Francesca Gullo

Ph.D. candidate in Scienza E Tecnologia Dei Materiali , 38th cycle (2022-2025)
Department of Applied Science and Technology (DISAT)

Profile

PhD

Research topic

My research investigates transparent wood composites developed through sustainable processes to enhance optical performance and durability, offering a new perspective on wood as an advanced material

Tutors

Keywords

Composites / Compositi
Polymers / Polimeri

Biography

Francesca Gullo obtained her Master’s degree in Chemical Sciences in 2020 from the University of Eastern Piedmont. From the early stages of her academic training, she developed a strong interest in materials chemistry and in the application of sustainable approaches to the development of new functional systems. This interest led her to pursue a research path focused on bio-based materials and the valorization of natural resources through innovative processes.
After graduating, she carried out a two-year research fellowship at the University of Eastern Piedmont (UPO), where she deepened her studies of lignocellulosic materials and chemical processes for wood modification. During this period, she acquired advanced expertise in the synthesis and chemical manipulation of both synthetic and bio-based polymers, as well as in structural, optical, and physicochemical characterization techniques for polymeric and composite materials. The experience gained during her research fellowship provided a solid foundation for her subsequent scientific activities.
In 2023, she began her PhD program, focusing on wood engineering, with particular attention to improving the optical properties and durability of wood through innovative, sustainable processes. Her doctoral project is part of the research field on transparent wood composites, an emerging class of materials that combines the hierarchical structure of wood with advanced optical properties, opening new application perspectives in sustainable construction, energy, and design.
A key outcome of her research is the development of a wood bleaching process for selective lignin decolorization while preserving the material's structural integrity. This process has been protected by Italian Patent No. 102024000023808, highlighting the applied and industrial potential of the research.
Francesca has contributed to the dissemination of scientific results through publications, including an article focused on transparent wood composites and their preparation and characterization processes, available at:
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00226-025-01725-8
Currently, her research focuses on the optimization of chemical processes and the design of transparent and semi-transparent composites to enhance optical performance, long-term stability, and resistance to environmental degradation. The overarching goal is to contribute to a new vision of wood as an advanced material that combines sustainability, functionality, and technological innovation.

Teaching

Teachings

Master of Science

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Publications

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Intellectual and industrial property

Patents and other intellectual properties