Antonio Caldarelli
Technologist
National Research Council (CNR)
Institute for SuPerconductors, INnovative materials, and devices (SPIN)
Who I am
I am Antonio Caldarelli, a materials scientist and research technologist at CNR-SPIN, driven to turn thin-film physics into next-generation energy devices.
My work couples advanced vacuum deposition with in-situ and ex-situ micro-/nano-characterisation to engineer metal, oxide and carbide multilayers to obtain selective absorbers, selective emitters and low-emissivity coatings that stay functional above 1000 K.
Thanks to my PhD in Industrial Engineering and a research spell at Purdue University’s Birck Nanotechnology Center, I designed and fabricated high-vacuum solar-thermal and thermophotovoltaic devices, integrating modelling, ageing studies and optical metrology. I now coordinate the NFFA-DI nano-fabrication lab in Naples, overseeing a multicamera growth platform for quantum oxides and metamaterials. I aim to develope durable solutions for clean-energy conversion and storage.
Selected publications
- Solar selective coatings for evacuated flat plate collectors: Optimisation and efficiency robustness analysis, Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, 2022, Davide De Maio, Carmine D’Alessandro, Antonio Caldarelli, Marilena Musto, Roberto Russo – DOI: 10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2024.125373
- A Highly Efficient, Selective, and Thermally Stable Dielectric Multilayer Emitter for Solar Thermophotovoltaics, Solar RRL, 2024, Antonio Caldarelli, Daniela De Luca, Changkyun Lee, Gennaro Sanitá, Emanuela Esposito, Marilena Musto, Roberto Russo, Peter Bermel – DOI: 10.1088/1742-6596/2685/1/012057
- Modeling of energy and exergy efficiencies in high vacuum flat plate photovoltaic–thermal (PV–T) collectors, Energy Reports, 2023, Daniela De Luca, Antonio Caldarelli, Eliana Gaudino, Emiliano Di Gennaro , Marilena Musto, Roberto Russo – DOI: //doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2025.127615
Skill
- Expert in advanced deposition techniques
- Skilled in microstructural and thermal characterization
- Deep knowledge of optimizing radiative properties
- Proficient in designing and operating multi-chamber systems
- Experienced in energy‐device design
- Strong attention to detail, creative problem-solving, and a methodical approach
- Effective team player in multidisciplinary, international environments