Technical University of Vienna
E-mail: pierluigi_bilotto @ avs.org

PIERLUIGI BILOTTO is a Postdoc Univ. Assistant at the Vienna University of Technology in the group of Tribology (E307-05). In August 2021 Dr. Bilotto received his Ph.D. in natural science at Vienna University of Technology, in the group of Applied Interface Physics (E134-02) under the supervision of Prof. Markus Valtiner. The Ph.D. work aimed to understanding intermolecular forces between dissimilar solid/liquid interface in extreme environments (high adhesion, high salt concentration, cooperation and competition of molecules). Specifically, the investigation of Dr. Bilotto focused on artificial biointerfaces, including lipids and polymers, with advanced techniques such as atomic force microscopy and surface forces apparatus. From September 2021 to May 2024, Dr. Bilotto worked as a senior researcher at the Centre for Electrochemistry and Surface Technology (CEST). During these years, he started working on two-dimensional (2D) materials such as graphene oxide and MXene in team with Dr. Markus Ostermann. The two main research lines on this topic involved testing them as coating for advanced applications (e.g., in aeronautics, optical sensors for robotics) and establishing green and upscalable protocols for their production. During these years, Dr. Bilotto worked as a project manager on different projects, including industry partners. Some of the topics are investigation of adhesion mechanisms in particle removing from silicon wafers, fading effects of UV dosimeters, combination of MXenes with biointerfaces for novel biosensors.

Dr. Bilotto has been active in international collaborations. He collaborated with two Erasmus students (University of Zagreb and University of Calabria) as contact point for activities related to MXene characterization and coatings of optical fibers. Moreover, he started a Ph.D. collaboration with the University of Calabria on tropocollagen adhesion studies. On this topic and his work on biointerfaces, Dr. Bilotto received at AVS69, the award “Biointerphases Emerging Young Scientists” from the Biointerphases Journal editorial Board. Recently, in team with Dr. Markus Ostermann, Dr. Bilotto won the EcoPlus Innovation Award for the category Start-up and the topic of upscaling production of green graphene nanosheets. Starting from June 2024, Dr. Bilotto joined the group of Tribology led by Prof. Carsten Gachot. Here, he will continue working on the nanomechanical properties of 2D materials and biointerfaces (or bioinspired materials), advanced coatings based on 2D materials, solid lubrication, friction between soft matter and implants (e.g., knee joints), and friction in tribocorrosive environments.