Laura Gatti

Laura Gatti's picture

Ph.D. candidate in Ingegneria Elettrica, Elettronica E Delle Comunicazioni , 39th cycle (2023-2026)
Department of Applied Science and Technology (DISAT)

Profile

PhD

Tutors

Keywords

Co2 electrolyzer
Co2 processes and technologies
Co2 reduction, cu-based electrodes, co-electrolysis, carbon capture and utilisation, renewable fuels, alcohols.
Electrocatalysis
Electrochemistry
Sprayed coatings

Biography

I am a PhD researcher in electrochemical energy technologies, focusing on the electrochemical reduction of waste CO2 for sustainable chemical production. My research integrates electrochemistry, materials engineering, and system design to address key challenges related to efficiency, selectivity, and long-term stability in CO2 conversion systems. My work involves the development and optimization of electrochemical systems at different scales, with particular attention to how materials, electrode design, and operating conditions affect overall performance and durability. A key aspect of my research is translating laboratory-scale studies to application-relevant systems. Through my research, I aim to contribute to the development of scalable and robust CO2 electrolysis technologies that support carbon valorisation, industrial decarbonization, and the transition toward a circular carbon economy.

Curriculum

Download file (447KB, in Italian)

Research topics

  • My research focuses on the electrochemical reduction of CO₂ to produce valuable chemicals and enable sustainable chemical production. I combine electrochemistry, materials engineering, and system design to improve efficiency, selectivity, and long-term stability. I develop and optimize gas diffusion electrodes, catalyst layers, and membrane–electrode assemblies across scales up to 250 cm². During my PhD, I collaborated with Professor Burdyny at TU Delft on a five-cell stack, studying how electrode architecture, polymeric binders, and operating conditions influence performance and durability. I focus on translating laboratory-scale results to pilot-scale systems, aiming to demonstrate for the first time in Italy a scalable CO₂ electrolysis technology. My work contributes to sustainable CO₂ conversion, industrial decarbonization, and a circular carbon economy.

Skills

ERC sectors

PE7_4 - (Micro- and nano-) systems engineering
PE4_8 - Electrochemistry, electrodialysis, microfluidics, sensors
PE3_4 - Electronic properties of materials, surfaces, interfaces, nanostructures

SDG

Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
Goal 12: Responsible consumption and production
Goal 13: Climate action

Conferences

  • MATSUS #PECCO2 - Advances in (Photo)Electrochemical CO2 Conversion to Chemicals and Fuels (12/11/2024-15/11/2024), Oral Presentation

Research networks

Publications

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