Last update: November 21st, 2023

1. Name, status, contact details, and public profile

• Name: Luciano Colombo
• Born: Venice (I), 1960
• Citizenship: Italian
• Contact details: 
  • Department of Physics - University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria
  • I-09042 Monserrato (Ca), Italy
  • Phone: +39 070 675 4871
  • E-mail: luciano.colombo@unica.it
• ORCID identifier:  http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5335-4652
   

2. Current position

• Tenured full professor of Condensed Matter Physics (theory), since December 2002
• Vice-rector for Research, University of Cagliari (2021-2027)
• Fellow of the “Istituto Lombardo – Accademia di Scienze e Lettere”

3. Education

• 1984: master degree (cum laude) in Physics at the University of Pavia, Italy (Alumnus Almo Collegio Borromeo)
• 1985: stage at the “GaAs-based new information technologies laboratory” of Telettra SpA, Milano, Italy
• 1986-1988: visiting summer student at the “SuperComputing Research Institute” (SCRI) of the Florida State University, Tallahassee FL, USA
• 1986-1989: visiting student at the “Instituto de Ciencia de Materiales” (ICMM) of the “Consejo Superiore de Investigaciones Cientificas” (CSIC), Madrid, Spain
• 1989: Ph.D. in Physics at the University of Pavia, Italy
• 1989: post-doc research associate at “Institut Romande de Recherche Numérique en Physique des Matériaux” (IRRMA), Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Switzerland
• 1990: junior research associate at International School for Advanced Studies (ISAS-SISSA), Trieste, Italy

4. Employment and international academic appointments

• 1990-1996: assistant professor (tenured) at the Department of Physics of the University of Milano, Italy
• 1991-1996: visiting scientist at the Swiss National Supercomputing Center (CSCS), Manno, Switzerland 1992-1993: visiting scientist at the “Centre Europeén de Calcul Atomique et Moléculaire” (CECAM), Paris, France
• 1994-1996: visiting scientist at the “Chemistry and Materials Science Division” of the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore CA, USA
• 1996-1999: assistant professor (tenured) at the Department of Materials Science of the University of Milano-Bicocca, Italy
• 1999-2002: associate professor (tenured) at the Department of Physics of the University of Cagliari, Italy
• 2002-present: full professor (tenured) at the Department of Physics of the University of Cagliari, Italy
• 2010-2011: visiting professor at the School of Physics of the University College Dublin, Ireland
• 2015-2016: sabbatical year as visiting professor at the Catalan Institute for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Barcelona (Spain)

5. Main research interests and activity
My research is mainly focussed on novel (nano)materials and addressed to improve our fundamental understanding of their properties for energy production & harvesting, biomedical applications, advanced functional and structural applications, information technology (phononics) and metrology. I am also interested in developing/applying new theoretical and computational methods and algorithms for large-scale atomistic simulations.

Current research topics:

1. Nanoscale thermal transport in nanostructured semiconductors (SiGe nanocomposites) for thermoelectric applications and thermal devices
2. Thermal properties of 2-dimensional atomic sheets (graphene, BN, and transition-metal dichalcogenides)
3. Physics of systems of discontinuous matter (granular and porous nano-materials): morphology, microstructure evolution, mechanical and transport (charge and heat) properties
4. Ultra stable organic glasses: growth, stability, transport properties
5. Methods and algorithms for large-scale atomistic simulations in materials physics

Other (previous) reserch topics:

•     Dielectric elastomers (metal-polymer nanocomposites) for stretchable electronics and biomedical applications
•     Multiscale modeling of the micro/nano-mechanics of complex materials
•     Hybrid organic/metal-oxide interfaces for efficient solar energy harvesting
•     Mechanical, elastic, and defect properties of novel carbon-based nanomaterials (graphene and fullerenes)
•     Structural, electronic, optical, and defect properties of silicon for microelectronics, photovoltaics, and optoelectronics

6. Most relevant research funding as project leader

• 1995-1998: NATO-CRG project “Molecular dynamics studies of defect properties and dopant diffusion in silicon” – role: project leader
• 1998-1999: MiUR-PRIN project “Ion-induced microstructural evolution: a computational approach” – role: leader of a research unit
• 2000-2002: MiUR-PRIN project “Multiscale approach to the unification of micro- and macro-mechanics of linear and nonlinear materials” – role: leader of a research unit
• 2000-2002: INFM project “An hybrid classical/quantum simulation scheme for modeling silicon bulk processing” – role: project leader
• 2002-2004: MiUR-PRIN project “Bridging molecular dynamics to continuum mechanics: a multiscale description of mechanical properties of materials” – role: leader of a research unit
• 2002-2006: MiUR-FIST project “Design, processing, and modeling of novel ceramic composites and coatings” – role: leader of a research unit
• 2003-2006: MiUR-FIRB project “Modeling and structural characterization of ion radiation induced defects in crystalline silicon” – role: leader of a research unit
• 2004-2008: EU-STREP FP-6 project “Nanocrystalline silicon for photovoltaic and optoelectronic applications” – role: leader of a research unit
• 2005-2009: EU-PON project “A cyberinfrastructure for science and technology” – leader of the activity “Computational hard- and soft-matter physics”
• 2010-2013: RAS project “Multiscale Modeling of Mechanical properties of Materials” – role: project leader
• 2012-2013: ISCRA project “Understanding Cluster Implantation in Polymers” – role: project leader
• 2012-2014: RAS-LOMB project “Stretchable electronics for biomedical applications” – role: leader of a research unit
• 2012-2015: MiUR-PRIN project “Frontiers in Graphene Research: understanding and controlling Advanced Functionalities” – role: leader of a research unit
• 2014-2015: ISCRA project “Thermal transport in nanostructured silicon” – role: project leader
• 2015-2016: ISCRA project “Thermal Rectification Without Interfaces: a proof-of-concept computer experiment“ – role: project leader
• 2015-2018: RAS project “Porous silicon for energy applications” – role: project leader
• 2017-2018: ISCRA project “Thermal transport and surface mobility in organic stable glasses”  – role: project leader 
• 2018-2022: EU FLAG-ERA call, project “MECHANIC” (P.I. A. Isaacson) – role: leader of a research unit
• 2019-2022: PON R&I 2014-2020 call, project Attraction&International Mobility “Theoretical design of SiGe nano-structures for efficient thermoelectric conversion” – role: project leader
• 2019-2022: “Brains to South” call, project “GRAnular matter for NEuromorphic Computing” (GRANECO) – role: project supervisor for UniCa and leader of the hosting group
• 2019-2022: call “Progetti ricerca di base - Fondazione di Sardegna”, project “ADVAnced Nanoporous materials for Cutting-edge engineerING” (ADVANCING) - role: leader of a research unit
• 2021-2022: call PNRR "Research Infrastructures" - project "Einstein Telescope Research Infrastructure" (ETIC) - role: principal investigator of the research unit @ UniCA
• 2021: Horizon 2020, MSCA-Night action,  project "Sharing Researchers' Passion for Engaging Responsiveness - The European Researchers' Night in Italy" (SHARPER) - role: principal investogator of the unit @ UniCA
• 2022-2023: Horizon Europe, MSCA-2022-Citizens action, progect "SHAring Researchers’ Passion for Enhanced Roadmaps - The European Researchers’ Night in Italy 2022-2023" (SHARPER) - role: principal investogator of the unit @ UniCA
• 2023-present: PNNR call for Extended Partnership, project “Network 4 Energy Sustainable Transition” (PE-NEST) Spoke 2 WP “Energy harvesting” – role: group leader at the University of Cagliari
• 2023-present: PNRR call for Ecosystems of Innovation, project “Ecosystem of Innovation for Next generation Sardinia” (e.INS) Spoke 7 WP “New materials for photovoltaics” – role: group leader at the University of Cagliari

7. Scientific production

• Total scientific production: 298 papers (source: Scopus)
• Books (authored): 6
• Books (edited): 4
• Invited presentations: 75+ invited talks at international events

8. Citation metrics

• Soiurce: Scopus -  https://www.scopus.com/results/authorNamesList.uri?st1=Colombo&st2=Luciano&origin=searchauthorlookup???????
  • h-index: 42
  • total number of citations: 7090
• Source: Google Scholar https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=3NtAcfgAAAAJ
  • h-index: 51
  • total number of citations: 9668
  • i10-index: 202

9. History of mentoring and supervision

• Mentoring:
  • 27 Bachelor theses (in physics and electronic engineering)
  • 46 Master theses (in physics, materials science, electronic engineering, and mechanical engineering)
• Supervision: 
  • 11 Ph.D. theses (in physics)
  •  3 Ph.D. theses (in engineering)
  •  5 post-graduate students
  •  11 post-doctoral research associates
  •  1 research assistant at IOM-CNR
  •  1 research assistant at the Department Physics of the University Cagliari

10. Teaching

• I have been teaching several “general physics” courses in B.Sc. programs in Physics, Materials Science, Informatics, Mathematics, Biology, Electronic Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering.
• Furthermore, I have been teaching several “condensed matter physics” (SSD FIS/03) courses in both B.S. and M.Sc. programs in Physics, Materials Science, and Electronic Engineering.
• Finally, I offered classes on “modern physics” for High School teachers.
• During the current academic year 2022-2023 I am in charge of the following courses
  • "Introduction to atomic, molecular, and solid state physics" (B.Sc. program in Physics

11. Managing responsibilities

• 1996-1999: Member of the “Semiconductor and Insulator” Steering Committee of the Italian National Institute for the Physics of Matter (INFM)
• 2002-2004: Head of the Steering and Scientific Committee for high-performance computing of the Italian National Institute for the Physics of Matter (INFM)
• 2003-2007: Coordinator of the Ph.D. program in Physics at the University of Cagliari, Italy
• 2005-2010: Member of the Scientific Board of the CASPUR supercomputing center, Rome, Italy
• 2006-present: Member of the Scientific Board of the CYBERSAR supercomputing center, Cagliari, Italy
• 2008-2011: Coordinator of the “Physics and Mathematics Section” of the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Cagliari, Italy
• 2009-2010: Director of the “Sardinian Laboratory for Computational Materials Science” (CNR-SLACS) 2009-2011: Head of the “Panel for Physical Sciences” (Area Fisica) of the University of Cagliari
• 2010-2015: Member of the Advisory Board of the European Theoretical Spectroscopy Facility
• 2011-2015: Head of the Department of Physics at the University of Cagliari
• 2012-2015: “Colloquia & reviews” `editor of the “The European Physical Journal B – Condensed matter physics and complex systems” (EPJ-B)
• 2017-2019: Member of the Committee for the evaluation of the seniority shooting records for professors and researchers enrolled at the University of Cagliari
• 2018-2021: Member of the Disciplinary Board of the University of Cagliari
• 2018-2021: Member of the Editorial Board of the “UNICApress” (The University of Cagliary Publisher) 
• 2019-201: Member of the Editorial Board of the “Rivista del Nuovo Cimento” (Italian Physical Society)
• 2020-2021: Member of the Committee for the evaluation of the seniority shooting records for professors and researchers enrolled at the University of Cagliari
• 2020-present: Member of the Scientific Steering Committee of the S.Efisio College (Cagliari, Italy)
• 2021-present: Vice-Rector for Research, University of Cagliari
• 2022-present: Managing Editor of the “The European Physical Journal Plus’’ (sezione "Materials Physics"), European Physical Society (EPS) “open access” official journal
• 2022-present: Member of Monitoring Committee of the PNRR National Center for Gene Therapy
• 2023-present: member of the Scientific and technical Committee of the PNRR NEST Partnership

 

12. Editorial activity 

• 2006-2008: co-Editor of “Applied Physics A”
• 2008-2012: Editor-in-Chief of the “European Physical Journal B – Condensed matter physics and complex systems” (EPJ-B) of the European Physical Society (EPS)
• 2012-2015: Colloquia&Reviews Editor of the “European Physical Journal B – Condensed matter physics and complex systems” (EPJ-B) of the European Physical Society (EPS)
• 2018-present: Member of the Steering Committee of the "UniCa-Press Center” (the official publisher of the University of Cagliari)
• 2019-present: Member of the Editorial Board of the “Rivista del Nuovo Cimento” (Italian Physical Society)
• 2021-present: Editor of “The European Physical Journal Plus”, the “open access” official journal of the European Physical Society (EPS)

13. Honours 

• 1995: “Advanced Research Grant” awarded by NATO
• 1994: Gordon-Bell prize of the IEEE Computer Society (co-recipient with S. Goedecker of the Cornell Theory Center) with the motivation: “In recognition of their effort in practical parallel processing research” [See paper: S. Goedecker, L. Colombo, Efficient linear scaling algorithm for tight-biding molecular dynamics, Phys. Rev. Lett. 73, 122 (1994)]
• 2013: “Excellent Researcher Grant (REG)” awarded by the European Metrology Research Project (EMRP-kNOW) under the initiative “Towards a new definition of the kilogram”
• 2015: Fellow of the Istituto Lombardo, Accademia di Scienza e Lettere (Italian: Socio corrispondente)