Phd in ELECTRICAL, MATERIALS, RAW MATERIALS AND NANOTECHNOLOGY
ENGINEERING

email: francesco.marra@uniroma1.it
phone: 0644585781
building: RM031 Sede Materiali e Metallurgia
room: 403

CURRICULUM VITAE ET STUDIORUM (28/02/2022)
Francesco Marra, PhD

Personal details
- Name: Francesco Marra.
- Mail: francesco.marra@uniroma1.it

Current position
• From 02/2022 Associate Professor (Sapienza – University of Rome, Faculty of Civil & Industrial Engineering – Dept. of Chemical Engineering Materials Environment).


Education and qualification
• National qualification (2017) as Associate Professor in Materials Science and Technology (SSD ING-IND/22)
• Ph.D. (2013) in Materials Engineering at Dept. of Chemical Engineering Materials Environment Sapienza – University of Rome. Thesis on “Thermal spray coatings development for new-gen thermal barriers”
• M.Sc. (5 years course) in Aerospace Engineering (2006) at Sapienza – University of Rome, Faculty of Civil & Industrial Engineering. Thesis on “Nanostructured coatings for anti-wear and thermal barrier applications” (101/110).

Previous positions/fellowships
• From 2006 to 2007 contract researcher at Dept. of Chemical Engineering Materials Environment (DICMA) and at INSTM (Interuniversity National Consortium on Materials Science and Technology)
• From 2007 to 2008 winner of a grant for an education course for industrial researcher. MATRIS Consortium
• From 2008 to 2009 contract researcher INSTM (Interuniversity National Consortium on Materials Science and Technology)
• From 2009 to 2011 research fellow at DICMA.
• From 2011 to 2014 non-tenure Assistant Professor (DICMA). The main research activity is related to the project: “Nanostructured composites materials for aerospace applications: development and study of production process and technologies for surface functionalization. Production of high-performance ablatives materials for control of fluid-structure interaction”.
• From 2014 to 2016 Post-Doc researcher at DICMA and at INSTM research title: “Innovative materials for energy production in hostile environments”.
• From 2016 to 2019 non-tenure Assistant Professor (Sapienza – University of Rome, Faculty of Civil & Industrial Engineering – Dept. of Chemical Engineering Materials Environment). The main research activity is related to the project: “Development, study and modeling of coatings for electrodes production with application in restoration of polluted water and industrial wastes treatment”.
• From 2019 to 2022 tenure-track Assistant Professor (Sapienza – University of Rome, Faculty of Civil & Industrial Engineering – Dept. of Chemical Engineering Materials Environment).


Teaching activity
• From Academic Year 2012-2013 teacher of the course: “Surface and thin films engineering and nanostructured materials”. Surface engineering module (6 CFU), Nanotechnologies Engineering (M. Sc), Sapienza – University of Rome
• From Academic Year 2015-2016 teacher of the course: “Materials and Technologies”. (9 CFU), Industrial Design (B. Sc), Sapienza– University of Rome
• From Academic Year 2019-2020 teacher of the course: “Nanoparticles production and nanomaterials characterization”. Characterization module (3 CFU), Nanotechnologies Engineering (M. Sc) and Chemical Engineering (M. Sc), Sapienza – University of Rome
• Teacher of the course: “Thermal Spray Coatings and Ablative Materials: Technology and Applications” (2 CFU), PhD “Enzo Ferrari” in Industrial and Environmental, Engineering, XXXVII cycle (2021, 2022);
• Teaching activity for the government professional qualification as a profession of engineer: “Nanotechnologies and Nanomaterials in the Industrial Engineering”, Sapienza – University of Rome, Italian Engineering Society of Rome (2019 - 2021)
• Teaching activity at IFTS training course (ISCED 4) “Technician for aeronautical structures made by composite material” (2008 and 2010);
• Teaching activity in the course: “Non-metallic materials for engineering applications”, Mechanical Engineering (M. Sc), Sapienza– University of Rome (2013 - 2016)
• From academic Year 2009-2010 lectures and exercitations in the course: “Aerospace Materials”, Aerospace Engineering (B. Sc), Sapienza– University of Rome
• From academic Year 2009-2010 lectures and exercitations in the course: “Aerospace Materials”, Aeronautical Engineering (M. Sc), Sapienza– University of Rome
• Lectures and exercitations in the course: “Materials science”, Chemical Engineering (B. Sc), Sapienza– University of Rome (2009 – 2016)
• Teaching activity and coordinator of the course: “Non-metallic materials for high temperature aerospace applications”, Aerospace Engineering (B. Sc), Sapienza– University of Rome (2013 – 2015)
• Supervision and tutoring of more than 80 Degree thesis (B. Sc and M. Sc) in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Nanotechnologies Engineering, Chemical Engineering
• Supervision and tutoring of 9 PhD thesis (Materials Engineering and Nanotechnology)
• Supervision and tutoring of 3 Post-Doc Fellows (Materials Engineering and Nanotechnology)


Others education activities
• Participant at XIII AIMAT summer school: “Tecnologie innovative di superficie e loro applicazioni”, 13-17/07/2007, Ischia Porto (NA);
• Participant at XIII Material Science summer school: “Materiali nanostrutturati nelle strategie di sviluppo”, 30/09-09/10/2007, Bressanone (BZ);
• Participant at XIV AIMAT summer school: “Materiali innovativi e nanotecnologie per il made in Italy”, 16-20/07/2008, Ischia Porto (NA);
• Participant at XV AIMAT summer school: “Energia, Ambiente, Sostenibilità”, 15-19/07/2009, Ischia Porto (NA);
• Participant at XVI AIMAT-SIB summer school: “Bio- Nano- Meta-materiali: Le piattaforme tecnologiche disponibili”, 12-18/07/2010, Ischia Porto (NA);
• Participant at XVI Material Science summer school: “Materiali del futuro: dalla nanomedicina all’aerospaziale.”, 27/09-02/10/2010, Bressanone (BZ);
• Training course on FEM modeling of ablative materials: “Ablation and Pyrolysis Phenomenon using SAMCEF Bacon”, 21/07/2010, Rome.
• Attended (March-July 2012) the advanced training course RED, Research Enhancement and Development, Sapienza – University of Rome.
• Attended the program Lifelong Learning for Sapienza Professors (09/2019 – today)

Awards
• Two times winner (2009 and 2010) of the AIMAT NETWORK COMPETITION grant during the XV and XVI AIMAT summer school.
• Winner of “Nanoinnovation got talent” Prize at the Nanoinnovation conference (Rome, 09/2017)


Organization and chairmanship of scientific events
• Member of scientific committee NINE 2016 - International Conference On Nanotechnology Based Innovative Applications For The Environment. Rome, Italy (03/2016)
• Seminar: “New solutions for polymer characterization”. Sapienza – University of Rome (05/2016)
• Chairman at 8th Ablation Workshop, Tucson (USA) (10/2016)
• Member of organizing committee of Zwick Academia Day 2018 Sapienza – University of Rome (05/2018)
• Chairman at 3rd Nanoinnovation 2018, Rome (09/2018)
• Chairman at 3rd European Symposium on Surface Science, Nice (France) (10/2018)
• Member of organizing committee of 5th Central and Eastern European Conference on Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry (CEEC-TAC5) and 14th Mediterranean Conference on Calorimetry and Thermal Analysis (Medicta2019) Sapienza – University of Rome (08/2019)


Memberships of scientific societies
• From 2006 affiliate of National Interuniversity Consortium of Materials Science and Technology (INSTM)
• From 2006 associate of Italian Materials Engineering Society (AIMAT).
• From 2013 associate of Italian Metallurgy Society (AIM).
• From 2015 associate of American Society for Metals (ASM)
• From 2015 associate of Thermal Spray Society (TSS)
• From 2019 associate of Italian Association for Calorimetry and Thermal Analysis (AICAT)


Institutional responsibilities
• From 2017 member of the Council Board, Nanotechnologies Engineering (M. Sc.), Sapienza – University of Rome
• From 2018 member of the communications and curriculum counseling committee, Nanotechnologies Engineering (M. Sc.), Sapienza – University of Rome
• From 2017 member of the committee for the government professional qualification as a profession of engineer. Italian Engineering Society of Rome
• From 2017 to 2019 member of the university committee for the qualification to the national teacher formation program, Sapienza – University of Rome
• From 2018 member as reviewer of REPRISE, Register of Expert Peer Reviewers for Italian Scientific Evaluation. Italian Ministry of Education, University and Research (MIUR)
• From 2018 member of the Scientific Board of Phd in Electrical, Materials, Raw Materials and Nanotechnology Engineering, Sapienza – University of Rome
• From 2017 6 times member of committees for research fellow in Materials Science and Technology (SSD ING-IND/22), Sapienza – University of Rome
• From 2018 member of the committee for recruiting non-tenured lecturers in Materials Science and Technology (SSD ING-IND/22), Industrial Design (B.Sc.) Sapienza – University of Rome.
• From 2019 Member of Department Council (Sapienza – University of Rome, Faculty of Civil & Industrial Engineering – Dept. of Chemical Engineering Materials Environment)
• From 2019 Member of Faculty Council (Sapienza – University of Rome, Faculty of Civil & Industrial Engineering)
• From Academic Year 2019-2020 member of the committee of Honour Program In Nanotechnology Engineering, Nanotechnologies Engineering (M. Sc.), Sapienza – University of Rome
• From 2020 member of the commission for insurance quality management (CGAQ), Industrial Design (B.Sc.) Sapienza – University of Rome.
• From Academic Year 2019-2020 responsible of the Erasmus+ agreement between Sapienza – University of Rome, Faculty of Civil & Industrial Engineering and University West - Högskolan Väst, Department of Engineering Science, Trollhättan (Sweden)

Editorial Boards
• Member of the editorial Board, book series “AIRI - Le innovazioni del prossimo futuro: tecnologie prioritarie per l’industria”, Italian Association for the industrial research, Italy (2016 and 2020)
• Member of the Editorial Board of Coatings (MDPI) (2021)

Publications
• Author of 4 documents/chapter on books
• Author of more than 70 proceedings on national and international conferences


Invited presentations to peer-reviewed, internationally established conferences and/or international advanced schools;
• F. Marra, T. Valente: Thermal protection systems for re-entry vehicles". Workshop for IXV Launch – Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle, Rome (invited) (11/02/2015)
• Teaching activity in the XX AIMAT/SIB PhD Summer school: “Rivestimenti e trattamenti funzionali”. Lecture titled "Rivestimenti per componenti strutturali operanti ad alta temperatura ed in ambienti aggressivi" (Ischia, July 21st 2015).
• F. Marra: Proprietà e caratterizzazione dei materiali nel processo integrato AM/microfusione. Workshop: “Special components for aerospace applications – Additive manufacturing and investment casting”. University of RomaTRE (invited) (29/11/2016)
• F. Marra, C. Bartuli, T. Valente, G. Pulci: “Improvement of service life of advanced thermal barrier coatings by nanostructuring and architecture modification”. 2nd EMASST European Symposium on Surface Science, Capri (invited) (09/2016)
• F. Marra, T. Valente, V. Genova, L. Paglia, A. Pranzetti, M. Romanelli, G. Pulci: “Nanocomposite and nanostructured coatings for oil and gas industrial applications”. NewTimes – New Trends in Materials Science and Engineering 1st International Virtual Conference, L’Aquila (invited) (06/2021)

Presentations to national and international conferences as speaker or poster presenter:
• C. Bartuli, T. Valente, F. Marra: “Wear resistant alumina-titania plasma sprayed coatings from nanostructured precursors”. VIII Convegno Aimat, Palermo (27/06-01/07/2006). (Poster presenter)
• T. Valente, C. Bartuli, S. Picchiotti, F.Marra: “Microstructural properties and high temperature performance of plasma sprayed YSZ thermal barrier coatings from nanostructured powders”. VIII Convegno Aimat, Palermo (27/06-01/07/2006). (Poster presenter)
• F. Cipri, F. Marra, G. Pulci, J. Tirillò, C. Bartuli, T. Valente: "Plasma Sprayed coatings obtained by liquid injection of secondary phases". S2TS 2nd Meeting on Suspension and Solution Thermal Spraying (S2TS), Tours (France) (05-07/06/2008). (Speaker)
• C. Bartuli, F. Marra, T. Valente: "Wear resistant Alumina-Titania Plasma sprayed coatings from nano-structured precursors". SMT22 22nd International Conference on Surface Modification Technologies, Trollhattan (Sweden), (22-24/09/2008). (Speaker)
• G. Pulci, F. Marra, J. Tirillò, C. Bartuli, T. Valente: “Rivestimenti multistrato termospruzzati metallo-ceramici per barriere termiche di nuova concezione”. X Convegno AIMAT, Capo Vaticano (VV) (05-08/09/2010). (Poster presenter)
• F. Marra, M. Tului, R. Pileggi, G. Pulci, J. Tirillò, F. Sarasini, C. Bartuli, M. Valente, T. Valente: “Rivestimenti ceramici di nuova generazione per termodeposizione plasma”. XI Convegno AIMAT, Gaeta (LT) (16-19/09/2012). (Speaker)
• G. Pulci, E. Hlede, L. Baiamonte, F. Marra, C. Bartuli: “Rivestimenti thermal spray per la protezione da corrosione ed usura di componenti di motori diesel marini”. Giornate Nazionali sulla Corrosione e Protezione – X edizione, Napoli (10-12/07/2013). (Speaker)
• G. Di Girolamo, F. Marra, G. Pulci, M. Schioppa, C. Blasi, T. Valente: “Evolution of microstructural and mechanical properties of lanthanum zirconate thermal barrier coatings at high temperature”. 6th RIPT: Rencontres Internationales sur la Projection Thermique, Limoges (France) (11-13/12/2013). (Poster presenter)
• G. Pulci, P. Palmero, F. Marra, L. Montanaro, T. Valente: “Compositi ceramici nel sistema Al2O3-ZrO2-Y3Al5O12: correlazione tra comportamento meccanico ad alta temperatura e parametri microstrutturali”. XII Convegno AIMAT, Lecce (21-24/09/2014). (Poster presenter)
• F. Marra, J. Tirillò, G. Pulci, F. Sarasini, L. Paglia, V. Genova, T. Valente: “Production and characterization of carbon-phenolic ablative materials modified with nano-fillers”. X Convegno Nazionale INSTM, Favignana (TP) (28/06-01/07/2015). (Poster presenter)
• F. Marra, G. Pulci, L. Baiamonte, S. Gazzola, P. Giovanetto, C. Bartuli, T. Valente: “Hot Corrosion Resistant Cermet Coatings For Marine Diesel Engines”. ITSC 2015 International Thermal Spray Conference & Exposition, Long Beach (USA) (11-14/05/2015). (Poster presenter)
• F. Marra, V. Genova, L. Fedrizzi, A. Lanzutti, C. Bartuli, G. Pulci, T. Valente: “Effect of Zirconium Concentration for Modified Diffusion Aluminide Coating in Hot Corrosion and Oxidation Tests”. XIII AIMAT National Congress, Ischia (13-15/06/2016). (Poster presenter)
• F. Marra, L. Baiamonte, G. Pulci, M. Pujatti, C. Bartuli, T. Valente “Tribological behavior and microstructural analysis of self-lubricating coatings deposited by plasma transferred arc”. International Thermal Spray Conference ITSC 2017, Düsseldorf (Germania) (7-9/6/2017). (Poster presenter)
• L. Baiamonte, C. Bartuli, A. Marino, F. Marra, D. Marini, F. Menchetti, R. Pileggi, G.Pulci, M. Tului “Tribological and high-temperature mechanical characterization of cold sprayed Stellite coatings”. 8th Rencontres Internationales sur la Projection Thermique, Limoges (6-8/12/2017). (Speaker)
• F. Marra "Lightweight composite materials and additive technologies". Settimana dell’innovazione Italia-Cina, Milano (4/12/2018). (Speaker)
• F. Marra “Development and testing of nanocomposites ablatives for re-entry space vehicles”. European Congress and Exhibition on Advanced Materials and Processes - EUROMAT 2019, Stockholm (1-5/09/2019). (Speaker)


Reviewer of scientific journals
• Surface & Coating Technology (Elsevier)
• International Journal of Applied Ceramic Technology (Wiley)
• Materials & Design (Elsevier)
• Journal of Thermal Spray Technology (Springer)
• Journal of Applied Biomaterials & Functional Materials (Wichtig)
• Journal of Thermophysics and Heat Transfer (AIAA)
• Metals (MDPI)
• Coatings (MDPI)
• Chemical Engineering Transactions (AIDIC)


Patents
• Di Pietro D., Romanelli M., Genova V., Cappuccini F., Marra F., Pulci G., Pranzetti A., Paglia L., “Componente di turbomacchine avente un rivestimento metallico”, application number WO2020/182348 (2019).


Funded research projects
[grants as PI-principal investigator or I-investigator]
Year Title Program Grant value
2006 -2009 I - Integrated Project NANOKER FP6 Structural ceramic nanocomposites for top end functional applications), WP5 “Surface functionality and composites” and SP10 “Aeroengines”
2008- 2009 I – University research project Wear resistant coatings from nanostructured precursors by traditional and liquid injection assisted thermal spray
2010 - 2011 I – University research project Self-lubricating coatings obtained by liquid injection assisted thermal spray
2010 - 2013 I - Integrated University-Industry project STRALE Materials and surface treatments for aerospace light-weight structures
2010 - 2014 I – Research project Ambition power funded by EC (Bando PON R&C 2007 – 2013) Development of package, front end and industrial applications of high power density electronic modules
2011 I - ESA (European Space Agency) research project called CSTS2 Crew Space Transportation Vehicle on design and development of a European manned capsule for space exploration
2011 -2014 I - Research project funded by Italian Space Agency (ASI) ASA B2 Advanced Structure Assembly” on the development of innovative thermal protection system in plasma sprayed ceramic coating for re-entry vehicles
2011 - 2015 PI – Industrial R&D activities funded by primary industrial partner WARTSILA (marine engines) Development of thermally sprayed coatings against corrosion and wear in marine environments
2012 - 2015 I – Research project funded by European Community / Regione Toscana ATENE Development of innovative production technologies for components operating in hostile environments
2013 - 2014 I – University research project AWARDS High performance low cost sensorized composite structures
2013 - 2014 I - Research project funded by European Community / Regione Lazio VaPeToRe Valorizzazione dei prodotti di scarto della produzione di etichette stampate
2013 - 2015 PI - Research project funded by European Community / Regione Lombardia SmartDesign Functional and smart materials for product design
2013 - 2015 PI – Industrial R&D activities funded by primary industrial partner ZANZI (special engine valves) Development of coatings for protection of valves for diesel engines by hot corrosion attack
2014 - 2015 PI – Industrial R&D activities funded by industrial partner BORGA (thermally sprayed coatings) Development of anti-wear and anti-corrosion coatings
2014 - 2018 I - Research project funded by MIUR / CLUSTER AEROSPAZIO GREENING THE PROPULSION Development and testing of innovative coatings for oxidation protection of turbine blades in aeronautical engines
2015-2016 I – Research project ELIOTROPO funded by EC (Bando PON R&C), sub-contractor of Centro Sviluppo Materiali SpA. Characterization of thin coatings for solar energy applications
2015-2016 I – Research project EOMAT funded by EC (Bando PON R&C), sub-contractor of Centro Sviluppo Materiali SpA. Development and characterization of coatings for anti-wear and anti-corrosion applications in wind turbines
2015 - 2017 I - Research project funded by European Community / Regione Lazio MANUSPACE Special components for aerospace applications
2015 - ongoing PI - Industrial R&D activities funded by industrial partner AVIO S.p.A. (rockets for satellite launchers) Testing and development of protective components for space qualification
2016 - 2017 PI - Industrial R&D activities funded by industrial partner GE Oil & Gas (turbomachinery) project Mo.N.S.T.E.R. Modified Ni-based Surface Treatments for Enhanced Resistance
2016 - 2018 PI - Research project funded by European Community / Regione Lombardia SuperMet Surface treatments for metallic materials for harsh environments
2017 -2020 PI - Industrial R&D activities funded by industrial partner GE Oil & Gas (turbomachinery) Development of electroless Nickel coatings for protection of compressor blades by erosion and corrosion attack in gas extraction
2017 - 2019 PI – University research project ThEMProS Multilayer Thermal Spray Coatings for hostile environments
2017 - ongoing PI - R&D activities funded by CIRA (Italian Aerospace Research Centre) Characterization of surface modified structures for ice growth control
2018 I – University research project for instrument acquisition Microstructural characterization and advanced crystallographic analysis of materials - EBSD system acquisition for analysis of protective coatings and surface treatments
2019 - 2020 PI – R&D activities funded by PaSe (mechanical components) project Last MESH (KETs POR-FESR 2014-2020) Development and characterization of ultra-hard materials and coatings andlaser ablation machining technique
2020 - 2021 PI - Industrial R&D activities funded by industrial partner Nuovo Pignone – Baker Hugehs (turbomachinery) Thermal barrier coatings preliminary testing
2020 - ongoing PI - Industrial R&D activities funded by industrial partner ELLEBI - DII (protective masks) Development and preliminary testing of protective masks
2020 - ongoing I – University research project NTT_Neurosurgery Training Tool Development and prototyping of an anatomical training system of the spinal column
2021 - ongoing PI - Industrial R&D activities funded by industrial partner S.I.M.A.N. srl (Marine ships) Testing of adhesives for new-generation yachts
2021 - ongoing PI/I - Industrial R&D activities funded by industrial partner Nuovo Pignone – Baker Hugehs (turbomachinery) Thermal barrier coatings testing, Hot corrosion and oxidation tests, Development of aluminide diffusion coatings, Development of NiP repair techniques for protective coatings, Development of Electroless Pt coatings
2022 - ongoing PI - Research project funded by Italian Space Agency (ASI) “CARISMA” Development of Carbon-phenolic systems for rocket nozzles



The main research field concerns the development and characterization of protective coatings for wear and corrosion/oxidation protection and for very high temperature applications. Coatings are produced by means of thermal spray techniques (thick films) and physical/chemical vapour deposition process (thin films). Most recently researches on production of coatings by diffusion methods (pack cementation) and chemical routes (electroless deposition) was carried out.

Research activities in the field of composite materials are focused on the development of materials for high temperature applications, particularly metal matrix composites and ablative materials for thermal protection systems of aerospace re-entry vehicles.