Claudia Altavilla

Biography

Claudia Altavilla was born in Enna (Italy) in 1976. In 2001 she graduated in chemistry (cum laude) at University of Catania where she received the title of Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical Sciences in 2006 with a thesis entitled "Nanostructured Materials Anchored on Inorganic Substrates" at the University of Catania.
During the PhD course, she has studied under the guidance of prof. Dante Gatteschi at the Department of Chemistry, University of Florence (Italy), working on the characterization of monolayers of magnetic nanoparticles on silicon substrates. In 2004 she has been visiting scientist at the Ludwig Maximillians Universitat of Monaco (Germany) under the guidance  of prof. Wolfgang Parak working on the synthesis of magnetic nanoparticles of FePt CoPt3.
Since 2005 to 2011 she has been temporary professor of " Inorganic Protectives and Consolidants Products” and of "Degradation of Organic Materials in Cultural Heritage" at the University of Catania and lecturer in several master classes and specialization courses in the field of the chemistry of materials. She was thesis advisor of several degree dissertations in the field of nanotechnology and cultural heritage.
Claudia Altavilla  has worked as a consultant in diagnostic for masterpieces of Cultural Heritage together with Prof Enrico Ciliberto to the diagnostic and restoration of  Michelangelo's David in collaboration with the “Polo Museale Fiorentino”, frescoes of Palazzo Pitti in collaboration with Opificio delle Pietre Dure of Florence,  frescoes of Teodolinda’s Chapel in the Cathedral of Monza in collaboration with “Opera del Duomo di Monza”and mosaics of Saint Mark's Basilica in Venice in collaboration with “Fabriceria della Basilica di San Marco.
She has gained over the years a solid experience in surface modification through self-assembly, Langmuir Blodgett deposition and  microcontact printing of mono-and multilayers of molecules or nanoparticles on substrates of technological interest (Si, AlN, SiOx, Al2O3, glass) . She has also a good knowledge of characterization techniques of materials such as electronic microscopy (SEM, TEM), spectroscopy (UV-Vis, IR, XPS), X-Ray diffraction (XRD), scanning microscopy (AFM, STM)  thermal analysis ( TGA, DSC,  TG-MS) and contact angle.
Since 2006, she  works as post doc in a stimulating and multidisciplinary research group at the Centre NANOMATES of the University of Salerno, directed by Prof. Paolo Ciambelli.
The research of dr. Claudia Altavilla is focused on the design, synthesis and characterization of inorganic and hybrid organic / inorganic nanomaterials (nanoparticles, nanotubes, nano sheets) of metal, chalcogenides, oxides, alloy, for applications in lubrication, magnetorheology, drug delivery, imaging, hyperthermia, nanoelectronics and sensors.
Claudia Altavilla  is editor and co-author of the book "Inorganic Nanoparticles: Synthesis, Application and Perspectives", published by CRC Press (November 2010).The book, assembling work from an array of experts at the top of their respective fields,  presents an overview of these special materials and explores the myriad ways in which they are used.

She is also co-author of the book "Cultural Heritage Materials: An XPS Approach" published by Nova Science (December 2011). The book explore the use of X-ray Photoelectron  Spectroscopy, in monitoring the efficiency and the damage of restoring techniques on the surfaces of several masterpieces.
She is the author and co-author of 15 articles published in international refereed journals, 12 book chapters, 43 participations in national and international conferences in the field of materials chemistry, nanotechnology, and cultural heritage.
She is also co- inventor of an international patent ,an  European patent application and 2 request for Italian patent in the field of nanomaterials.
She is referee of several international scientific journals in the field of chemical materials such as ACS Nano, Chemistry of Materials, Journal of Material Chemistry, Journal of Physical Chemistry.
Claudia Altavilla is co-founder  of NYBORG MAT, a spin–off of University of Salerno with the mission of
produce anti-friction and anti-wear organic-inorganic self-dispersible nanoadditives for advanced lubricants  based on a simple, mild and very effective "one-pot" synthesis of nano sheets of metal sulphides (patent pending).

NYBORG MAT won the first prize of START CUP Campania 2011, the Innovation Award to develop business ideas based on research and innovation sponsored by the campanian universities. It is also 2012 Talent of the ideas first prize awarded for the South Italy area of the, a competition organized by UniCredit, with the Board of UniCredit Territory and the Young Entrepreneurs of Confindustria to capitalize on best business ideas in Italy.

Education

Degree in chemistry, university of Catania, Italy, 2001
PhD in chemistry, University of Catania, Italy, 2006

Areas of Research / Professional Expertise

hybrid nanomaterials,inorganic nanoparticles, MoS2 and WS2 hybrid nanosheets, carbon nanotubes.

Personal Interests

sculpture in pottery, ceramic ,oil painting, reading classic music and opera

Websites

• claylart

• claylart

• nyborg mat

Books

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