Caterina Ducati is a Professor of Nanomaterials in the Department of Materials at the University of Cambridge. She serves as Director of the University of Cambridge Master's programme in Micro- and Nanotechnology Enterprise as well as leading teaching in the Nanotechnology Doctoral Training Centre.
Early life and education
Ducati was born in Milan.[1][2] She studied at the University of Milan, where she earned an undergraduate degree in physics. Her research project involved designing a time-of-flight mass spectrometer for supersonic cluster beams under the supervision of Paolo Milani.[1] She moved to the University of Cambridge Department of Engineering for her graduate studies, where she worked with John Robertson.[1] Her doctorate considered nanostructured carbon for electrochemistry as well as the relationship between morphology, crystallographic phases and electronic properties in nanomaterials.[3] This included the development of carbon nanotubes and investigations into their growth models using transmission electron microscopy.[4][5]
In 2009 Ducati was made a lecturer in the Department of Materials at the University of Cambridge. She researches the degradation of nanostructured solar cells, and lithium-ion batteries in collaboration with Paul Midgley and Clare Grey. She was awarded a European Research Council Starting Grant to study photoactive nanomaterials and devices, and a Proof of Concept grant to study metal – metal oxidenanocomposites for air purification.[8] She was elected to AcademiaNet in 2011.[9] Ducati has worked with the Institute of Physics Electron Microscopy and Analysis group and the Nanoscale Physics and Technology Group.[10] She worked with Rachel Oliver on the delivery of Master's course in Micro- & Nanotechnology Enterprise.
She was promoted to Professor of Nanomaterials in 2019 and serves as Tutor and Director of Studies of Materials Science in Trinity College, Cambridge.[11] She has led activities at Trinity to improve the representation of women scientists.
Awards
In 2018, Ducati was awarded the Royal Microscopical Society Medal for Innovation in Applied Microscopy for Engineering and Physical Sciences.[12]
^Chhowalla, M.; Teo, K. B. K.; Ducati, C.; Rupesinghe, N. L.; Amaratunga, G. a. J.; Ferrari, A. C.; Roy, D.; Robertson, J.; Milne, W. I. (2001-10-31). "Growth process conditions of vertically aligned carbon nanotubes using plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition". Journal of Applied Physics. 90 (10): 5308–5317. Bibcode:2001JAP....90.5308C. doi:10.1063/1.1410322. ISSN0021-8979.
