PhD in Mechanics and Advanced Engineering Sciences

1. Engineering and Industrial Design, Machine Construction, Metallurgy, and Manufacturing Technologies
2. Fluid Machinery, Energy Systems, Mechanics of Machines, and Industrial Mechanical Plants
3. Thermal Physics, HVAC Systems, Acoustics, Nuclear Technologies and Industrial Applications of Plasmas

Curriculum 1 - Engineering and Industrial Design, Machine Construction, Metallurgy, and Manufacturing Technologies

The curriculum pursues the education of researchers and high-qualified engineers, operating in the fields of Mechanical Engineering and able to address issues related to design and research activities in disciplines such as:

Tribological behavior of metallic materials, with and without surface modifications

Metallurgical features of metallic components produced by innovative process, such as additive manufacturing

Mechanical design and structures

Microstructure and mechanical properties of advanced metals and metal matrix composites

Experimental stress analysis, characterization and development of constitutive models

Design methods and tools in industrial engineering

Mechanical technologies and materials.

Curriculum 2 - Fluid Machinery, Energy Systems, Mechanics of Machines, and Industrial Mechanical Plants

The curriculum includes different subjects, ranging from internal combustion engines to industrial mechanical plants. For the cultural fields Internal Combustion Engines, Fluid Machinery, Energy Conversion Systems the curriculum studies fluid machinery and energy conversion systems, addressing thermodynamic, fluid dynamic, energetic, ecological and technological issues by means of modeling, control and testing.

In particular, the main research areas are:

• Modeling, control and testing of internal combustion engines and hybrid vehicles
• Fluid dynamics simulation of internal combustion engines and fluid machinery
• Numerical and experimental analysis in the field of gas turbines, combined cycles, steam engines, prime movers, and integrated systems for the processing and storage of energy from renewable and non-renewable sources.

For the cultural fields Mechanics of Machines and Industrial Mechanical Plants the curriculum comprises scientific and operative issues concerning the analysis, design and management of devices, machines, processes and industrial plants, through the adoption of a systemic approach and of methodologies drawn from theoretical, applied and experimental mechanics, industrial plants and production. The main research areas are:

• Automation, robotics and mechatronics
• Biomechanics
• Vehicles, transport and lifting systems
• Dynamics and machine vibrations
• Monitoring, diagnostics and prognostics of mechanical systems
• Industrial plants and production systems
• Maintenance and industrial safety
• Instrumentation
• Logistics and operations. 

Curriculum 3 - Thermal Physics, HVAC Systems, Acoustics, Nuclear Technologies and Industrial Applications of Plasmas

• Heat transfer and convection theory
• Thermal analysis of porous media
• Thermal and fluid-dynamic aspects of single-phase and two-phase flows in conventional devices and microdevices (microfluidics)
• Applied thermal engineering and HVAC systems
• Heat exchangers and heat recovery systems
• Renewable energy for HVAC (heat pumps, solar plants)
• Environmental acoustics, building acoustics, architectural acoustics, sound absorbing materials and systems, noise control techniques, digital processing of acoustic signals and lightning
• Energy efficient buildings
• Design of nuclear plants
• Radioprotection
• Risk analysis and safety
• Modelling of neutron, charged particle and photon transport
• Applications of nuclear technologies to medicine, industry and cultural heritage
• Direct Numerical Simulation (DNS) of two-phase flow
• Development and validation of advanced computing platforms
• Thermo-hydraulics of advanced nuclear reactors
• Reliability and risk analysis at the system level
• Calculation of thermodynamic and transport properties of plasmas
• Physical modelling and design-oriented simulation of plasma assisted processes
• Diagnostics of plasma sources and processes
• Biomedical applications of cold atmospheric plasmas and plasma medicine.

NRRP Call - Further PhD Positions
Appointed by RD 952/2022 Prot. n. 0357333 of 02/12/2022

Call for Application and NRRP Call
Appointed by RD 830/2022 Prot. n. 0127511 of 30/05/2022
Confirmed by RD 1103/2022 Prot. n. 0162873 of 17/07/2022

* The following shall take part in the work of the Examination Board as expert members for positions linked to specific research topics:

• Luca San Giuliano - Phononic Vibes Srl
• Simone Di Piazza, Simone Messieri - Ducati Motor Holding SpA
• Elkid Cobani - Nuovo Pignone Tecnologie Srl. - Baker Hughes
• Carlo Tosti - TeCh Srl
• Camilla Conti - AdapTronics
• Andrea Ghinassi - Bucci Automations SpA
• Giovanni Anceschi - Ammagamma Srl
• Marco Abbondanza - Alma Automotive Srl
• Giangiacomo Minak - Turtle Srl
• Luca Cappellini - Saint Gobain Italia SpA
• Paola Brugnara - Rothoblaas Srl
• Marco Reguzzoni - Smeg SpA
• Federico Pecorari - Emodial Srl
• Ing. Casamenti - Bonfiglioli SpA
• Danilo Mascolo - Bi-Rex
• Walter Citterio - CPC Group
• Cristina Eterno - Faac SpA
• Dario Rea - Ima SpA
• Paolo Osti - Marposs S.p.A.
• Cristian Pungetti - Cefla s.c.

he PhD Program is developed according a detailed program defined by the Graduate School Board, and is structured in three curricula: Engineering and Industrial Design, Machine Construction, Metallurgy, and Manufacturing Technologies; Internal Combustion Engines, Fluid Machinery, Energy Conversion Systems, Mechanics of Machines, and Industrial Mechanical Plants; Thermal Physics, HVAC Systems, Acoustics, Nuclear Technologies, and Industrial Applications of Plasmas.
The PhD course provides a training program with academic and professional purposes. It develops the candidate's ability to carry out research and projects with an independent, systematic and in-depth approach, through a training program of advanced studies, consisting in courses, seminars, and the preparation of a doctoral Thesis, under the supervision of one or more supervisors. The candidate must also show that he/she can support, present and discuss his/her work in a clear and effective way, in Italian and English.

Research programs encompass experimental and numerical/modelling activities within the scientific sectors that characterize the Doctoral Program. Those activities are carried out in collaboration with other research groups, national and international companies, with the objective of training highly professional figures, who could directly enter the industrial or academic sector. Furthermore, Doctoral students, depending on the specific needs of their curriculum, will attend seminars to enhance the ability of using major database of international literature and related to issues concerning data processing (use of commercial software, management and analysis of databases, ...), and will participate in international conferences and workshops, where they will also present the results of their activities.

The research-oriented educational activity includes:

• development of a research project within the topic of the selected curriculum
• capacity building of independent scientific investigation attitude, by carrying out theoretical and experimental activities under the guidance of researchers with proven experience in the field
• participation in seminars and specific training courses
• preparation and publication of technical and scientific papers in English
• presentation of research results in international meetings
• training period abroad of at least 3 months
• possibility of teaching and tutoring experiences to support university courses

The research activities of PhD students are often performed in collaboration with international research centres and companies, with the request to spend a research and training period abroad with the involved institutions.
On the basis of scientific collaborations existing with European and international institutions, the participation of foreign students is also encouraged, through the dissemination of the PhD Call, and the benefits provided by our University (Institute of Advanced Studies, etc.) to foreign applicants. In particular, dissemination is enhanced through specific information provided in DIMSAI website. Distribution of information (brochures) is also planned during international conferences and events. Furthermore, for specific curricula, PhD students will be involved in Short Term Scientifc Missions (STSM) in the frame of actions funded and supported by the European Union.
Other elements of internationalization are provided during candidates' selection, since candidates can be interviewed in English, also by remote telco technology for candidates living abroad. The participation of foreign teachers and representatives of European industries in educational activities is encouraged. Finally, the PhD Program welcomes the issuance of co-supervision titles.

The fundamental contribution deals with innovative and original research in the PhD student research field. These results will be disseminated through publications, patents and participation in international conferences. Doctoral students will produce a Thesis as a final result, preferably in English, showing the innovative results achieved during the PhD period. Another desirable outcome is the organization of thematic sessions and seminars on the specific research area, and on the innovative results that have been achieved by the PhD students.