The expert in energy storage and utilization systems will deal with innovative aspects involving both the preparation/fabrication, characterization, and modeling of materials with desired properties, as well as the modification of existing materials.
The expert will design tunable properties for redox systems using new or existing materials capable of performing targeted and high-value functions, also employing predictive modeling techniques and addressing sustainability aspects, including disposal and recycling.
The expert will be involved in increasing the technology readiness level (TRL) of systems, generally starting from level 4 or 5 and progressing to level 7 or 8 (level 9 corresponds to commercialization).
In all processes, sophisticated instrumentation will be used, whose operation has been an integral part of the degree program.
Both in the public and private sectors, graduates may, over the course of their professional careers, perform managerial and coordination roles.
To carry out the functions described above, the expert in energy storage and utilization systems:
possesses broad and diverse knowledge in the design, preparation/fabrication, and exploitation of materials for various electrochemical applications;
is familiar with characterization techniques for complex systems;
has advanced computational and IT skills, including AI;
has the ability to keep professionally up to date, can organize their time, and plan the achievement of objectives;
is able to relate to the working environment and interact with experts outside their field, typically engineers;
is able to adapt to new work situations and changes in the topics involved;
has economic management skills, particularly related to recycling, disposal, sustainability, and Life Cycle Assessment of batteries, capacitors, and electrochemical devices in general;
is able to evaluate market analyses and engage with competitors outside the company.
The functions described above may be enhanced by further specialization (e.g., second-level Master’s degrees), but they are more than sufficient for immediate employment. The third level of education (PhD) may be used for in-depth study of the topics.
Universities, research institutions, public bodies, and regulatory agencies (e.g., CNR, ARPA, ISPRA, ENEA, etc.);
Industrial and applied research centers;
Companies involved in the development of new materials and processes in the biomedical field, including personalized medicine, in the automotive and transport sectors, and in resource management;
Industries dedicated to the development of new energy resources or low–environmental-impact products.
The sensor technology expert will address innovative aspects involving the preparation/fabrication, characterization, and modeling of materials with desired properties, as well as the modification of existing materials.
The expert will design tunable properties where interaction with the sensing target can be modeled prior to industrial development, also including aspects of sustainability, disposal, and recycling.
The expert will be involved in increasing the technology readiness level of systems, generally starting from level 4 or 5 and progressing to level 7 or 8 (level 9 corresponds to commercialization). The process will involve the use of sophisticated instrumentation, whose operation has been an integral part of the degree program.
Both in the public and private sectors, graduates may perform managerial and coordination roles during their professional careers.
To carry out the functions described above, the sensor technology expert:
possesses broad and diverse knowledge in the design, preparation/fabrication, and exploitation of materials for applications related to chemical sensing;
is familiar with characterization techniques for complex systems;
has advanced computational and IT skills, including AI;
has the ability to keep professionally up to date, organize time, and plan the achievement of objectives;
is able to interact with the working environment and collaborate with experts outside their field, typically engineers;
is able to adapt to new work situations and changes in the topics involved;
has economic management skills, particularly related to recycling, disposal, sustainability, and Life Cycle Assessment of devices;
is able to evaluate market analyses and engage with competitors outside the company.
The functions described above may be enhanced by further specialization (e.g., second-level Master’s degrees), but they are sufficient for immediate employment. A PhD may be pursued for further in-depth study.
Universities, research institutions, public bodies, and regulatory agencies (e.g., CNR, ARPA, ISPRA, ENEA, etc.);
Industrial and applied research centers;
Companies involved in the development of new materials and processes in the biomedical field, including personalized medicine, in the automotive and transport sectors, and in resource management;
Industries dedicated to the development of new energy resources or low–environmental-impact products.
The materials science expert will be able to participate in the phase preceding industrial development, also including aspects of sustainability, disposal, and recycling. They may therefore interact with technical-scientific personnel upstream of the process of creating practical applications—typically synthetic chemists or biotechnologists—or downstream, typically engineers, for example in the automotive and sensor sectors.
The materials science expert will be involved in increasing the technology readiness level of systems, generally starting from level 4 or 5 and progressing to level 7 or 8 (level 9 corresponds to commercialization). The expert will thus occupy a crucial position, which may also involve responsibility in the development of applications of new materials or in the repurposing of existing materials.
To carry out the functions described above, the materials science expert:
possesses broad and diverse knowledge in the design, preparation/fabrication, and exploitation of materials from both micro- and macroscopic perspectives, in both physical and chemical contexts;
is familiar with characterization techniques for complex systems;
has advanced computational and IT skills, including AI;
is able to interact with the working environment and collaborate with experts outside their field, typically engineers, as well as experts in biosystems;
is able to adapt to new work situations and changes in the topics involved;
has economic management skills related to recycling, disposal, sustainability, and Life Cycle Assessment of devices, and can discuss these topics with industrial-level technicians;
is able to evaluate market analyses and engage with competitors outside the company.
Industrial and applied research centers;
Companies involved in the development of new materials and processes in the biomedical field, including personalized medicine, in the automotive and transport sectors, and in resource management;
Industries dedicated to the development of new energy resources or low–environmental-impact products.
In companies, the role of science populariser may involve managerial activities related to quality, patents, recycling and disposal, sustainability, and Life Cycle Assessment evaluation. In these sectors, they may also operate as freelance professionals.
They may also establish or participate in academic spin-offs and contribute to their development as independent entities.
For the functions described above, it may be advisable to acquire additional skills, either in academia (e.g., second-level Master’s degrees) or in the workplace through training and professional development courses.
The science populariser:
possesses broad and diverse knowledge in the design, preparation/fabrication, and exploitation of materials;
is familiar with characterization techniques for complex systems;
has advanced computational and IT skills, including AI;
has the ability to keep professionally up to date, organize time, and plan the achievement of objectives;
is able to interact with the working environment and collaborate with experts outside their field;
is able to adapt to new work situations and changes in the topics involved;
has economic management skills, particularly in Life Cycle Assessment;
is able to evaluate market analyses and engage with competitors outside the company.
To carry out the functions described above, specific technical-scientific knowledge, skills, and abilities are required. Greater specialization and in-depth expertise in one or more professional sectors may be necessary.
Agencies dealing with patent-related matters (patent offices);
Consulting firms in the chemical sector, with particular reference to patent-related activities;
Advanced tertiary sector;
Companies operating as third-party service providers;
Academic spin-offs and start-ups.
