In this interview, Prof. Antonini shares his scientific journey and explores how his research is driving breakthroughs in materials innovation and fluid dynamics.
Prof. Carlo Antonini, Associate Professor in the Department of Materials Science at the University of Milano-Bicocca, has established a distinguished research portfolio at the intersection of surface engineering, thermofluidics, and materials science. His scholarly work is characterized by a rigorous investigation of interfacial phenomena, with particular emphasis on wetting dynamics, icephobicity, and the development of functional surfaces for energy-efficient and sustainable applications.
Academic Achievements and Research Highlights
Prof. Antonini earned his B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Aerospace and Aeronautical Engineering from Politecnico di Milano, followed by a Ph.D. in Technologies for Energy and Environment at the University of Bergamo. His doctoral research centered on superhydrophobic surfaces as a strategy for mitigating ice formation, a theme that continues to underpin much of his scientific research. Postdoctoral appointments at ETH Zurich and EMPA in Switzerland further refined his expertise in surface wetting and icephobic materials, laying the groundwork for his future contributions.
Scientific Contributions and Innovations
Prof. Antonini’s work has significantly advanced the understanding of drop impact behavior, contact angle dynamics, and the rational design of surfaces with tailored adhesion properties. His notable research include studies on impalement-resistant textures under freezing conditions, drop rebound mechanisms, and the role of surface elasticity in reducing ice adhesion.
Recent investigations from SEFI Lab include the fabrication of PFAS-free superhydrophobic chitosan coatings for textiles, the enhancement of fog water collection on steel meshes, and 3D printing based on digital light processing, via photopolymerization. These projects reflect a commitment to sustainable materials design and the translation of fundamental research into practical applications.
A Voice for Inclusion
Beyond his technical achievements, Prof. Antonini has emerged as a prominent advocate for disability inclusion within the scientific community. Born without his right forearm, he has articulated a nuanced perspective on disability through editorials and public engagements. In his editorial, published in Langmuir, Prof. Antonini reflects on how his disability has fostered a problem-solving mindset and heightened awareness of individual identity beyond societal labels.
He emphasizes the importance of transitioning from deficit-based models of disability to frameworks that recognize environmental barriers as the primary source of exclusion.
Powering Change
Prof. Antonini’s dual role as an engineer and a voice for inclusion merges individual perspective with industry expertise. His contributions not only advance the frontiers of materials science but also challenge prevailing narratives around ability, representation, and inclusion in academia. Through both his research and advocacy, he continues to shape a more inclusive and innovative scientific landscape.
In Conversation with Prof. Carlo Antonini
Where do you see the most transformative breakthroughs emerging in chemistry over the next decade?
There are certainly big challenges ahead of us, spanning from climate change to health. I am not sure I have the vision to anticipate the breakthrough, but I can mention one open challenge, which we are trying to give our contribution as research group: the replacement of PFAS.
PFAS are exceptional materials, but increasing evidence proves that they can be toxic for humans and could pollute the environment. Replacing PFAS is a great challenge for many industries, from textile to packaging and biomedical devices. Developing PFAS-free alternatives will be a breakthrough in chemistry.
How do you envision the role of interdisciplinary collaboration, especially between chemistry and engineering, shaping the development of sustainable materials and energy solutions?
Quick answer: I am an engineer, and my closest collaborator is a chemist!
Longer version: complex problems require people to bring different perspectives. At the beginning, this may represent a challenge. As a post-doc trained in engineering, the first person I supervised was indeed a chemist, and I realized that we occasionally had language issues, like foreigners speaking different languages (I remember a long conversation on the meaning on the terms “equilibrium” and “stability”). However, over the long term, I started to enjoy and take advantage of background diversity. In our group, we have not only engineers and chemists, but also physicists and biotechnologists. This helps me to find solutions and allows me to continue learning from my students.
What advice would you give young chemists or chemical engineers who want to bridge academic research with industrial impact?
Academia and industry may have different goals. I think it is important to be exposed as early as possible to the industrial environment, e.g. through internships, to understand the objectives, the needs, and the specific language of companies. I conducted my MSc thesis activity in a company, despite conversations with a few professors, who were trying to discourage me. I then came back to academia as a PhD student and always went back and forth. This was also a way to minimize the high-risk related to academic career, as I established connections with industry offering alternative career options; also, it has helped to financially support my research group when I started as tenure-track faculty.
How can emerging technologies, such as adaptive lab equipment or digital simulation tools, help make experimental chemistry more accessible and inclusive?
In instruments, like in daily life devices, there has been a tremendous shift towards the user experience. This is because we have understood that if something is made accessible to a larger audience, it is also probably easier to use for all. Looking at my specific case, if a lab instrument is designed to be operated with one single hand, it can be more simply operated by my colleagues with two hands. The same is true for digital simulation, that is becoming more accessible to many, and not just specialists.
What message would you share with aspiring chemists or chemical engineers who face challenges and dream of contributing to cutting-edge research in materials science?
Identify your core values and try to work on a project that aligns with that. It may be related to addressing climate change, improving health, or improving STEM education. Once you have it, it will be more natural for you to study and work hard on something that you value. This has beautifully summarized by Ben Horowitz to the class of 2015 at Columbia University: “don’t follow your passion, follow your contribution”. I think this is a pragmatic way to reconcile the idealistic just-do-what-you-like, with the realistic need that most of us must live on our salary. Contributing to something promotes internal motivation, which is the most effective driver.