Luigi Manna

Luigi Manna is a Tenured Associate Professor in the Department of Applied Science and Technology (DISAT) at the Polytechnic University of Turin, Italy, specializing in supercritical fluid technologies and their applications in chemical engineering and pharmaceutical processes.

His primary research interests include:

• Supercritical drying
• Supercritical fluid extraction
• Supercritical fluid technology
• Supercritical impregnation
• Thermodynamic modeling

Professor Manna's research demonstrates a strong emphasis on pharmaceutical applications of supercritical fluid technology, particularly in drug delivery systems. His recent publications reveal consistent work on loading therapeutic compounds onto mesoporous silica materials using supercritical carbon dioxide techniques, with specific attention to process parameters like pH, solvent composition, and drug solubility characteristics. This work bridges fundamental chemical engineering principles with practical pharmaceutical applications.

He has been actively involved in significant research projects including:

• SCORE2 - Solar-driven COnveRsion of CO2 with HP-HT photorEactor (2023-2025) as a Member of the PNRR Research Group
• Production of controlled-release drugs by impregnation of microparticles with supercritical fluids (2006-2008) as Scientific Director under the PRIN National Research program

Professor Manna maintains active laboratory facilities including the Supercritical Fluid Laboratory and Nanoporous Materials Laboratory within DISAT, supporting his experimental research program. His teaching spans multiple academic levels, from PhD programs in Chemical Engineering to undergraduate courses in Separation Processes and Chemistry for various engineering disciplines.