Nitzan Cohen

Nitzan Cohen is a Professor of Product Design and Dean of the Faculty of Design and Art at the Free University of Bozen-Bolzano. He founded the Design Friction Lab (DFL), a multidisciplinary research initiative focused on sustainable innovation at the intersection of science, industry, and speculative design. His work emphasizes critical design approaches to address environmental challenges through projects like DIYR (Do-It-Yourself Revolution), bioreactors for microbial materials, and biodegradable electronics.

Research interests include crafted electronics, open-source production, circular design, nano-electronics, and regenerative design. The DFL collaborates with scientists, artisans, and corporations to translate experimental concepts into real-world applications, prioritizing aesthetics and ethics in sustainable solutions.

Recent articles highlight advancements in biodegradable sensors, laser-induced paper-based electronics, and microbial cellulose fabrication. Awards include recognition in international design collections, though specific prizes are not listed. Cohen teaches in the Bachelor of Design program and has advised on projects ranging from smart textiles to fermentation-based biomaterials.

Labs/Teams: The Design Friction Lab (DFL) serves as a hub for interdisciplinary innovation, blending design, engineering, and biology to prototype future-oriented solutions. Current projects explore distributed manufacturing, nano-technologies, and circular production systems.