Umberto Desideri

Umberto Desideri is a Full Professor of Thermal Machines at the University of Pisa since November 2014, following his tenure as Full Professor at the University of Perugia from 2004 to 2014. He has held leadership roles, including Head of the Department of Engineering at the University of Perugia (2014) and Head of the Department of Energy, Systems, Territory and Construction Engineering at the University of Pisa (2016–2020). He is actively involved in editorial boards, such as the ASME Journal of Fuel Cell Science and Technology (2005–2017), Journal Applied Energy (since 2007, Associate Editor from 2011, Senior Editor since 2022), and Journal Applied Thermal Engineering (since 2013). Additionally, he co-founded two spin-off companies in 2005: Tecnologie per la riduzione delle emissioni engineering srl and Biomasse e nuove tecnologie srl.

Desideri obtained his MSc in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Florence in 1988 and his PhD in Energy Engineering from the same university in 1993. His academic career includes roles as Assistant and Associate Professor at the University of Perugia (1992–2004) before becoming a Full Professor there in 2004.

His research focuses on renewable energy systems (geothermal, solar, biomass), hydrogen and fuel cell technologies, carbon capture and storage, and energy-efficient buildings. He explores polygeneration systems, sustainable energy storage, and decarbonization strategies for industries like tissue paper production. Recent work emphasizes the integration of renewables with thermal storage and CO2 utilization in circular energy systems.

• Awards:
• Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (since 1994)
• Listed in the Top Italian Scientists in Engineering
• Recognized as a World Top 2% Cited Scientist

In advising and grants, he has supervised over 200 Master’s theses and led EU-funded projects such as:

• H2020 COMPBAT (2020–2024): Computer-aided design for next-gen flow batteries
• H2020 Regen-by-2 (2020–2027): Multi-energy systems using two-phase fluids
• LIFE Augia (2020–2023): Sewage oxy-gasification for chemicals production

He directed the Fuel Cell Laboratory (2007–2014) and Wind Tunnel (2010–2014) at the University of Perugia. His current work at the University of Pisa’s DESTEC department addresses hydrogen technologies, energy transition, and sustainable systems.