Programme

Talk Session 1 - Sections

Talk Session 2 - Sections

Talk Session 3 - Sections

Talk Session 4 - Scientific presentations

Abstracts

Erik Romelli
Title: The Euclid Italian Science Data Center

Abstract: Euclid is an upcoming space mission aimed at studying the dark Universe and understanding the nature of the so called Dark Matter and Dark Energy. The launch is forseen for 2021. A huge ammount of data will be produced by the two on-board instruments (VIS and NISP) and the data processing will be a crucial point for the mission, expecially dealing with the performances of the code involved in the scientific analysis. The Science Data Centers (SDCs) are in charge of the optimization of the code and its integration within the official Euclid software environment. I am a developer for the Italian SDC, which is placed in Trieste. In my talk I will shortly describe the Euclid mission, its objectives and how I give my two cents on the long way to the goal.

 

Fernando Soldevilla Torres
Title: Think small: imaging with just a pixel

Abstract: Single-pixel cameras use spatial light modulators to generate structured masks, and a single-pixel detector to measure the light transmitted by the scene for each one of the masks. Given knowledge of the generated masks and the measured intensities, the image of a scene can be easily calculated. Using this simple detection scheme makes possible to obtain multidimensional images (depth, phase, wavelength) very easily.

 

Ilya Yakavets
Title: Cyclodextrin-based delivery of photoactive anticancer drugs

Abstract: Photodynamic therapy of cancer is based on the combined action of photosensitizer drug molecule, light and molecular oxygen, leading to the generation of toxic reactive oxygen species with the resulting damage of malignant and nonmalignant cells alike, depending on drug distribution. Conventional drugs possess the distribution drawbacks, which may be corrected by means of nanoscale delivery systems. Recently, our group suggested that cyclodextrins can be used as nanotransporters of photosensitizers to improve theirs bio-availability, distribution and efficacy of the treatment.

 

Justyna Piwowar
Title: What makes catalyst active?
Abstract: In order to better understand the origin of catalytic activity of catalyst towards certain reactions it is necessary to examine the correlation between its surface morphology and electronic and catalytic properties.To address those issues in the first step I synthesize nanomaterials of desired structure and composition and I comprehensively characterize its morphology.In the second step I analyze catalytic properties in studies of a model processes like ethanol electrooxidation on this material. I focus on activity in these reactions as well as selectivity towards desired products.Moreover I study electronic properties determined by X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy. The energy of core electron levels and valence band structure is an important information in predicting the properties like adsorption or desorption energy - indispensable steps in heterogeneous catalysis. In my work I correlate experimentally determined electronic and catalytic properties of a material as a function of intentionally introduced modification and then I compare this result to the one obtained by computational approach.

 

Mažena Mackoit
Title: Optical properties of point defects in h-BN

Abstract: Hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) is a promising material for implementation in spintronics due to a large band gap (6 eV), low spin-orbit coupling, and a small lattice mismatch to graphene. Fluorescent defects recently observed under ambient conditions in h-BN promise to open novel opportunities for the implementation of on-chip photonic devices that rely on identical photons from single emitters. Tran et al. also identified single photon emission (SPE) from colour centers in h-BN emitting at energies between 1.6 and 2.2 eV [1, 2, 3]. Subsequent experiments have revealed a broad range of colour centers exhibiting SPE with widely varying zero phonon lines (ZPLs) and vibronic properties [4, 5]. These results highlight the potential of h-BN for applications related to quantum information science, including quantum computing and quantum-secure communication. Despite the obvious technological importance, the precise chemical nature of the dominant point defects in h-BN remains unclear. We study the electronic and energetic properties of native point defects in h-BN using density functional theory (DFT) within the generalized Kohn-Sham scheme. We use the screened hybrid functional of Heyd, Scuseria and Ernzerhof (HSE). We also investigate the migration properties of these point defects to determine their kinetics at different temperatures. We examine the case of N-rich conditions, where NB has the lowest formation energies. The formation energies of native point defects depend on the Fermi level; the Fermi level, in turn, is determined by charge neutrality.

 

Giovanna Ruello
Title: Raman spectroscopic analysis for investigations of art and cultural heritage finds

Abstract: Raman spectroscopy is considered a powerful investigation non-destructive technique both organic and inorganic elements. For this reason, it is widely used for analysis and characterization of finds of artistic and historical interest, allowing to obtain information about materials and methods used for the realization and preservation of cultural heritage. Furthermore, the SERS (Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy) has been used to enhance the Raman signal of the investigated materials just exploiting the plasmonic properties of nanostructured metallic substrates suitably excited at resonance. In particular, the diagnosis of pigments and dies, jewels, pottery, manuscripts, inks, glasses and enamels will be shown.