Since 2014, my research has focused on the characterization and degradation of polymeric materials, in particular for applications in the field of packaging, with problems related to environmental sustainability and disposal. My activities concern the development of analytical methods, study of biodegradable and bioplastic polymeric blends, evaluation of the mechanical properties of biodegradable and traditional films used in primary and secondary packaging, characterization and degradation of commercial and synthetic polymeric materials, degradation and biodegradation tests. The experience gained has allowed me to investigate various aspects relating to the determination of the degree of degradation of different types of polymeric products in different environments (soil, compost, water) and in different conditions (before and after sterilization or photo-oxidation) with the aim to evaluate the applicability of biodegradable plastics to
replace traditional ones and evaluate their performance. I was able to extend my know-how on biodegradation tests in the marine environment during a company internship at Novamont, a leader in the
sector of biodegradable and compostable plastics. I carried out studies on irrigation pipes and mulching
films based on biodegradable polymers, evaluating the effect of solar radiation on these materials, and on
compostable films intended for primary packaging of fresh-cut products. The results obtained, in collaboration with both public and private entities, have been the subject of publications, conference
presentations and a communication at the CNR IPCB Institute Workshop “Current and future challenges in
advanced materials, sustainability, health and nanomedicine” awarded as best presentation. Part of my activity has been spent on the development of analytical methods. I was involved in the development
of a new test to determine the resistance of gelatins by implementing information that requires the use of
multiple tools. The new tool, obtained with 3D printing, gives results that can be correlated with those of the
classical techniques used so far, but with a single analysis. I worked on the development of a method to
determine and quantify the presence of nonbiodegradable components (polyethylene, PE) in certified biodegradable and compostable take-away bags. Since 2016, the method, published in Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis (DOI: 10.1016 /j.jaap.2015.12.014), has been regularly applied to verify the presence of PE in more than 100 bags declared biodegradable and compostable and has helped to detect the incidence of illegal bags on the market. The analyzes were commissioned by Legambiente ONLUS,
companies, laboratories and the certification body TÜV Austria Belgium. Recently, the research activities, carried out within the NUSTEO project, have concerned the development of new iodophors, the
development of characterization methods for the determination of free iodine, in solution and in the
gaseous phase, the study of packaging for barrier effect to iodine and evaluation of iodine sensors. Since
2019 I have been involved in organizing scientific dissemination activities, on environmental protection,
bioplastics, circular economy and separate waste collection, for school students of all levels.

Industrial Expert Diploma – Electronic Specialization. ITIS Archimede Catania. Since 1984 Collaborator of Research Institute (CTER) At the CNR – IPCB-CT. Design and construction of the network infrastructure of the AdR Institute of Catania.

Systems Engineer (virtualization migration activity through VMware of network infrastructure management systems, Linux Windows and iOS-Cisco).

Maintenance and management of scientific instruments such as mass spectrometers and NMR.

Technical Research Support.

Technical support for administration.

Dr. Maria Grazia Raucci is Senior Scientist at Institute of Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials (IPCB-CNR). M.Sc degree in Biology Science (2001) and Ph.D in Chemical Engineering of Materials and Production – Biomaterials (2005). Since 2021, she is Liaison Officer of National Affiliated Societies of European Society for Biomaterials Council and Auditor of Società Italiana dei Biomateriali (SIB) Council. She is Scientific Responsible of Tissue Engineering & Cell Culture Laboratory of IPCB SS Napoli/Portici (2014-today) and, since 2022 she is Scientific officer of IPCB URT at University of Salento. Qualified Associate Professor in Bioengineering (sc 09/G2) and in Material Science and Technology (SSD ING-IND/22, sc 09/D1). Her research activities are focused on the development of biomaterials nanomaterials and nanostructures (synthetic and natural) for tissue engineering and regenerative/therapeutic medicine including cancer and related bio-interfaces. Dr. Raucci has been visiting PhD student at Guy’s, King’s and St Thomas’ Dental Institute – Department of Dental Biomaterials Science in London where she worked on biocompatibility study of antibacterial materials for bone and dental tissues applications. Then, she was at University of Brighton working on synthesis of peptides and semi-dendrimers for material bioactivation. Thanks to a CNR-Short Term Mobility grant at Universidade Federal Do Rio Grande Do Sul in Porto Alegre (Brazil) she was visiting researcher developing innovative antibacterial and antibiofilm materials by using ionic liquids which allow to overcome some drawbacks due to antibiotic-resistance. In the last years, Dr. Raucci has been scientific coordinator of Horizon 2020 MSCA-RISE project with a research activity at NERCB Institute of Sichuan University for the development of anti-inflammatory scaffolds by 3D printing and bioprinting for osteoarticular disorders. During this project, Dr. Raucci worked at Shanghai Technology & Innovation Center on innovative systems for technological transfer between EU and China. She coordinator of PRIN2017 program, young line, of the project entitled “Advanced injectable nano-composite biomaterials with dual therapeutic/regenerative behaviors for bone cancer (ACTION – 2017SZ5WZB)”. She is a scientific co-coordinator of ERC Proof of Concept (H2020 MGA ERC PoC) entitled PHOSMED: “Exfoliated black phosphorus for biomedical applications” and CIRO “Campania Imaging Infrastructure for Research in Oncology”, POR CAMPANIA FESR 2014/2020.
Moreover, she is involved in several European projects such as NANORESTART and MEFISTO, and bilateral cooperation projects with CINVESTAV (Mexico) and ANSA (Azerbaijan). She is partner of the project Multiscale characterization of collective astrocyte dynamics (AFOSR-USA).
Collaborations with companies through projects include Jointherapeuthics srl and Materias srl, leading to the publications of three patents.
She chaired conference sessions, national and international workshops and Co-chair of National Conference on Biomaterials – SIB2021, Lecce, Italy.
She is a co-author over 80 papers on peer-review journals, 6 book chapters and about 120 abstracts for national and international conferences and 20 invited lectures.

The research activity focuses on the development of advanced technologies for the design and prototyping of new products as well as the development of polymeric materials, including thermoplastics, thermosetting, composites, and their combinations. Co-author of articles published in ISI journals (44). Scientific supervisor of research projects (PRIN, POR). Author of two international patents, winner of two awards “Polymerchallenge 2008” and “Ingegniamoci 2010”, expert in technology transfer, projects evaluator for the Ministry of Economic Development.

PhD in Chemistry (2022) at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Greece) sponsored by Marie Curie ITN “Complex wetting phenomena. Thesis title: “Effect of wetting phenomena on biofilm formation and removal”. Master degree in Chemical Engineering (2016) at University of Salerno (Thesis title: Nanoliposomes production for nutraceutical purposes, based on a simil-microfluidic approach”.

Since 2021 Dr. Recupido has worked at IPCB-CNR and her research mainly focused on the design and characterization of advance composite materials imparting antimicrobial/antiviral characteristics for health care setting applications .Dr. Recupido is author/coathor of 12 scientific publications in international journals, 16 conference proceedings and 1 book chapter.

She studied Bioengineering at the Ege University and continued with an MSc in Polymeric Engineering with a focus on Tissue Engineering and Biomaterials. Her MSc work consisted in the development of polymer/protein composite nanofiber mats as a matrix for culturing adipose-derived stem cells.

Currently, she is a research fellow at IPCP and part of a multidisciplinary MSCA-ITN project (ASTROTECH). Her focus is the design and fabrication of micro/nanostructured platforms as organic polymers to evaluate the impact of biomaterial interfaces on astrocytes functions.

She is a Ph.D. student at the Ph.D. program in Industrial Product and Process Engineering at UniNA.

Dr. Ricciardi Maria Rosaria was born in Naples, Italy, on March 26, 1973; she graduated in Materials Engineering from the University of Naples, where she also obtained a PhD in Materials and Structural Engineering. After some post-doctoral positions, you currently hold a indefinite period research position at the National Research Council, Institute for Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials IPCB-CNR, Naples (Italy). You have taught Science and Technology of Materials at the University of Naples, Department of Medicine and Surgery. Her scientific activity has been disseminated through the publication of over 43 documents including international papers, book chapters, peer-reviewed journals and contributions to national and international conferences. The scientific activity of Dr. Ricciardi includes studies in the area of ​​design and production of composite materials, in particular Infusion Process, development of innovative production processes of composite materials (Italian Patent IT2009NA0067 “Pulsed Infusion”), physicochemical characterization of thermosetting and thermoplastics, thermal characterization of flame retardants, mechanical characterization of fiber-reinforced composites, acquisition and analysis of experimental data on TGA, DSC, DMA, TMA, conductivity tests, flammability tests, dual cone fire testing technology, micro fire testing technology -calorimeter. Recently, Dr. Ricciardi has been interested in the formation of nanohybrids through the coupling of low-dimensional inorganic nanostructures (carbon nanofibers and nanotubes) and graphene nanosheets with the aim of applications in the automotive, aeronautical and aerospace fields. In addition, Dr. Ricciardi became interested in green composites, based on oceanic posidonia and wood. Her interests in natural composites have made it possible to carry out projects of alternation between school and work, in composites for application in Design and protocol of understanding with the slidetheworld. Dr. Ricciardi deals with the dissemination of research, through events such as the Remote Future and the researchers’ night.

Paolo Maria Riccobene received a Master’s Degree in Industrial Chemistry and a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Catania in 2010. His Ph.D. studies comprised the development of new catalytic systems for a variety of environmental processes, particularly for the abatement of  VOC and for use in the production and purification of hydrogen for fuel cells. After that, he undertook postdoctoral research at the IPCB-CNR Catania Unit, acquiring experience in pyrolysis and biotechnological processes for converting waste biomasses into energy, as well as skills in chemical characterization of polymer matrices

These skills were helpful in the work he carried out Plastica Alfa from 2015 to 2021, where he designed and developed industrial plants to convert CO2 through biological processes.

Taking advantage of his industrial skills, he is working with EnjoiPol team on the in-service application of CrioPurA technology to remove toxic contaminants from industrial effluent wastewater.

I work as officer of the  institute web platform for managing the attendance of employees, as well as other platforms used for activities related to the personnel managing (missions, consultation of sickness certificates, trade union permits, strike participation, etc.) Furthermore, I am one of the  treasurer of the institute, manager of the  library and in charge of the supply and distribution of food stamps to the employees. I am an active member of the Research Support Group for the preparation of  projects reporting forms for employees and non-employees involved in the institute activities  (European projects, PON, etc.)

Since 1998, her research has been devoting to biodegradable polymers, on their synthesis, characterization, degradation, and applications in agricultural, packaging, and biomedical fields. Her research activities have been centred on sustainability and environmental concerns connected to the extended use of plastics. They include: development of analytical methods (e.g., to investigate complex blends and bioplastic-based manufactured products); synthesis of biodegradable polymers; biodegradable polymer blends and bioplastics; evaluation of the properties of biodegradable materials; characterization and degradation of polymers; degradation and biodegradation tests (in compost, soil or water) of plastic materials; characterization of polymers by advanced mass spectrometry techniques; bioresorbable polymers; polymeric devices for biomedical applications.
She has dedicated consistent efforts in establishing fruitful collaborations with private and certification companies, laboratories and associations devoted to the safety of the environment. Since 2012, she has been responsible and PI of several research or service agreements signed with private companies (Agriplast, Publi Embal/Shere Distribution-France, Irritec, Novamont, COESIA), TÜV Austria Belgium, Legambiente ONLUS and Chelab/Meriex Nutrisciences, concerning biodegradation test, characterization of biodegradable polymers and compostable carrier bags, analysis of biobased monomers and commercial biodegradable polymers for food packaging. She has been consultant for the company COESIA (Bologna, Italy). She is PI of a research funding signed with Novamont and service agreements with TÜV Austria Belgium and Chelab/Meriex Nutrisciences. She is PI for CNR IPCB, PI and coordinator of CNR units for the project NUSTEO “New therapeutic strategies in ophthalmology: bacterial, viral and microbial infections” funded by PO-FESR 2014-2020-Action 1.1.5.
Additionally, she has been CNR PI in Regional Project presented jointly with Dolfin (“Development of “Jelly” fruit-based products”); Coordinator and PI of the project “Polymeric systems: innovative aspects and applications in the biomedical and agri-food fields”, funded under the Call 11/2017 – Strengthening employability in the R&D system and the emergence of research spin offs in Sicily (Project n° 2014.IT.05.SFOP.014/3/10.4/9.2.10/0009) – PO-FSE Sicily 2020; PI of a convention of hospitality signed with Novamont under the project “Formation of highly skilled researchers and scientists focused on research and development of new processes for the production of biochemicals, materials and energy from raw materials from renewable sources” related to the project “REBIOCHEM”, funded by Ministry of Education, Universities and Research as part of the National Technology Cluster of Green Chemistry SPRING-Sustainable Processes and Resources for Innovation and National Growth; PI in PON02-WP “Research and development of packaging with controlled permeability for fresh-cut products” and “Research and development of biodegradable polymeric multilayer film with barrier properties” in PON project “Integrated use of innovative technological approaches to improve the shelf-life and preserve the nutritional properties of food products (SHELF-LIFE)”; PI in PON01-WP “Development of non-biodegradable polymer matrices for the controlled release of cortisone drugs” project “High-tech devices for biomedical applications (DIATEME)”. She is referee of research funding applications, book proposals and chapters for Elsevier, and of several international scientific journals. Moreover, she is frequently involved in scientific dissemination, on awareness of the environment, bioplastics, separate waste collection and circular economy, to students of primary, 1st grade and upper secondary schools.

Graduated in Chemical Sciences, PhD in Materials Engineering, he has worked mainly with polymeric and composite systems with carbon-based fillers, for use in the medical field. Other research areas are food-packaging, construction engineering and the aeronautical sector.

• Degree in Mathematics (110 cum laude), thesis: “Theorems of minmax in finite and infinite dimensions” (game theory);
• Scholarship at the Iri-Finsiel company: 3 months training (data analysis; software analysis and programming techniques and methodologies; programming languages and standards; security and disaster recovery);
• Head of Banksiel / Telecom sw projects from 1985 to 2001;
• IPCB / CNR technologist since 2001;
• Analysis and development of software applications and websites;
• Data processing referent.

Dr. Ronca graduated with honour in Materials Engineering in 2006, and received the PhD in Materials Engineering and Production in 2010. His research interests span from the synthesis and optimization of innovative biomaterials to the advanced process technologies for biomedical applications (3D printing).
He got relevant expertise in the realization of porous composite structures by 3D printing techniques and chemical modification of natural polymers (hyaluronic acid, gelatin, gellan gum) for the synthesis of hydrogel suitable for 3D bioprinting. During the PhD He spent 9 month at the Polymer Chemistry and Biomaterials Department of the University of Twente where he has joined the MIRA group of Prof. D.W. Grijpma. During that period, He mainly worked on the design and realization of composite tissue engineering scaffolds prepared by stereolithography. He also improved his knowledge about synthesis of photocrosslinkable polymers by chemical modification of polyester.
In 2015 as part of the “Joint Laboratory for Graphenebased Multifunctional Polymer Nanocomposites” project, he spent 30 days at the State Key Lab of Polymers Materials Engineering of the Sichuan University. There, in collaboration with Prof. Hesheng Xia he developed conductive nano-composite porous structures based on Polyurethane/graphene oxide through the Selective Laser Sintering technique.

In 2017, in the context of the Second. R.I. exchange project supported by a Marie Sklodowska-Curie Research and Innovation Staff Exchange (RISE) within the European Union’s H2020 research and innovation program, He spent 12 months at the National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials (NERCB) – Sichuan University working on the chemical modification of Hyaluronic acid for application in 3D bioprinting technique.
His current research focuses on:

I) Rapid prototyping techniques for tissue engineering application with a particular focus on, 3D Bioprinting, fused deposition modelling (FDM), Selective laser sintering (SLS) and stereolithography (SLA);

II) Realization of cell-laden hydrogels based on chemically modified natural polymers as gellan gum, gelatin, chitosan for tissue regeneration by 3D Bioprinting technique.

III) Development of multifunctional polymeric nanocomposites powder based on thermoplastic polymer and carbonaceous fillers (graphene (GE)/Carbon nanotube (CNTs) for selective laser sintering application;

IV) Realization of rehabilitative tools by 3D printing technique. In particular, in the context of EMPATIA Project, he helped to develop an innovative scoliosis back brace by FDM.

V) Development of photocrosslinkable resin based on photocrosslinkable polyesters such as polycaprolactone, polylactide, polyethylene glycol.

He is currently the manager for the laboratory of Biomaterials at the IPCB and his duties include safety, laboratory supplies and equipment management. He is actually in charge of the research activities of various national and international projects. He is member of the Italian Society of Biomaterials (SIB) and of the European society for biomaterials (ESB). He is author of more than 30 scientific papers and chapters on International Journals and books.

IT network service Administrator.

Dr. Russo Pietro graduated in Chemical Engineering at the University of Salerno on 10/06/1991 and he began his research career at the Department of Chemical and Food Engineering of the University of Salerno where he remained until March 1995.

Later his work was held at the Institute for Research and Technology of Plastic Materials (IRTeMP) of the National Research Council (CNR), mainly dealing with curing kinetics of epoxy matrices for the implementation of structural composites; development of film technology for neat and recycled polyolefin compounds; recycling of thermoplastic alloys used in the automotive industry.

Since January 2001 he is a researcher of the CNR at the Institute of Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials (IPCB ex IRTeMP) in Pozzuoli (Naples). He has acquired the profile of Senior Researcher with effect from 01 January 2023.

From October 2006 to December 2010, Dr. Russo has been officially assigned at the Department of Materials Engineering and Production of the University of Naples Federico II.

His main research interests are:

1. Processing of composite laminated structures based on thermoplastic polymers.
2. Preparation and characterization of polymer composites.
3. Recycling of polymeric materials.
4. Rheology of nanostructured systems.
5. Synergisms between nano particles and traditional flame retardant additives in thermoplastic matrices also biodegradable.
6. Thermoplastic Polyurethanes: processing, physical and viscoelastic properties and nanocomposites.
7. Polymer systems with improved thermal, dielectric and electric properties.
8. Biobased materials.

The H index of Dr. Russo is 30 and he has more than 3200 citations to his credit (Font: Scopus).

Dr. Russo is co-author of more than 190 publications in refereed international journals, 8 book chapters, 2 industrial patents and 290+ congress communications mainly submitted to international conferences.

He is co-editor of the book “Experimental Characterization, Predictive Mechanical and Thermal Modeling of Nanostructures and their Polymer Composites” Elsevier Edition (2018).

He is a reviewer for several international journals and he is part of the Register of Experts for the evaluation of Italian projects financed by both the Ministry of University and Research and the Ministry of the Economic Development.

In 2008 she obtained her MSc degree in Biomedical Engineering from the University Federico II (Naples, Italy). In 2012 she obtained the title of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Materials and Structures Engineering at the University of Naples, with the PhD thesis “Design and Preparation of 3D Multifunctional Scaffolds with Enhanced and Tailored Biomechanical Properties” with the driving idea related to the design and preparation of 3D multifunctional structures and scaffolds with enhanced and tailored biomechanical properties. Her work was focused on the development of micro/nano-composite structures and scaffolds through additive manufacturing techniques. From 2012 to 2015, as a post-doc research fellow at the Institute of Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials (IPCB) of the National Research Council, her work was aimed at the design of polymer-based gels, hydrogels and semi-IPNs for tissue engineering, with a particular focus on neurodegenerative disorders (i.e. Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases). Assistant researcher at the “Centre for Rapid and Sustainable Product Development” (CDRsp) – Polytechnic Institute
of Leiria (Portugal), for activities in the field of design and fabrication of 3D nanocomposite structures with
tailored and improved mechanical, morphological and functional properties, using 3D printing/fused deposition modelling” in 2011/2012, from the academic year 2012/2013 to the academic year 2016/2017 she becomes Adjunct Professor at University of Naples Federico II for the course “Material Science and Technology 1”.

She was also recognized as high-quality researcher from foreign universities and international joint laboratories for her contribution in the fields of bioprinting, biofabrication and biomanufacturing.

Since 2016 she has been collaborating with the Fraunhofer Joint Lab “Interactive Design and Simulation” (IDEAS) – Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, and, in particular, with the CREAMI (Center of Reverse Engineering and Additive Manufacturing Innovation) Lab.

In 2012 and 2014 she obtained best poster awards at national conferences for her scientific contributions.

She was co-founder of a start-up company Fastissues srl, involved in the research and development of customised structures and substitutes for tissue engineering, through Additive Manufacturing Technologies.

She is international reviewer for scientific proposals as Foreign Member of the Expert Team for foreign governments, in the field of Physical Sciences and Engineering.

Author of different papers in the fields of Materials Science and Engineering, Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics as well as in Environmental Science.

She is guest editor for different international peer review journals and reviewer for many international journals.

She was speaker, invited speaker, and organizer in various conferences, both national and international.

She is Member of Professional and Research Societies.

She has supervised or co-supervised more than 80 MSc students so far and some PhD students, mainly from University of Naples Federico II.

Her main research interests include: design and preparation of structures and scaffolds by Additive Manufacturing techniques and their characterization; use of bioreactors for mechanical stimulation; design, preparation and characterization of polymer-based composites, as well as design and development of innovative prostheses and injectable gels.