Mara Leonardi: the detective of brake materials

“Every day, you learn something new. Although difficulties are not lacking—because you can’t know everything and the feeling is often one of never being fully competent—it’s rewarding to see how the path becomes clearer over time.” The enthusiasm in Mara Leonardi’s voice is palpable. With a formative background from the Department of Industrial Engineering at the University of Trento, she now works as a Testing and Validation Development Engineer at Brembo, the Bergamo-based company that has made a mark in automotive, motorcycle, commercial vehicle, and racing brakes. The company continues to shape the future through the design, development, and production of braking systems, always with an eye on future mobility and environmental sustainability.

A good braking system is fundamentally based on the quality and performance of the materials used (the most commonly used are cast iron, steel, ceramics, and carbon). Innovation is the keyword, necessitating extensive research and development—areas Mara has engaged in since the beginning of her career.

The Challenges of Braking Systems

“I started working at Brembo right after finishing my studies as a Materials & Development Specialist. I was involved in broad research on new materials, not only friction materials, to identify those that could be applied in braking systems. Another part of my job involved writing and managing European projects,” says Mara. “In 2023, I changed positions and became a Testing and Validation Development Engineer.”

Taking a step further: from research and development to the testing phase for validating materials to be used in braking systems. “The goal is to transition from prototype to production, meaning to the product that will be applied in a vehicle and thus sold,” specifies the former UniTrento student. “I enjoy this role because it allows me to delve into the core of the company and interact with other departments.”

There are many challenges to face in the automotive sector, and nothing can be left to chance when it comes to materials. First and foremost is the issue of environmental sustainability that the company implements, for example, through:

• The use of low-impact and recyclable materials and coatings;
• The employment of lightweight alloys that contribute to reduced emissions due to their lower weight;
• The selection of materials and technical solutions that allow for a reduction of fine particles during braking.

In the background are even bigger goals, such as moving towards intelligent braking systems, the arrival of Euro 7 vehicles (which, at first glance, seem distant), and the advent of autonomous driving.

Curiosity Shouldn’t Be Braked

“I became passionate about friction materials through my work,” reveals Mara. “The opportunity arose first with my master’s thesis, then with my PhD, which was conducted in collaboration with Brembo. Fortune had it that a job position opened up just as I was finishing my studies, and I didn’t think twice about accepting it.”

Materials have always intrigued the young engineer from Trento. “They make up everything around us, and I find it fascinating to know how they are made, what properties they have, and how they work. My university journey allowed me to study all types of materials uniformly (composites, ceramics, plastics, metals, etc.), ultimately discovering those that interested me the most.”

She concludes: “To the young men and women currently attending university, I say to gather as much knowledge as possible. It will be useful when the time comes to decide which career path to take. Of course, it’s only a starting point that will need to be deepened. I myself never stop studying and learning, but it’s wonderful to see how one grows in knowledge and competence.”