Dr. Marco Pelanconi is a researcher specializing in additive manufacturing of ceramics, computational design, and topology optimization. His work bridges materials engineering with advanced processing techniques to create high-performance ceramics for energy conversion and structural applications. With a background in mechanical and materials engineering, he has developed expertise in hybrid additive manufacturing methods, computational modeling, and experimental validation. He is currently a postdoctoral research fellow at the Hybrid Materials Laboratory at SUPSI, Switzerland, where he contributes to academic teaching, project management, and international collaborations while advancing innovative solutions in ceramics and composite materials.
SUPSI | Switzerland
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Education
Dr. Marco Pelanconi has built a strong academic foundation across leading institutions. He completed a PhD in Materials Engineering at the University of Padova, focusing his dissertation on complex architectures of Si-infiltrated polymer-derived ceramics, with guidance from Prof. Paolo Colombo and Prof. Alberto Ortona. Earlier, he earned an MSc in Materials Engineering and a BSc in Mechanical Engineering at SUPSI University of Applied Sciences, where his research centered on bio-inspired ultralightweight sandwich structures and porous ceramic structures for heat exchangers. To further enhance his expertise, he pursued advanced training in Predictive Multiscale Materials Design at MIT, Machine Learning for Materials Science with the American Ceramic Society, and short courses in Materials Selection and Design for Engineering at Cambridge University. He also obtained a Certified University Teaching Course (SEDIFO) from SUPSI, strengthening his academic teaching credentials.
Research & Professional Experience
Dr. Pelanconi is currently a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Hybrid Materials Laboratory, SUPSI, under the leadership of Prof. Alberto Ortona. His work involves managing graduate and undergraduate research projects, teaching MSc courses, and advising theses. He actively contributes to grant writing, project development, and research dissemination at both national and international levels. His expertise spans Additive Manufacturing of Ceramics, Computational Design, and Topology Optimization, with applications in energy conversion and advanced structural ceramics. Previously, he worked as a Research & Teaching Assistant at SUPSI, where he pioneered hybrid additive manufacturing methods for polymer-derived ceramics (PDCs), SiC, SiSiC, Si₃N₄, SiOC, and other high-performance materials. His career also includes visiting researcher positions at the University of Augsburg, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), and collaborations with leading European laboratories.
Awards & Recognition
Dr. Pelanconi’s impactful contributions to ceramic science and additive manufacturing have earned him multiple distinctions. His co-authored paper on High-strength Si–SiC lattices was honored with the John E. Marquis Award by the American Ceramic Society and the Editor’s Choice Outstanding Article Award. He has also been recognized with travel grants and student speaker awards at international conferences such as the ICACC and the Winter Workshop of ACerS. Earlier in his academic journey, he received the Best Business Plan Award from SUPSI-Raiffeisen Bank Group, reflecting his innovative and entrepreneurial mindset.
Memberships & Leadership Roles
Dr. Pelanconi is an active member of both the American Ceramic Society (ACerS) and the Italian Ceramic Society (ICerS). He has demonstrated leadership as a Session Chair at prestigious international conferences, including the International Conference on Advanced Ceramics and Composites (ICACC) and the Young Ceramists Additive Manufacturing Forum (YCAMF). He has also chaired expert groups on Powder Technology in Switzerland, fostering collaboration and innovation in the processing of nitride- and carbide-based ceramics.
Skills & Expertise
Renowned for his organization, leadership, and innovation, Dr. Pelanconi possesses strong expertise in computational design, materials processing, and additive manufacturing. He is skilled in parametric modeling, thermal and mechanical simulations, and the use of advanced ceramic densification techniques including powder bed fusion, binder jetting, stereolithography, preceramic polymer infiltration, pyrolysis, and reactive silicon infiltration. His proficiency extends to microstructural characterization methods such as SEM, XRD, TGA-DSC, and dilatometry, as well as mechanical and high-temperature testing. With over four years of teaching experience, journal reviewing, and proposal writing, he combines academic excellence with practical innovation, positioning himself as a rising leader in ceramic materials research and additive manufacturing.
Notable Publications
TPMS SiC structures produced by chemical vapour infiltration of SiC preforms shaped by powder bed fusion and binder jetting: a preliminary study on the early stages of the CVI process
Authors: Marco Pelanconi, Samuele Bottacin, Giovanni Bianchi, Davide Viganò, Vasileios Papageorgiou, Hristo Strakov, Alberto Ortona
Journal: Journal of the European Ceramic Society
Year: 2026
High‐strength Si–SiC lattices prepared by powder bed fusion, infiltration‐pyrolysis, and reactive silicon infiltration
Authors: Marco Pelanconi, Samuele Bottacin, Giovanni Bianchi, Dietmar Koch, Paolo Colombo, Alberto Ortona
Journal: Journal of the American Ceramic Society
Year: 2024
New, 3D Binder-Jetted Carbons with Minimal Periodic Surface Structures
Authors: Marco Pelanconi, P. Blyweert, Giovanni Bianchi, V. Nicolas, Davide Viganò, Samuele Bottacin, V. Fierro, A. Celzard, Alberto Ortona
Journal: SSRN
Year: 2023
Powder Bed Fusion of Polyamide Powders Combined with Different Preceramic Polymers Infiltration and Pyrolysis to Produce Complex-Shaped Ceramics
Authors: Marco Pelanconi, Samuele Bottacin, Paolo Colombo, Alberto Ortona
Journal: SSRN
Year: 2023
Dynamic modeling, simulation and optimization of the partially-autothermal reforming of biogas in coated monolith channels
Authors: Grigorios Pantoleontos, Nickolas D. Vlachos, Souzana Lorentzou, George Karagiannakis, Nikolaos I. Tsongidis, Maria Syrigou, Sandro Gianella, Luca Ferrari, Alberto Ortona, Marco Pelanconi
Journal: Chemical Engineering Journal Advances
Year: 2023
Powder bed fusion of polyamide powders combined with different preceramic polymers infiltration and pyrolysis to produce complex-shaped ceramics
Authors: Marco Pelanconi, Samuele Bottacin, Paolo Colombo, Alberto Ortona
Journal: Journal of the European Ceramic Society
Year: 2023
Conclusion
Through his academic journey and professional research, Marco Pelanconi has established himself as a promising scientist in the field of materials engineering and ceramics. His contributions combine deep technical expertise, strong teaching experience, and leadership in international collaborations. Recognized with prestigious awards and active participation in professional societies, he continues to push forward innovation in additive manufacturing and computational materials design. With a forward-looking approach, he seeks to develop advanced ceramic structures for energy conversion, structural integrity, and sustainability, making significant contributions to both academic research and industrial advancements in the global materials science community.