GLASS Laboratory: Gateway Laboratory of Amorphous and Structured Solids and Melts
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The GLASS laboratory was established in 2023 at the Institute of Science, Technology and Sustainability for Ceramics (ISSMC) of the Italian National Research Council (CNR) in Rome, with funding from the ERC Consolidator Grant NANOVOLC (grant 101044772). The lab investigates the physics and chemistry of amorphous solids, melts, and glasses; from magmas to synthetic compositions of industrial interest.
Research themes
Our work spans two connected domains.
Volcanic processes. We study the rheology, thermal properties, and structure of silicate melts and magmas to understand what controls eruption style and magma transport. Current projects focus on melt viscosity across a wide compositional range, the role of dissolved volatiles and nanocrystals, and the glass transition in natural melts.
Materials science. We apply the same experimental and analytical approaches to design glasses and ceramics with controlled thermal and mechanical properties. A specific interest is the valorisation of natural raw materials and industrial by-products for sustainable glass production.
Equipment
The lab hosts dedicated instrumentation for thermal analysis and micro-structural characterisation, complementing the broader analytical facilities available at ISSMC.
- TGA-DSC with EGA-MS (Mettler Toledo TGA/DSC 3+). Simultaneous thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry up to 1500 °C, coupled with mass spectrometry for evolved gas analysis. Balance resolution: 0.1 µg. Used to track decomposition, phase transitions, and volatile release in both geological and synthetic samples.
- TMA/SDTA 2+ (Mettler Toledo) — Thermomechanical analyser operating up to 1600 °C with a length resolution of 0.5 nm and SDTA temperature resolution of 0.005 °C. Measures thermal expansion, softening, and dimensional changes in glasses and ceramics.
