Francesco Laviano
Associate Professor in Experimental Physics - Team Leader
Currently, he is Associate Professor of Experimental Physics and Deputy Head of the Department of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, Italy. His primary research area is the experimental study of strongly correlated electron systems, such as ferromagnets and superconductors. His experimental expertise ranges from electromagnetic characterization of materials, in particular magnetic imaging, to modification of material properties by high-energy particle irradiation. Since 2015, he has been also coordinating research projects for low-environmental-impact recovery of critical raw materials from WEEE. Recently, his research interests have been focused on derisking the application of superconductors for magnets in nuclear fusion reactors. In 2021, he founded the SuperFusion Team.
Daniele Torsello
Assistant Professor in Experimental Physics - Deputy Team Leader
The relation between atomic defects and superconductors is crucial for both practical applications and understanding how superconductivity emerges. This fascinating topic is what I love investigating by combining experiments, theory and computation, guided by my background in Materials Science and Physics.
Marino Corrado
Postdoc Researcher in Experimental Physics
High-temperature superconductivity is a quantum phenomenon of major technological relevance, with applications ranging from fusion-plasma confinement to high-field industrial and medical systems and long-distance power transmission. These technologies require materials with long-term stability under n/γ irradiation. Motivated by these challenges, I am beginning research on how neutron-induced DPA affects high-temperature superconductors through combined experimental and computational approaches. I am a nuclear engineer from ETH Zurich with a PhD in nuclear decommissioning from PoliTO.
Federico Ledda
PhD Student - PhD Programme in Physics
I am a PhD candidate in Physics at Politecnico di Torino, with a background in nuclear engineering and a research focus on multiscale simulation methods for fusion technologies and radiation effects in functional materials. I work on large-scale neutron transport using Monte Carlo techniques, including CAD-based models for complex reactor geometries, and on atomistic approaches such as Molecular Dynamics and Binary Collision Approximation to study defect formation and evolution in high-temperature superconductors, particularly YBCO.
I have carried out research stays at Linköping University and in the group of Prof. Kai Nordlund at the University of Helsinki, where I expanded my expertise in computational materials science. Beyond research, I served for two years on the Academic Senate of Politecnico di Torino, contributing to institutional decision-making and academic governance.
Niccolò Di Eugenio
PhD Student - PhD Programme in Physics
PhD student at Politecnico di Torino with a Master’s in Condensed Matter Physics. My research deals with the development and implementation of Machine Learning Interatomic Potentials, trained on data obtained from Density Functional Theory simulations, to improve Molecular Dynamics simulations of collision cascades in complex superconducting materials, mainly in nuclear fusion frameworks. This leads to an atomistic-based description of radiation damage, investigating bulk, defect, and thermodynamic properties. I am also deeply interested in statistical mechanics problems and phase transitions.
Martina Casciello
PhD Student - PhD Programme in Energetics
I am a PhD student in Energetics, specializing in superconducting technologies. I have a background in nuclear engineering, with a particular focus on magnetically confined fusion for future nuclear reactors. My research centers on the multi-physics modelling of HTS magnets in nuclear environments, aiming to ensure an interdisciplinary strategy to overcome the extreme operational challenges of fusion systems.
Fabio Calzavara
PhD Student - PhD Programme in Physics
I am a physicist with a strong academic background in theoretical physics, having completed both my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees with a curriculum centered on fundamental theoretical methods. My research interests currently focus on the theoretical description of high-Tc superconductors and non-equilibrium phenomena, alongside a general interest in other emergent phenomena in physics. In addition to my theoretical foundation, I am currently developing my skills in computational physics. My work involves the application of Monte Carlo simulations to study neutron transport and irradiation effects in reactors. I am also gaining experience in implementing AI tools for the optimization of geometries and research workflows, with the aim of integrating advanced computational techniques into theoretical research.
Mattia De Stasio
PhD Student - PhD Programme in Energetics
PhD student at Politecnico di Torino with a Master’s in Nuclear Engineering, working on multi-physics modelling and testing of HTS magnets for fusion reactors and accelerators (EM, thermal, structural). My goal is to leverage the skills I have acquired to tackle the challenges of the energy transition, while actively contributing to research on superconducting magnets, with an activity focuses on developing multi-physics numerical tools to support the design of non-insulated High-Temperature Superconducting (HTS) magnets for nuclear fusion reactors and particle accelerators, combined with experimental campaigns on different HTS superconductor tapes, such as electromagnetic tapes characterizations, integrating various physical aspects, including electromagnetic, structural, and thermal considerations.
Simone Severo
PhD Student - PhD Programme in Physics
I am a PhD student in Physics with a background in Sustainable Nuclear Engineering. During my studies, I developed a strong interest in nuclear fusion, particularly in the use of superconducting magnets for plasma confinement. My project focuses on understanding how high-energy neutron irradiation exposure affects the performance of High-Temperature Superconductors materials used in magnet systems of future fusion reactors.
Niccolò Gallino
PhD Student - PhD Programme in Physics
BSc in Engineering Physics, MSc in Physics of Complex Systems, my interests comprise nonlinear and complex phenomena, phase transitions and other emergent properties of many-body systems. I currently specialize in numerical simulations but like to keep tightly in touch with the experimental side of things.
Francesco Moscagiuri
PhD Student - PhD Programme in Physics
I graduated in Nuclear and Subnuclear Physics to pursue my passion for understanding the laws of nature at their most fundamental scale. With a strong theoretical background, I investigate nuclear fusion by studying radiation damage and superconductivity.
