Eliodoro Chiavazzo

Full Professor
Department of Energy (DENERG)

Profile

Research interests

Energy storage
Heat and mass transfer
Thermal energy

Scientific branch

ING-IND/10 - THERMAL ENGINEERING AND INDUSTRIAL ENERGY SYSTEMS
(Area 0009 - Industrial and information engineering)

Research topics

  • Development of models for characterization of thermophysical properties of PCM in the presence of additives for the enhancement of heat transfer
  • We are part of the BIG-MAP consortium. Here below the abstract of the project. Energy production and transport are evolving rapidly to meet today’s growing demand and environmental goals. However, low-cost and high-performance solutions are lacking when it comes to energy storage. To address the absence of innovative battery technologies, the EU-funded BIG-MAP project aims to develop a modular, closed-loop infrastructure and methodology to bridge physical insights and data-driven approaches. To this end, it will cohesively integrate machine learning, computer simulations and AI-orchestrated experiments and synthesis to accelerate the discovery and optimisation of sustainable battery materials. The project will play a role in the creation of a versatile and chemistry-neutral European Materials Acceleration Platform that can significantly increase the rate of discovery of new battery materials and interfaces.
  • We propose a radical breakthrough by developing economically viable solar fuel production technology, exploiting the surfactant self-assembly & proton transport properties of soap films. Producing renewable solar fuel by Artificial Photosynthesis (AP) is globally recognized as a promising solution to modern energy & environmental crisis with decisive social impacts, but there are critical roadblocks in technology development. SoFiA aims to initiate & consolidate a baseline of feasibility for soap film based AP technology and its future uses by establishing the essential proofs-of principle & foundational scientific underpinnings. We propose the concept of an economic artificial photosynthetic membrane in form of soap film with photo-catalytic functional surfaces, formed at the junction between dis-symmetric soap bubble pairs. Our technology is made scalable by the design concept of a dynamic stream of regenerative soap bubbles capable of handling large volumes of gas, continuously flowing through a light exposed conduit. SoFiA bridges three mutually exclusive disciplines of surfactant science, renewable energy and fundamental science of water at nanoscale, supported by micro-systems engineering, and by actively engaging artists who are working with large soap film installations. The high risk is countered by engaging pioneering scientists and globally leading young researchers in an interdisciplinary research plan. An External Advisory Board composed of program managers from large industry and EU policy experts will guide the research deliverable towards commercial exploitation. Our long-term vision is to decisively alter Europe’s position in the world economic map as the leading green energy producer. Developed technology will be jointly exploited by European energy and detergent industries, kick-starting new ventures & production facilities. Major environmental impact is expected as SoFiA is devoted to transform the primary greenhouse gas (CO2) into fuel.

Skills

ERC sectors

PE8_4 - Computational engineering
PE8_6 - Energy processes engineering

SDG

Goal 6: Clean water and sanitation
Goal 7: Affordable and clean energy
Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

Editorial boards

  • SCIENTIFIC REPORTS (2016-), Editorial board member
  • ENTROPY (2016-), Editorial board member

Other research or teaching roles outside Politecnico

  • Visiting Researcher, presso Princeton University (20/1/2013-20/8/2013)
  • Ricercatore, presso Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule (ETH) Zürich (4/3/2009-31/7/2009)
  • Dottorando, presso Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule (ETH) Zürich (1/1/2006-3/3/2009)

Teaching

PhD Boards

  • ENERGETICA, 2021/2022 (38. ciclo)
    Politecnico di TORINO
  • ENERGETICA, 2020/2021 (37. ciclo)
    Politecnico di TORINO
  • ENERGETICA, 2019/2020 (36. ciclo)
    Politecnico di TORINO
  • ENERGETICA, 2018/2019 (35. ciclo)
    Politecnico di TORINO

Courses of Study Boards

Teachings

Master of Science

MostraNascondi A.A. passati

Bachelor of Science

MostraNascondi A.A. passati

Research

Research groups

Research projects

Projects funded by competitive calls

Projects funded by commercial contracts

Supervised PhD students

More PhD studentsLess PhD students

Publications

Latest publications View all publications in Porto@Iris

Society and Enterprise

Patents and other intellectual properties