Eugenio Simoncini - Postdoc

Contact Information
MPI for Biogeochemistry
Postfach 10 01 64
D-07701 Jena
Germany
Email: esimon at bgc-jena.mpg.de
Tel: +49 3641 576264
Fax: +49 3641 577200

A short overview
Eugenio is a physical chemist, with an experimental and, at the same time, holistic background. Questions he´s trying to answer are:
-> Which is the role of “life” on Earth development, and, viceversa?
-> What’s “life”, thermodynamically? How much did living system change the thermodynamic state of Earth?
Life needs a constant, high amount of disequilibrium; its measure is then necessary for a more objective biomarker and analysis of life evolution.
Eugenio focuses on founding an upper limit of Gibbs free energy available for life. He studies chemical disequilibrium in Earth atmosphere and the influence of different contributors, biotic and abiotic, and the free energy generation by hydrothermal geological process.
During the free time, Eugenio's interest are sport, history, and many others. Between a road bike ride and another, he writes short article for italian political magazines.

Education
2006 - 2010 - University of Siena, Ph.D.

Topic: Oscillating reactions; nonlinear thermodynamics.
Thesis: On the interplay between kinetics and a phospholipid matrix in a bubble free oscillating reaction.

2004 - 2006 : University of Siena - Chemistry (for Sustainable Development) (Magister)

Topic: Environmental assessment using thermodynamic based indicators.
Thesis: Emergetic analysis of a bioarchitectured building. (Download Thesis / in italian: http://www.gonews.it/pdf/simoncini_tesi.pdf )

2001 - 2004 : University of Siena - Chemistry (Environmental) (Bachelor)

Topic: Ionic Liquids; supercritical fluids.
Thesis: On solvents in Green Chemistry Catalysis.

Research Interests

  • Atmosphere thermodynamic disequilibrium.
    • Model Atmospheric Chemical Disequilibrium for modern Earth, ancient Earth. Apply a simplified chemical model to other planet, moon, exoplanet atmospheres.
    • Looking for life signature in atmospheric entropic thresholds.
  • Production of chemical disequilibrium in ancient Earth.
    • Thermodynamic model of an off - axis hydrothermal vent.
  • Low entropy processes associated to compartmentalization and self - organizing reactions.
  • Role of life in Earth disequilibrium.
  • Emergence of biosphere.

Co - chairing:
NAI - Nasa Astrobiology Institute 'Thermodynamics, Disequilibrium and Evolution (TDE)' Focus Group. http://astrobiology.nasa.gov/focus-groups/current/tde/intro/

Collaborations:

  • M. J. Russell. Planetary Chemistry and Astrobiology, JPL - California Institute of Technology, USA. http://science.jpl.nasa.gov/people/Russell/
  • F. J. Martin - Torres. CAB - Centro de Astrobiologia - Madrid (INTA - http://cab.inta.es/index.php?lng=es ), issuing of NAI, Nasa Astrobiology Institute.
  • E. Gallori; S. Branciamore. Department of Astronomy and Physics, Section of Astronomy, University of Florence, Italy.
  • Deutsches Zentrum für Luft und Raumfahrt (DLR), Germany.
  • Technische Universität Berlin - Zentrum für Astronomie und Astrophysik, Germany.
  • Abteilung Biophyzik, University of Magdeburg, Germany.
  • S. Ristori. Department of Chemistry, University of Florence, Italy.
  • Department of Chemistry, University of Siena, Italy.


Refereed Publications:

  • E Simoncini, M J Russell, A Kleidon (2011). 'Modeling Free Energy Availability from Hadean Hydrothermal Systems to the First Metabolism'. Orig Life Evol Biosph. DOI 10.1007/s11084-011-9251-4
  • E Simoncini, A Kleidon, E Gallori (2010). 'The Emergence of Life: Thermodynamics of Chemical Free Energy Generation in Off-Axis Hydrothermal Vent Systems and its Consequences for Compartmentalization and Life's Origins'. Journal of Cosmology, V. 10, 3325-3344.. http://journalofcosmology.com/Abiogenesis111.html

Published also in the book: "Origins Abiogenesis and the Search for Life in the Universe" http://www.paperbackswap.com/Eugenio-Simoncini/author/

  • RM Pulselli, E Simoncini, E Tiezzi (2009). 'Self-organization in dissipative structures: A thermodynamic theory for the emergence of prebiotic cells and their epigenetic evolution'. Biosystems, V. 96, 3, p. 237-241. doi:10.1016/j.biosystems.2009.02.004
  • F Rossi, E Simoncini, N Marchettini and E Tiezzi (2009). 'Deuterium isotope effect on the induction period of the cerium catalyzed Belousov–Zhabotinsky reaction'. Chemical Physics Letters. V. 470, 1-3, p. 147-150. doi:10.1016/j.cplett.2009.01.042
  • R.M. Pulselli, E. Simoncini, F.M. Pulselli, S. Bastianoni (2007)'Emergy Analysis Of Building Manufacturing, Maintenance And Use: Em-Building Indices To Evaluate Housing Sustainability'. Energy and Buildings, V. 39, 5, p. 620-628. doi:10.1016/j.enbuild.2006.10.004
  • Pulselli R.M., Simoncini E., Marchettini N (2009) 'Energy and emergy based cost–benefit evaluation of building envelopes relative to geographical location and climate'. Building and Environment, V. 44, 5, p. 920-928. doi:10.1016/j.buildenv.2008.06.009.
  • N Marchettini, E Simoncini, E B P Tiezzi (2009). 'Thermodynamics And Life: An Evolutionary Point Of View' . International Journal of Design & Nature and Ecodynamics, V. 3, 4. http://journals.witpress.com/pages/paperinfo.asp?PaperID=367&jID=19&vn=3&in=4
  • Simoncini E, Coppola F, Borsa S, Pulselli F M (2009). 'Honey And Sugar As Surrogate Products: An Emergy Evaluation'. International Journal of Design, Nature and Ecodynamics. V. 4, 2, 1–11. http://journals.witpress.com/pages/paperinfo.asp?PaperID=404&jID=19&vn=4&in=2