Enzo Ferroni (1921-2007): the History of an Eclectic Chemist

Enzo Ferroni (Florence, 25 March 1921 – 9 April 2007) was an Italian chemist, full professor in physical chemistry at the University of Florence, where he served as Rector from 1976 to 1979, a renowned international scientist who initiated new branch chemistry, that applied cultural heritage conservation. The history his scientific and academic life offers particular interest half-century cross-section Italy entire world. In particular, developed colloids, surface, interface immediately after Second World War country it almost non-existent, sensing extraordinary potential this fields basic research. This paper aims reconstruct eclectic chemist starting pioneering studies on surfaces, interfaces that, War, came be widely popular within literature following three milestones represented by Nobel laureates Richard A. Zsigmondy (1925), Theodor Svedberg (1926), Irving Langmuir (1932). Ferroni’s far-sighted visionary ideas concerning investigation these systems others with biological implications nascent resonance spectroscopies surface diffraction techniques were recognised underlined revolutionary approach ever more sophisticated instrumentations characterise research day. consecration peculiarities would come fruition 1991 laureate physics Pierre-Gilles de Gennes, finally discovered “the methods study ordinary phenomena simple can generalised complex states matter, especially liquid crystals, polymers” (official motivation Prize), recognising soft matter peculiar form condensed phase. These frontiers newly established field considered last message bottle young researchers facing twenty-first century. eclecticism emerged two other compelling aspects are illustrated article: for conceived, pushed dramatic damages suffered works art Florence flood 1966, strong vision about equal dignity research, led him establish fruitful relationships industries aimed enhance technological fallouts, (1963) Giulio Natta Karl Ziegler had clearly shown.