Meet the Grantee: Prof. Dr. Lorenzo Stievano
EXAFS Investigation of LiNiO2 during charge
The research by Prof. Dr. Lorenzo Stievano from University of Montpellier addresses urgent challenges such as climate change, energy sustainability, and technological advancement. During his Short Term Grant at UBT, he finally had the opportunity to reconnect with his host and long-term collaborator, Prof. Dr. Matteo Bianchini (Bavarian Center for Battery Technology) and implement the idea of organising a workshop for his PhD and Master students.
Prof. Dr. Lorenzo Stievano
If you had to explain the research project of your Short Term Grant to the person you metin the elevator, how would you describe it?
Lorenzo Stievano: My Short Term Grant research project is part of my main research interests, i.e., the development of new methods for the comprehension of the working and aging mechanisms in energy storage devices, i.e., batteries. Such a knowledge is crucial for improving their performance, reliability, and lifespan. By developing new methods, we aim to optimize battery efficiency, reduce maintenance costs, and support environmental sustainability. Ultimately, our research drives innovation in energy storage technology, benefiting applications like renewable energy integration and electric vehicles.
What is in your opinion the future of your field? In what way can research in your fieldcontribute to meeting the urgent challenges of our time?
LS: In my opinion, the future of my field lies in continuous innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration. As we strive to address urgent challenges such as climate change, energy sustainability, and technological advancement, research in materials science and energy storage technologies will play a pivotal role. By furthering our understanding of material behavior and developing novel methods for improving the performance and lifespan of energy storage devices, we can contribute significantly to meeting these challenges. Overall, the future of my field holds great promise for driving innovation and creating solutions that will shape a more sustainable and technologically advanced world.
What does international research mobility in today's world mean to you?
LS: International research collaborations, and therefore mobility, have been and will continue to be central to my research. In today's interconnected world, where environmental and climate issues go beyond national boundaries, collaborating with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and geographic locations is essential. By engaging in comparative research and fostering dialogue with researchers from different countries who share a common focus of analysis, we can gain valuable insights and perspectives that enrich our understanding of complex global challenges. Moreover, international collaboration enables us to leverage diverse expertise, resources, and methodologies, leading to more robust and impactful research outcomes. By sharing knowledge and best practices across borders, we can collectively advance scientific understanding and accelerate progress towards addressing urgent environmental and societal issues. Therefore, international research mobility represents for me not only an opportunity for personal and professional growth, but also a vital catalyst for my research endeavours.
What were your expectations when you applied for the Grant?
Did you have specific goals in mind, something you were hoping to achieve?
LS: I was hoping to find the occasion to meet with my colleague and long-time collaborator, Prof. Dr. Matteo Bianchini. We have planned for a long time to work together on several topics, and I was really happy to find some time to devote to him and to our collaboration. Among my goals, there was the idea of organising a workshop for his PhD and Master students on X-ray absorption spectroscopy, and I was really happy since I could make it. Additionally, this was a perfect occastion to further expand my professional network and engage in knowledge exchange with researchers at the University of Bayreuth, especially in the field of energy materials. Eager to explore potential research synergies and establish new collaborations that could contribute to advancing our understanding of material properties and energy storage technologies, I saw this grant as a rich opportunity to immerse myself in a new academic environment and gain fresh perspectives that could inspire and inform my own research endeavors. Overall, my expectations were centered around reinforcing an existing collaboration and knowledge sharing, and I'm pleased to say that I met these goals.
If you could choose a famous researcher or scientist to have dinner with, who would it be?
LS: I could already have dinner with a few more or less famous scientists, but if there was a scientist I would like to have dinner with, I would really like to go back in time and meet somebody living in the 18th and 19th centuries, such as Michael Faraday or Alessandro Volta. I have immense respect for these pioneers of science, who achieved remarkable discoveries with limited resources and technology compared to what we have today. Their ingenuity and perseverance in the face of challenges inspire me, and I would be eager to learn from their experiences and insights firsthand. Sitting down to dinner with such inspiring minds would undoubtedly be a fascinating and enriching experience, allowing me to gain a deeper understanding of their groundbreaking work and the historical context in which it took place.
The Grantee
After a PhD in Chemical Sciences from the University of Ferrara (Italy) and an Habilitation at Université Pierre et Marie CUrie (Paris, France) Prof. Dr. Lorenzo Stievano has been serving as a Full Professor at the University of Montpellier (France). Since then, he has led cutting-edge research in the advanced characterization of materials for energy storage which has been the subject of more than 200 scientific publications and 5 patents, as well as recognized with a few honors and awards, including several invitations to prestigious institutions such as the University of Florida, the University of Rome "La Sapienza" and Chalmers University. Lorenzo Stievano is also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (UK). In addition to his research accomplishments, Lorenzo Stievano is an experienced educator, having had teachnig experience at universities in France, Italy and Germany. Fluent in Italian, English, and French, Lorenzo Stievano is a dynamic and collaborative researcher committed to advancing the frontiers of chemistry and materials science.