Hi folks! My name is Mattia Baiguini, an energy and mechanical engineer currently in my second year of the PhD SDC program. I'm conducting my research at the ERGO Group (Energy Technology Group) at the University of Brescia, where I focus on finding innovative solutions to improve the overall efficiency of energy conversion systems for the simultaneous production of electricity, hot and chilled water, and hydrogen.
Why did I choose to pursue a PhD? That’s a tough question, but the simple answer is that I truly enjoy research and the opportunity to deeply understand new technologies related to energy conversion systems. During my master’s thesis, I saw the chance to sign up for the PhD SDC program, and here I am!
On September 14th, I began my period abroad at the University of Wisconsin – Madison (USA), working at the HERD Lab (Hydrogen and Electrochemical Research for Decarbonization) led by Prof. Luca Mastropasqua. Madison is home to almost 270,000 people, with 50,000 of them being students! The city sits on an isthmus between two lakes, which makes it feel almost like home (I live near Lake Iseo). Originally, I was looking at European destinations in Germany or Denmark, but when my supervisor told me about this opportunity, I jumped at it and said, "Let’s do it!" I'll be spending six months here, focusing on simulations of thermochemical energy conversion systems and experimental work on carbon utilization.
When people say that everything is bigger in the U.S., they’re right! The campus is massive—just the Mechanical Engineering department takes up an entire building, whereas back home it's just one floor. I was genuinely impressed as I biked through the campus, seeing the football stadium, hospital, various departments, greenhouses, and even barns! Prof. Mastropasqua's team is quite diverse, including PhD students, graduate students, and even undergraduates who assist with smaller research projects.
Stereotypes often shape what you expect from a foreign country—half of them are true, while the other half are just myths. When I started planning my stay in the U.S., I was overwhelmed by the paperwork and bureaucracy involved in getting my visa and health insurance. But honestly, the whole process went smoothly, thanks to the support from the international office. Now, I’m just enjoying my time here.
From the beginning of my PhD, one of my main hopes was to spend time in the U.S. I’ve always seen it as a hub for academic research, and so far, my expectations have been met. I’m eager to work hard over the next six months, hoping to gain enough experience to bring valuable knowledge back home and help Prof. Mastropasqua and the HERD Lab achieve new goals.
Life here follows a routine similar to what I’m used to in Italy, but I think the experience will be something special. The campus offers lots of activities and student facilities. Election Day is November 5th, with Halloween and Thanksgiving right around the corner. I’m excited to see the holiday atmosphere here! Plus, I can’t wait to attend a football game—my colleagues say Camp Randall can get pretty wild. Go Badgers!