Micro- & Nano-Mechanics of Advanced Materials
Edoardo Rossi
Assistant Professor / Fixed-term Researcher (RTD-A), ING-IND/22 — Materials Science and Technology
Università degli Studi Roma Tre · Department of Civil, Computer Science and Aeronautical Technologies Engineering, Rome, Italy
ORCID 0000-0001-8194-5329 · also cited as Edoardo M. Rossi, E. Rossi, E. M. Rossi · Scopus Author ID 57216585832
About
Decoding how microstructure governs mechanical behaviour, one indent at a time.
I am a researcher in materials science and technology at Università degli Studi Roma Tre, working at the intersection of experimental micro- and nano-mechanics, advanced characterization and data-driven analysis. My work develops quantitative methods to connect microstructure, residual stress and local mechanical response in advanced ceramics, coatings and architected materials.
I specialise in high-speed nanoindentation mapping coupled with machine learning, residual-stress quantification by FIB-DIC, and small-scale fracture testing (micropillar splitting and micro-cantilever bending), integrated with correlative SEM/FIB/EBSD microscopy. The aim is reproducible, mechanism-level understanding that feeds materials design and modelling.
I am Full Editor of Materials & Design (Elsevier) and Working Group 4 Leader (Machine Learning for Nanomechanics) of the COST Action CA21121 MecaNano network.
Research
Research interests
Methods and questions I work on, from sample preparation to data interpretation.
High-speed nanoindentation mapping
3D/4D mechanical mapping over large heterogeneous areas, with automated analysis of thousands of load-displacement curves and machine-learning phase segmentation.
Residual-stress quantification
Multi-scale residual-stress measurement by FIB-DIC ring-core and trench geometries, cross-validated against complementary high-resolution methods.
Small-scale fracture
Micropillar splitting and micro-cantilever bending to extract local toughness and reveal crack deflection, bridging and arrest in brittle and architected systems.
Correlative microscopy
Registration of mechanical maps with SEM, FIB tomography and EBSD to link local response to microstructure, interfaces and gradients.
Machine learning for materials
Supervised classification, clustering, dimensionality reduction and autoencoders for pop-in detection, pile-up correction and microstructure-property decoding.
Ceramics, coatings & architected materials
Advanced ceramics, multilayer and PVD/ALD coatings, and 3D-printed micro-ceramics, studied for toughness, reliability and environmental durability.
Selected publications
Featured work
Prioritising first / corresponding-author papers in Q1 journals. Citation counts are Scopus snapshots.
High-speed nanoindentation mapping: a review of recent advances and applications
doi.org/10.1016/j.cossms.2023.101107 →Unlocking superior fracture resistance in micro-ceramics for architected meta-materials via ALD stress engineering
doi.org/10.1016/j.actamat.2025.121474 →A high-throughput framework for pile-up correction in high-speed nanoindentation maps
doi.org/10.1016/j.matdes.2025.113708 →Revealing new depths of information with indentation mapping of microstructures
doi.org/10.1557/s43577-025-00919-6 →- Humidity-dependent flaw sensitivity in the crack propagation resistance of 3D-printed nano-ceramics. Rossi E., Bauer J., Sebastiani M. · Scripta Materialia, 2021 (Q1) · first author · 11 citations · DOI
- Machine learning aided nanoindentation: a review of the current state and future perspectives. Puchi-Cabrera E.S., Rossi E., Sansonetti G., Sebastiani M., Bemporad E. · Current Opinion in Solid State and Materials Science, 2023 (Q1) · 66 citations · DOI
- Nano-scale residual stress profiling in thin multilayer films with non-equibiaxial stress state. Sebastiani M., Rossi E., Mughal M.Z., Benedetto A., Jacquet P., Salvati E., Korsunsky A.M. · Nanomaterials, 2020 · 23 citations · DOI
- Fracture toughness of radiation-damaged zircon studied by nanoindentation pillar-splitting. Beirau T., Rossi E., Sebastiani M., Oliver W.C., Pollmann H., Ewing R.C. · Applied Physics Letters, 2021 (Q1) · 12 citations · DOI
- A critical comparison among high-resolution methods for spatially resolved nano-scale residual stress analysis in nanostructured coatings. Rashid S., Rossi E., Diplas S., Carvalho P.A., Pucicki D., Kuna R., Sebastiani M. · International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2025 · 6 citations · DOI
Full publication list available on ORCID and Scopus.
Experience
Academic positions
Assistant Professor / Fixed-term Researcher (RTD-A)
ING-IND/22, Materials Science and Technology · Department of Civil, Computer Science and Aeronautical Technologies Engineering, Università degli Studi Roma Tre.
Postdoctoral Research Fellow (Assegnista di ricerca)
Department of Engineering, Università degli Studi Roma Tre · high-resolution mechanical mapping and residual-stress quantification.
PhD in Civil and Industrial Engineering
Materials Science and Technology curriculum, Roma Tre · thesis on nanoindentation and advanced nanomechanics for the reliability of micro/nano-devices (110/110 cum laude).
Visiting researcher
University of Southern California, Mork Family Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science (group of Prof. A.M. Hodge) · optical ceramic nanomultilayers.
Research engineer
Department of Engineering, Roma Tre · design and software automation of FIB micro/nano-machining for residual-stress measurement.
Teaching
Teaching & supervision
- Course professor · Materials Science and Technology (9 CFU, 72 h), BSc in Engineering, Roma Tre.Since 2024/2025
- Supplementary teaching · Materials Technology for Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering, Roma Tre.2019/2020 and 2021/2022
- Teaching support · Materials Science and Technology, BSc Mechanical Engineering, Roma Tre.2020/2021 and 2021/2022
- Invited doctoral & summer-school lecturesMecaNano Summer School 2023 · AIM Modular Course on Coatings 2023 · Politecnico di Milano PhD workshop 2023 · 22nd AIMAT School 2024 · MecaNano WG4 Workshop tutorial, Budapest 2025
- PhD & research-fellow co-supervisionwithin CONCERTO, CoBRAIN and DigiCell
Recognition
Awards & editorial
- Full Editor, Materials & Design (Elsevier, Q1, IF 7.9).Since 2025 · previously Managing/Assistant Managing Editor, 2022–2024
- Co-Guest Editor, Materials & Design Virtual Special Issues“AI-Enabled Material Innovations”; “Nanomechanical Testing in Materials R&D IX”
- MRS 2020 Best Poster AwardSymposium F.SF03, Materials Research Society Fall Meeting
- Premio Prof. Giovanni Schippa – Best Presentation AwardNewTimes Conference, 2021
- Member, The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society (TMS)Active in MRS, ECI, AIMAT, AIM, INSTM, FEMS communities
Funding & projects
Selected research projects
Peer-reviewed competitive projects; team-member responsible for the research activities of the Roma Tre unit, unless noted.
Invited & keynote
Selected lectures
- TMS 2026, San Diego — two invited talks (4D nanoindentation mapping; interface-driven toughening of AM micro/nano-ceramics).
- FEMS EUROMAT 2025, Granada — invited speaker & session chair (Mechanics Characterization and Modelling).
- Empa Thun 2025 — invited seminar on thin-film residual stress and crack propagation in ALD-coated nano-ceramics.
- ESMC 2025, Lyon — invited speaker, Experimental Micromechanics and Nanomechanics.
- MSE 2024, Darmstadt — Highlight Lecture & chair, Small Scale Mechanics of Ceramics.
- ICTF 2023, Burgos — Keynote Speaker (Spanish Vacuum Society).
Coordination
Organisation & service
- Local Organizer — Final MecaNano General Meeting, Roma Tre, 27–29 April 2026.
- Co-organizer — 2nd MecaNano WG4 Workshop on ML for Micro/Nano-Mechanics, Budapest 2025.
- Organizing Committee — ECI Nanomechanical Testing in Materials R&D IX, Giardini Naxos 2024.
- Local co-organizer — KLA Instruments Nanoindenter European User Meeting, Roma Tre 2024.
- Co-organizer — NanoInnovation 2024 Workshop “Stress in Thin Films”, Rome.
- Session chair — TMS 2025, MSE 2024, FEMS EUROMAT 2025.
Gallery
Research in pictures
