Italian physicist. Professor at the Universities of Milan, Padua and Pavia, where, between 1842 and 1860, he held the chair once occupied by Alessandro Volta (1745-1827). Conducted research in meteorology, thermology, and other fields, but his chief interest was electrical phenomena. Invented numerous scientific instruments, including a new type of hygrometer, a psychrometer, an electrical duplicator, and a magneto-electric motor. Was the first to develop an induction plate electrostatic machine. Author of many scientific articles and an unfinished treatise on physics.