Antonella Benvenuto received the laurea degree in Electric Engineering from the University of Pisa (Italy) in 1998 and the PhD in Microsystems Engineering from University of Rome "Tor Vergata" (Italy) in 2002 with a thesis on chemical and biosensors based microsystems for clinical diagnostics. The PhD research activity was carried out at the Center of Research in Microengineering (CRIM) of Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna. From 2002 to 2007 she joined the Bio-MEMS research group of FBK-irst Research Institute in Trento (Italy), where she had a postdoctoral position. Since January 2008 she is with the Biomedical Robotics and Biomicrosystems Laboratory at "Campus Bio-Medico di Roma".

Scientific Interests

Her research interests are in the fields of microsystems technologies, neurorobotics and microfluidics.

The research topics are focused on design of bidirectional invasive neural interfaces, coating techniques for reducing inflammatory tissue reaction, development of microelectrodes for diagnostic applications, microsystem packaging technologies, design of hybrid (biological/artificial) controllers for autonomous robots.

She has been involved in many EU and National research projects; currently she collaborates to the projects "TIME - Transverse, Intrafascicular Multichannel Electrode system for induction of sensation and treatment of phantom limb pain in amputees (EU-FP7-STREP CP-FP-INFSO-224012)" and "BrainHand - Fusion of Brain Analysis and Bio-inspired Robot Control for Enhancing Manipulation Capabilities of a Prosthetic Hand." funded by the Integrated Research Center of University Campus Bio-Medico.

Publications

Peer-reviewed Journal Papers

[J1]  A. Benvenuto, F. Sergi, G. Di Pino, T. Seidl, D. Campolo, D. Accoto and E. Guglielmelli (2009), "Beyond biomimetics: towards insect/machine hybrid controllers for space applications", Advanced Robotics, 23(7-8):939-953 (IF 2007:0.504)

[J2] A. Benvenuto, L. Lorenzelli; C. Collini; V. Guarnieri; A. Adami, E. Morganti (2008), "A liquid chromatography miniaturised system for agrofood applications", Microsystems Technologies, vol.14 (4-5), 551-556 (I.F. 2007: 0.912).

[J3] A. Benvenuto; V. Guarnieri; L. Lorenzelli; C. Collini; M. Decarli; A. Adami; C. Potrich; L. Lunelli; R. Canteri; C. Pederzolli (2008) "Fabrication of a MEMS-based separation module for liquid chromatography", Sensors and Actuators B, vol. 130, 181-186 (I.F. 2007: 2.934).

[J4] L. Lorenzelli, A. Benvenuto, A. Adami, V. Guarnieri, B. Margesin, V. Mulloni (2005) "Development of a gas chromatographic silicon-based microsystem in clinical diagnostics", Biosensors and Bioelectronics, vol.20(10), 1968-1976 (I.F. 2007: 5.061).

[J5] P. Dario, M. C. Carrozza, A. Benvenuto, A. Menciassi (2000) "Microsystems in Biomedical Applications", Journal of Micromechanics and Microengineering, vol.10(2), 235-244 (I.F. 2007: 1.930).

Book Chapters

[B1] G.Di Pino, T.Seidl, A. Benvenuto, F. Sergi, D. Campolo, D. Accoto, P.M. Rossini, E.Guglielmelli (2009) "Interfacing insect brain for space applications", in "Brain Machine Interfaces for Space Applications: Enhancing Astronauts’ Capabilities", L.Summerer, D. Izzo, L. Rossini (eds.), Elsevier, vol.86:39-47

Refereed conference proceedings

[C1] S. Micera, J. Rigosa, J. Carpaneto, L. Citi, S. Raspopovic, E. Guglielmelli, A. Benvenuto, L. Rossini, G. Di Pino, G. Cavallo, M.Carrozza, P. Dario, P. M. Rossini, "On the control of a robot hand by extracting neural signals from the PNS: preliminary results from a human implantation", 31st Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBC'09), Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, 2nd - 6th September, 2009, 4586-4589

[C2] A. Benvenuto, G. Di Pino, F. Sergi, D. Campolo,D. Accoto, G. Assenza, P.M. Rossini and E. Guglielmelli, "Machine Animal Hybrid Controllers for Space Applications", I Congresso Nazionale di Bioingegneria, Pisa, 3-5 Luglio 2008.

[C3] A. Benvenuto, F. Sergi, G. Di Pino, D. Campolo, D. Accoto, E. Guglielmelli and T. Seidl, "Conceptualization of an Insect/Machine Hybrid Controller for Space Applications", in Proceedings of the 2008 IEEE International Conference on Biomedical Robotics and Biomechatronics (BIOROB 2008), Scottsdale, USA, October 19-22, 2008, 306-310.

[C4] A. Benvenuto, L. Lorenzelli, M. Malfatti, L. Francioso, P. Siciliano, A. Vilà, G. Verrelli, "Liquid chromatography miniaturised systems for agrofood applications" in in Proceedings of Smart Systems Integration 2008, Barcelona, Spain, April 9-10, 2008.

[C5] C. Collini, A. Benvenuto, S. Pedrotti, L. Lorenzelli, A. Masci, M. Ilie, L. Nardi and R. Pilloton, "Quartz-based multielectrode array for analytical diagnostics", in Proceedings of the 8th Workshop on biosensors and bioanalytical micro-techniques in environmental and clinical analysis, Goa, India, October, 3-6, 2007.

[C6] A. Benvenuto, L. Lorenzelli, C. Collini, V. Guarnieri, A. Adami, E. Morganti, "Development of MEMS-based liquid chromatography modules for agrofood applications", in Proceedings of the SPIE Symposium "Microtechnologies for the New Millennium", Laspalmas, Gran Canaria, Spain May, 2-4, 2007.

[C7] A. Benvenuto, V. Guarnieri, L. Lorenzelli, C. Collini, M. Decarli, A. Adami, C.Potrich, C.Pederzolli, M. Zen, "MEMS-based approach to liquid chromatographic separation", in Proceedings of the 11th International Meeting on Chemical Sensors (IMCS 11), Brescia, Italy, July, 16-19, 2006.

[C8] A. Benvenuto, L. Lorenzelli, V. Guarnieri and M. Zen, "Si-Based Liquid Separation Microsystems for agrofood application", in Proceedings of the 10th National Conference on Sensors and Microsystems, Firenze, Italy, February, 15-17, 2005.

[C9] A. Benvenuto, A. Adami, V. Guarnieri, L. Lorenzelli and M. Zen, "A Silicon Gas Chromatograph for VOC Monitoring", in Proceedings of the 6th Workshop on Biosensors and BioAnalytical µTechniques in Environmental and Clinical Analysis, Rome, Italy, October 8-12, 2004.

[C10] L. Lorenzelli, A. Benvenuto, A. Adami, V. Guarnieri, B. Margesin, V. Mulloni, "Development of a Silicon-based Gas Chromatographic Microsystem in Clinical Diagnostics", in Proceedings of the Eighth World Congress on Biosensors, Granada, Spain, May, 24-26, 2004.

[C11] A. Adami, A. Benvenuto, L. Lorenzelli, M. Zen, L. Francioso, P. Siciliano "Design and simulation of gradient microheaters for gas sensor arrays", in Proceedings of the 9th National Conference on Sensors and Microsystems, AISEM 2004, ed. C. Di Natale, A. D’Amico, G. Martinelli, M. C. Carotta, V. Guidi, World Scientific 2005, 364-368.

[C12] L. Lorenzelli, A. Benvenuto, B. Margesin, V. Guarnieri, G. Turco, D. Vincenzi, "Silicon gas chromatographic microcolumn for biomedical applications",  (AISEM 2003 Best Poster Award), in Proceedings of the 8th National Conference on Sensors and Microsystems, AISEM 2003, ed. Di Natale, D’Amico, Soncini, Ferrario, Zen, World Scientific 2004, 364-368.

[C13] A. Benvenuto, A. Menciassi, P. Dario, L. Lorenzelli, B. Margesin, "Fabrication of amperometric sensor – based microsystems for biomedical applications", in Proceedings of the 7th National Conference on Sensors and Microsystems, AISEM 2002, Bologna, Italy, February 4-6, 2002, 256-261,

[C14] A. Benvenuto, A. Menciassi, P. Dario, L. Lorenzelli, B. Margesin, V. Guarnieri "Implantable lactate microsensor for muscle function", in Proceedings of the 6th National Conference on Sensors and Microsystems, Pisa, Italy, February 5-7, 2001, 240-245.

[C15] L. Beccai, F. Valvo, A. Benvenuto,  A. Menciassi, M. C. Carrozza, P. Dario, "Packaging and characterisation of short-term implantable silicon microprobe for medical diagnostics", in Proceedings of the 6th National Conference on Sensors and Microsystems, Pisa, Italy, February 5-7, 2001, 246-251.

[C16] P. Dario, M. C. Carrozza, A. Menciassi, A. Eisinberg, A. Benvenuto, L. Beccai, "Advances in Micromechatronics", in Proceedings of the EUREL Conference, Manchester, UK, April 12-14, 2000.

[C17] A. Benvenuto, L. Beccai, F. Valvo, A. Menciassi, P. Dario, M. C. Carrozza, J. Aguilò, A. Ivorra, R. Villa, J. Millán, P. Godignon, J. Bausells, A. Errachid, "Impedance microprobes for myocardial ischemia monitoring", in Proceedings of the First International IEEE EMBS Special Topic Conference on Microtechnology in Medicine and Biology, Lyon, France, October 12-14, 2000, 234-238.

[C18] N. Zine, A. Ivorra, J. Aguilò, R. Villa,  J. Millan, J. Bausells, A. Errachid, P. Godignon, A. Benvenuto, L. Beccai, F. Valvo, A. Menciassi, P. Dario, M. C. Carrozza, "Multisensor silicon needle for cardiac applications", in Proceedings of the First International IEEE EMBS Special Topic Conference on Microtechnology in Medicine and Biology, Lyon, France, October 12-14, 2000, 216-219.

[C19] A. Benvenuto, L. Beccai, F. Valvo, A. Menciassi, P. Dario, M. C. Carrozza, J. Aguilò, A. Ivorra, "Silicon Microprobes Packaging and Characterisation for Myocardial Ischemia Monitoring", in Proceedings of the 11th workshop on Micromachining, Micromechanics and Microsystems (MME’00), Uppsala University, Sweden, October 1-3, 2000

[C20] P. Dario, A. Menciassi, M. C. Carrozza, A. Benvenuto, A. Eisinberg, "Recent Activities on Micromachines and Micromechatronics in Italy", in Proceedings of 6th Micromachine Symposium, Tokyo, Japan November, 9-10, 2000, 61-73.

[C21] P. Dario, M. C. Carrozza., A. Benvenuto: "Microsystems in Biomedical Applications", in Proceedings of the 10th workshop on Micromachining, Micromechanics and Microsystems (MME’99), Gif-sur- Yvette, France, September 27-28, 1999.