Prof. Dr. Enrico Gnecco

Professor for Mechanics of functional Materials

Enrico Gnecco is Professor of Physics at Friedrich Schiller University Jena. He received his PhD from the University of GenovaExternal link, and worked as junior researcher at the University of BaselExternal link and as senior researcher at IMDEA Nano­scienceExternal link, Madrid. He is inter­natio­nally recog­nized for his work in nano­tribo­logy and related topics. His current research focuses on friction in different environ­mental conditions, AFM-based nano­mani­pulation, contact mechanics and abrasive wear processes on the nano­scale. Prof. Gnecco is author of more than 100 publi­cations on major jour­nals inclu­­ding Science, Nature Materials, PNAS and Nano Letters. He also edited and authored three books on friction and related processes upon invi­tation by Springer, World Scientific Publi­shing and Cam­bridge University Press, and co-edited two thematic series on Nano­tribo­logy and Nano­mani­pulation and environ­mental nano­techno­logy in the Beilstein Journal of Nano­techno­logy. Prof. Gnecco has co-organized several inter­national work­shops and serves as reviewer for many scientific journals and granting agen­cies in Switzer­land, Germany, Israel and USA.

Invited talks at international conferences

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News and Views

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Scientific interests

  • Friction and wear processes on the molecular scale (Nanotribology)
  • Nanomanipulation
  • Atomic force microscopy
  • Nanomechanics

Education and Positions

  • 2010 – 2015: Senior Researcher, IMDEA Nanoscience, Madrid, Spain
  • 2003 – 2010: National Center of Competence in Research "Nanoscale Science", Basel, Switzerland
  • 2000 – 2003: Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University of Basel, Switzerland
  • 2000: PhD in Physics, University of Genova, Italy
  • 1997: MsC in Physics, University of Genova, Italy

Nonscientific interests

  • Piano Music (diploma from Conservatory of Music "Niccolò Paganini", Genova, Italy)