Printable versionDetails about funded positions - 39th Cycle - Curriculum 5
(5A) Modular Antenna Systems for Efficient Long-Range Wireless Power Transmission - E66E23000170001
Funding institution: University of Trento
Doctoral site: University of Trento – Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering
Contact: Prof. Paolo Rocca [p.rocca [at] unitn.it]
Funds: NRRP, M4C1 – inv 4.1 - Public Administration scholarships
Mobility abroad: compulsory, minimum 6 months
Periods in companies/research centres/public administrations: compulsory, minimum 6 months
The research activity aims to study, design, and characterization of novel antenna systems and technology enabling the transmission and reception of electromagnetic waves with high efficiency over long distances. The study will extend the technological state-of-the-art in the framework of long-range wireless power transmission relevant to applications both on Earth and in space (e.g., space-based solar power). The research is aimed at expanding the role of Italy and Europe in the international activities towards the development of scalable and green energy solutions.
The research activity will focus on the study, modelling, design, and validation (numerical and experimental in a small case scenario) of innovative technological antenna solutions enabling the wireless power transmission in far field. The research initiative will focus on the design of the antenna architecture, of the radiating elements, of the materials, and of all the geometrical and electrical features and degrees-of-freedom of both the transmitting antenna system (i.e., WPT scanning antenna array) and the receiving antenna system (i.e., WPT rectenna array).
(5B) Design and prototype characterization of innovative high energy particle detectors for space application
Funding institution: National Institute for Nuclear Physics - INFN
Doctoral site: INFN sites Bari – Roma Tor Vergata
Contact: Dr. Fabio Gargano [fabio.gargano [at] ba.infn.it] - Prof. Roberta Sparvoli [rsparvoli [at] gmail.com]
Funds: Own Funds
Mobility abroad: compulsory, minimum 6 months
Periods in companies/research centres/public administrations: optional
The design and characterization of innovative high-energy particle detectors for space applications is a critical area of research that seeks to develop advanced technology capable of detecting and measuring high-energy particles in space. These detectors are essential for studying the space environment, such as the radiation levels in space, the properties of cosmic rays, and the behaviour of high-energy particles. The design process involves the development of advanced prototypes, which are then characterized using a range of techniques to evaluate their performance and suitability for use in space missions. Ultimately, this research aims to improve our understanding of the space environment and support the development of space-based technologies.
(5C) Integrated Photonics for space
Funding institution: National Inter-University Consortium for Telecommunications - CNIT
Doctoral site: CNIT – PNTLAB - Pisa
Contact: Ing. Paolo Ghelfi [paolo.ghelfi [at] cnit.it]
Funds: Own Funds
Mobility abroad: compulsory, minimum 6 months
Periods in companies/research centres/public administrations: optional
Integrated photonics for communications and sensing in space is an emerging field of research and development that aims to augment space exploration by employing the use of miniaturized photonic devices. This project aims at designing and fabricating photonics integrated circuits with efficient, performance in space environments
(5D) Development of technologies for the use of oriented crystals for observations of astrophysical interest - E66E23000110001
Funding institution: University of Ferrara
Doctoral site: University of Ferrara - Department of Physics and Earth Sciences
Contact: Prof. Cesare Malagù [malagu [at] fe.infn.it]
Funds: NRRP, M4C1 inv. 4.1, NRRP research
Mobility abroad: compulsory, minimum 6 months
Periods in companies/research centres/public administrations: optional
Due to their atomically ordered structure, the interaction between crystalline materials and particle beams, x-rays and gamma shows anisotropy characteristics. In particular, when crystals are appropriately oriented in space, it is possible to excite coherent interactions between radiation of various kinds and the crystal structures themselves. For this reason, oriented crystals can find innovative applications in the development of elements useful to the astrophysical sector, some of which are mentioned here. The implementation of such tools would make it possible to conduct innovative experiments on satellites to obtain fundamental information on various objects that are still mysterious and whose nature is closely connected to the evolutionary history of the universe and the laws that govern it.
(5E) X-ray & gamma-ray spectrometer for two space applications: high energy cosmic transients and planetary surfaces - E66E23000110001
Funding institution: University of Trieste
Doctoral site: University of Trieste and INAF – Astronomical Observatory of Trieste
Contact: Prof. Francesco Longo [francesco.longo [at] ts.infn.it] - Dott. Fabrizio Fiore [fabrizio.fiore [at] inaf.it]
Funds: NRRP, M4C1 inv. 4.1, NRRP research
Mobility abroad: compulsory, minimum 6 months
Periods in companies/research centres/public administrations: optional
A team lead by INAF has designed and developed a miniaturized X-ray and gamma-ray spectrometer for space application which features in the SpIRIT and HERMES-Pathfinder CubeSat missions. It will monitor the High Energy sky to catch and localize transients such as Gamma Ray Bursts.
A spectrometer derived from the HERMES Pathfinder has been included in the phase-A study of TASTE (Terrain Analyzer and Sample Tester Explorer) with the objective of obtaining X-ray fluorescent spectroscopy and gamma-ray spectroscopy of the surface of Deimos, one of the Mars moons, thus obtaining information on the surface chemical composition and help discriminate between the two possible origins of Deimos: a captured asteroid or a fragment of Mars.
The PhD student will be involved in the calibration and operations of the instrument with particular regard to pre-operation activities, in-orbit health checks and performances, data exploitation with the goal of understanding which modification to the baseline design are needed to meet the scientific requirements and survive in the Martian space environment.
(5F) Development of reconfigurable and intelligent RF active components and systems for space applications - E66E23000200008
Funding institution: RF MICROTECH s.r.l.
Doctoral site: RF MICROTECH s.r.l. – Perugia & University of Trento
Contact: Prof. Roberto Passerone [roberto.passerone [at] unitn.it]
Funds: NRRP, M4C2 Inv. 3.3, Innovative PhDs
Mobility abroad: compulsory, minimum 6 months
Periods in companies/research centres/public administrations: compulsory, minimum 6 months
The objective of the proposal focuses on the development of intelligent radio frequency components and systems, along with their design methodologies. The main innovative aspect lies in the use of active and passive electronic and optical elements (e.g., filters and antennas) to form integrated systems in the analogic domain (e.g., up/down converters) that are integrated and controlled by digital systems and computing capable of reconfiguring the system to adapt to different operating conditions and signals.
In addition to the characteristic aspects of radio frequency circuits, the project will involve the development of control algorithms based on artificial intelligence and machine learning that can evaluate circuit and environmental parameters and make autonomous decisions to meet specifications while optimizing performance. Concurrently, the project aims to leverage the experience gained in prototyping for the development of software for automatic or assisted design, such as simulation, synthesis, and verification systems for the aforementioned components, utilizing the same AI algorithms for parameter estimation and architectural exploration. The activity plan, therefore, encompasses both the development of the design method and its application to case studies. The goal is to employ the research results in projects for space applications, preferably in-flight. The expected outcomes are devices and systems characterized by improved performance and reliability, capable of autonomous reconfiguration.
The educational project will include activities related to specific research aspects concerning the development of electronic components and parameter estimation based on machine learning, as well as the acquisition of cross-cutting "soft" skills, particularly regarding methodology and scientific communication, including linguistic perspectives, both for result valorisation and process management.