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Nunzio TUCCITTO

Associate Professor of Physical chemistry [CHIM/02]
Contacts

Office: Cittadella Universitaria, V.le A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania. Edificio 1 corpo B piano 0 Stanza 7 (B0/7)
Email: nunzio.tuccitto@unict.it
Phone: +39 095 738 5091

Office Hours
Tuesday and Wednesday from 10:00 to 12:00

 Italiano

Prof. Nunzio Tuccitto received his Ph.D. in chemistry in 2007. He is currently an associate professor of physical chemistry at the University of Catania, Italy. He studies the theoretical models governing molecular communication between implantable medical devices, synthesizes molecular messengers based on carbon nanoparticles, and develops bench-top prototypes to test communication. His research activity is also focused on developing nanoparticles for the detection of hazardous gases (e.g Warfare Agents and explosives), and monitoring of anthropogenic pollutants in the troposphere. He is an expert in big-data processing and machine learning for data processing arising from multisensor devices and complex data resulting from mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS)

 

 Italiano

Name: Nunzio Tuccitto
Date and Place of birth: 24/10/1979, Siracusa (Italy)
Nationality: Italian

Current position
Associate Professor of Physical Chemistry

Former Positions
From 07/11/2016 to 07/11/2019
Researcher (art. 24, comma 3 lettera b) della legge n240/2010, per il s.c. 03/A2 MODELLI E METODOLOGIE PER LE SCIENZE CHIMICHE – s. s. d. CHIM/02. Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università degli Studi di Catania)
From 31/12/2014 to 06/11/2016
Researcher (art. 24, comma 3 lettera a) della legge n240/2010, per il s.c. 03/A2 MODELLI E METODOLOGIE PER LE SCIENZE CHIMICHE – s. s. d. CHIM/02. Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università degli Studi di Catania)
From 14/10/2009 to 30/12/2014
Project specialist c\o Ecocontrol SUD s.r.l., Priolo Gargallo (SR) Italia
From 02/01/2007 to 12/10/2009
Post.Doc. at Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università degli Studi di Catania
From 09/09/2003 to 09/12/2003
Research fellow, Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università degli Studi di Catania

Institutional assignments

  • member of the board ("giunta") of the Department of Chemical Sciences of the University of Catania
  • vice-coordinator of the PhD school in Materials Science and Nanotechnology
  • member of the Scientific Council of the University Service Centre for Research and Innovation in Bio and Nano - technologies - BRIT

Awards
Italian Scientific Abilitation (SECONDA fascia per il sc 03/A2 - Modelli e Metodologie per Le Scienze Chimiche, since 2014)
Prof. Nunzio Tuccitto has been awarded the Distinguished Oral Presentation Award for the outstanding talk given at the Physical Chemistry Sessions of the XXVII National Congress of the Italian Chemical Society, 14-23 September 2021, entitled: "Quantum Dots Enable Digital Communication Through Biological Fluids"
Beynon Prize of Royal Society of Chemistry, for the best article 2009-2010 on "The Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry" journal
Honour mention for Premio Primo Levi 2009
Best presentation awards at Convegno Congiunto delle Sezioni SCI Calabria e Sicilia 2010 Università degli Studi di Palermo
Winner of talent show FAMELAB-2018 Catania

Incarichi Istituzionali

  • membro della giunta del Consiglio di Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche dell'Università degli Studi di Catania
  • vice-coordinatore della scuola di dottorato in Scienza dei Materiali e Nanotecnologie
  • membro del Consiglio Scientifico del Centro di Servizi d'Ateneo per la ricerca e l'innovazione in Bio e Nano - tecnologie - BRIT

Main research activities:
Nanomaterials for Molecular Communication
Innovative Materials for Drug Delivery in Farming
Big Data Management and Processing

Bibliometry
H-index ≥ 19
Citations ≥ 1300

Active Research Projects

1."Un Village transfrontalier: pour protéger les cultures arboricoles méditerranéennes en partageant les connaissances (PROMETEO )"
Funding body: Programma ENI CT Italia-Tunisia 2014-2020
Total Budget: 1'00'000 €
Role: Vice-president of the Steering Committee; Principal Investigator of operational department unit
Activity: Mass spectrometry protocols applied to plant pathology
Duration: 2021-2023

2.“Sviluppo di NAnomateriali e Tecnologie Innovative per Smart detection” (NATI4SMART)
Funding body: Università degli Studi di Catania
Total Budget: 1’200’000 €
Role: Principal Investigator
Activity: Development of Carbon Nanoparticles for applications in Molecular Communication
Duration: 2020-2022

3.“The Technology Transfer and Capitalization of Water Energy Food NEXUS. (WEF – CAP)”
Funding body: European Union
Total Budget: 70’000 €
Role: Department Principal investigator
Activity: Communication and Dissemination
Duration: 2021-2023

4.“Smart and innovative packaging, post-harvest rot management and shipping of organic citrus fruit (BiOrangePack)”. 
Funding body: MIUR Programma PRIMA-MED entitled “Research & Innovation Action Work” related to Topic 2.3.1 “RIA Extending shelf-life of perishable Mediterranean food products by sustainable technologies and logistics and by optimized pest and microbial control”
Total Budget: 1’250’000 €
Role: “WPleader”  and “Chair Person” of “Executive Board”
Activity: Development of innovative materials for citrus packaging
Duration: 2019-2022

Already Finalized Projects

 

1.“Sviluppo di Mascherine Antidroplet in Plastica Sostenibile Ottenuta dagli Scarti del Latte” (SMASCHERATE)
Funding body: MUR Programma FISR COVID
Total Budget: 80’000 €
Role: Principal Investigator of local unit
Activity: Testing of functional properties of templates (BFE, DeltaP)
Duration: 2021-2022

2." Chemical messengers for digital molecular communication (CheMoCo)”
Funding body: Università degli Studi di Catania PIANO PER LA RICERCA (LINEA DI INTERVENTO 2 "DOTAZIONE ORDINARIA")
Total Budget: 15’000 €
Role: Principal Investigator
Activity: The aim of the CheMoCo project is to develop a 'revolutionary' digital communication platform based on molecular messengers to encode and transfer complex information on macroscopic scales through biological fluids.
Duration: 2016-2018

3." Interruttori conformazionali peptidici: progettazione, sintesi ed applicazioni”
Funding body: MIUR FIRB-Giovani (Coordinatore Prof.ssa Marta De Zotti)
Total Budget: 75’000€
Role: Principal Investigator of local unit (decreto MIUR n. 1737 del 13 luglio 2017)
Activity: Functional investigation of surface peptides
Duration: 2017-2018

4." Investigating inter-particle interfacial interactions at the water/air interfaces”
Funding body: Beamline SIRIUS del sincrotrone SOLEIL di Sant-Aubin (Francia)
Total Budget: beam-time
Role: Co-proposer
Activity: Grazing angle X diffraction at the water/air interface with synchrotron light
Duration: June 2018 (6 D)

5." Studying the structural and molecular origin of the piezoresistive behavior of conjugated polymers”
Funding body: ID03 del sincrotrone di Grenoble (ESRF) Francia
Total Budget: beam-time
Role: Co-proposer
Activity: Grazing angle X diffraction of conductive polymers
Duration: September 2017 (6 D)

Visiting Scientist 
University of Oviedo (Universidad de Oviedo). November 2007 (two weeks). At the laboratory of Espectroscopia Làseres y Plasma directed by Prof. Bordel, N.T. was involved in research for the study of the interaction between pulsed plasmas and polymeric materials.
University of Ferrara, May-July 2006, at Professor Rampi's laboratories. Here, N.T. was invited to participate in the development of new techniques for the construction of nano-junctions that allow the measurement of the electrical properties of molecular wires for electron transport.

Conferences
N.T. participated in the organization of the following international congresses:

1. Physical Chemistry @ Surface and Interfaces International School of Physical Chemistry, CATANIA, ITALY, 2-6 JULY 2018
2. 1st European Conference on Physical and Theoretical Chemistry and XLII Annual Meeting of the Physical Chemistry Division of SCI, Catania,14-18/09/2015 (EuChemS) and XXXIX congress 
3. 18th International Conference on Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry, Riva del Garda, 18-23/09/2011

N.T. was invited
1. to present an Invited Lecture at the School of Advanced Studies of the University of Catania, in the framework of the "Pillole di Ricerca" 2018 event
2. to present an "Invited Lecture" at the international congress SIMS 21, 2017, held in Warsaw in September 2017
3. to present an Invited Keynote Lecture at the International Congress EMRS Spring Meeting 2017, held in Strasbourg in May 2017
4. to present an Invited Keynote Lecture at the EMRS Fall Meeting 2016 international congress, held in Krakow in September 2016
5. to hold a seminar at the Department of Chemical Science, University of Ferrara, on 19/6/2006

N.T. has also been a speaker at several national and international congresses
N. Tuccitto, F. Calì, L. Fichera,  G. Li-Destri,  G. M. L. Messina,  A. Licciardello   G. Marletta,  "Quantum Dots Enable Digital Communication Through Biological Fluids",   Congresso Nazionale SCI, Sul web, 2021    
N. Tuccitto, L. Fichera,  G. Li-Destri,G. Marletta,  "Nanoparticles as Suitable Messengers for Next-Generation Molecular Communication",   Workshop Divisionale SCI sezione Chimica Fisica, Sul web, 2020
N. Tuccitto, L. Fichera,  G. Li-Destri,G. Marletta  "Artificial chemical communication: theoretical simulations vs experimental",   Congresso Divisionale SCI sezione Chimica Fisica, Roma, 2019
N.Tuccitto, A. Bombace, A. Torrisi, G. Capizzi, A. Licciardello, “User­independent protocols for the analysis of complex ToF­SIMSdatasets without mass binning, peak picking and peak integration“, SIMS Europe, Muenster, Germania, 2018
N. Tuccitto, G. Li Destri, G.R. Messina, A. Bombace, A. Licciardello, G. Marletta “Molecular Communication: Fluorescent Quantum Dots as Molecular Bits“ Congresso Nazionale SCI-sez ChimicaFisica, Bologna, 2018
N. Giamblanco, N. Tuccitto, G. Zappalà, A. Licciardello, G. Marletta , “Chelation, the driving force for proteins surface pattering “, EMRS-Spring Meeting Lille, Francia, 2016
N. Tuccitto, G.Zappalà, S. Vitale, A. Licciardello “Molecular Depth Profiles Simulation: A Transport & Reaction Approach”, International SIMS Conference SIMSXX, Seattle, USA, 2015
N. Tuccitto, V. Spampinato, A. Licciardello, “C60 Depth Profiling of Polymer-based Multilayers”, International SIMS Conference SIMSXVII, Toronto, CA, 2009
N. Tuccitto, V. Spampinato, A. Torrisi, G. Marletta, S. Quici, A. Licciardello Stepwise preparation and surface characterization of polypyridine based metal complexes onto oxide surfaces, XXIII CONGRESSO NAZIONALE S.C.I., Sorrento, Italia, Luglio 2009
N. Tuccitto, N. Giamblanco, G. Marletta, A. Licciardello. ToF-SIMS of binary mixed protein films: anomalous antibody response explained. In: SIMS Europe 2008. Munster , Germany, Settembre 2008
N.Tuccitto, V.Torrisi, I.Delfanti, E. Anastasi, A.Licciardello. Redox active self-assembled supramolecular multilayers. In: XXVII Congresso Nazionale di Chimica Fisica,. Camogli, Settembre, 2008
N. Tuccitto, N. Giamblanco, G. Marletta, A. Licciardello. ToF-SIMS investigation of FIB-pattering of Lactoferrin by Using Self-Assembled Monolayers of Iron Complexes. In: International SIMS Conference SIMSXVI. Kanazawa, Giappone, Settembre, 2007
N. Tuccitto, N. Giamblanco, A. Licciardello, G. Marletta, “Supramolecolar Strategy for Patterning of Lactoferrin Using Functional Self-Assembled Monolayers of Iron Complexes,” VIII Congresso Nazionale di Chimica Supramolecolare, Trieste 19-22 Settembre 2007
N.Tuccitto, V.Torrisi, S.Quici, A.Licciardello, “ToF-SIMS Study of Surface-Confined Polypyridine-Based Metal Complexes”. 5th  European Workshop SIMS EUROPE 2006 24-26 Settembre 2006
N. Tuccitto, “Approccio bottom-up alla preparazione  di film sottili funzionali”, Università degli Studi di Ferrara, 19/Giugno/2006
N. Tuccitto, N. Giamblanco, A. Licciardello, G. Marletta, “Un approccio non covalente alla realizzazione di pattern di lattoferrina tramite self-assembled monolayers di complessi di Fe(II).” Congresso SCI sezione Sicilia, Catania Dicembre 2005
N. Tuccitto, V. Torrisi, A. Licciardello “Chemistry on surface-immobilized monolayers: the stepwise synthesis of monolayers containing polypyridine metal complexes”. Congresso Supramolecolare, Firenze 04-07 Settembre 2005
N. Tuccitto, V. Torrisi, S.Campagna, S.Quici, A. Licciardello “Ancoraggio ed autorganizzazione su superfici metalliche di complessi foto e redox attivi” Convegno Società Chimica Italiana sezione Chimica Fisica, 2005, Siena 20-24 Giugno 2005
Nunzio Tuccitto, Vanna Torrisi, Giovanna Pellegrino, Alessandro Auditore, Antonino Licciardello “Approccio bottom-up alla sintesi in superficie di complessi fotoattivi”, Società Chimica Italiana sezione  Sicilia, Messina 2-3 Dicembre 2004

Achievements in technology transfer
Agreements with companies
MCX srl - research activities concerning the processing of data from chemical-physical surveys on samples and sites of interest to the Contractor.
Tèkne srl - processing of chemical-physical data from surveys of sites of interest to the Contractor.

Main foreign collaborations (as reflected in scientific production):
Prof. Z. Postawa group, topic: Simulation of ToF-SIMS depth prof. of organic materials,Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
Prof. L. Houssiau group, topic: ToF-SIMS depth prof. of organic materials, Namur Institute of Structured Matter (NISM) Unité de recherche interdisciplinaire de spectroscopie électronique (LISE) Belgium.
Prof. G. S. Hanan group, topic: Synthesis of Nanomaterials, Département de Chimie, Université de Montréal, 2900 Edouard-Montpetit, H3T- IJ4, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
Prof. A. Delcorte group, Soft Material Characterizzation, Institut de la Matie re Condens ee et des Nanosciences (IMCN), Bio & Soft Matter (BSMA), Universit e catholique de Louvain (UCL), Belgium
Prof. G. E. Thompson group, topic: Surface Science, Corrosion and Protection Centre, School of Materials, The University of Manchester, The Mill, Sackville St., Manchester, M13 9PL, UK.
Dr. Agnes Tempez, topic:Plasma Mass Spectrometry, HORIBA Jobin Yvon, 16/18 rue du Canal, 91160, Longjumeau, France
Dr. D. Cossement, topic:Plasma Polymers, Materia Nova Research Center, Parc Initialis, Avenue N. Copernic 1, B-7000 Mons, Belgium
Prof. K. D. Jandt, topic: Biomaterials, Institute of Materials Science & Technology (IMT), Chair in Materials Science, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Leobdergraben 32, 07743 Jena, Germany
Prof. N. Bordel group, topic: Mass Spectrometry, Department of Physical and Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Oviedo, 33006 Oviedo, Spain

Professional Membership
Member of the Italian Chemical Society
Vice-coordinator the Doctorate in Materials Science and Nanotechnology
Member of the Department Board (Giunta)

PhD. Student's Supervisor
Fichera L: “Nanomaterials for wave-denied communication” XXXIV ciclo
Calì F. "Nanomaterials as chemical messengers for molecular communication" XXXVI Ciclo 

Corsaro; P. "Nanomaterials for sensors to determine anthropogenic air pollutants by means of drones"

 

Post-Doc's Supervisor
Dr. Messina G.M.L.: “Interruttori conformazionali peptidici: progettazione, sintesi e applicazioni” (2018)

 Italiano

  1. Zingale, G. A., Pandino, I., Distefano, A., Tuccitto, N., & Grasso, G. (2023). A novel SPR based method for measuring diffusion coefficients: From small molecules to supramolecular aggregates. Biosensors and Bioelectronics: X, 100306. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biosx.2023.100306
  2. Ruffino, R., Tuccitto, N., Sfuncia, G., Nicotra, G., Li-Destri, G., & Marletta, G. (2022). Direct Measurement of Surfactant-Mediated Picoforces among Nanoparticles in a Quasi-Two-Dimensional Environment. Langmuir, 38(40), 12281-12291. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.langmuir.2c01928
  3. Santonocito, R., Tuccitto, N., Pappalardo, A., & Trusso Sfrazzetto, G. (2022). Smartphone-Based Dopamine Detection by Fluorescent Supramolecular Sensor. Molecules, 27(21), 7503. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27217503
  4. Distefano, A., Calì, F., Gaeta, M., Tuccitto, N., Auditore, A., Licciardello, A., ... & Grasso, G. (2022). Carbon dots surface chemistry drives fluorescent properties: New tools to distinguish isobaric peptides. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 625, 405-414. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcis.2022.06.050
  5. Santonocito, R., Intravaia, M., Caruso, I. M., Pappalardo, A., Sfrazzetto, G. T., & Tuccitto, N. (2022). Fluorescence sensing by carbon nanoparticles. Nanoscale Advances, 4(8), 1926-1948. https://doi.org/10.1039/D2NA00080F
  6. Calì, F., Fichera, L., & Tuccitto, N. (2022). Comprehensive step-by-step procedure to setup a molecular communication through liquid experiment. MethodsX, 101736. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mex.2022.101736
  7. Calì, F., Fichera, L., Trusso Sfrazzetto, G., Nicotra, G., Sfuncia, G., Bruno, E., Lanzanò, L., Barbagallo, I., Li-Destri, G., Tuccitto, N. Fluorescent nanoparticles for reliable communication among implantable medical devices (2022) Carbon, 190, pp. 262-275. 10.1016/j.carbon.2022.01.016
  8. El Boumlasy, S., La Spada, F., Pane, A., Licciardello, A., Debdoubi, A., Tuccitto, N., & Cacciola, S. O. (2022). A super absorbent polymer containing copper to control Plenodomus tracheiphilus the causative agent of mal secco disease of lemon. Frontiers in Microbiology, 13, 987056-987056. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2022.987056
  9. Santonocito, R., Tuccitto, N., Cantaro, V., Carbonaro, A. B., Pappalardo, A., Greco, V., ... & Trusso Sfrazzetto, G. (2022). Smartphone-Assisted Sensing of Trinitrotoluene by Optical Array. ACS omega, 7(42), 37122-37132. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.2c02958
  10. Tessarolo, F., Nollo, G., Benedetti, L., Helfer, F., Rovati, L., Ferrari, A., Marchetti, G., Reverberi, F., Baglio, S., Tuccitto, N., Stefani, S., Stracquadanio, S., Caraci, F., Terrasi, A., Tricomi, A., Musumeci, M., Miraglia, A., Cuttone, G., Cosentino, S., Agostino Vitali, L., Petrelli, D., Ilaria Ciancia, S., Mingoia, M., Castellini, P., Simoni, S., Montalto, L., Baleani, A., Chiariotti, P., Paone, N. Measuring breathability and bacterial filtration efficiency of face masks in the pandemic context: A round robin study with proficiency testing among non-accredited laboratories (2022) Measurement: Journal of the International Measurement Confederation, 189, art. no. 110481, . 10.1016/j.measurement.2021.110481
  11. Calì, F., Fichera, L., Tuccitto, N. Effect of Channel Radius on Fluorescent Nanoparticle Based Molecular Communication (2022) Chemosensors, 10 (1), art. no. 29, . DOI: 10.3390/chemosensors10010029
  12. Patti, A., Acierno, S., Cicala, G., Tuccitto, N., & Acierno, D. (2022). Refining the 3D Printer Set-up to Reduce the Environmental Impact of the Fused Deposition Modelling (fdm) Technology. Chemical Engineering Transactions, 91, 415-420.https://doi.org/10.3303/CET2291070
  13. El boumlasy, S.; La Spada, F.; Tuccitto, N.; Marletta, G.; Mínguez, C.L.; Meca, G.; Rovetto, E.I.; Pane, A.; Debdoubi, A.; Cacciola, S.O. Inhibitory Activity of Shrimp Waste Extracts on Fungal and Oomycete Plant Pathogens. Plants (2021), 10, 2452. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10112452
  14. Tuccitto, N., Bombace,A., Auditore, A., Valenti, A., Torrisi, A., Capizzi, G., Licciardello, A. Revealing Contamination and Sequence of Overlapping Fingerprints by Unsupervised Treatment of a Hyperspectral Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry Dataset (2021) Analytical Chemistry 93 (42), 14099-14105. HTTP://DOI.ORG/10.1021/acs.analchem.1c01981
  15. Ruffino, R., Fichera, L., Valenti, A., Jankowski, M., Konovalov, O., Messina, G.M.L., Licciardello, A., Tuccitto, N., Li-Destri, G., Marletta, G.Tuning the randomization of lamellar orientation in poly(3-hexylthiophene) thin films with substrate nano-curvature(2021) Polymer, 230, art. no. 124071, . HTTP://DOI.ORG/10.1016/j.polymer.2021.124071
  16. Fichera, L., Li-Destri, G., Tuccitto, N.Graphene Quantum Dots enable digital communication through biological fluids(2021) Carbon, 182, pp. 847-855. HTTP://DOI.ORG/10.1016/j.carbon.2021.06.078
  17. Calì, F., Cantaro, V., Fichera, L., Ruffino, R., Trusso Sfrazzetto, G., Li-Destri, G., Tuccitto, N.Carbon quantum dots from lemon waste enable communication among biodevices(2021) Chemosensors, 9 (8), art. no. 202, . HTTP://DOI.ORG/10.3390/chemosensors9080202
  18. Tuccitto, N., Fichera, L., Ruffino, R., Cantaro, V., Sfuncia, G., Nicotra, G., Sfrazzetto, G.T., Li-Destri, G., Valenti, A., Licciardello, A., Torrisi, A.Carbon Quantum Dots as Fluorescence Nanochemosensors for Selective Detection of Amino Acids(2021) ACS Applied Nano Materials, 4 (6), pp. 6250-6256. HTTP://DOI.ORG/10.1021/acsanm.1c01046
  19. Tessarolo, F., Nollo, G., Maniglio, D., Rigoni, M., Benedetti, L., Helfer, F., Corradi, I., Rovati, L., Ferrari, A., Piccini, M., Accorsi, L., Veronesi, E., Cuoghi, A., Baglio, S., Tuccitto, N., Stefani, S., Stracquadanio, S., Caraci, F., Terrasi, A., Tricomi, A., Musumeci, M., Miraglia, A., Cuttone, G., Cosentino, S., Muscas, C., Vitali, L.A., Petrelli, D., Angrisani, L., Colicchio, R., D’anna, A., Iavicoli, I., De Falco, G., Di Natale, F., Di Maio, E., Salvatore, P., Quaglia, F., Mingoia, M., Castellini, P., Chiariotti, P., Simoni, S., Montalto, L., Baleani, A., Paone, N.Testing surgical face masks in an emergency context: The experience of italian laboratories during the COVID-19 pandemic crisis(2021) International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18 (4), art. no. 1462, pp. 1-19. HTTP://DOI.ORG/10.3390/ijerph18041462
  20. Tuccitto, N., Catania, G., Pappalardo, A., Trusso Sfrazzetto, G.Agile Detection of Chemical Warfare Agents by Machine Vision: a Supramolecular Approach(2021) Chemistry - A European Journal, . HTTP://DOI.ORG/10.1002/chem.202102094
  21. Tuccitto, N., Spitaleri, L., Destri, G.L., Pappalardo, A., Gulino, A., Sfrazzetto, G.T.Supramolecular sensing of a chemical warfare agents simulant by functionalized carbon nanoparticles(2020) Molecules, 25 (23), art. no. 5731, . HTTP://DOI.ORG/10.3390/molecules25235731
  22. Fichera, L., Li-Destri, G., Tuccitto, N.Nanoparticles as suitable messengers for molecular communication(2020) Nanoscale, 12 (44), pp. 22386-22397. HTTP://DOI.ORG/10.1039/d0nr06999j
  23. Li-Destri, G., Menta, D., Menta, C., Tuccitto, N.Effect of unmanned aerial vehicles on the spatial distribution of analytes from point source(2020) Chemosensors, 8 (3), art. no. 77, . HTTP://DOI.ORG/10.3390/CHEMOSENSORS8030077
  24. Tuccitto, N., Riela, L., Zammataro, A., Spitaleri, L., Li-Destri, G., Sfuncia, G., Nicotra, G., Pappalardo, A., Capizzi, G., Trusso Sfrazzetto, G.Functionalized Carbon Nanoparticle-Based Sensors for Chemical Warfare Agents(2020) ACS Applied Nano Materials, 3 (8), pp. 8182-8191. HTTP://DOI.ORG/10.1021/acsanm.0c01593
  25. Fichera, L., Li-Destri, G., Tuccitto, N.Fluorescent nanoparticle-based Internet of things(2020) Nanoscale, 12 (17), pp. 9817-9823. HTTP://DOI.ORG/10.1039/d0nr01365j
  26. Vitale, S., Laramée-Milette, B., Valenti, A., Amato, M.E., Hanan, G.S., Tuccitto, N., Licciardello, A.ToF-SIMS study of selective anchoring of Ru(tpy)2 complexes on zirconium-phosphate functionalized oxide surfaces(2020) Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology B: Nanotechnology and Microelectronics, 38 (3), art. no. 032802, . HTTP://DOI.ORG/10.1116/6.0000045
  27. Scardaci, V., Fichera, L., Fragalà, M.E., Tuccitto, N., Marletta, G., Compagnini, G.Reduction of graphene oxide by laser scribing in different atmospheres and application in humidity sensing(2020) Journal of Nanomaterials, 2020, art. no. 4946954, . HTTP://DOI.ORG/10.1155/2020/4946954
  28. Tuccitto, N., MacIazek, D., Postawa, Z., Licciardello, A.MD-Based Transport and Reaction Model for the Simulation of SIMS Depth Profiles of Molecular Targets(2019) Journal of Physical Chemistry C, 123 (33), pp. 20188-20194. HTTP://DOI.ORG/10.1021/acs.jpcc.9b01653
  29. Tuccitto, N., Bombace, A., Torrisi, A., Licciardello, A., Lo Sciuto, G., Capizzi, G., Wozniak, M.Probabilistic neural network-based classifier of ToF-SIMS single-pixel spectra(2019) Chemometrics and Intelligent Laboratory Systems, 191, pp. 138-142. HTTP://DOI.ORG/10.1016/j.chemolab.2019.07.002
  30. Li-Destri, G., Fichera, L., Zammataro, A., Trusso Sfrazzetto, G., Tuccitto, N.Self-assembled carbon nanoparticles as messengers for artificial chemical communication(2019) Nanoscale, 11 (30), pp. 14203-14209. HTTP://DOI.ORG/10.1039/c9nr04461b
  31. Noël, C., Tuccitto, N., Busby, Y., Auer-Berger, M., Licciardello, A., List-Kratochvil, E.J.W., Houssiau, L.Depth Profiling of Organic Light-Emitting Diodes by ToF-SIMS Coupled with Wavelet-Principal Component Analysis(2019) ACS Applied Polymer Materials, 1 (7), pp. 1821-1828. HTTP://DOI.ORG/10.1021/acsapm.9b00292
  32. Ruffino, R., Tuccitto, N., Messina, G.M.L., Kozma, E., Catellani, M., Li-Destri, G., Marletta, G.Polymer Crystallization on Nanocurved Substrates: Distortion Versus Dewetting(2019) Journal of Physical Chemistry C, 123 (14), pp. 8967-8974. HTTP://DOI.ORG/10.1021/acs.jpcc.8b12534
  33. Vitale, S., Laramée-Milette, B., Amato, M.E., Hanan, G.S., Tuccitto, N., Licciardello, A.A nano-junction of self-assembled mixed-metal-centre molecular wires on transparent conductive oxides(2019) Nanoscale, 11 (11), pp. 4788-4793. HTTP://DOI.ORG/10.1039/c8nr09027k
  34. Tuccitto, N., Messina, G.M.L., Li-Destri, G., Wietecka, A., Marletta, G.Chelating Surfaces for Oriented Human Serum Albumin Molecules(2019) Langmuir, 35 (9), pp. 3354-3362. HTTP://DOI.ORG/10.1021/acs.langmuir.9b00068
  35. Tuccitto, N.Secondary ion mass spectrometry with time-of-flight analyzer (TOF-SIMS)(2019) Mass Spectrometry: An Applied Approach, pp. 93-106. BOOK Chapter
  36. Li-Destri, G., Ruffino, R., Tuccitto, N., Marletta, G.In situ structure and force characterization of 2D nano-colloids at the air/water interface(2019) Soft Matter, 15 (42), pp. 8475-8482. HTTP://DOI.ORG/10.1039/c9sm01476d
  37. Fichera, L., Li-Destri, G., Ruffino, R., Messina, G.M.L., Tuccitto, N.Reactive nanomessengers for artificial chemical communication(2019) Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, 21 (29), pp. 16223-16229. HTTP://DOI.ORG/10.1039/c9cp02631b
  38. Zammataro, A., Gangemi, C.M.A., Pappalardo, A., Toscano, R.M., Puglisi, R., Nicotra, G., Fragalà, M.E., Tuccitto, N., Sfrazzetto, G.T.Covalently functionalized carbon nanoparticles with a chiral Mn-Salen: A new nanocatalyst for enantioselective epoxidation of alkenes(2019) Chemical Communications, 55 (36), pp. 5255-5258. HTTP://DOI.ORG/10.1039/c9cc01825e
  39. Russo, P., Nasti, G., Coppola, S., Gentile, G., Tuccitto, N., Li-Destri, G., Marletta, G., Ferraro, P.Single fibres of pyro-electrospinned PVDF-HFP/MWCNT unveal high electrical conductivity(2018) Polymer, 159, pp. 157-161. HTTP://DOI.ORG/10.1016/j.polymer.2018.11.024
  40. Tuccitto, N., Amato, T., Gangemi, C.M.A., Trusso Sfrazzetto, G., Puglisi, R., Pappalardo, A., Ballistreri, F.P., Messina, G.M.L., Li-Destri, G., Marletta, G.Driving Coordination Polymer Monolayer Formation by Competitive Reactions at the Air/Water Interface(2018) Langmuir, 34 (39), pp. 11706-11713. HTTP://DOI.ORG/10.1021/acs.langmuir.8b02607
  41. Li-Destri, G., Tuccitto, N., Livio, P.A., Messina, G.M.L., Pithan, L., Marletta, G.Energy-sustained reversible nanoscale order and conductivity increase in polymer thin films(2018) Polymer, 153, pp. 344-353. HTTP://DOI.ORG/10.1016/j.polymer.2018.08.012
  42. Tuccitto, N., Bombace, A., Torrisi, A., Licciardello, A.Effect of sputtering yield changes on the depth resolution in cluster beam depth-profiling of polymers(2018) Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology B: Nanotechnology and Microelectronics, 36 (3), art. no. 03F124, . HTTP://DOI.ORG/10.1116/1.5019698
  43. Tuccitto, N.Automated data mining of secondary ion mass spectrometry spectra(2018) Journal of Chemometrics, 32 (3), art. no. e2968, . HTTP://DOI.ORG/10.1002/cem.2968
  44. Tuccitto, N., Capizzi, G., Torrisi, A., Licciardello, A.Unsupervised Analysis of Big ToF-SIMS Data Sets: A Statistical Pattern Recognition Approach(2018) Analytical Chemistry, 90 (4), pp. 2860-2866. HTTP://DOI.ORG/10.1021/acs.analchem.7b05003
  45. Tuccitto, N., Li-Destri, G., Messina, G.M.L., Marletta, G.Reactive messengers for digital molecular communication with variable transmitter-receiver distance(2018) Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, 20 (48), pp. 30312-30320. HTTP://DOI.ORG/10.1039/c8cp05643a
  46. Tuccitto, N., Li-Destri, G., Messina, G.M.L., Marletta, G.Fluorescent Quantum Dots Make Feasible Long-Range Transmission of Molecular Bits(2017) Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters, 8 (16), pp. 3861-3866. HTTP://DOI.ORG/10.1021/acs.jpclett.7b01713
  47. Cristaudo, V., Collette, S., Tuccitto, N., Poleunis, C., Melchiorre, L.C., Licciardello, A., Reniers, F., Delcorte, A.Molecular Surface Analysis and Depth-Profiling of Polyethylene Modified by an Atmospheric Ar-D2O Post-Discharge(2016) Plasma Processes and Polymers, 13 (11), pp. 1104-1117. HTTP://DOI.ORG/10.1002/ppap.201600061
  48. Tuccitto, N.A physico-chemical timer: autonomous time-delayed microfluidic valves for environmental applications(2016) Microfluidics and Nanofluidics, 20 (9), art. no. 129, . HTTP://DOI.ORG/10.1007/s10404-016-1795-1
  49. Tuccitto, N., Zappalà, G., Vitale, S., Torrisi, A., Licciardello, A.A wavelet-PCA method saves high mass resolution information in data treatment of SIMS molecular depth profiles(2016) Surface and Interface Analysis, 48 (6), pp. 317-327. HTTP://DOI.ORG/10.1002/sia.5943
  50. Tuccitto, N., Zappalà, G., Vitale, S., Torrisi, A., Licciardello, A.A transport and reaction model for simulating cluster secondary ion mass spectrometry depth profiles of organic solids(2016) Journal of Physical Chemistry C, 120 (17), pp. 9263-9269. HTTP://DOI.ORG/10.1021/acs.jpcc.6b01532
  51. Vitale, S., Zappalà, G., Tuccitto, N., Torrisi, A., Napolitani, E., Licciardello, A.SIMS characterization of surface-modified nanostructured titania electrodes for solar energy conversion devices(2016) Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology B: Nanotechnology and Microelectronics, 34 (3), art. no. 0001, . HTTP://DOI.ORG/10.1116/1.4941428
  52. Tuccitto, N., Sfrazzetto, G.T., Gangemi, C.M.A., Ballistreri, F.P., Toscano, R.M., Tomaselli, G.A., Pappalardo, A., Marletta, G.The memory-driven order-disorder transition of a 3D-supramolecular architecture based on calix[5]arene and porphyrin derivatives(2016) Chemical Communications, 52 (78), pp. 11681-11684. HTTP://DOI.ORG/10.1039/c6cc06675e
  53. Sfuncia, G., Tuccitto, N., Marletta, G.Preparation and enhanced conducting properties of open networks of poly(3-hexylthiophene)/carbon nanotube hybrids(2016) RSC Advances, 6 (57), pp. 51485-51492. HTTP://DOI.ORG/10.1039/c6ra09592e
  54. Zappalà, G., Motta, V., Tuccitto, N., Vitale, S., Torrisi, A., Licciardello, A.Nitric oxide assisted C60 secondary ion mass spectrometry for molecular depth profiling of polyelectrolyte multilayers(2015) Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry, 29 (23), pp. 2204-2210. HTTP://DOI.ORG/10.1002/rcm.7383
  55. Giamblanco, N., Tuccitto, N., Zappalà, G., Sfuncia, G., Licciardello, A., Marletta, G.Chelating Surfaces for Native State Proteins Patterning: The Human Serum Albumin Case(2015) ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces, 7 (41), pp. 23353-23363. HTTP://DOI.ORG/10.1021/acsami.5b08217
  56. Vitale, S., Zappalà, G., Tuccitto, N.Filling station short-range impact on the surrounding area: A novel methodology for environmental monitoring based on the shadows study(2015) Environmental Technology and Innovation, 4, pp. 210-217. HTTP://DOI.ORG/10.1016/j.eti.2015.08.001
  57. Monitto, R., Tuccitto, N.Shadow ribbon: A detailed study of complex chemical plants with a simple integrated approach(2014) RSC Advances, 4 (61), pp. 32237-32240. HTTP://DOI.ORG/10.1039/c4ra05234j
  58. Havelund, R., Licciardello, A., Bailey, J., Tuccitto, N., Sapuppo, D., Gilmore, I.S., Sharp, J.S., Lee, J.L.S., Mouhib, T., Delcorte, A.Improving secondary ion mass spectrometry C60n+ sputter depth profiling of challenging polymers with nitric oxide gas dosing(2013) Analytical Chemistry, 85 (10), pp. 5064-5070. HTTP://DOI.ORG/10.1021/ac4003535
  59. Molchan, I.S., Thompson, G.E., Skeldon, P., Licciardello, A., Tuccitto, N., Tempez, A.Analysis of molecular monolayers adsorbed on metal surfaces by glow discharge optical emission spectrometry(2013) Journal of Analytical Atomic Spectrometry, 28 (1), pp. 121-126. HTTP://DOI.ORG/10.1039/c2ja30247k
  60. Giamblanco, N., Zhavnerko, G., Tuccitto, N., Licciardello, A., Marletta, G.Coadsorption-dependent orientation of fibronectin epitopes at hydrophilic gold surfaces(2012) Soft Matter, 8 (32), pp. 8370-8378. HTTP://DOI.ORG/10.1039/c2sm25490e
  61. Coustumer, P.L., Chapon, P., Tempez, A., Popov, Y., Thompson, G., Molchan, I., Trigoulet, N., Skeldon, P., Licciardello, A., Tuccitto, N., Delfanti, I., Fuhrer, K., Gonin, M., Whitby, J., Hohl, M., Tanner, C., Garcia, N.B., Revilla, L.L., Pisonero, J., Pereiro, R., Gago, C.G., Medel, A.S., Petcu, M.G., Surmeian, A., Diplasu, C., Groza, A., Jakubowski, N., Dorka, R., Canulescu, S., Michler, J., Belenguer, P., Nelis, T., Zahri, A., Guillot, P., Thérèse, L., Littner, A., Vaux, R., Malherbe, J., Huneau, F., Stevie, F., François-Saint-Cyr, H.Analysis of thin and thick Films(2012) Mass Spectrometry Handbook, pp. 943-959. HTTP://DOI.ORG/10.1002/9781118180730.ch41
  62. Tuccitto, N., Giamblanco, N., Ghosh, S., Spampinato, V., Labbé, P., Dumy, P., Quici, S., Marletta, G., Defrancq, E., Licciardello, A.Controlled density patterning of tolylterpyridine-tagged oligonucleotides(2011) Langmuir, 27 (14), pp. 8595-8599. HTTP://DOI.ORG/10.1021/la2003468
  63. Keller, T.F., Schönfelder, J., Reichert, J., Tuccitto, N., Licciardello, A., Messina, G.M.L., Marletta, G., Jandt, K.D.How the surface nanostructure of polyethylene affects protein assembly and orientation(2011) ACS Nano, 5 (4), pp. 3120-3131. HTTP://DOI.ORG/10.1021/nn200267c
  64. Denis, L., Renaux, F., Cossement, D., Bittencourt, C., Tuccitto, N., Licciardello, A., Hecq, M., Snyders, R.Physico-chemical characterization of methyl isobutyrate-based plasma polymer films(2011) Plasma Processes and Polymers, 8 (2), pp. 127-137. HTTP://DOI.ORG/10.1002/ppap.201000107
  65. Trigoulet, N., Tuccitto, N., Delfanti, I., Licciardello, A., Molchan, I.S., Skeldon, P., Thompson, G.E., Tempez, A., Chapon, P.Depth profiling analysis of barrier-type anodic aluminium oxide films formed on substrates of controlled roughness(2011) Surface and Interface Analysis, 43 (1-2), pp. 183-186. HTTP://DOI.ORG/10.1002/sia.3410
  66. Tuccitto, N., Marletta, G., Carnazza, S., Grasso, L., Caratozzolo, M., Guglielmino, S., Licciardello, A.ToF-SIMS imaging of surface self-organized fractal patterns of bacteria(2011) Surface and Interface Analysis, 43 (1-2), pp. 370-375. HTTP://DOI.ORG/10.1002/sia.3555
  67. Spampinato, V., Tuccitto, N., Quici, S., Calabrese, V., Marletta, G., Torrisi, A., Licciardello, A.Functionalization of oxide surfaces by terpyridine phosphonate ligands: Surface reactions and anchoring geometry(2010) Langmuir, 26 (11), pp. 8400-8406. HTTP://DOI.ORG/10.1021/la9048314
  68. Lobo, L., Tuccitto, N., Bordel, N., Pereiro, R., Pisonero, J., Licciardello, A., Tempez, A., Chapon, P., Sanz-Medel, A.Polymer screening by radiofrequency glow discharge time-of-flight mass spectrometry(2010) Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry, 396 (8), pp. 2863-2869. HTTP://DOI.ORG/10.1007/s00216-009-3367-7
  69. Molchan, I.S., Thompson, G.E., Skeldon, P., Trigoulet, N., Tempez, A., Chapon, P., Tuccitto, N., Licciardello, A.Differentiation of 18O- and 16O-rich layers in anodic alumina films by glow discharge time-of-flight mass spectroscopy(2010) Surface and Interface Analysis, 42 (4), pp. 211-214. HTTP://DOI.ORG/10.1002/sia.3227
  70. Torrisi, A., Torrisi, V., Tuccitto, N., Gandolfi, M.G., Prati, C., Licciardello, A.ToF-SIMS images and spectra of biomimetic calcium silicate-based cements after storage in solutions simulating the effects of human biological fluids(2010) International Journal of Mass Spectrometry, 289 (2-3), pp. 150-161. HTTP://DOI.ORG/10.1016/j.ijms.2009.10.010
  71. Tempez, A., Canulescu, S., Molchan, I.S., Döbeli, M., Whitby, J.A., Lobo, L., Michler, J., Thompson, G.E., Bordel, N., Chapon, P., Skeldon, P., Delfanti, I., Tuccitto, N., Licciardello, A.18O/16O isotopic separation in anodic tantala films by glow discharge time-of-flightmass spectrometry(2009) Surface and Interface Analysis, 41 (12-13), pp. 966-973. HTTP://DOI.ORG/10.1002/sia.3129
  72. Bordel, N., Lobo, L., Pisonero, J., Pereiro, R., Tuccitto, N., Licciardello, A., Tempez, A., Chapon, P., Hohl, M., Michler, J., Sanz-Medel, A.Radiofrequency glow discharge time of flight mass spectrometry for thin films analysis: Pulsed mode versus continuous mode(2009) Yejin Fenxi/Metallurgical Analysis, 29 (11), pp. 1-7.
  73. Dettin, M., Bagno, A., Gambaretto, R., Iucci, G., Conconi, M.T., Tuccitto, N., Menti, A.M., Grandi, C., Di Bello, C., Licciardello, A., Polzonetti, G.Covalent surface modification of titanium oxide with different adhesive peptides: Surface characterization and osteoblast-like cell adhesion(2009) Journal of Biomedical Materials Research - Part A, 90 (1), pp. 35-45. HTTP://DOI.ORG/10.1002/jbm.a.32064
  74. Tuccitto, N., Delfanti, I., Torrisi, V., Scandola, F., Chiorboli, C., Stepanenko, V., Würthner, F., Licciardello, A.Supramolecular self-assembled multilayers of terpyridine-functionalized perylene bisimide metal complexes(2009) Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, 11 (20), pp. 4033-4038. HTTP://DOI.ORG/10.1039/b819711n
  75. Torrisi, A., Tuccitto, N., Licciardello, A.Effects of the substrate on ToF-SIMS spectra of thin films of some fluorinated compounds deposited on calcarenite(2009) International Journal of Mass Spectrometry, 281 (3), pp. 157-166. HTTP://DOI.ORG/10.1016/j.ijms.2009.01.016
  76. Tuccitto, N., Lobo, L., Tempez, A., Delfanti, I., Chapon, P., Canulescu, S., Bordel, N., Michler, J., Licciardello, A.Pulsed radiofrequency glow discharge time-of-flight mass spectrometry for molecular depth profiling of polymer-based films(2009) Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry, 23 (5), pp. 549-556. HTTP://DOI.ORG/10.1002/rcm.3906
  77. Tuccitto, N., Ferri, V., Cavazzini, M., Quici, S., Zhavnerko, G., Licciardello, A., Rampi, M.A.Highly conductive 40-nm-long molecular wires assembled by stepwise incorporation of metal centres (Nature Materials (2009) 8 (41-46))(2009) Nature Materials, 8 (4), p. 359. HTTP://DOI.ORG/10.1038/nmat2401
  78. Tuccitto, N., Ferri, V., Cavazzini, M., Quici, S., Zhavnerko, G., Licciardello, A., Rampi, M.A.Highly conductive ∼ 40-nm-long molecular wires assembled by stepwise incorporation of metal centres(2009) Nature Materials, 8 (1), pp. 41-46. HTTP://DOI.ORG/10.1038/nmat2332
  79. Torrisi, V., Tuccitto, N., Delfanti, I., Audinot, J.N., Zhavnerko, G., Migeon, H.-N., Licciardello, A.Nano- and microstructured polymer LB layers: A combined AFM/SIMS study(2008) Applied Surface Science, 255 (4), pp. 1006-1010. HTTP://DOI.ORG/10.1016/j.apsusc.2008.05.098
  80. Tuccitto, N., Torrisi, V., Delfanti, I., Licciardello, A.Monoatomic and cluster beam effect on ToF-SIMS spectra of self-assembled monolayers on gold(2008) Applied Surface Science, 255 (4), pp. 874-876. HTTP://DOI.ORG/10.1016/j.apsusc.2008.05.065
  81. Torrisi, A., Tuccitto, N., Maccarrone, G., Licciardello, A.ToF-SIMS characterization of fluoroalkyl derivatives of possible interest as water repellent for stone protection(2008) Applied Surface Science, 255 (4), pp. 1527-1530. HTTP://DOI.ORG/10.1016/j.apsusc.2008.05.019
  82. Tuccitto, N., Giamblanco, N., Marletta, G., Licciardello, A.ToF-SIMS investigation of FIB-patterning of lactoferrin by using self-assembled monolayers of iron complexes(2008) Applied Surface Science, 255 (4), pp. 1075-1078. HTTP://DOI.ORG/10.1016/j.apsusc.2008.05.106
  83. Muñiz, A.C., Pisonero, J., Lobo, L., Gonzalez, C., Bordel, N., Pereiro, R., Tempez, A., Chapon, P., Tuccitto, N., Licciardello, A., Sanz-Medel, A.Pulsed radiofrequency glow discharge time of flight mass spectrometer for the direct analysis of bulk and thin coated glasses(2008) Journal of Analytical Atomic Spectrometry, 23 (9), pp. 1239-1246. HTTP://DOI.ORG/10.1039/b804169p
  84. Mazzei, F., Favero, G., Frasconi, M., Tata, A., Tuccitto, N., Licciardello, A., Pepi, F.Soft-landed protein voltammetry: A tool for redox protein characterization(2008) Analytical Chemistry, 80 (15), pp. 5937-5944. HTTP://DOI.ORG/10.1021/ac8005389
  85. Morotti, T., Calabrese, V., Cavazzini, M., Pedron, D., Cozzuol, M., Licciardello, A., Tuccitto, N., Quici, S.Zirconium phosphate/phosphonate multilayered films based on push-pull stilbazolium salt: Synthesis, characterization and second harmonic generation(2008) Dalton Transactions, (22), pp. 2974-2982. HTTP://DOI.ORG/10.1039/b801194j
  86. Morotti, T., Calabrese, V., Cavazzini, M., Pedron, D., Cozzuol, M., Licciardello, A., Tuccitto, N., Quici, S.Zirconium phosphate/phosphonate multilayered films based on push–pull stilbazolium salt: Synthesis, characterization and second harmonic generation(2008) Journal of the Chemical Society. Dalton Transactions, (22), pp. 2974-2982. HTTP://DOI.ORG/10.1039/b801194j
  87. Giamblanco, N., Tuccitto, N., Licciardello, A., Marletta, G.Focused Ion Beam treatment of self-assembled monolayers for protein patterning(2007) European Cells and Materials, 14 (SUPPL.3), p. 32.
  88. Tuccitto, N., Torrisi, V., Cavazzini, M., Morotti, T., Puntoriero, F., Quici, S., Campagna, S., Licciardello, A.Stepwise formation of ruthenium(II) complexes by direct reaction on organized assemblies of thiol-terpyridine species on gold(2007) ChemPhysChem, 8 (2), pp. 227-230. HTTP://DOI.ORG/10.1002/cphc.200600573
  89. Tuccitto, N., Giamblanco, N., Licciardello, A., Marletta, G.Patterning of lactoferrin using functional SAMs of iron complexes(2007) Chemical Communications, (25), pp. 2621-2623. HTTP://DOI.ORG/10.1039/b701527e
  90. Möllers, R., Tuccitto, N., Torrisi, V., Niehuis, E., Licciardello, A.Chemical effects in C 60 irradiation of polymers(2006) Applied Surface Science, 252 (19), pp. 6509-6512. HTTP://DOI.ORG/10.1016/j.apsusc.2006.02.083
  91. Battocchio, C., Polzonetti, G., Gambino, L., Tuccitto, N., Licciardello, A., Marletta, G.Comparison between angular dependent NEXAFS analysis and theoretical calculations of molecular orientation of new functional mixed aromatic molecules deposited onto Au/Si(1 1 1)(2006) Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research, Section B: Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms, 246 (1), pp. 145-150. HTTP://DOI.ORG/10.1016/j.nimb.2005.12.036
  92. Auditore, A., Baglio, S., Barrera, P., Licciardello, A., Savalli, N., Tuccitto, N.Characterization of photoelectric polymeric material by using capacitive transducers(2004) Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering, 5467, pp. 265-272. HTTP://DOI.ORG/10.1117/12.548625
  93. Auditore, A., Tuccitto, N., Quici, S., Marzanni, G., Puntoriero, F., Campagna, S., Licciardello, A.ToF-SIMS investigation of functional mixed aromatic thiol monolayers on gold(2004) Applied Surface Science, 231-232, pp. 314-317. HTTP://DOI.ORG/10.1016/j.apsusc.2004.03.073
  94. Auditore, A., Tuccitto, N., Marzanni, G., Quici, S., Puntoriero, F., Campagna, S., Licciardello, A.Organized assemblies of thiol-terpyridine and thiophenol on gold surfaces: Preferential composition of mixed species evidenced(2003) Chemical Communications, 3 (19), pp. 2494-2495. HTTP://DOI.ORG/10.1039/b305484e

 

 

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Nanomaterials for Molecular Communication

 

 

 

 

At this historical moment, 5G is spreading globally to reach all users who have the necessary technological support available. In the meantime, we as researchers, together with some of the most inspired companies in industry, are already devising new methodologies and developing new technologies for what we might call the 'next-generation of communication', or simply next-G or n-G. By n-G, we do not mean higher bandwidth, faster, or more energy-efficient communication methodologies. We are not talking about 6- or 7G. Our perspective is more forward-looking. The n-G we are dealing with will allow to connect devices in environments hitherto inaccessible to wireless technologies based on electromagnetic waves. In fact, there are extreme environments that simply do not allow the use of wave-based wireless systems, the literature calls them 'wave-denied'. Such environments are characterised by conditions that cause signal loss because the communication channels are buried or embedded. Representative examples of such environments are the vessels through which biological fluids travel in animals or plants (veins and arteries, xylem and phloem, etc.). Through these channels, with a clearly biomimetic approach, future implanted biomedical devices or diagnostic-therapeutic biorobots will need to exchange information in order to coordinate and perform the theranostic functions for which they were designed. Today, on the diagnostic side, it is already possible with implanted biosensors to detect small variations in temperature that are a symptom of emerging infections, to determine the presence of specific markers of pathologies, to insert intelligent probes capable of detecting abnormal biochemical activities, and so on. On the therapeutic side, there are sophisticated implantable biomedical devices for the direct and punctual release of drugs or microprobes capable of performing real localised operations with low invasiveness, to name but a few. What is missing is the interconnection between them. There is no platform on which to exchange the information needed to make the individual biodevices into a single connected system that communicates, working in unison under the control of a rational central system. Other emblematic 'buried or embedded' environments are underground utilities, sewage or water distribution systems in cities. Or underground channels for sub-irrigation, sub-fertilisation and sub-treatment, which are becoming increasingly common in research into advanced agricultural systems. Or again, confined spaces such as those found in plants in the oil and gas industry, full of intricate piping and shielding steel equipment that make wireless communication impossible. Likely applications of the n-G in such environments include the possibility of monitoring the status of such underground utilities with underground and networked IoT sensors, which is currently impossible to achieve wirelessly. Or the remote control and coordination of micro-robots used in the maintenance/repair of such underground channels or inside pipes and shielded equipment. In short, as is now publicly acknowledged by the main global leaders in telecommunications, it is necessary to conceive, design and implement a new physical layer for these wave-denied environments. The same environments, in addition to being 'buried or embedded' can also be 'hostile' because they are characterised by fraudulent attacks or eavesdropping. The availability of new 'secure' communication methods is of strategic importance in the context of the politics of dominance in a world that is now entirely interconnected. As history has amply demonstrated from the time of Caesar's cipher in Roman times to the German military's infamous Enigma machine cleverly decrypted by Polish mathematicians, having the ability to establish encrypted communication in hostile contexts can make the difference between triumphing or succumbing.

In response to these crucial challenges, the scientific community has devised communication platforms based on new information carriers to replace electromagnetic waves. The approach is avowedly bio-inspired and brazenly traces the mechanisms that nature, over thousands of years of evolution, has refined to pass on information to offspring or to regulate the biochemical cycles underlying the proper functioning of functional organs. The ingenious criteria for encoding the genetic heritage, the sophisticated and efficient mechanism for translating this information leading to protein synthesis, or the regulation of energy metabolic cycles entrusted to hormones, are some paradigmatic examples of the use of molecular systems as 'information carriers'. We have devised particles of the order of a few nanometres in size ('nanoparticles') which we conveniently prepare synthetically. Our conjecture is to use them as information carriers: 'information nanoparticles', we usually call them.
For more information:

  1. Calì, F., Fichera, L., Trusso Sfrazzetto, G., Nicotra, G., Sfuncia, G., Bruno, E., Lanzanò, L., Barbagallo, I., Li-Destri, G., Tuccitto, N. Fluorescent nanoparticles for reliable communication among implantable medical devices (2022) Carbon, 190, pp. 262-275. 10.1016/j.carbon.2022.01.016
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