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The work of Chiara Gazzola, a researcher at the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering of the Politecnico di Milano, has been selected for the cover of the journal Journal of Microelectromechanical Systems (JMEMS), one of the leading international journals in the field of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS).

The article, titled 'High Performance Mechanically-Open and Acoustically-Closed MEMS Loudspeakers for In-Ear Applications”, presents innovative results in the development of MEMS microspeakers for miniaturized audio applications, confirming the high level of research conducted by our department in the field of micro- and nanotechnology.

For further details, the article can be read by clicking here and view the journal cover by clicking here.

For further information, the latest issue of the journal can be consulted at the following link IEEE Xplore.

On Monday, May 25, a seminar titled “Mechanics of complex network materials: A formulation based on phase field damage evolution on graphs” will be held in Grandori Room (Building 4) from 16:30 to 17:30 CET.
The seminar will be given by Prof. Marco Paggi, Scuola IMT Alti Studi Lucca.
Abstract
A theory for simulating nonlocal damage in 2D lattice structures discretized by Euler-Bernoulli beam finite elements is herein proposed. A phase field approach to damage, projected onto the discretized nodes via the graph Laplacian matrix, is formulated to simulate damage evolution by solving a Helmholtz differential equation on the graph. Damage is introduced in the constitutive equations under the assumption of a bilateral damage evolution in tension and in compression, or a monolateral damage only in tension. Both formulations have been enhanced by a threshold driving force to better capture the onset of damage in polymers due to crazing. The staggered coupling scheme alternates between solving mechanical equilibrium and phase field equations, and it has been validated in relation to experiments on unnotched beams made of ABS subject to three-point bending. The approach is then applied to preliminary investigate the response of a complex network material in the nonlinear regime, contributing to understanding how graph-based topologies influence the load-bearing capacity of the material. The method bridges the gap between statistical physics of complex networks and nonlinear mechanics of materials and is expected to have an impact on the design of robust random metamaterials featuring nodes with large connectivities.
Bio-sketch
Marco Paggi earned the Ph.D. in Structural Engineering in 2005 from Politecnico di Torino, Italy, where he served as Assistant Professor of Structural Mechanics (2007-2013). He has been appointed Associate Professor (November 2013-December 2017, direct appointment as an ERC principal investigator) and Full Professor (since December 2017) of Structural Mechanics at the IMT School for Advanced Studies Lucca, Italy, where he is the Founding Director of the Research Unit MUSAM – Multi-Scale Analysis of Materials, and of the experimental laboratory MUSAM Lab. He is currently Deputy Rector at the IMT School.
He spent the year 2010 as an Alexander von Humboldt Fellow in the Institute of Continuum Mechanics of the Leibniz University of Hannover, Germany, and he has been appointed visiting professor at Tongji University (Shanghai, China, 2025), University of Girona (Girona, Spain, 2022), Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (New Delhi, India, 2021), Université Paris-EST (Paris, France, 2014).
On May 4, 2026 the 1st SAFER Workshop – The Philosophy of Natural Risks Management will take place in Grandori Room (building 4), from 9:30 to 17:30.
SAFER is a research project that brings together philosophy, engineering, and sociology to develop an epistemological and ethical perspective on natural risk management. The project explores the uncertainties and values underlying decision-making processes in this field, with the aim of mapping and identifying the most suitable decision-support tools across different risk contexts.
The workshop will present the first results of the SAFER project and will provide an opportunity to discuss these topics with international experts in the philosophy of risk. The event is intended as a moment of interdisciplinary exchange, where technical expertise is enriched by broader reflections on how we understand and manage natural risks.
Participation is open to all. Please note that the event will be held in person only, and no online attendance will be available.
Registration is recommended through the following form: https://forms.gle/J2VkSpDXWKg2vk1x5
Further information and details are available in attached flyer.

The next appointment in the PhDTalks seminar series will take place on Wednesday, April 15th, 2026, in Grandori Room (Building 4), from 12:00 to 13:00 CET.

PhDTalks is a series of seminars and discussions among PhD candidates. The events aim to provide a space for networking among doctoral students and for engaging with the many projects developed within our department.

The speaker Sara Donzelli will deliver a seminar entitled “Beneath the Frescoes of Pompeii: the Use of GPR to Identify and Image Roman Masonry Arrangements”

At the end of the event, a light refreshment will be offered, sponsored by the department.

The seminar will also be accessible online at the following link.

Abstract
The structural evaluation of walls in Pompeii requires accurate knowledge of construction techniques hidden by plaster and frescoes, which prevent direct observation and preclude invasive investigation. To address this challenge, a non-destructive methodology based on high-frequency Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) is proposed. A dedicated experimental setup enables surveys directly on decorated surfaces, improving signal quality while ensuring full compatibility with conservation requirements. A 2D approach supports the identification and mapping of masonry typologies, while 3D acquisition allows the imaging of surface masonry arrangements. The integration of these techniques provides a robust framework to support structural assessment and conservation management at Pompeii.

Speaker’s Bio
Sara holds an MSc in Structural Engineering from Politecnico di Milano, obtained in 2023. She is currently a PhD candidate in Structural, Seismic and Geotechnical Engineering (39th cycle).
She is developing a joint experimental and numerical approach for the assessment of buildings in the Archaeological Park of Pompeii. Currently, her research focuses on the use of Ground Penetrating Radar as a non-invasive methodology to characterise Roman masonry arrangements hidden by decorated surfaces.
In her free time, she enjoys reading, listening to all genres of music and theatre.