Mathematical and physical sciences for advanced materials and technologies (MPHS)

This doctoral course is characterized by a multidisciplinary education that combines fundamental scientific disciplines, such as mathematics and physics, with applied disciplines of frontier engineering, particularly in the areas of materials science and the development of innovative electronic and photonic devices.

In addition to the obvious interactions that exist between physics and mathematics, several areas of research in these two core disciplines have strong “bidirectional” links with those in engineering.

In the more “standard” direction of this link we find the areas of mathematics with the strongest application implications, such as optimization and control theory, qualitative and numerical analysis of partial derivative equations, and the development of new methodologies for numerical computation and advanced modeling. On the other hand, the physics of materials, including micro- or nanostructured materials, and the study of the interaction between electromagnetic fields and matter are areas that continually find important applications in modern photonic and electronic technologies, including potential future technologies such as plasmonics, spintronics, innovative magnetic materials, and quantum technologies.

However, there is also a reverse direction, where, for example, very technically demanding new experiments, typical of elementary particle physics, require for their success the special development of frontier technologies in areas ranging from electrical engineering to civil and structural engineering, materials engineering, information technology and data science. The development of applications of polymeric, ceramic, metallic and hybrid materials and composites, including nanostructured ones, as well as complex microstructured liquids require sophisticated mathematical modeling with theories based on thermodynamics of multicomponent systems and transport phenomena, multiscale simulation of material properties, and numerical simulation of fluid dynamics of homogeneous or heterogeneous and rheologically complex liquids. These problems arise in the purely engineering field and have often led to the development of innovative methods in mathematical analysis and numerical simulation in recent years.

The educational design of this doctoral program corresponds to this bidirectional junction with the aim of training researchers and technologists capable of combining in-depth skills in physics and/or mathematics with an educational bent open to the engineering and technological fields mentioned above, with the goal of developing innovative technologies and exploiting them to promote scientific progress.

The course in brief

ADMISSION
Admission to the doctoral program is by competitive examination based on qualifications and interview. Those with a master’s degree or equivalent qualification are eligible to participate in the competition.

Selection is made through evaluation of the submitted qualifications as well as a brief description (in Italian or English) of the candidate’s research interests. After passing this selection, admitted candidates will take an interview (in Italian or English). Applicants should also attach one or more (maximum 3) cover letters to their titles.

Duration of Doctorate: 4 years

Scholarships: each year SSM puts up for competition for this doctorate 6 scholarships of 19,000€ each. Each grant is supplemented by additional funds for research activities in Italy and abroad.

TEACHING ACTIVITIES
The doctoral program consists of four years. Teaching activities are concentrated in the first year of the course, while the following years are mainly devoted to research activities.

Teaching and research activities are focused on the following topics:

Computational electromagnetism
Partial differential derivative equations (qualitative analysis and numerical treatment)
Physics of complex materials and related devices
Computational fluid dynamics
Differential geometry
Continuum mechanics
Fluid mechanics
Experimental methodologies of fundamental physics
Micromagnetism
Modeling and simulation of soft matter
Multiscale modeling of material behavior and properties
Plasmons and metamaterials
Quantum information and quantum simulation
Sensors and detectors of fundamental physics and technological spin-offs
Thermodynamics and constitutive equations of materials

I year

The first year is mainly devoted to training activities. Students are expected to acquire 60 CFUs through

– Doctoral courses offered by the School or other university and research institutions

– Active participation in seminars, schools, and workshops organized by the School or other academic and research institutions (maximum 5 CFU)

– Certified participation in laboratory, design, or research activities in research groups of the School or other technical and scientific institutions (maximum 10 CFU)

II year

During this year, students are expected to acquire 24 CFUs through.

– Active participation in seminars, schools, and workshops organized by the School or other academic and research institutions

– Certified participation in laboratory, design, or research activities in research groups of the School or other technical and scientific institutions

Another 36 CFUs will be acquired through research activities.

3rd year

The 60 CFUs planned for this year will be acquired through research activities.

4th year

The 60 CFUs planned for this year will be acquired through research activities and preparation work for the doctoral thesis.

RESEARCH ACTIVITIES
At the beginning of the sophomore year, the student must notify the coordinator of the name of a thesis director. The latter may be either a member of the college or a professor or researcher from another Italian or foreign university or research center. In the latter case, the choice of thesis director must be approved by the college.

The transition from the first year to the second year will take place, subject to the acquisition of course credits, after a seminar on a topic of the student’s choice. The final seminar will be held in the presence of the other students in the doctoral program and a committee composed of members of the doctoral college.

For transfer to the following years, the student must submit a report on his or her research activity, which will be evaluated by the faculty members of the doctoral college.

It is expected that the student will spend a period of at least 9 months, even if not continuous, at a scientific or research institution other than the Federico II, in Italy or abroad.

TRANSVERSAL TRAINING ACTIVITIES
These activities will be run in conjunction with the other PhDs in the School or will rely on activities already planned within the Federico II.

Italian language courses for foreigners and courses in English, German and French are available at Federico II.

The School will organize short courses on preparing and writing a scientific project and how to seek funding and manage it. To this end, they plan to organize meetings with young winners of ERC, FIRB and grant and fellowship projects.

International Collaborations

The Ph.D. provides for and encourages extensive faculty and student mobility, also stimulated by the scientific ties of the college members with various prestigious foreign institutions. Among these we point out in particular: