CLAUDIO FILIPPONE, Ph.D. Department of Aerospace Engineering University of Maryland College Park, MD 20742 Tel: (301) 403-4487 Fax: (301) 403-4459 E-mail: claudiof@ssl.umd.edu

2003 Director
Center for Advanced Energy Concepts
University of Maryland College Park


Clean and Environmentally Safe Advanced Reactor (CAESAR)


1999 Researcher
Ranger Project, Space System Laboratory
Department of Aerospace
University of Maryland College Park


Upgrading and designing of EMI noise suppression systems, ion accelerators and ion engines propulsion for space systems.


1998 Researcher
Department of Materials and Nuclear Engineering
University of Maryland College Park

Principal Investigator for a research grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Energy to the University of Maryland on June 12, 1998. The grant is titled "High-Efficiency, Quasi-Instantaneous Steam Expansion Device (Heat Cavity)".


1997-1998 Consultant
Turbodyne Systems Inc.
Carpinteria, CA

Thermodynamic Efficiency evaluation of special electric turbochargers for combustion engines.


1997-1998 Consultant
Energetic Materials Research and Technology Center
University of New Mexico

Upgraded, modified and designed customized data acquisition equipment to improve the accuracy, the safety and reliability of testing. Investigated fuel activation through hot/cold plasma discharges.


1993-1997 Researcher
Department of Materials and Nuclear Engineering
University of Maryland College Park

Designed and built a prototype of a modified four-cycle thermodynamic engine, the head of which contains heaters driven by specially-designed electronic equipment to simulate the physical characteristics of a pulsed nuclear reactor. Worked in the radiation laboratory and in the nuclear TRIGA reactor facility to upgrade the reactor instrumentation. Completed doctoral research in the area of heat transfer enhancement by utilizing specially designed heat cavities in which the working fluid (i.e. steam) expands at extremely high rates. Gained extensive experience in the following: design and manufacture of high-power variable frequency switching power supplies, including the dedicated electronic controller for ultra-high voltage generation; design and manufacture of small/large scale models simulating any kind of thermal-hydraulic and neutronic system; design of electronic equipment including customized printed circuit and circuitry.


1995-1996 Teaching Assistant: Thermodynamics
Department of Mechanical Engineering
University of Maryland College Park


1993-1997 Teaching Assistant: Nuclear Reactor Analysis, Heat Transfer, Autocad and Introduction to Engineering
Department of Materials and Nuclear Engineering
University of Maryland College Park


1989-90 President
Electronic Engineering Applications (EL.EN.A. SpA), Rovereto, Italy
Designed a modern research center with three engine rooms which employed a total of 37 engineers. Projected the annual budget. Wrote and documented research grants and proposals. Research dealt with large displacement diesel engines and dual fuel diesel-gas engines. Personal research involved designing a method of assembling an electronically-controlled plasma ignition device in alternative engines which used gasoline and compressed natural gas.


1987 Researcher
Department of Energy, Polytechnic of Turin, Italy
Worked closely with staff faculty and engineers to scientifically verify and test the patented electronically-controlled plasma ignition device. Results were published by the Polytechnic of Turin.


1987 Researcher
FIAT Center of Research (CRF), Orbassano, Italy
Tested and verified substitution of catalytic converters with plasma enhanced combustion systems for applications on commercial engines.


1986 Researcher
Aton (engineering applications company), Trento, Italy
Devised a soft start speed control for continuous current motors up to 15 kW. Designed intelligent, programmable speed control systems for ignition coil machines and winding machines. Devised an intelligent, electric brake system to control the shaft load of reciprocating engines.


1983 Researcher
FERRARI Formula 1 Race Team, Maranello, Italy
Prepared the electronically-controlled plasma ignition device for installation in the Ferrari Formula 1 (6-cylinder engine, 1983) for the Grand Prix of Brazil.


1983 Researcher
Department of Energy, University of Lyon, France
Revised a newer Renault ignition system in collaboration with Renault and Peugeot, sponsored by Porcher Textile.

1996 Ph.D., Nuclear Engineering
Department of Materials and Nuclear Engineering
University of Maryland at College Park

1993 M.S., Nuclear Engineering
Department of Materials and Nuclear Engineering
University of Maryland at College Park

1988 Physics Coursework
University of Trento, Italy

1982 Diploma of Maturity in Science (Electrical Engineering degree)
Istituto Tecnico Industriale G. Marconi, Verona, Italy

Not up to date

1998 U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/076,917
"Nuclear Powered Steam Expansion Engine" and "Nuclear Power Generators"

1997 Patent Pending
"Digitally-Controlled High-Energy Multiple-Mapping Smart Plasma for Internal Combustion Engine Operating with Lean and Extra-Lean Air-Fuel Mixtures"

1997 Patent Pending
"Ultra High-Voltage Switching Power Supply with Adjustable Output Power and Frequency to Ionize and Accelerate Particles and for Applications Requiring Hot-Cold Plasma"

1997 Patent Pending in the United States and Europe
"Nuclear Powered Steam Expansion Engine (NPSEE)"

1989 C.V. Ferraro, P. Nuccio, M. Marzano, and C. Filippone. "Improvement of Engine Performance by an Ignition System Using a Prolonged Spark." 44th National Congress of the Italian Thermodynamic Association Working Papers.

1989 "Improvement of Engine Performances by an Ignition System Using a Prolonged Spark" presented to the 44th National Congress of the Italian Thermodynamic Association (ATI), September 12-15 in Cosenza, Italy.

1988 United States Patent Number 4,787,360
Electronically-Controlled Plasma Ignition Device for Internal Combustion Engines

1987 European Patent Number 0 242 839 A2
Electronically-Controlled Plasma Ignition Device for Internal Combustion Engines