Enrico Sassoni

CURRENT POSITION

2022 - present Associate Professor

Dept. Civil, Chemical, Environmental and Materials Engineering (DICAM),

University of Bologna (UNIBO), Italy

 

PREVIOUS POSITIONS

• 2019 - 2022 Assistant Professor with tenure track, DICAM-UNIBO, Italy
• 2018 - 2019 Postdoctoral Research Associate, DICAM-UNIBO, Italy
• 2017 (6 months) Visiting Postdoctoral Research Associate
  University of Göttingen, Germany (Advisor: Prof. Siegfried Siegesmund)
• 2015 - 2017 (18 months) Visiting Postdoctoral Research Associate
  Princeton University, USA (Advisor: Prof. George W. Scherer)
• 2015 - 2018 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellow, DICAM-UNIBO, Italy
• 2013 - 2015 Postdoctoral Research Associate, DICAM-UNIBO, Italy
• 2011- 2013 Postdoctoral Research Associate, CIRI-EC- UNIBO, Italy

 

EDUCATION

• 2011 PhD in Materials Engineering, UNIBO, Italy
• 2010 Visiting period (6 months) at Princeton University, USA
  Supervisor: Prof. George W. Scherer
• 2007 Master in Building Engineering/Architecture (awarded cum laude), UNIBO, Italy

 

***RESEARCH ACTIVITY***

 

PUBBLICATIONS

Dr. Sassoni is author/coauthor of +100 scientific papers (cf. publications list)

 

BIBLIOMETRIC DATA (January 2025):

Scopus: Documents: 88, Citations: +2550, h-index:30

WOS: Documents: 78, Citations: +2100, h-index:28

 

RESEARCH TOPICS

• Innovative consolidants and protectives for the conservation of Cultural Heritage

  Development of novel phosphate-based consolidants and protectives for stones, mortars and archaeological bones, having enhanced effectiveness, compatibility, durability and sustainability with respect to available commercial products.

• Decay mechanisms of historic building materials and predictive models

  Study of stone and mortar decay in real historic buildings, in collaboration with Authorities in charge of their conservation (e.g., Royal Palace in Versailles, FR; Cathedral of Modena, IT; Ducal Palace in Mantua, IT.; Monumental Cemetery in Bologna, IT).

• Nanostructured phosphate coatings with antibacterial ability for the biomedical sector

  Study and characterization of calcium phosphate coatings with antibacterial ability for prostheses for osteointegration.

• Innovative techniques for evaluating the structural safety of historic masonries

  Study and improvement of the adhesion between masonry and fiber reinforced polymers (FRP) used for existing building rehabilitation. Development of novel moderately destructive methods for masonry strength determination.

• Sustainable materials for the building sector
  Development of novel sustainable composites, based on renewable vegetable fibers, for building thermal insulation. Development of alkali-activated materials from waste precursors (e.g. brick powder) for rehabilitation of existing masonry buildings.

 

COLLABORATIONS

• Prof. George W. Scherer (Princeton University, USA)

  Development of new phosphate protectives and consolidants for cultural herotage conservation

• Dr. Martina Lessio (University of New South Wales, Australia)

  Modeling of phosphate consolidants by molecular dynamics and quantum mechanics

• Dr. Lucía López-Polín and Andrea Diaz (IPHES, Tarragona, Spain)

  Development and characterization of phosphate consolidants for archeological bones

• Dr. Gabriela Graziani (Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna)

  Deposition and characterization of nanostructured coatings for bone regeneration

• Dr. Martina Cappelletti and Dr. Daniele Ghezzi (Dept. Pharmacy and Biotechnology, UNIBO)

  Evaluation of the antimicrobial activity of nanostructured coatings

• Prof. Siegfried Siegesmund (University of Göttingen, Germany)
  Novel methods for arresting the bowing of thin marble slabs by phosphate treatment
• Dr. Véronique Vergès-Belmin (LRMH, Paris, France); Dr. Sébastien Forst, Dr. Olivier Rolland and Dr. Azzurra Palazzo (Royal Palace of Versailles, France)
  Field testing of new stone consolidants in the Royal Palace of Versailles
• Dr. Roberto Martorelli and Dr. Otello Sangiorgi (Cimitero Monumentale di Bologna)
  Testing of new conservation treatments in real case studies
  

 

INVITED ORAL PRESENTATIONS

• KEYNOTE – “Strengths and weaknesses of traditional and innovative products for consolidation of stones, mortars and bricks”, RILEM Spring Convention 2023 & 4^th International Congress on Materials & Structural Stability, Rabat (Morocco), 08-10/3/2023
• KEYNOTE – “Life cycle assessment of stone consolidants: What functional unit should be adopted?”, 78^th RILEM Week & RILEM Conference on Sustainable Materials & Structures: Meeting the major challenges of the 21st century (SMS 2024), Toulose (France), 25-28/8/20204
• KEYNOTE – “Phosphate treatments to enhance the durability of cementitious substrates”, 10^th International Conference on Concrete under Severe Conditions – Environment and Loading (CONSEC2024), Chennai (India), 25-27/9/2024
• KEYNOTE – “Recent advances in consolidation of heritage stones and mortars”, International Workshop “CONSERVATION OF HERITAGE STRUCTURES - Connecting the past and future”, IIT Bombay, Mumbai (India), 21/9/2024
• KEYNOTE – “Ammonium phosphate for “green” conservation of cultural heritage: 10 years of research in the laboratory and in the field”, 75^th RILEM week & International Conference on Advances in Sustainable Construction Materials and Structures, Merida (Mexico), 29/8/2021-3/9/2021
• “Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships: from the proposal preparation to the project implementation”, 27^th Annual meeting of the European Orthopaedic Research Society (EORS2019), Maastricht (Netherlands), 4/10/2019
• “Calcium phosphates for the preservation of cultural heritage”, Institutul National de Cercetare, Bucharest (Romania), 6/5/2019
• "Phosphate-based treatments for conservation of stone", RILEM Spring Meeting 2017, Detroit (USA), 29/3/2017
  

 

ORAL PRESENTATIONS AT NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES

• 4^th International Congress on Materials & Structural Stability, Rabat (Morocco), 2023
• International Symposium CONSOLIDATION 2021, Lisbon (Portugal), 23-25/3/2022
• 75^th RILEM week & International Conference on Advances in Sustainable Construction Materials and Structures, Merida (Mexico), 29/8/2021-3/9/2021
• 14^th International Congress on Deterioration and Conservation of Stone, Göttingen (Germany), 7-12/09/2020
• 3^rd International Conference on Innovative Technologies for Clean and Sustainable Development (ITCSD2020), Chandigarh (India), 19-21/2/2020

 

ACTIVITY AS CHAIR OF SESSIONS DURING INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES

• 76^th RILEM Annual Week 2022 & ICRCS 2022, International Conference on Regeneration and Conservation of Structures (ICRCS 2022), Kyoto (Japan), 3-9/9/2022
• 75^th RILEM week & International Conference on Advances in Sustainable Construction Materials and Structures, Merida (Mexico), 29/8/2021-3/9/2021
• 74^th RILEM Annual Week & 40^th Cement and Concrete Science Conference, Sheffield (UK), 30/8/2020-4/9/2020
• 5^th Historic Mortars Conference (HMC2019), Pamplona (ES), 19-21/6/2019

 

AWARDS

• In 2024 Prof. Sassoni was nominated a RILEM Fellow
• “ILUCIDARE Special Prize 2021 for excellence in heritage-led innovation”, awarded within the European Heritage Awards/Europa Nostra Awards to the “HAP4MARBLE” project for excellence in heritage-led Innovation (“The HAP4MARBLE technique is replicable and is being tested on a large scale in various locations. There has also been a positive social impact from this project with outreach being undertaken to communities and stakeholders outside of the research community”).
• “ON-EORS Orthoregeneration Award” during the European Orthopaedic Research Society (EORS2021, Roma, IT, 17/9/2021) for the contribution “G. Graziani, M. Sartori, M. Fini, E. Sassoni, M. Boi, S. Farè, N. Baldini, New coatings for bone regeneration: the role of biomimetic composition and multiscale morphological cues in directing cells response”, awarded by the ON foundation to the “best paper and oral presentation on bone regeneration presented at the congress”
• Cover of the journal Coatings (March 2020 issue) dedicated to the paper “Sassoni E., Franzoni E., Stefanova M., Kamenarov Z., Scopece P., Verga Falzacappa E., Comparative study between ammonium phosphate and ethyl silicate towards conservation of prehistoric paintings in the Magura cave (Bulgaria), Coatings 10 (2020) 250”
• “Best Poster Presentation” at BIOMAT 2019 (held in Weimar, GE, 8-9/5/2019) for the contribution “G. Graziani, M. De Carolis, M. Bianchi, E. Sassoni, M. Berni, A. Gambardella, N. Baldini, Nanostructured bone apatite-like thin films for bone prostheses”
• “Gustavo Colonnetti Medal 2017”, awarded by RILEM (International Union of Testing and Research Laboratories for Materials and Structures) to researchers less than 35 years old, who have made "an outstanding scientific contribution to the field of construction materials and structures"
• “Marie Skłodowska-Curie Researcher 2017 in Italy” from the Marie Curie Alumni Association
• “ON-EORS Orthoregeneration Award” at the European Orthopaedic Research Society (EORS2021) congress (held in Rome, IT, 17/9/2021) for the contribution “G. Graziani, M. Sartori, M. Fini, E. Sassoni, M. Boi, S. Farè, N. Baldini, New coatings for bone regeneration: the role of biomimetic composition and multiscale morphological cues in directing cells response”, awarded by the ON foundation to the best paper and oral presentation on bone regeneration presented at the congress
• “Best Poster Presentation” at BIOMAT 2019 (held in Weimar, GE, 8-9/5/2019) for the contribution “G. Graziani, M. De Carolis, M. Bianchi, E. Sassoni, M. Berni, A. Gambardella, N. Baldini, Nanostructured bone apatite-like thin films for bone prostheses”
• “Best Paper Award” in the “Materials Science” section at the “International Conference HERI-TECH – The Future of Heritage Science and Technologies” (held in Florence, IT, 16-18/5/2018) for the contribution “Sassoni E., D'Amen E., Roveri N., Scherer G.W., Franzoni E., Photocatalytic hydroxyapatite-titania nanocomposites for preventive conservation of marble”
• “Best Poster Award” at the "13^th International Congress on Deterioration and Conservation of Stone" (held in Paisley, UK, 6-10 September 2016) for the contribution "Sassoni E., Graziani G., Franzoni E., Scherer G.W., Consolidation of sugaring marble by hydroxyapatite: some recent developments on producing and treating decayed samples"
• “Best Paper Award” in the 2018 competition within the DICAM Department at the University of Bologna (Italy), for the paper “Graziani G., Sassoni E., Scherer G.W., Franzoni E., Resistance to simulated rain of hydroxyapatite- and calcium oxalate-based coatings for protection of marble against corrosion, Corrosion Science 127 (2017) 168–174”
• “Best Paper Award” in the 2016 competition within the DICAM Department at the University of Bologna (Italy), for the paper "Sassoni E., Manzi S., Motori A., Montecchi M., Canti M., Experimental study on the physical-mechanical durability of innovative hemp-based composites for the building industry, Energy and Buildings, 104 (2015) 316-322"
• “Silver Poster Award” at the "Princeton Research Day" (held at Princeton University, USA, 5/5/2016) in the category "Graduate Students/Postdoctoral Researchers" with his poster entitled "Can the mineral constituting our teeth and bones help us preserve our monuments? The HAP4MARBLE project"
• The paper "Sassoni E., Naidu S., Scherer G.W., The use of hydroxyapatite as a new inorganic consolidant for damaged carbonate stones, Journal of Cultural Heritage 12 (2011) 346-355" was ranked among the most downloaded articles published in the “Journal of Cultural Heritage” as follows”: #9 October to December 2011, #25 in th eyear 2011, #10 January to March 2012, #25 in the year 2012




FUNDED RESEARCH GRANTS

• 2021-2024: TEAM MEMBER of the project H2020 HOLAHERIS (A holistic structural analysis method for cultural heritage structures conservation), Funded by the European Commission, UNIBO funding: 269 k€ - Topic: Innovative methods for cultural heritage conservation
• 2021-2024: TEAM MEMBER of the project PRIN 2020 “Manufacture of artificial aggregates by means of multi-step cold bonding pellettization of hazardous and non-hazardous wastes”, Funded by the Ministry of University and Research (Italy), Total funding: 675 k€, UNIBO funding: 101 K€ - Topic: Development of sustainable concrete using artificial aggregates from waste
• 2019-2021: TEAM MEMBER of the project MIMESIS (Smart Materials for the Built Heritage), Funded by the Emilia Romagna region (POR-FESR funds), Total funding: 798 k€, UNIBO fund-ing: 175 K€ - Topic: Sensors for monitoring of cultural heritage buildings
• 2015-2018: AWARDEE of a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowship - H2020 project HAP4MARBLE (Multi-functionalization of hydroxyapatite for the restoration and preventive conservation of marble artworks), Funded by the European Commission, UNIBO funding: 244 k€ - Topic: Development of phosphate-based treatments for the conservation of marble Website: https://events.unibo.it/hap4marble

  

FUNDED INDUSTRIAL CONTRACTS

• 2021-2023: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR of the project “Phosphate-based treatments for cementitious materials”, Funded by Saint Gobain Recherche (France), Funding: 100 k€
• 2020-2021: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR of the research project “Characterization of marble samples coming from the tombstone of Antonio Canova in Venice”, Funded by Ottorino Nonfarmale s.r.l., Funding: 4 k€

 

FUNDED APPLICATIONS TO HOST VISITING FELLOWS

Reference person for the University of Bologna for a proposal to host Dr. Martina Lessio (University of New South Wales, Australia) through a fellowship funded by the Institute for Advanced Studies (ISA) of the University of Bologna, to spend a visiting period in Bologna to work with Dr. Sassoni

 

ACTIVITY AS REVIEWER FOR INTERNAITONAL JOURNALS

Langmuir (ACS); Crystal Growth & Design (ACS); New Journal of Chemistry (Royal Society of Chemistry); Materials Advances (Royal Society of Chemistry); Journal of Crystal Growth (Elsevier); Journal of Colloid and Interface Science (Elsevier); Construction and Building Materials (Elsevier); Materials and Design (Elsevier); Materials Characterization (Elsevier); Materials Letters (Elsevier); Materials Chemistry and Physics (Elsevier); Ceramics International (Elsevier); Journal of Cleaner Production (Elsevier), Vibrational Spectroscopy (Elsevier); Building and Environment (Elsevier); Energy and Buildings (Elsevier); Science of the Total Environment (Elsevier); Journal of Building Engineering (Elsevier); Journal of Cultural Heritage (Elsevier); Engineering Geology (Elsevier); Fuel (Elsevier); Measurement (Elsevier); Case Studies in Construction Materials (Elsevier); Materials and Structures (Springer); Materials (MDPI); Nanomaterials (MDPI); Minerals (MDPI); Coatings (MDPI); Applied Sciences (MDPI); Fibers (MDPI); Studies in Conservation (Taylor & Francis); International Journal of Architectural Heritage (Taylor & Francis); Applied Physics A - Materials Science & Processing (Springer); Heritage Science (Springer); Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences (Springer); Environmental Earth Sciences (Springer); Journal of Polymers and the Environment (Springer); KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering (Springer); Key Engineering Materials (Trans Tech Publications); Nondestructive Testing and Evaluation (Taylor & Francis); European Journal of Environmental and Civil Engineering (Taylor & Francis); Materials Research (Scielo), Science China Technological Sciences (Springer), SPE Journal (OnePetro)

 

ACTIVITY AS REVIEWER OF RESEARCH PROJECT PROPOSALS

• 2022: Swiss National Science Foundation (NSF), Switzerland
• 2022: Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH), Switzerland
• 2021: State Education Development Agency (SEDA), Latvia
• 2020: State Education Development Agency (SEDA), Latvia
• 2019: State Education Development Agency (SEDA), Latvia

 

ACTIVITY AS MEMBER OF THE EDITORIAL BOARD OF SCIENTIFIC JOURNALS

• 2021-present: Deputy Editor-in-Chief of “Materials and Structures” (Springer)
• 2021-present: Associate Editor of “Frontiers in Materials” (Frontiers)
• 2018-present: Member of the Editorial Board of "Coatings" (MDPI)
• 2017-present: Associate Editor of "RILEM Technical Letters" (RILEM)
• 2021-2022: Co-Guest Editor of a special issue of "Materials" (MDPI)
• 2019-2020: Co-Guest Editor of a special issue of “Frontiers in Materials” (Frontiers)
• 2018-2020: Co-Guest Editor of a special issue of " [http://www.mdpi.com/journal/coatings] " (MDPI)

 

INSTITUTIONAL ACTIVITY WITHIN SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES

• From 2021 to 2023, Chair of the RILEM “Technical Activities Committee” (TAC), which has the function of monitoring and coordinating the activity of the Technical Committees (TCs) operating in RILEM, approving the creation of new TCs and approving proposals for workshops, conferences and other events co-sponsored by RILEM
• From 2021 to 2023, member of the RILEM “Educational Activities Committee” (EAC), which has the function of promoting courses and seminars for PhD students and professionals operating in the field of building materials and structures
• From 2018 to 2021, Convener of the RILEM Cluster E, comprising the Technical Committees (TCs) working on “Masonry, Timber and Cultural Heritage”

 

MEMBERSHIP OF SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES

• 2017-present: RILEM (International Union of Laboratories and Experts in Construction Materials, Systems and Structures)
• 2014-present: AIMAT (Italian Association of Materials Engineering)
• 2011-2014: MRS (Materials Research Society)

 

***TEACHING ACTIVITY***

 

 ACADEMIC COURSES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF BOLOGNA and

STUDENTS’ OPINIONS ON THE QUALITY OF THE TEACHING ACTIVITY

• 2023-2024, Ceramics Technology and Materials Characterization - 72 hours

  Master Degree in Chemical and Process Engineering

  • “Does the teacher promote the interest in the discipline?” YES:
  • “Is the teacher clear?” YES:
  • “Overall are you satisfied with this course?” YES:
• 2023-2024, Chemistry and Materials Technology - 50 hours

  Bachelor Degree in Civil Engineering

  • “Does the teacher promote the interest in the discipline?” YES: 92.5%
  • “Is the teacher clear?” YES: 100%
  • “Overall are you satisfied with this course?” YES: 97.5%
• 2022-2023, Ceramics Technology and Materials Characterization - 72 hours

  Master Degree in Chemical and Process Engineering

  • “Does the teacher promote the interest in the discipline?” YES: 100%
  • “Is the teacher clear?” YES: 100%
  • “Overall are you satisfied with this course?” YES: 100%
• 2022-2023, Chemistry and Materials Technology - 50 hours

  Bachelor Degree in Civil Engineering

  • “Does the teacher promote the interest in the discipline?” YES: 100%
  • “Is the teacher clear?” YES: 100%
  • “Overall are you satisfied with this course?” YES: 95.5%
• 2021-2022, Ceramics Technology and Materials Characterization - 36 hours

  Master Degree in Chemical and Process Engineering

  • “Does the teacher promote the interest in the discipline?” YES: 100%
  • “Is the teacher clear?” YES: 100%
  • “Overall are you satisfied with this course?” YES: 100%
• 2021-2022, Chemistry and Materials Technology - 50 hours

  Bachelor Degree in Civil Engineering

  • “Does the teacher promote the interest in the discipline?” YES: 100%
  • “Is the teacher clear?” YES: 100%
  • “Overall are you satisfied with this course?” YES: 100%
• 2021-2022, Materials Technology and Applied Chemistry - 30 hours

  Master Degree in Building Engineering-Architecture

  • “Does the teacher promote the interest in the discipline?” YES: 100%
  • “Is the teacher clear?” YES: 100%
  • “Overall are you satisfied with this course?” YES: 100%
• 2020-2021, Chemistry and Materials Technology - 50 hours

  Bachelor Degree in Civil Engineering

  • “Does the teacher promote the interest in the discipline?” YES: 96.7%
  • “Is the teacher clear?” YES: 100%
  • “Overall are you satisfied with this course?” YES: 100%
• 2020-2021, Materials Technology and Applied Chemistry - 30 hours

  Master Degree in Building Engineering-Architecture

  • “Does the teacher promote the interest in the discipline?” YES: 96.6%
  • “Is the teacher clear?” YES: 100%
  • “Overall are you satisfied with this course?” YES: 96.6%
• 2019-2020, Materials Technology and Applied Chemistry - 60 hours

  Master Degree in Building Engineering-Architecture

  • “Does the teacher promote the interest in the discipline?” YES: 100%
  • “Is the teacher clear?” YES: 97.6%
  • “Overall are you satisfied with this course?” YES: 97.7%
• 2018-2019, Materials and corrosion of offshore structures and equipment - 28 hours

Master Degree in Offshore Engineering

• “Does the teacher promote the interest in the discipline?” YES: 100%
• “Is the teacher clear?” YES: 100%
• “Overall are you satisfied with this course?” YES: 100%

   

 

SUPERVISION AT THE UNIVERSITY OF BOLOGNA

• Supervision of Postdocs
• 2021-2023: Supervision of the Postdoc Dr. Hélène Pasco

Project: “Investigation of phosphate-based treatments for cementitious materials”

 

• Supervision of PhD candidates
• 2022-2024: Supervision of the PhD student Alessio Gabrielli - Project: “Study of an antimicrobial and water-repellent protective treatments for stone surfaces”
• 2020-2023: Supervision of the PhD student Greta Ugolotti - Project: “Phosphate treatment of contaminated substrates”
• 2022: Supervision of the visiting PhD student Anupama V.A. (Indian Institute of Technology Madras – IIT Madras, India), Visit: September-December 2022
• 2021: Supervision of the visiting PhD student Andrea Diaz (Catalan Institute of Human Paleoecology and Social Evolution - IPHES), Visit: April-July 2021
• 2019: Supervision of the visiting PhD student Swathy Manohar (Indian Institute of Technology Madras – IIT Madras, India), Visit: June-July 2019
• 2013-2015: Co-supervision of the PhD student Gabriela Graziani - Project: “New phosphate-based treatments for consolidation and protection of stone”
  
  

• Activity as external reviewer of PhD theses
• External reviewer of the PhD thesis entitled “Microstructural consolidation of mortars’ surfaces by the use of di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) as an innovative treatment in cultural heritage buildings” by Dr. Agnieszka Katarzyna Defus, Politecnico di Milano, 2020
• External reviewer of the PhD thesis entitled “A study on characterisation, deterioration mechanisms and protection of bricks and stones in historic structures” by Dr. Swathy Manohar, Indian Institute of Technology Madras (India), 2020
  
  
• Co-supervision of master students at the University of Bologna

Since 2011, co-supervision of +20 undergraduate students for their Master theses

 

• Co-supervision of students for internship periods at the University of Bologna

Since 2010, tutoring of 10+ undergraduate students for internship periods

 

 

INVITED SEMINARS

• “La conservazione delle superfici murarie, storia e traguardi della Scienza dei Materiali”, within the Scientific School “La Scienza dei Materiali e i Beni Culturali. Conservazione e Restauro delle Superfici e delle Murature Storiche”, Pula (CA), 21/9/2021
• “Materiali per il consolidamento delle ossa archeologiche”, within the course “Bones - lo Scheletro, un Archivio Biologico” (codice 95164), Collegio Superiore – Istituto di Studi Superiore, Università di Bologna, Bologna (IT), 22/4/2021
• “Stone and mortar consolidation by ammonium phosphate - 10 years of laboratory and field testing”, Politecnico di Milano, Milano (IT), 17/3/2021
• “Ammonio fosfato per la conservazione delle matrici carbonatiche: 10 anni in laboratorio e
  in casi reali”, Centro Europeo Per i Mestieri Del Patrimonio, Thiene (IT), 2/10/2020
• “Tecniche innovative per la conservazione del materiale lapideo”, within the Scientific School “Beni culturali dell’edilizia storica e moderna: nuove prospettive nel recupero e nella conservazione dei materiali”, Pula (CA), 6/6/2019
• “Ammonio fosfato: un metodo innovativo per il trattamento di supporti carbonatici”, Incontro tecnico organizzato da AN.T.A.RES s.r.l., Bologna (IT), 14/6/2019
• “Ammonio fosfato per la conservazione delle matrici carbonatiche: 10 anni di esperienze in laboratorio e in casi reali”, Le superfici decorate dell’architettura: Interventi tra tradizione e nuove tecnologie, Trento (IT), 7/11/2019
• “Carbonate stone conservation by calcium phosphates”, ETH, Zurich (CH), 8/5/2017
• "Focused ion beam microscopy (FIB-SEM) provides new insights on inorganic treatments used for conservation of marble artworks", New York Microscopical Society, Clifton (NJ), 25/2/2017
• “Conservation of marble artworks by hydroxyapatite”, LRMH, Paris (FR), 6/10/2016

 

 

***INSTITUTIONAL ACTIVITY AND THIRD MISSION***

 

 INSTITUTIONAL ACTIVITY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF BOLOGNA

• In 2019, Dr. Sassoni took part in the initiative “Opportunità di finanziamento per la carriera dei ricercatori e per l’attrazione di talenti nei Dipartimenti dell’Ateneo: le azioni Marie Skłodowska-Curie IF e ITN di H2020”, held on 18/4/2019. The initiative, organized by the office of the University of Bologna dedicated to Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, was aimed at presenting these actions to postdocs and researchers thanks to presentations and interaction with Marie Skłodowska-Curie Alumni.
• Since 2020, Dr. Sassoni has been appointed as delegate of the University of Bologna within the General Council of the RILEM association (“International Union of Testing and Research Laboratories for Materials and Structures”)
• In 2020, Dr. Sassoni took part in the organization of the event “DidaDAY@DICAM”, held on 11/2/2020. The event, open to professors, researchers and students, was aimed at presenting and discussing teaching and marking experiences within the DICAM Department, as well as illustrating innovative methodologies and “Best Practices” by part of external experts
• In 2021, Dr. Sassoni served as testimonial for the campaign “5x1000”, aimed at raising funds to support research. He was featured in a video illustrating the effects of air pollution onto cultural heritage and stressing the importance of research on innovative materials and technologies for heritage conservation (https://site.unibo.it/5x1000/it/progetti-ricerche-sostenibilita/inquinamento-aria)
• Since 2021, Dr. Sassoni is member of the “Third Mission Committee” of the DICAM Department. The Committee has the goal of promoting the research and teaching activities carried out at DICAM, favoring communication among researchers within the Department and enhancing the Department’s visibility. The Committee is also in charge of organizing the biannual “DICAM Works” event, aimed at gathering professors, researchers, students and industry for a mutual transfer of knowledge.

 

INVITED PARTICIPATION IN INTERNATIONAL OUTREACH EVENTS

• “Science is Wonder-ful! - European Researchers' Night”, Brussels (BE), 25-26/9/2018
• “ECSITE 2018” - International Annual Conference of the European Network of Science Centres and Museums, Geneva (CH), 7-9/6/2018
• “European Commission Open Doors”, Brussels (BE), 5/5/2018

 

PARTICIPATION IN OUTREACH EVENTS

• In 2021, Dr. Sassoni was asked to take part in the “5 x 1000” fund raising campaign at the University of Bologna. He explained the threats to our Cultural Heritage and the possible solutions offered by his ongoing research through a brief video for the general public.
• On 25-26/09/2018, Dr. Sassoni was invited by the European Commission to take part in the initiative "Science is Wonder-ful! [https://ec.europa.eu/research/mariecurieactions/events/science-wonder-ful_en]" at the Parlamentarium in Brussels (B), within the "European Researchers' Night" event. He presented his Marie Skłodowska-Curie project to the general public, mostly little school children. Thanks to hands-on-experiments on real decayed marble, the children were made more aware of the importance of our cultural heritage, the risks it is subjected to and the new conservation opportunities developed within the HAP4MARBLE project.
• On 7-9/6/2018, Dr. Sassoni was invited by the European Commission to take part in the International Conference “ECSITE 2018” (the annual meeting of the European network of science centres and museums) in Geneva (CH). Along with 3 other Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellows, Dr. Sassoni presented his own research work and the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions to about 1200 science communicators attending the ECSITE conference.
• On 5/5/2018, Dr. Sassoni was invited by the European Commission to take part in the event “European Commission Open Doors” in Brussels (BE). The event, attended by 12’000 people, was aimed at making the general public (families and children) more aware of the European programs funding public research (e.g., through the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions) and the resulting benefits for the society. On this occasion, Dr. Sassoni also took part in a “mini citizen’s dialogue” coordinated by Dr. Sophie Beernaerts (Head of Unit, DG Education, Youth, Sport and Culture).
• On 29/9/2017 and 30/9/2016, Dr. Sassoni took part in the EU-funded event "European Researchers' Night" in Bologna (IT), by organizing the initiative "A water drop hollows a stone… or not? New strategies for the conservation of decayed historical marbles thanks to the mineral constituting our teeth and bones". He guided groups of ~30 people through the Monumental Cemetery in Bologna, showing cases of decayed marbles and explaining through on site demonstrations how the new hydroxyapatite-treatment developed within the HAP4MARBLE project works.
• On 5/5/2016, Dr. Sassoni took part in the event "Princeton Research day" at Princeton University (USA). He explained his work to the general public by presenting a poster entitled "Can the mineral constituting our teeth and bones help us preserve our monuments? The HAP4MARBLE project". The poster won the "Silver Poster Award".
• In 2017, an image entitled “Protection from the elements” by Dr. Sassoni and Prof. George W. Scherer was selected for exhibition at the annual Princeton “Art of Science” event. The image was also selected for publication in a number of the magazine “Princeton Alumni Weekly” dedicated to the Art of Science exhibition.
• In 2010, an image entitled “Forest of Apatite” by Dr. Sassoni and Dr. Sonia Naidu was selected for exhibition at the annual Princeton “Art of Science” event. In 2012, the same image was selected among more than 250 images from previous contest editions for being shown during the initiative “Art of Science Travelling Exhibition”.

 

NON-ACADEMIC FACT

In 2014, Dr. Sassoni discovered in Crete (Greece) 5 underwater ancient amphorae, for which he received a reward from the Greek Ministry of Culture. The Ministry experts attributed four amphorae to the Roman era (III cent.) and one to the Byzantine era (IV cent.).