Maria Rita Caruso

Maria Rita Caruso serves as a Research Fellow in the Department of Physics and Chemistry - Emilio Segrè at the University of Palermo, where her work bridges advanced materials science with practical applications in cultural heritage preservation and environmental sustainability.

Her research portfolio centers on:

• Nanomaterial development using halloysite clay nanotubes
• Biopolymer composites (chitosan, keratin, alginate)
• Sustainable conservation techniques for artworks and archaeological materials
• Eco-friendly pollutant removal systems
• Interdisciplinary approaches to material degradation challenges

Analysis of her 15 most recent publications (2021-2025) reveals a consistent trajectory in designing green nanomaterial solutions for cultural heritage conservation. Her work demonstrates exceptional focus on Flemish tapestries, canvas paintings, and waterlogged wood, utilizing halloysite-biopolymer composites for consolidation, cleaning, and protection. The publications exhibit strong interdisciplinary integration between nanotechnology, polymer science, and conservation practice, with increasing emphasis on scalable sustainable treatments. Notably, her 2024-2025 output shows expanded applications into environmental remediation while maintaining core heritage conservation objectives.

Caruso actively contributes to advancing sustainable methodologies in conservation science through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations, with her email contact mariarita.caruso02@unipa.it facilitating academic collaboration.