Why a career in tech?
What attracted me to technology, and to become an engineer, was my desire to contribute to solving some of the environmental challenges of our society, with the proposal and implementation of innovative and practical solutions. In my job, technological development is the ultimate goal of our scientific advances.
Your professional experience?
I received the titles of energy engineer (2012) and doctor (2016) at the Politecnico di Milano, in Italy. During my PhD, my main focus was improving the modeling of the thermodynamic properties of the fluids used in CO2 capture and storage processes, with a careful examination of the impact that the accuracy of those properties has on the process size. The work was carried out in part at the Politecnico di Milano, at the LEAP laboratory (in Piacenza, Italy) and at the LRGP laboratory in Nancy (University of Lorraine). During my PhD, I also investigated, at the University of Brescia (Italy), the thermal stability of working fluids used in power plants for the conversion of low-grade heat into electricity. In 2016, I began two years of postdoc studies at the LRGP, working on two issues specific to processes of interest for Air Liquide: hydrogen liquefaction and the separation of air components. In 2018, I was appointed to a position of assistant professor at the University of Lorraine. Since 2018, I dedicate my research to the development of innovative solutions for the efficient production of electricity and heat, as well as to the recovery of industrial waste heat.
Your first experience with technology?
I wrote my Master’s thesis at the Combustion&Casings department of Rolls-Royce plc, in the UK, working on understanding combustion instabilities in their aircraft engines. I developed an experimental combustion chamber (which caught fire on its first run – but it was not my fault!) and analysed the results of a test on combustion instabilities, the «siren rig», which at that time was the largest in the world. A very exciting first experience!
What do you do today, and why?
As an associate professor, I teach mainly energy engineering, and I conduct research aimed at the development of a new generation of power plants and heat pumps, using a reactive fluid as a working fluid, rather than the inert fluids that we use today. With my team, we develop these fluids, characterize their energetic properties, develop the architecture of the machine that could use them in the most efficient way, and build pilots to be able to validate our calculations and therefore to quantify the gain of these new technologies. And of course, this is done in direct contact with several industrial partners, who help us with the industrial development and the quantification of the potential technological breakthroughs that we are studying.
Your strengths in this role?
A good imagination (I have a lot of ideas! – not always successful, but numerous!); wide-ranging curiosity and constant restlessness to come to a concrete conclusion, which propels me to quickly seek results; the need to see in order to believe, which encourages me to move from a project on paper to a practical realization; and strong perseverance.
Past challenges, failures and disappointments?
I was very shy until the end of my studies, and bringing out my character was my first “human” difficulty. In fact, the activity which helped me build my self-confidence was alpinism, which made me face up to the need to put all my courage out there (the “worst” adventure: climbing Monte Disgrazia after climate change – no more ice, just rocks!). Less bucolic, during my PhD, I faced many challenges, such as the full installation and use of a complex experimental apparatus, the coupling of experimental activities with deep theoretical modelling, and the application of those models to industrial processes. But challenges feed the passion for my work, in both research and teaching, and I cannot do without them.
My “failure” was the attempt to enter the CNRS as a researcher: it was my dream, but I was unfortunately not selected.
My greatest moment of solitude: when I had to take the decision to permanently stay in France and leave my country, Italy. That moment was very difficult to bear.
Best moments, successes you’re proud of?
The best moment in my career: the positive response from the European Research Council, which agreed to fund my research project REACHER. The best moment of my life overall remains the day my daughter was born.
People who helped, influenced -or made your life difficult?
One person who had a strong impact on me was my high school math teacher (prof. G. Priori): she taught me to look for errors in books and to methodically double-check my conclusions as well as those of others. There were people who complicated my journey; but those difficulties allowed me to improve.
Your hopes and future challenges?
I hope we will find that our current research leads to a breakthrough technological advancement.
What do you do when you don’t work?
I have a wonderful family, which fills my days with happiness; I garden a lot on the weekends: I love flowers and plants; I play sports; and I still continue to work.
Your heroes -from History or fiction?
Rita Levi Montalcini, who was awarded the Nobel Prize for Medicine for her discovery of nerve fiber growth factors during the Second World War, despite the fact that her academic career in Italy was prohibited by Mussolini's anti-Jewish laws. She exemplifies dedication to work and to our society (and for that contribution, she was appointed Senator for life).
A saying or proverb you like in particular?
“The only way to make your dreams come true is to wake up.” R. Benigni.
A book to take with you on a desert island?
Even though I love nature, I would still prefer to go back home, so I would select a guide to building and steering a raft!
A message to young female professionals?
The world of technology also needs our sensitivity and precision. Go for it!
