Alumni

  • ALBERTO LORENZO VASSALLO

    Master Degree in in Mechanical Engineering at the Politecnico di Torino.

    Thesis “Contribution to the set-up of integrated test benches for the thermo-fluidynamics analysis of the combustion system of a CNG engine” (2000)

    PhD Thesis: “Development of a methodology for the experimental assessment of the combustion velocity and NOx formation in SI engines and its application to a bi-fuel 2.0L engine” (2004)

    Master of Engineering in Global Automotive and Manufacturing Engineering - University of Michigan, (2009)

    Research activities: Within GM Powertrain, he is responsible for the advanced development of combustion systems of new GM light-duty diesel engines. Core competencies: definition of fundamental thermodynamic parameters; targets setting for performance, emissions, fuel consumption and combustion noise; thermodynamic benchmark of competitors’ engines. He also provides support for combustion system development and CO2 reduction initiatives within the Product Engineering organization

    Career: Jan 2004 - Nov 2005: Research Assistant - Politecnico di Torino
                Nov 2005 – Jun 2008: Combustion Development Engineer - GM Powertrain Europe
                Jul 2008 – Apr 2012:  Senior Technology System Engineer - GM Powertrain Europe
                since Nov 2012 - present: Diesel Combustion Technology Leader - GM Research & Development

    Patents: co-author of more than 25 patents filing requests in the field of Diesel Engines, of which 13 already issued in Europe, USA and China.

    Awards: 2000: Optime Prize from “Unione Industriale di Torino” for the best Master Theses of the year; 2008: GM R&D Most Valuable Colleague Award for “Combustion System Development Process for Diesel Engines”

    GM Powertrain Europe - Corso Castelfidardo 10129 Torino - Italia

  • EDOARDO PIETRO MORRA

    Master Degree in Energy & Nuclear Engineering at the Politecnico di Torino.
    Thesis (realized at the TKH of Stockholm): "Transmutation of nuclear waste in a boiling water reactor with hafnium clad" (2008)

    PhD Thesis: “A comprehensive Methodology for the Optimization of the Operating Strategy of Hybrid Electric Vehicles” (2012)

    Research activities: “Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition (HCCI) Combustion” subsidized by General Motors Powertrain Europe and under the supervision of Prof. Ezio Spessa and Eng. Federico Ferrero (GMPT-EU).

    Career: since 2012 Senior Simulation Engineer Powertrain - System Design Transmission and Hybrid Engineering Technology Powertrain Systems - AVL List BmbH 8020 Graz, Hans-List-Platz 1

     

  • FRANCESCO CONCETTO PESCE

    Master Degree in Automotive Engineering at the Politecnico di Torino.

    Thesis "Computational Fluid Dynamics Techniques Applied in the Multidimensional Analysis of the Supersonic Natural Gas Efflux from a Piezoelectric Injector for Direct Injection Engines" (2006)

    PhD Thesis: “Development and Application of Multidimensional Models for Spray and Mixture Formation Simulation in Natural Gas Direct Injection Engines” (2010)

    Research activities: CFD and experimental activities on spark ignition engines: PLIF/SCHLIEREN validation of a CFD model for the simulation of the spray and mixture formation; analysis of combustion with stratified and homogeneous charge; 3D thermo-fluid dynamic design of combustion chamber; 3D thermo-fluid dynamic analysis of charge homogenization and stratification strategies; thermo-fluid dynamic design and optimization of the needle-tip configuration of a pintle-nozzle injector.
    CFD and experimental activities on diesel engines: steady and unsteady state CFD analyses of High Swirl generating Intake ports; optimization of injectors and combustion chamber configurations; state-of-the-art of Low Temperature Combustion Systems for diesel engines.

    Career: April 2010-March 2011: Powertrain Research & Technology Engineer, Advanced Technologies for Diesel Engines
                – Centro Ricerche Fiat
               since Apr 2011 - present: Technology System Engineer, Advanced Engineering Diesel and Hybrid Department – General Motors Powertrain Europe

    GM Powertrain Europe - Corso Castelfidardo 10129 Torino - Italia

  • NICOLA RAPETTO

    Master Degree in Mechanical Engineering at the Politecnico di Torino.
    Thesis: Sviluppo ed applicazione di un modello di combustione zero-dimensionale per un motore Diesel "Twin-Stage" con iniettori piezoelettrici (2009)

    PhD Thesis:“A Comprehensive Analysis of Natural Gas Direct Injection and of Mixture Formation in Spark Ignition Engines” (2012)

    Research activities: Modeling of CNG direct injection and of mixture formation in CNG DI engines. Study of the influence of different injection strategies on the air-fuel mixture characteristics. The activity was performed within the VII FP InGAS CP, under the supervision of Prof. A.E. Catania and Prof. E. Spessa.

    Career: since 2013 CFD specialist at FPT Industrial - Engines Design & Release 
    Via Puglia 15, 10156 Torino, Italy 

  • DAVIDE CAMPRA

    Master Degree in Mechanical Engineering at the Politecnico di Torino.
    Thesis: “Analisi sperimentale delle emissioni di inquinanti e di CO2 di un motore bi-fuel, benzina-gas naturale: upgrading del sistema sperimentale e studio comparativo.” (Experimental analysis of pollutants and CO2 for a bi-fuel engine, petrol-CNG: experimental system upgrading and comparative analysis)" (2002).

    Career: Feb 2003 - Feb 2004: engine control calibrator engineer on bi-fuel engine (petrol and gases) for automotive and industrial applications to BRC.
    Since March 2004: Manager of Engine Control Department in FSS (Fuel System Solution), which became the owner of BRC.

    Businnes sector:Technical and developing activity on the automotive vehicles in the alternative fuels field

    BRC Gas Equipment -Via La Morra, 1 - Cherasco (CN), Italy

  • FRANCESCO MERCURI

    Master Degree in Mechanical Engineering at the Politecnico di Torino.
    Thesis: “????" (2012).

    Career:Since October 2012: Analysis engineer in GM Powertrain Europe .

    GMPT - Corso Castelfidardo 36, 10129 Torino, Italy 

  • MICHELE PENSATO

    Master Degree in Mechanical Engineering at the Politecnico di Torino.
    Thesis: “Experimental Analysis of Emissions and CO2 for bi-fuel Engine Gasoline/CNG: upgrading of experimental system and comparative stady” (2002).

    Career: since Jan 2011 – Development Validation System Manager (DVSM) - MDE (1.6L E6 Family) in GM Powertrain Europe .

    GMPT - Corso Castelfidardo 36, 10129 Torino, Italy

  • ULDERICO AGRICOLA

    Master Degree in in Mechanical Engineering at the Politecnico di Torino.

    Thesis “Sviluppo della calibrazione controllo motore su un sistema di iniezione multipoint su un motore alimentato a gas naturale” (1997)

    Research activities: Within GM Powertrain, he is responsible for the advanced development of combustion systems of new GM light-duty diesel engines. Core competencies: definition of fundamental thermodynamic parameters; targets setting for performance, emissions, fuel consumption and combustion noise; thermodynamic benchmark of competitors’ engines. He also provides support for combustion system development and CO2 reduction initiatives within the Product Engineering organization

    Career: Apr 1999 - Feb 2001: Dyno & In-Vehicle Calibration Engineer on CNG & LPG internal combustion engines - Centro Ricerche Fiat - Orbassano
                Mar 2001 - Dec 2003: In-Vehicle Calibration Engineer on Euro 3 Diesel Engines - Fiat GM Powertrain Europe
                Jan 2004 – Apr 2005: Fam B 8V Family Applications Coordinator and Lead Calibrator - Fiat GM Powertrain Europe
                May 2005 – Sept 2009:  System Development and Base Calibration Engineer Group Manager - GM Powertrain Europe
                since Oct 2009 - present: Diesel Control Functions Development Engine Group Manager - GM Powertrain Europe

    GM Powertrain Europe - Corso Castelfidardo 10129 Torino - Italia

  • CALOGERO GRAMAGLIA

    Master Degree in Mechanical Engineering at the Politecnico di Torino.

    Thesis "Highly Efficient Diesel Engines for use with a BAS drivetrain" (2011)

    Career: September 2011-December 2011: A.V.L. ITALIA, Via Lanzo 181, 10071, Borgaro Torinese (TO), Italia 
               since January 2012 - present: Test Facilities Engineering: Test Specialist. Automation & Equipments: Mirafiori Transmission

    Fiat Powertrain Technologies, Corso Settembrini 167, 10100, Torino (TO), Italia

  • ANTONIO ARPAIA

    MSc in Automotive Engineering at Politecnico di Torino.
    Thesis: "Simulation of the fuel consumption of vehicles on non standard operating cycles" (2006).Graduated at Alta Scuola Politecnica.

    PhD Thesis: "Numerical and experimental analysis of piezo-solenoid fuel injectors, with both direct and indirect actuation, for Diesel Common Rail applications" (2010).

    Main research activities: Development of innovative fuel injection systems (common rail, multi-jet) for new diesel engines, with particular regard to the internal fluid dynamics (fluid flow and cavitation). Project focus was both on direct and indirect actuations of solenoid and piezoelectric injectors. 

    Career: Mar 2010 - Dec 2012: Design Responsible Engineer for Fuel Injection Systems for Euro 5 and 6 engine Programs, at General Motors Powertrain Europe.
                Since Jan 2013 - present: Senior Lead DRE for Injection system, at General Motors Powertrain Europe.

    GM Powertrain Europe - Corso Castelfidardo 10129 Torino - Italia

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