Solid and Structural Mechanics Group
Marco Amato
Postdoctoral researcher
Marco was born in Bologna on 11 January 1993. He completed his education at the Istituto Tecnico per Geometri Pier-Crescenzi Pacinotti, a technical high school for surveyors, where he was first introduced to structural mechanics. He earned both a bachelor's and a master's degree in civil engineering from the University of Bologna. During his master's studies, he spent a research period as a visiting scholar at Florida Atlantic University in the United States. Marco also obtained a doctorate from the University of Trento and is currently working as a postdoctoral researcher at the Czech Technical University in Prague.
Research interests
His research interests are primarily situated within the field of solid and structural mechanics, with a focus on the complexities that arise when nonlinearity is involved. Within this area, he has concentrated his efforts on exploring configurational forces and the interactions between magnetic and elastic phenomena commonly referred to as magnetoelasticity. His work involves both the development of analytical models and the application of numerical simulations to verify these models, aiming to deepen the understanding of material responses and instabilities under multiphysics loading.
News:
April 2025
Marco was awarded funding from the prestigious Iniciační Fond FSv, a competitive program dedicated to supporting early-career researchers, fostering international collaboration, and advancing high-impact scientific projects. This grant will enable Marco to host Prof. Luis Dorfmann, a leading expert in magnetoelasticity, for an intensive research collaboration focused on developing both analytical and numerical models to better understand magnetoelastic interactions. By facilitating this exchange, the fund not only strengthens Marco’s research but also reinforces the faculty’s commitment to scientific innovation and global academic partnerships.
June 2024
Marco presented his research titled Efficient numerical approach to modelling of hard magnetic soft beams at the prestigious ICNEM - 26th International Conference on Nonlinear Elasticity in Materials. This international congress brought together leading experts and researchers, providing a platform for discussing significant advancements in material science. Marco's presentation showcased innovative numerical techniques for effectively modeling hard magnetic soft beams, offering new insights and contributing to the field's ongoing discourse. This achievement underscores Marco's dedication and the continuous support from the community in his academic journey.
May 2024
Marco publishes a pioneering study in the Journal of the Mechanics and Physics of Solids, revealing novel insights into the mechanics of homogeneous elastic solids in frictionless contact with rigid constraints. The research demonstrates that a path-independent J-integral equates to the energy release rate G, linking configurational forces to Newtonian forces. Marco's findings offer new perspectives on material behavior, soft actuation mechanisms, and biological phenomena such as negative durotaxis.