Giuseppe RECCA
Giuseppe Recca
Associate Professor | Senior Researcher (Formerly, National Research Council of Italy - CNR) | Materials Science and Engineering | Additive Manufacturing | Polymeric and Composite Materials | Transport Phenomena | Principles of Chemical Engineering
Catania, Italy
Email: giuseppe.recca@cnr.it | giuseppe.recca@unict.it
Phone: +39 095 738 2767
Professional Profile
Associate Professor at the University of Catania, Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture (DICAR), with extensive experience in scientific research, laboratory management, and the development of polymeric materials, composites, biomaterials, and additive manufacturing technologies. From January 2023 to February 2026, he served as Senior Researcher at the National Research Council of Italy (CNR). Since March 2026, he has held the position of Associate Professor at the University of Catania. [curriculum 2026 GR | Word]
Throughout his career, he has carried out research, teaching, and technology transfer activities in academic, industrial, and research environments, developing expertise in advanced materials, manufacturing processes, rapid prototyping, additive manufacturing, medical devices, composite systems, and sustainable technologies. [curriculum 2026 GR | Word]
Current Position
March 2026 – Present
Associate Professor
University of Catania, Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture (DICAR)
- Associate Professor at DICAR, University of Catania.
- Professor of Transport Phenomena for Chemical Engineering.
- Professor of Materials Science and Engineering (IMAT-01/A).
- Teaching and research activities focused on transport phenomena, materials science, sustainable industrial processes, engineering modeling, and industrial applications.
Professional Experience
January 2023 – February 2026
Senior Researcher
National Research Council of Italy (CNR)
- Promoted to Senior Researcher effective January 1, 2023.
- Conducted research and scientific coordination activities in polymeric materials, composite materials, biomaterials, and advanced manufacturing technologies.
- Concluded service at CNR in February 2026. [curriculum 2026 GR | Word]
November 2019 – February 2026
Research Coordinator
Institute for Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials (IPCB-CNR), Catania
- Coordinated scientific and laboratory activities within nationally funded research projects, including PRIN 2017.
- Participated in the project Multiple Advanced Materials Manufactured by Additive Technologies, focused on the development of advanced materials produced through additive manufacturing.
- Conducted research on highly filled polymer feedstocks containing metallic and ceramic phases and on carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer formulations.
November 2015 – February 2026
R&D Coordinator
IPCB-CNR, Catania
- Coordinated research and development activities concerning innovative infusion devices for Gamastech.
- Led R&D programs related to the design and development of advanced medical devices.
March 2015 – February 2026
Expert Evaluator, Advanced Manufacturing and Transformation Panel
Italian Ministry of Economic Development / CNR
- Served as Panel Inspector and Expert Evaluator within the Advanced Manufacturing and Transformation evaluation panel.
- Assessed industrial innovation and research projects submitted by leading national and international manufacturing companies.
Evaluated Projects
- GVS S.p.A. – International leader in advanced filtration solutions for healthcare, life sciences, industrial safety, and energy sectors.
- Piovan S.p.A. – Global leader in automation systems for plastics processing and food powder handling.
- Mazzucchelli 1849 S.p.A. – Worldwide leader in cellulose acetate production for premium eyewear applications.
- Luigi Bandera S.p.A. – Global leader in extrusion technologies for plastics processing and recycling.
- Michelin Italiana – Italian division of the Michelin Group, focused on advanced tire technologies and sustainable mobility.
- Kraft Heinz – Multinational food and beverage company with globally recognized brands and products.
- Promass S.r.l. – Manufacturer of machinery for molding and recycling expanded polymeric materials (EPS, EPP, and related materials).
Researcher
Institute of Polymer Science and Technology / IPCB-CNR, Catania
- Conducted scientific research in Polymer Materials Science and Engineering.
- Worked on composite materials, polymeric materials, manufacturing processes, prototyping, and engineering applications.
2007 – 2011
Research Fellow
University of Catania, Department of Physical and Chemical Methodologies for Engineering
- Conducted scientific research in Materials Science and Engineering.
2004 – 2005
Production Manager
Medical System S.r.l., Catania
- Responsible for production management, plant operations, and supervision of personnel within the hollow-fiber manufacturing department.
- Worked in the medical-device sector, contributing to the production of critical components for hemodialysis systems.
Teaching Activities
- Lecturer in Transport Phenomena for Chemical Engineering within the MSc Program in Chemical Engineering for Industrial Sustainability, University of Catania.
- Lecturer in Materials Science and Engineering (IMAT-01/A).
- Previous teaching appointments at the University of Catania, Kore University of Enna, CNR, and specialized professional training programs.
- Lecturer and tutor in R&D Organization, Market and Marketing Analysis, Communication Strategies, and Industry Engagement.
- Teaching activities on polymer materials, rapid prototyping, stereolithography, SolidWorks-based design, principles of chemical engineering, and information technologies.
Education
1993 – 2002
MSc Degree in Mechanical Engineering
University of Catania
Final Grade: 108/110
Thesis focused on the development of internet-based software tools to streamline procurement and sales procedures for custom-made mechanical components, implemented in Java within the CadOnline platform. [curriculum 2026 GR | Word]
May 2002 – November 2002
Network Specialist
University of Catania – GARR-B Project
- Specialist in LAN and WAN systems, network infrastructure management, configuration of networking equipment, and web portal development.
1987 – 1992
Industrial Technical Diploma in Information Technology
ITIS “G. Marconi”
- Training in information technology, hardware, software, electronics, mathematics, statistics, and technical English.
Scientific and Technical Expertise
- Materials Science and Engineering of Polymers
- Composite Materials for Civil, Marine, and Aerospace Applications
- RTM, VARI/VAR-RTM, Resin Infusion, and Hand Lay-up Processes
- Additive Manufacturing, FDM, Stereolithography, and Rapid Prototyping
- Design and supervision of hydraulic systems, compressed-air networks, water-treatment systems, cleanrooms, and extrusion processes for plastics
- CAD Design using SolidWorks, Autodesk Inventor, and AutoCAD
- Computer Hardware Architecture, TCP/IP Networks, Windows, macOS, and Linux Systems
- Programming Languages and Web Technologies: Java, C, Visual Basic, HTML
- Quality Management Systems and ISO 13485 Procedures.
Patents
2026
Modular Roof Covering Unit with Hydroponic Cultivation System
- Owner: University of Catania (100%).
- Patent Application No.: 102023000028434.
- Filing Date: December 29, 2023.
- Granted: February 9, 2026.
- Inventors: Renata Rapisarda, Giuseppe Recca, Alberta Latteri, Vincenzo Costanzo, Gaetano Antonio Sciuto, Rosa Giuseppina Caponetto, Francesco Nocera.
2015
Fluid Infusion Device
- Patent No.: 102015000043474.
- Inventors: Arturo Maravigna, Domenico Carbone, Giuseppe Recca.
2009
Device and Method for the Production of Cellular Materials
- Patent No.: WO 2009/109863 A2.
- Inventors: G. Recca, G. Cicala, G. Meli, S. Ursino.
Selected Scientific Publications
Author and co-author of 52 international scientific publications in the fields of polymeric materials, composite materials, additive manufacturing, bio-based materials, auxetic materials, and biomedical applications.
H-Index: 23.
Selected publications:
- Comparison of Ultem 9085 Used in Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) with Polyetherimide Blends, Materials, 2018.
- Hybrid Composites Manufactured by Resin Infusion with a Fully Recyclable Bioepoxy Resin, Composites Part B: Engineering, 2018.
- Strength, Fracture and Compression Properties of Gelatins by a New 3D-Printed Tool, Journal of Food Engineering, 2018.
- Engineering Thermoplastics for Additive Manufacturing: A Critical Perspective with Experimental Evidence to Support Functional Applications, Journal of Applied Biomaterials & Functional Materials, 2017.
- Micro-Optofluidic Switch Realized by 3D Printing Technology, Microfluidics and Nanofluidics, 2016.
- Bio-Based versus Traditional Polymer Composites: A Life Cycle Assessment Perspective, Journal of Cleaner Production, 2014.
- Hexagonal Honeycombs with Zero Poisson's Ratios and Enhanced Stiffness, Advanced Engineering Materials, 2010.
Awards and Recognition
- Winner of the Nokia 3D Printing Challenge – Ideas Project, for the redesign of the Nokia 820 cover (2012).
- First Prize in the Provincial Innovation Competition“Ingegniamoci” for the development of a chiral auxetic composite material with negative Poisson's ratio (€60,000), 2010.
- First Prize in the International“PolymerChallenge” Competition for the development of a chiral auxetic composite material with negative Poisson's ratio (€300,000), 2008.