Valentina Tozzini

Biography

Education 1993: Laurea (Master Degree) in Physics, Università di Pisa, Italy 1993: Diploma di Licenza in Fisica, Scuola Normale Superiore, Pisa 1997: PhD in Physics, Scuola Normale Superiore 1999: Medical Physics Specialization, Università di Pisa Career 1997 - 1999: Post-Doc felloship (INFM-SNS, Pisa) 1999 - 2000: Visiting researcher at the University of Nijmegen (NL) 2000 - 2003: Scientist at NEST-INFM, SNS, Pisa 2003 - 2004: Visiting Scholar at the University of California - San Diego 2003 - 2009: Scientist at NEST-CNR-INFM, SNS, Pisa 2010 - present: Scientist at NEST-CNR-Istituto Nanoscienze, SNS, Pisa Teaching 2015- : Computer simulation methods in physics of matter, MS Degree in Physics, Univ of Pisa 2009- : Biophysics, MS Degree in Physics, Univ of Pisa 2007-2012: Courses of Molecular Biophysics, Introduction to the condensed matter physics for biologists and Computational structural biology for the PhD at SNS 2008: Lessons at the CTBP Summer School in Coarse Grained Physical Modeling of Biological Systems 2006-2007: Course for the PhD in Applied Physics at the University of Pisa.

Research Interest

Modeling and manipulation of Graphene-based materials Graphene-based systems are studied with ab initio and force field based simulations with a focus on controlling and exploiting the sheet rippling, defects and functionalization. Simulations are combined with experimental data and nano-manipulation techniques to obtain a coherent understanding of the system at the nanoscale. Recent results: • The curvature induced enhancement of reactivity is evaluated as a possible mechanism to control ad-atoms adhesion/detachment, for storage, functionalization or to tailor electronic properties • The dynamical curvature control induced by coherent phonons is studied as a mean to transport and pump gases (e.g. H2) in 3D graphene based frameworks • Strategies to control local curvature are evaluated, including flexo-electricity, functionalization with optically controllable pillars or coupling to piezo-electric substrates.