Irene Sinisgalli

Irene Sinisgalli started her PhD at the Membrane Materials and Processes Group, in the Department of Chemical Engineering & Chemistry of the TU/e, in April 2022. Irene received both her BSc and her MSc in Industrial Chemistry from the University of Bologna, respectively in 2019 and 2021. For the master thesis, she worked on the development of a new catalytic system for the glycerol hydrodeoxygenation in the laboratories of the University of the Basque Country, in Sain. Completed her studies, she also carried out a post-graduation internship in Gothenburg, within a joint project Chalmers University of Technology (Sweden) / SCA (Svenska Cellulosa Aktiebolaget), which was focused on the valorization of lignocellulosic wastes.

During her PhD Irene will work on polymeric electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs), a promising technology to decarbonize the transportation sector. She will particularly focus on the development of new coating methods of the carbon fiber substrate and on alternative synthetic pathways for the microporous layers. The ultimate goal of her research, performed in the framework of the european funded project MORELife, is to gain a better understanding of the degradation mechanisms behind these systems and, consequently, to work on the obtainment of new materials which show better stability and durability, therefore, better performances.