Marco Nicola graduates in Chemistry in 2004 at the University of Turin (Supervisor: Prof. Oscar Chiantore, thesis title: "Characterization and study of the ageing of protein-based paint binders" - mark: 110/110).

After having passed the state certification exam, since 2005 he has been a member of the Order of Chemists of Piedmont and Valle d'Aosta and practices as a chemist, as a freelance researcher and conservation scientist.

For over twelve years he has directed ADAMANTIO Srl, the Academic Spin-off of the University of Turin, specialised in diagnostics for cultural heritage and the fields of sustainable construction and materials technology.

At the same time, he dedicates himself to teaching and training activities.

In 2000 and 2001 he took part in the coordination of the summer courses at the Albertina Academy of Fine Arts in Turin. Since 2004 he has lectured on chemistry applied to cultural heritage in collaborations with institutions and schools also at a university level.

In 2014 and 2015 he was Professor of Applied Chemistry and Diagnostics at the Academy of Fine Arts in Cuneo, and in 2016 and 2017 he coordinated the Summer School in Italy of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, ONE-MA3 Materials in Art Archaeology and Architecture.

Since childhood in the Restoration Workshops Nicola, he cultivates the idea of ​​deepening all the scientific aspects related to the world of restoration and, more in general, of cultural heritage. After graduating, he worked at Nicola Restauri (2004-2006) holding the roles of responsible for Research and Development; assistant undergoing restoration and restoration design; control of methods and materials; Internal chemistry consultant applied to restoration.

The desire to undertake a complementary activity to Nicola Restauri combined with the desire to offer a cutting-edge service, absent in the area, hence the idea of ​​setting up an independent company that deals with analysis, research and advice aimed not only at Nicola Restauri but also to all the other companies of the sector, institutions and individuals. These expectations are realised with the birth of the company ADAMANTIO Srl which was founded in 2005 with the co-participation of dr. Admir Masic (former researcher at the Department of Chemistry IFM of the University of Turin, currently Assistant Professor at the Department of Civil Engineering of the MIT Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, USA).

Since 2007 ADAMANTIO Srl has been operating at the Business Incubator of the University of Turin after a brief stay at the CNR-ISTEC.

Within ADAMANTIO Srl Marco Nicola holds the role of Scientific Director working in a context of a technological transfer of the results of university research to promote the application of new technologies to the cultural heritage sector. In collaboration with public research centres (CNR and University) and private individuals, it takes part and directs research projects mainly financed directly or indirectly by the European Union.

His work mainly concerns laboratory analysis and research aimed at the restoration, study and enhancement of artefacts of historical, artistic and architectural interest. He manages the study and research campaigns in particular on the characterisation of materials, assessment of conservation status, the design of restoration interventions, 3D surveys, prevention and conservation consultancy, dating and authentication, evaluation of restoration interventions and development of customised restoration techniques.

These activities involve the application of modern technologies developed in the chemical, physical and biological fields and applied to monuments, architecture, archaeological excavations, wall paintings, stuccos, oil and tempera paintings on canvas and on panels, modern and contemporary art, paper documents and parchment, wooden and stone material, ceramic materials, enamels, mosaics, metals and anthropological finds. He conducts analytical campaigns using a wide range of analytical instruments including Portable X-Ray fluorescence, Optical Microscopy, Pyrolysis-Gas Chromatography / Mass Spectrometry, Scanning Electron Microscopy (Variable Pressure and Standard) combined with EDS microprobe, FT-IR spectroscopy and Raman, X-ray Diffractometry for Dust, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Unilateral NMR and additional technologies available through the University of Turin Business Incubator and other partners.

He coordinates datings and authentications through technologies such as the Radiocarbon Method and the Thermoluminescence that have become available through the active collaboration with research centres not present in Piedmont. Thanks to these and other techniques, over the years he certifies hundreds of objects mainly in terracotta, wood, ivory and fabric even when painted.

The main subjects that have turned to ADAMANTIO are Government Departments for Cultural Heritage, Museums and Organizations of protection as well as restorers, antique dealers and collectors.

As for the paintings, the principal works carried out are works by Caravaggio (Bacchus at the Uffizi, Boy Bited by the Green lizard at the Longhi Foundation, Seven works of Misericordia in Naples and Resurrection of Lazarus in Messina), Titian (Martyrdom of San Lorenzo in Venice), Paolo Veronese (Last Supper, Brera), Giovanni Bellini (Deposition of the Dead Christ, Uffizi) and many other works from ancient times to modern and contemporary art.

Among the historical buildings he took part in preliminary studies on the Colonnade of San Pietro in the Vatican, Villa Medici in Rome, Royal Palace in Naples and the Church of San Zeno in Verona. In Lombardy, he worked at Sforza Castle in Milan, Abbey of Chiaravalle, Villa Reale in Monza and for the study of the frescoes of the Longobard church of Santa Maria Foris Portas in Castelseprio. In Turin, he conducted the entire chemical-physical diagnostic campaign for the expansion works of the Egyptian Museum. Among the main buildings of the city on which he worked there are Queen's Villa, Carignano Palace, Carignano Theatre, Sabauda Gallery, Stupinigi hunting palace, Palatine Gates, City Palace, Fountain of the 12 Months, Medieval Village, Guariniana Chapel of S. Shroud and Cathedral of San Giovanni, Church of San Filippo Neri, Church of San Francesco da Paola, Church of San Massimo, Church of the Merchants and Church of the Angels.

Since 2016 he has a PhD in Chemical Sciences and Materials at the University of Turin on the project "Nanotechnologies for the mineralisation of biomaterials".

Since 2015 he is Founding Member of the Cultural Heritage Association Guido Nicola for Restoration.

Beyond the restoration

Since 2009 he deals with green building and in particular with bamboo applications. After having carried out some research projects concerning this material, in 2015 he founded the Joint Venture Italian Bamboo born from the desire a group of companies and professionals to work together to spread the culture of bamboo in Italy. In the green building field, he has also studied nanotechnologies, protective and natural solvents, applying them also for the reduction of the environmental impact of industrial processes (green chemistry). He is passionate about computer science (he has collaborated since 2005 with the main digital forum of Italian restorers, with over 9000 members) and literature. In particular, in his spare time, he devotes himself to the composition of haiku, of poetry and he is writing a novel. His other passions are the chess and board games to which he dedicates himself to with his two sons Giovanni Guido (2003) and Mattia Carlo (2005). Sometimes he also tries to go for a ride looking for truffles, as his grandfather Guido taught him.