Invented and patented the advanced aerogel technology at the core of ThermaGel products
Secured multi-million-dollar funding from NSF, DoD, and other federal agencies for materials research
Published widely on nanomaterials and aerogel composites, bridging lab discovery and commercial scale-up
Principal investigator on multiple aerogel up-scaling initiatives
Led cross-disciplinary teams to develop next-gen insulation and thermal-runaway barriers
Spearheaded technology transfers from university labs to industrial production lines
Fluent in Italian, English, German, and Spanish—and even more fluent in materials science—Max guides ThermaGel’s scientific roadmap and mentors a diverse team of researchers. His passion and hands-on approach keep new ideas flowing and patents in the pipeline.
Max is a Professor of Physics and Director of the Nanomaterials Characterization Facility at VCU. When he’s not pushing the boundaries of aerogel science, you’ll find him sharing knowledge with students or tinkering with the next breakthrough in his lab.
