Federico Benazzo

Graduate Student

fbenazzo@caltech.edu

Federico joined the Space Structures Lab in the summer of 2022 after receiving his Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering in 2021 from the University of Michigan. At his alma mater, he worked on a joint research project between the University of Michigan and the Politecnico of Milan on self-healing composite materials. The research, which was published in a number of papers, focused on enhancing the fiber-matrix interfacial properties of the mendable composite system and creating a multifunctional material by incorporating optical fiber sensors to monitor the degree of self-healing.

He recently received his master’s degree at Caltech and is currently conducting research on ultra-thin thermoplastic composites for deployable space structures. In particular, he is focusing on the manufacturing method for deployable thin shells with aerospace-grade thermoplastic polymers.

 Publications:

• F. Benazzo, D. Rigamonti, P. Bettini, G. Sala, and A. M. Grande, “Interlaminar fracture of structural fibre/epoxy composites integrating damage sensing and healing,” Composites Part B: Engineering, vol. 244, p. 110137, Sep. 2022, doi: 10.1016/j.compositesb.2022.110137.

• F. Benazzo, D. Rigamonti, G. Sala, and A. M. Grande, “A critical appraisal of fracture mechanics methods for self-healing and healable composites characterization,” Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing, vol. 167, p. 107450, Apr. 2023, doi: 10.1016/j.compositesa.2023.107450.

•  F. Benazzo and H. A. Sodano, “Evaluation of Interfacial Shear Strength Healing Efficiency between Dynamic Covalent Bond-Based Epoxy and Functionalized Fiberglass,” ACS Applied Polimer Materials, vol. 4, p. 10, 2022, doi: 10.1021/acsapm.2c00215.