Our Team

Dr. Luca Mastropasqua is an Assistant Professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Department of Mechanical Engineering. He is the principal investigator of the Hydrogen and Electrochemical Research for Decarbonization (HERD) Lab.  Dr. Mastropasqua’s research focuses on the conceptualization of new electrochemical devices and their integration into energy conversion and industrial processes. His chief research goal is to use electrochemical technologies to provide power generation, grid energy storage, and decarbonize sectors such as aviation, freight, shipping, steel, and cement production via electrochemical synthesis of high-value products. Prior to joining UW-Madison, Dr. Mastropasqua was a Senior Scientist at the University of California, Irvine’s National Fuel Cell Research Center (NFCRC), and a Postdoctoral Associate at Princeton University. Dr. Mastropasqua received his PhD cum laudae from Politecnico di Milano in 2017 in Energy and Nuclear Science and Technology, one M.Sc. in Energy Engineering from Politecnico di Milano, and one in Thermal Engineering from Cranfield University.

Expertise: Solid-state electrochemical energy conversion devices

I completed my PhD in the chemical engineering department at the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (India), focusing on the development of perovskite-based electrodes for the oxygen reduction reaction in solid oxide fuel cells. I am currently engaged in producing and optimizing the syngas composition through solid oxide electrolyzer cells, aimed at decarbonizing the flue gases emitted by the steel industry. Additionally, I am keen on exploring solid proton-conducting materials that operate at lower temperatures for use in solid acid fuel cells and electrolyzers.

Expertise: Proton conducting ceramics

Expertise: Ammonia synthesis

Expertise: Optimization of hydrogen refuelling stations

Expertise: Solid Oxide Cell

Expertise: Co-electrolysis, and syngas production

Expertise: Ceramic additive manufacturing

Expertise: Energy conversion system optimization

I graduated in Mechanical and Energy Engineering at the Univerisity of Brescia (Italy), where I presented a thesis on hydrogen production through SOEC and ORC cycles using biomass or MSW combustion. Currently, I am involved in EU and national projects and have moved my PhD research toward multi-generation power cycles.

Finding innovative pathways for sustainable energy production is essential. My PhD project focuses on investigating multi-generation systems, where thermal energy from renewable sources or industrial waste heat is used in power cycles with specific working fluids to produce not only electricity, heating, and/or cooling, but also fuels such as hydrogen or e-fuels. Here at the HERD Lab, I will focus my studies on high-temperature electrochemical converters and carbon utilization.

Visiting Ph.D. student from Politecnico di Milano (Italy)

Expertise: Solid oxide electrolysis and long-duration storage

Visiting M.Sc. student from Politecnico di Torino (Italy)

Experise: Decarbonized iron reduction

Ph.D. student visiting from Politecnico di Milano (Italy).

Expertise: Catalytic combustion of hydrogen

Visiting from Kyoto University (Japan)

Expertise: Electrochemical ammonia synthesis