Salvatore BAGLIO

After completing his PhD on nonlinear dynamics and chaotic systems, Prof. Salvatore Baglio worked, initially, on nonlinear circuits and systems (Chua circuit, Cellular Neural Networks, Fuzzy Systems). Then his research interests moved towards “Measurement Methodologies and Devices”, “Sensors and Transducers” and, finally, towards “Micro Technologies for Integrated Sensors”, together with “Exploitation of Nonlinear Properties of Materials for Sensing Applications”. Recently Prof. Baglio has also devoted significant efforts towards the field of “Nano Technologies for Sensors and Transducers” coupled with the closely relevant field of “Methodologies and Integrated Devices for Vibration Energy Harvesting”.

In addition to the initial individual study and experimental research activities, Prof. Baglio has coordinated over these years a research team with two faculty colleagues, three PhD students and three post docs, plus several contract research assistants. He has been committed to identify new research areas and to coordinate research efforts of the whole group both in the framework of the several (funded) projects, and in the ongoing search for new funding sources, at a national and international level, for the development of sensors, micro sensors, and signal transduction systems.

Prof. Baglio has also developed, over the years, an extensive network of national and international collaborations. In many cases these collaborations have been built on complementary competencies among different fields of science. Many of these collaborations have become consolidated over time largely via exchanges of researchers, and master and PhD students. In many cases, these collaborations have resulted in the formulation of joint research projects, generally on topics related to the development of new sensors and measuring systems and in particular in the field of Microsystems and Microsensors; these efforts have been financially supported by national and international funding organizations.

Some of Prof. Baglio’s past and ongoing collaborations:

1. SPAWAR Pacific (Dr. A. R. Bulsara): Nonlinear dynamics and circuits for sensor applications, sensors underpinned by coupled multiferroic devices, nonlinear circuits for vibrational energy harvesting, novel applications of engineered smart materials.

2. Univ. di Brescia (Prof. V. Ferrari, Prof. E. Sardini): MEMS sensors and Vibrational energy harvesting

3. Univ. di Perugia (Prof. L. Gammaitoni): Vibrational energy harvesting

4. King Abdullah University of Science and Technology  (Prof Jurgen Kosel): Vibrational energy harvesting

5. Warwick Univ (Prof. N. Stocks): Noise shaping, injection locking, fluxgate magnetometers

7. Univ. of California at Berkeley (Prof. R. Ramesh): Multiferroic materials

8. Centro Nacionale Microelectronica (CNM), Barcelona, Spain (Dr. J. Esteve): MEMS sensors, Microfluidic systems

9. University of Montpellier, Laboratoire d'Informatique, de Robotique et de Microélectronique de Montpellier (LIRMM), Montepellier, France (Prof. P. Nouet): CMOS MEMS sensors

10. University of Catania, Department of Medicine, University of Catania, Orthodontic section, (Prof. R. Leonardi): measurement system for gnatology and bruxism.

11. University of Catania, Department of Material Sciences (Prof. G. Malandrino): Multiferroic materials

12. University of Catania, Departmnet of Hydraulic engineering (Prof. E. Foti): sensors and measurement systems for assorted applications in coastal engineering.

13. Indian Institute od Technology, Mumbai, India, (Prof. V.R. Palkar): Multiferroic materials

14. National Physical Laboratory, New Dehli, India, (Dr. R. K. Kotnala): Multiferroic materials.

The scientific research activity has resulted in more than 400 publications in highly ranked journals and leading international conferences plus books and international patents.

This scientific production can be gauged by the following metrics (source Scopus, March 2018):

h-index 25,      total number of citations        2598

The research activity has been focused on the following major areas:

A – Nonlinear dynamics in the development of sensors and transducers

A1 – Modeling and characterization of nonlinear dynamical systems and chaotic circuits.

A2 – Nonlinear transducers based on hysteretic materials: magnetic field sensors based on ferromagnetic materials

A3 - Nonlinear transducers based on hysteretic materials: electric field sensors based on ferroelectric materials

A4 - Nonlinear transducers based on hysteretic materials: magnetic and electric field sensors based on multiferroic materials

B – Development of sensors and measurement systems

B1 – Piezoelectric sensors for surface material recognition

B2 – Methods and non-invasive measurements systems for applications to sandy bed monitoring in "coastal engineering"

B3  - Transducers based on magneto-rheologic materials

C - Microsystems

C1  –  Inertial sensors

C2 – Chemical and biochemical sensors, magnetic biosensors with magnetic beads for immunoassay

C3 – Integrated temperature transducers

D – Nonlinear methodologies, integrated technologies, and devices for vibrational energy harvesting.

In 2009 Prof. Baglio promoted, and is now coordinating, a new joint research laboratory for micro and nanotechnologies in the field of micro and nano sensors and microfluidic: NanoTechLab Catania. The laboratory facilities include a clean room, and equipments for material deposition, nanolithography and soft lithography for microfluidics.

Grants and Research Contracts

1998 -      “Development of microsensors based on photonic band-gap materials for environmental monitoring”.  Role: Principal Investigator. Sponsor: Consorzio CERICA, Priolo, SR, Italy.

1999 -      “Development of micro-opto-electro-mechanical systems based on PBG transparent metals”, Role: Principal Investigator. Sponsor: “European Research Office”.

Research activity in collaboration with “U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command”, Weapons Sciences Directorate, Research Development and Engineering Center, Redstone Arsenal, Huntsville, AL, USA (Dr. Michael Scalora).

2000 -      “Distributed measurement systems based on CMOS thermocouples for themperature distribution monitoring and alert in system on chip”, Role: Principal Investigator. Sponsor:  STMicroelectronics (Ing. Francesco Pappalardo), Catania.

2001 -      “Distributed measurement systems and multisensor data fusion based on fuzzy logic signal processing”, Role: Principal Investigator. sponsor: STMicroelectronics (Ing. Matteo Lo Presti), Catania.

2001 -      “Micro-Inductive based Biosensor Arrays for Very High Sensitivity Detection” - MicroBioL. Role: Principal Investigator of the Partner UNICT. Sponsor: European  Commission FET, V° Framework Program.

                 Project in collaboration with Dipartimento di Elettronica, University of Barcelona, Spain (Prof. Alejandro Perez-Rodriguez, Project Coordinator) and Centro Nacional Microelectronica (CNM), Barcelona, Spain (Dr. Jaume Esteve).

2002 -      “New machine for producing ice slurry at -35°C for a complete environmentally friendly refrigeration process”. ICE-COOL. Role: Principal Investigator of the Partner UNICT. Sponsor: European Commission, Program ENERGY, ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT in the V° Framework Program

2002 -      “New microcontroller architecrues for Intellignet Control Units” (Nuove architetture di microcontrollore sul concetto di Intelligent Control Unit-ICU”, in collaboration with “Fuzzy Logic Group” STMicroelectronics (Ing. Matteo Lo Presti), Catania). Role: Project Coordinator. Sponsor: Italian Ministero Istruzione Università Ricerca - MIUR – Progetti FAR, L. 297

2003 -      “Development of integrated inertial sensors with SOI-based custom technologies”, Role: Principal Investigator, Sponsor: European Commission, MicroServ Initiative.

2003 -      “Nonlinear DC magnetic detectors”, Role: Principal Investigator. Sponsor: Office of Naval Research , USA.

2004 -      “Novel Integrated devices, based on the exploitation of nonlinear materials properties, for remote sensing of weak electric and magnetic fields”, Role: Principal Investigator. Sponsor: Office of Naval Research, USA.

2005 -      “Innovative Microsensors with non conventional Si-based fabrication technologies” (“Microsensori, tecniche e circuiti elettronici per sistemi di trasduzione in tecnologie "Si-based" non convenzionali”), Role: Principal Investigator for the Partner UNICT. Sponsor: MIUR – Progetti di Ricerca di Interesse Nazionale, Call 2005.

2006 -      “Micro-Opto-ElectroMechanical Systems and Transparent MEtals for high performances inertial sensors”. Role: Principal Investigator.  Sponsor: Italian Ministry of Defense.

2007 -      “Integrated nonlinear magnetometers”, Role: Principal Investigator. Sponsor: Office of Naval Research, USA.

2008 -      “Development of integrated biosensors for magnetic immunoassay with dedicated microfabrication technology”, Role: Principal Investigator. Sponsor STMicroelectronics  (Dott. Salvatore COFFA), Catania.

2008 -      Experimental characterization and model identification of behavioral models for integrated fluxgate magnetometers”, Role: Principal Investigator. STMicroelectronics  (Dott. Benedetto Vigna), Agrate (Milano).

2008 -      “Novel microsystems for efficient collection of energy from vibrations based on nonlinear dynamics” (Microsistemi innovativi, basati su sistemi dinamici non lineari, per un efficiente recupero di energia da vibrazioni ambientali). Role: Project coordinator. Sponsor : MIUR – Progetti di Ricerca di Interesse Nazionale, Bando 2007.

2009 -      “Integrated ferroelectric microsensors for E-field detection”, Role: Principal Investigator.  Sponsor: Office of Naval Research, USA

2010 -      “Development of innovative integrated transducers with multiferroic materials”, Role: Principal Investigator. Sponsor: Office of Naval Research, Tokyo

2010 -      “Innovative solutions for enhanced energy harvesting from broadband and low-frequency vibrations in microsystems” (Soluzioni innovative in microsistemi per il recupero di energia da vibrazioni ad ampio spettro ed in bassa frequenza). Role: Project coordinator. Sponsor : MIUR – Progetti di Ricerca di Interesse Nazionale, Bando 2009.

2010 -      “Microsensors for volatile compound monitoring in industrial areas” (MIcro SENSori innovativi per il monitoraggio di composti ARomatici in area industrial), Role: Principal investigator for the research unit at the DIEEE, Sponsor: Italian Ministry for Industrial Development (Ministero Sviluppo Economico)

2012 -      “Development of micro and nano technologies and advanced solutions for health” (Sviluppo di Micro e Nano-tecnologie e Sistemi Avanzati per la Salute dell’uomo), Role: Principal Investigator for the group at DIEEI, Coordinator of the correlated education program. Sponsor: MIUR – PON Program

2012 -      “Toolbox Implementation for Removal of Anti-Personnel Mines, Submunittions and UXO” – TIRAMISU, Role: Participant with the partner Univ. of Catania. Sponsor European Commission, 7th Framework Program.

2014 -      “i-DIA Development of integrated diagnostic devices” (“I-DIA-  SVILUPPO E OTTIMIZZAZIONE DI DISPOSITIVI DIAGNOSTICI INTEGRATI”), Role: Principal Investigator for the DIEEI. Sponsor MIUR – PON Program

2015-       “Development of vibration energy harvesting solutions for autonomous sensors with fiber optic outputs”, Role: Principal investigator. Sponsor Italian Ministry of Defense

2015-       “Microsensors for weak magnetic fields measurements in the in-vivo characterizaton of metal uptake in neurodegenerative processes”, Role: Principal investigator. Sponsor: University of Catania

Patents

• Baglio Salvatore, Caruso Vito, sensore ottico di concentrazione di ghiaccio nei fluidi refrigeranti " ice - slurry " (Optical sensor for the estimation of ice concentration in ice-slurries) , Italian Patent Office, n. 0001364392, 2003
• F Di Marco, M Lo Presti, S Graziani, S Baglio, Fluid flow meter and corresponding flow measuring methods, - US Patent 6,119,529, 2000
• M Scalora, M Bloemer, S Baglio, Apparatus and method for controlling optics propagation based on a transparent metal stack - US Patent 6,339,493, Jan 2002
• In V, Bulsara A, Kho A, Palacios A, Baglio S, Ando' B (2011). Coupled Electric Field Sensors for DC Target Electric Field Detection. US Patent 8,049,486
• C. Caligiore, S. Leonardi, S. Baglio, B. Ando', “Integrated device of the type comprising at least a microfluidic system and further circuitry and corresponding integration process”, USPatent 8,853,800, Oct. 2014
• Visarath In, Adi R Bulsara, Yong, Joseph D Neff, Antonio Palacios, Salvatore Baglio, Vincenzo Sacco, (2011), "Coupled Fluxgate Magnetometers for DC and Time-Varying Target Magnetic Field Detection" (USPatent 7,898,250) patent licensed
• Adi R Bulsara, Salvatore Baglio, N. Stocks, S. Nikitin, F. Antoci, B. Andò,  Injection-Locked Coupled Core Fluxgate Magnetometer, Patent pending, US patent application number 14609796.