ARLINGTON, TEXAS (9/23/2015) — Safety played a key part in inspiring this year’s winner of the Mensa Foundation’s International Copper Black award. Assistant Professor Antonella D’Alessandro of the University of Perugia, Italy (and member of Mensa Italy) is the 2015 international winner for this award that recognizes creative intelligence. Her research shows promise into the development of building materials that can detect structural issues.
“In particular, smart cementitious materials have the potential to provide concrete structures with self-sensing abilities,” said Dr. D’Alessandro. “This way it is possible to detect and localize the spread of cracks and damages into a monitored structure, especially after natural events such as earthquakes and typhoons.” Her research topics include self-sensing cement-based nanocomposites, innovative materials for constructions, structural health monitoring, fire engineering and recycled concrete.
“This award recognizes the importance of blending both intelligence and creativity together to create a better, and in this case, safer world,” said Dave Remine, president of the Foundation. “We are so proud to present this award to Dr. D’Alessandro.”
Copper Black was a Mensa member who valued creativity and left legacy funding for this award to recognize innovative and practical ideas from Mensa members. To find out more about the Mensa Foundation Awards, visit mensafoundation.org/awards.
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For more than 40 years, the Mensa Education & Research Foundation has been a strong voice in supporting intelligence. The Foundation fosters the best and brightest through scholarships and awards, and encourages research and intellectual inquiry through the Mensa Research Journal and various Colloquiums. Governed by a volunteer Board of Trustees, the Mensa Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization and is funded by American Mensa, Mensa members and other charitable donations. To learn more about the Foundation, visit mensafoundation.org.