innovative PBI-based membranes. During the last two years I devised an innovative monomer synthesis to obtain aryloxy PBI copolymer that can be easily and selectively sulfonated leading to hybrid membranes that carry both PBI and Nafion active sites. Recently I devoted my attention to mesoporous silica e nanofillers for composite membrane preparation with particular attention to particles functionalization with proton exchange groups such as sulphonic moieties. As researcher in R.U. UNIPV in the frame of a MIUR grant (PRIN) I established cooperation with the other R.U. Working on HT-PEMFC I trade polymer samples with Prof. U. Stimming’s and K. D. Kreuer’s research groups. Starting from 2005 every years I supervised students for various eduational project including Organic Chemistry, Inoganic Chemistry and Physical Chemistry. In 2011 he founded a cultural association named Scientificast aimed at promoting a better science divulgation and at encouraging people to become more confident with the methodologies science and with the most recent researches, with emphasis to those concerning with the major social impact. Scientificast mainly works as a blog and a podcast; however it is particularly active also to promote events such as conferences, workshops and scientific exhibitions. In 2014 the podcast reached about 200000 downloads, making Scientificast one of the most followed top-10 podcasts, more than other scientific programs

diffused by important national broadcasting networks like Radio24 and Radio3. With 10.000 views per month, the blog has rapidly become a reference for people searching for science news&views. In September 2014, Scientificast won the Macchianera Award as best Italian web-radio.