I am a Lecturer in Materials Modelling in the Department of Mechanical Engineering.

My main research interest is the computational modelling of the mechanical behaviour of metals and alloys at different length scales.

I use computational techniques based on the finite element method.
Specifically, I have expertise in the crystal plasticity finite element method, continuum dislocation dynamics, twinning, fracture mechanics, grain growth models, thermo-mechanical and mechano-chemistry models.

I have applied these methods to different metals, such as copper, aluminium, stainless steel, uranium, titanium alloys and energetic materials (HMX and RDX), under different loading conditions: tension-compression, cyclic fatigue, creep and shock load.

These computational methods are used to understand the relationship between manufacturing process parameters, microstructure and mechanical properties.
For instance, simulations can be used to optimise the parameters of additive manufacturing techniques, such as selective laser melting, and to predict the lifetime of mechanical components as a function of the process parameters.

Microstructure design can be used to improve the structural integrity of existing alloys. It can also be used to develop new materials and new processes that increase the safety of vehicles, improve energy production and the reliability of devices used in today's life. Meanwhile, enhancing the sustainability of the manufacturing processes and developing mechanical components that are replaced less frequently is also important to reduce the environmental impact of modern technology.  

Simulations are also useful to link experimental observables to microscopic mechanisms. This helps understand which physical mechanisms are more likely to explain specific experimental observables.
Therefore, I compare simulations with experimental results obtained using electron microscopy, electron backscatter diffraction, X-Ray and neutron diffraction experiments, surface analysis, digital image correlation and mechanical testing.

A short bio:

I obtained a MSc in Condensed Matter Physics from Scuola Normale Superiore (Italy) in 2012.
I completed my PhD in Materials Science and Engineering at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (Switzerland) in 2016 under the supervision of Prof. Helena Van Swygenhoven and Dr. Koenraad Janssens.
I have 5 years postdoctoral experience at Purdue University (Indiana, USA, 2016-2018, supervisors: Prof. Marisol Koslowski and Prof. Alejandro Strachan), at the University of Oxford (UK, 2018-2020, supervisors: Prof. Alan Cocks and Prof. Edmund Tarleton) and at the National University of Singapore (2020-2021, supervisor: Prof. Wentao Yan). I joined the Mechanical Engineering Department at the University of Bristol in 2021.