COPERTINA BATTISTON.indd2 Excerpt from the four-month period - year 11 - number 31 - July 2018 - of Platinum “Business Leaders - ROC n. 24344 of 11 March 2014 - Responsible Director Ivo A. Nardella - FREE COPY ASI - Space GeodesyCentre The CapitalofGeodesy SDA BocconiSeeLab Andrea Sommariva Space Economy r C esearch&innovation olumn Matera Roberto Battiston the cover Communication projectbyGaetanoFerretti P erito Moreno Patagonia g lacier 05/09/18 10:04
PH COSMO-SKYMED@ASI, ELABORATO E-GEOS SPA SIASGE: ARGENTINE AND ITALIAN RADARS IN SPACE
10 minute interval COSMO-SkyMed (Italia) SAOCOM (Argentina)
Banda X Banda L
Polar orbit
Observations every 12 hours COSMO-SkyMed Two satellites (Italia) from SIASGE can see the same point on Earth on the same day
Argentina’s National Space Activities Com- tion for mapping terrestrial topography and mission (CONAE) established the SAOCOM identifying surface movements. With the mission in order to meet information re- SAOCOM 1A and 1B observation satellites, COSMO-SkyMed (Italia) quirements for the socio-productive sec- Argentina is set to complete the SIASGE tors considered in the National Space Plan, Satellite System, which has a constellation as well as to integrate operationally the of four Italian COSMO-SkyMed satellites. Italian-Argentine System of Satellites for The System is the only one of its kind in the Emergency Management (SIASGE), which world. SAOCOM 1A is scheduled for launch was set up through a collaboration between on 7th October, 2018, with SAOCOM 1B due Argentina’s CONAE and Italy’s ASI space to follow in 2019. The SAOCOM satellites agencies. The main objectives of the SAO- will be controlled and managed from the COSMO-SkyMed COM Mission are firstly to obtain CONAE Teófilo Tabanera Space Cen- SAOCOM (Italia) (Argentina) soil moisture maps for im- tre’s Mission Control located in portant practical applica- the province of Córdoba. The tions in agriculture and data will be received and hydrology, and secondly then sent to users in Argen- to obtain useful informa- tina and around the world.
[email protected] www.conae.gov.ar
TABELLARE CONAE_DOPPIA.indd 2 04/09/18 16:25 TABELLARE CONAE_DOPPIA.indd 3 04/09/18 16:25 the cover Roberto Battiston
Italy and Argentina - space to be shared
his is an important a complex growth process, in ASI plays a crucial phase for South Amer- which Italy has played a crucial role as regards ican space research, role over the last twenty years - and for the Argentin- this can be seen in the very name the development Tian one in particular. Within a of the programme of which the month, the launch of the fi rst sat- satellite launch is part, SIASGE, of the space sector ellite of the SAOCOM constella- which stands for Italian-Argen- in the South tion (on 29th September from the tine Satellite System for Environ- Vanderberg Base in the USA) will mental Emergency Management American country, be followed by the third Interna- and Economic Development. tional Space Forum, planned for And the Forum itself - following which will host 1st November in Buenos Aires, on from those in Trento in 2016 the Forum on which, on this occasion, will focus and Nairobi in 2017 - came out of on the Latin America Countries. the stimulus provided by the Ital- 1st November These two events are part of ian Space Diplomacy. One of the leading fi gures in this process is Roberto Battis- ton, President of ASI - Italian Space Agency. In 2016, at the time of the fi rst Forum, he was Vice-President of IAF (a position now fi lled by another Italian, Ga- briella Arrigo). “The outcome of DAVID PARKER HUMAN AND ROBOTIC ESA FLIGHT MANAGER WITH ROBERTO BATTISTON FOR THE SIGNING OF AN AGREEMENT space programmes is concrete- ly achieved many years after in- vestments are made, - says Mr waves, to create an innovative sector as delicate as that of emer- to see to other strategic sectors, Battiston - “the fi rst agreements constellation of satellites”. This gencies. “At that time - con- such as agriculture, for example. between us and Argentina were was the operating strategy giv- tinues the President - Argenti- On the basis of these shared ob- OSMO-SKYMED@ASI, ELABORATO E-GEOS SPA OSMO-SKYMED@ASI, ELABORATO
H C reached in the 1990s, when It- ing rise to the COSMO-SkyMed na decided to invest with us in a jectives, Italy invested 52 P aly was beginning to operate on system, which now has four sat- similar programme, but based on million Euro in Argentina, LOS RIOS ECUADOR IMAGINE COSMO SKYMED ASI – E-GEOS the X-band, that is, using short ellites in orbit, and operates in a L-band, of about 30 centimetres, to contribute to its mission
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LA COPERTINA_ING.indd 2 04/09/18 16:40 LA COPERTINA_ING.indd 3 04/09/18 16:40 the network of international ties the cover to this Country as well, with Ita- ly enjoying a signifi cant presence for some time. “Downstream”, i.e. the transformation of satel- – a signifi cant contribution available, against the possibility to is the most advanced country in lite data into economic value, for establishing a collab- use data from the SAOCOM sys- terms of space industry, thanks is now the watchword of space oration relationship that tem and the Argentinian Space in particular to the relation- economy: it represents a sector has been strategic for us for more Center in Cordoba, as well as ships set up with us over recent employing thousands of people, than ten years now”. Thanks to a SAOCOM data related to specif- years”. Obviously, the presence and we are very proud to be one joint plan involving orbits, obser- ic geographical areas on an exclu- of Italian space technology with- of the leading countries in this vation angles and return times, sive basis. “Following the launch in an international setting is al- fi eld”. Starting from these prem- the SIASGE system’s purpose is of the fi rst Italian-Argentinian ways the result of teamwork, in ises, the Buenos Aires Forum - to to integrate data and applications satellite, a double constellation is which the essential institution- which all Latin American Coun- deriving from the two satellite now in orbit, both on the X and al contribution is combined with tries, from Mexico down, have constellations: COSMO-SkyMed the L band - explains Mr Battis- that of private operators. “Di- been invited, and that will also and SAOCOM. The architecture ton - a powerful, signifi cant situa- plomacy therefore means exten- be attended by the major Euro- of this cooperation is based on a tion in a sector in which there are sive work at an Embassy level, pean members of the Esa - opens merged and balanced range of few satellites, because they are which has been carried on fruit- with excellent prospects. “And contributions: ASI contributes complex and expensive to build. fully since the 1990s. But Ital- so, quite frankly, it should be said to building the Argentinian sat- Besides advantages for Italy, an ian industry is already at work in that the almost simultaneous oc- ellites, offers the data from the operation of this kind enables Ar- Argentina, thanks to a joint ven- currence of the fi rst SAOCOM COSMO-SkyMed system, and gentina to enjoy a high profi le ture with local companies: this is launch was a stoke of good for- makes its Matera Space Center in South America, since today it a relevant sign, because it extents tune: because when a new satel- lite is put into orbit, it is not al- ways easy to set certain dates far in advance, whereas the date for the Forum was set long time ago. Having said this, the Forum provides each participant with a range of interesting opportu- nities. In terms of space invest- ments, developing countries have problems of political coherence, because there is no equivalent of Esa in Africa or Latin America. Therefore, their choice to meet around the table is highly appre- About Roberto Battiston ciated, to talk about technologi- cal opportunities as well as train- Roberto Battiston was appointed President of the Italian Space Agency ing. Thanks to events like these, in May 2014, by the Education, University, and Research Minister, Ste- developing countries may be- fania Giannini. He was born in Trento, graduated with honours at the gin to take part in a process of Normale University in Pisa, was Dean of Experimental Physics at Trento high-level training, which is very University, and President of the INFN’s Commission II for Astroparticle OSMO-SKYMED@ASI, ELABORATO E-GEOS SPA OSMO-SKYMED@ASI, ELABORATO
H C different from being subject to Physics. He is a member of the Trento Institute for Fundamental Physics P the infl uence of more advanced and Application, the new INFN National Centre. countries, or simply acquiring “For 35 years I was strictly a researcher in the particle physics sector - technologies. On the other hand, says the President - and then I turned to space, especially dealing with we, who represent countries with questions related to matter and anti-matter. Two crucial questions re- greater space expertise, can pro- main close to my heart: on the one hand, the role of research as a tool vide signifi cant stimuli for de- for growth and development, and on the other, the relationship between veloping countries, and achieve space and the business world”. important results in terms of di- THE LARSEN GLACIER plomacy”.
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rese a rc h innovation
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Italy among space leaders
Over the past few years, Italy has been one of the world lea- A space ders on the space scene: it is the third contributor of the Euro- pean Space Agency (ESA), which coordinates the projects of 22 Member States, while it ranks sixth in terms of production of scientific articles most quoted in the space science field. It al- economy so boasts excellent results in obtaining research funds provi- ded by the EU. In the 2014-2017 term (medium-term data of the 2014-2020 planning of the Horizon Programme), Italy sco- red an excess return of € 276 million. Considering that Italy’s study centre contribution to the EU plan budget was 12%, Italy’s space sy- stem received back 16% (i.e., +4%). Looking at figures, space economy in Italy is worth, as a whole, € 1.6 billion, boasting drea o ar a a supply chain that ranges from the ability to build satellites to their in-orbit deployment, the transmission of data to Ear- th and the use of such data for a variety of industrial applica- n 4 June, the SEE Lab was tions and innovative technologies for the market. According to ners for the aerospace part, inclu- offi cially presented at Mi- a survey carried out by ASI, 80% of the industry consists of ding both industries and service Olan’s SDA Bocconi. It is small and medium-sized enterprises (in three years, they rose companies, considering that a lar- a new platform that aims at beco- from 476 to 578), with jobs and turnover mainly generated wi- ge portion of the turnover of com- ming a reference point worldwide thin large companies. The industry also experienced a constant panies engaging in this sector co- regarding studies and research on growth as employment increased by 3% in three years, with al- mes from services, i.e. the sale of space economy topics. most 6300 skilled workers being employed. the output of the data sourced from The SEE Lab was established wi- satellites, i.e. the downstream part.” th the technical and scientifi c sup- The overall turnover of this growing port and co-operation of organi- industry has already reached signi- sations such as the Italian Space ficant levels, with estimates in the Agency (ASI), the National Institu- region of $ 350 billion in 2017, un- te of Astrophysics (INAF), the Eu- derscoring the increasingly impor- ropean Space Agency (ESA) as part tant role played by private compa- of its ESA_Lab@ initiative, and the nies after an initial start-up phase Committee for Space Research where the public sector acted as a (COSPAR). It is headed by Andrea forerunner. Sommariva and its efforts will be The International Academy of Ae- focusing on the two research areas ronautics envisages a future in whi- that hallmark space economy. ch space economy might be worth The fi rst area deals with the eco- thousands of billions. “Space eco- nomy related to the exploitation of nomy is a strategic economy due to the Low Earth Orbit, where satel- the economic and political benefi- lites responsible for observing the ts arising from it—concludes Som- planet orbit, and the geosynchro- mariva. nous orbit (37,000 km altitude), “In the short term, space explora- where telecommunication and bro- tion would undoubtedly contribu- adcasting satellites are located. te to economic and employment On the other hand, the second area growth. In the medium term, the is concerned with the most innova- main effects would be coming from tive frontiers of space economy, su- astrophysics”, recalls Sommariva. economic part but not the techni- technological innovation and its im- ch as the extraction of critical mine- “The purpose was to create a cen- cal and scientific part. This is why pact on the rest of the economy and rals and space tourism. tre dedicated to space economy we created this platform where the on the expansion of the basic supply “The idea of a SEE Lab was develo- analysis. Our business manage- support extended by ASI through of some rare or crucial metals whi- ped together with the late Giovan- ment background provides us wi- its President, Roberto Battiston, is ch are key drivers for our industrial ni Bignami, one of the great Italian th the necessary skills to analyse the crucial. Then we looked for part- civilisation.”
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metry data worldwide”, explains eagerly Matera-born director Giu- seppe Bianco. “The Centre was set up in Matera because of the need to find a location in the central Me- diterranean area and because Basi- licata was the region most actively seeking to play host to this futuristic facility, turning it into a truly suc- cess story for our country’s research endeavours. One interesting aspect is that all the existing space geodesy techniques coexist at the Centre, where the entire data lifecycle ta- kes place, from acquisition of ‘raw data’ to quality control, processing, and final publication.” “The Centre has taken a global le- ading role and combines solutions of data from all over the world”, points out the director who is also chairman of the International La- ser Ranging Service. “However, it should be noted that there are two levels of data: as far as geodesy is concerned, we cover the full data li- a new, smaller and more resilient fecycle; with regard to the data we station”, underscores Bianco. In acquire through remote sensing, other words, Matera is sending out we reach a certain point and then a strong signal about Italy’s contri- the end users—including academic bution to space research, as those institutions or private entities, as who will be visiting the city next ye- atera’s renown in Italy ra has already taken centre stage cy (ASI): it started off under a co-o- staff—or later technologies instal- appropriate—step in to buy these ar will most likely realise. “We will and worldwide rests es- nationally and internationally in a peration scheme between the CNR led, but, more importantly, to the data and use them within their re- work with the Capital of Culture by Msentially on its artistic less known but equally important and NASA with an initial satellite key role it plays in some crucial ge- spective reference environments.” building a space citadel, including a charm, the awesomeness of The area: studying earth using satelli- laser telemetry station, and it has odesy sectors. “Today, our Centre Further focus areas include opti- planetarium and a public astrono- Sassi. A renown that is likely to in- te instruments. It is the place whe- since grown into a small giant. Its is one of the very few core stations cal tracking of space debris and sa- mical observatory”, concludes hap- crease signifi cantly in 2019, when re the Space Geodesy Centre was growth is not just related to size— of the world’s geodetic network and tellite quantum telecommunica- pily the director. And with good re- it becomes the European Capi- fi rst established in 1983, current- the Centre employs 150 people in- since 2004 it has been responsible tions: “We are also upgrading our ason, too, for the future is already tal of Culture. However, Mate- ly run by the Italian Space Agen- cluding researchers and operating for combining satellite laser tele- equipment meanwhile, building here.
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These projects are funded by Aircraft noise: an the European Union The future emerging environmental of industrial issue security Cybersecurity expertise within critical infrastructures e u opean nion is in es in in in e es in in e a e p o ec s he future of cybersecurity of the faculty of Engineering of Ro- beit only feebly, even thought the in the industrial arena is so- ma Tre University. Leading a pool of market is not yet demanding such he noise produced by civil Technologies and re- Tmewhat dependent on the about ten experts, he has been dea- an approach. But it will soon have aircraft can cause big pro- lated Environmental design of devices that can intercept ling with critical infrastructure secu- to, for this is the future of industrial Tblems to citizens, because iMpact, no. 769350) and block cyber attacks against con- rity for some time, including as part cybersecurity...” In addition to Ate- these noise emissions feature com- and AERIALIST trol systems. This can be achieved of major European projects. For na, operations (including European plex spectrum-related characteristi- (AdvancEd ai- by relying on appropriate methods example, the device mentioned ear- operations) at the Roma Tre labora- cs, which make it hard for us to get cRaft-noIse-AlLe- that can identify the accuracy of the lier is one of the goals of a project tory are proceeding at a fast pace, used to them. People living close to viation devIceS using inputs given to the systems from named Atena, an H2020 € 6 million one project after the other. “We are airports (which are currently expe- meTamaterials, no. both a syntax and semantic per- worth endeavour that is reaching part of a very new project related to riencing a local boom, owing to the 723367). “ANIMA is spective. “These systems have not completion, with the experimen- critical infrastructures, except that, commercial strategy of low-cost i- the one that aims at FROM LEFT LORENZO BURGHIGNOLI, FRANCESCO yet become widespread among in- tal phase pending finalisation at the this time round, it involves telecom- ghts) perceive these noises as a re- improving the quali- CENTRACCHIO, GIORGIO PALMA, UMBERTO IEMMA, dustrial environments, but they su- Israel Electrical Corporation. The munications”, explains Panzieri. “In al nuisance and the number of peo- ty of life of commu- MONICA ROSSETTI, ILARIA CIOFFI rely will in the next few years. In project is coordinated by Leonardo particular, it relates to the security ple suffering from different types of nities living in proxi- fact, this is an area we have been - Finmeccanica, and technically by of telecommunications providers. problems caused by aircraft noise is mity of airports by addressing for quite a few years...” Professor Panzieri. “Atena will act At the same time, however, we are on the rise. mitigating the impact of perceived tizen, which may also be used by Professor Stefano Panzieri is the he- as a trailblazer for this type of devi- also involved in areas such as smart The European Union is addressing noise in psycho-acoustic terms, whi- non specialists. It is therefore neces- ad of the MCIP Lab (Models for ces. Some manufacturers have star- buildings, all industrial IoT-related the issue with an integrated pro- le ARTEM focuses on the integra- sary to consider the entire stakehol- Critical Infrastructure Protection) ted to come up with proposals, al- matters, energy diagnosis...” gramme of measures that involves tion of highly innovative technolo- der chain, involving politicians, land considerable investments in scienti- gies on aircraft, to be implemented planning authorities, airports’ ma- c and technological research, whi- from now to 2050. AERIALIST is a nagement and airlines. The rst ch is arousing great interest around fundamental research project and two projects both feature a broad the world. The Aeronautical Engi- focuses on the use of metamate- partnership: 22 partners for ANI- neering research group at the En- rials for the development of highly MA and 24 for ARTEM, for a bud- gineering Department of Roma Tre innovative technologies that can re- get of € 7.5 million each. A smaller university actively takes part in the duce noise radiation,” says Profes- group, coordinated by Roma Tre, is programme, participating in many sor Umberto Iemma, responsible working on AERIALIST. It is a fun- research projects. It is partner, of the projects for Roma Tre. “We damental research project that at- among others, of three projects fun- act as liaising agents between the tempts to adapt a concept that is ded under the Horizon 2020 resear- eld of project design/technologi- relatively consolidated in environ- ch and innovation programme that cal development and the eld that mental acoustics to the sphere of ae- deal with the aircraft noise problem assesses the impact on citizens and ronautics. It comprises all the vali- from different, but complemen- devises sustainable air transport so- dation activities a researcher could tary, standpoints: ANIMA (Aviation lutions. ANIMA includes an am- possibly want: from theoretical de- Noise Impact Management throu- bitious project: creating planning velopment to the actual manufactu- gh Novel Approaches, no. 769627), tools that take into account the per- ring of the materials and the nal te- ARTEM (Aircraft noise Reduction ceptive aspects of the individual ci- sts in the wind tunnel.” THE MCIP LAB TEAM
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GB_pl_062_RicercaeInnovazione_UNIVERSITA ROMATRE_IEMMA.indd 84 04/07/18 14:50 GB_pl_114_RicercaeInnovazione_UNIROMA PANZIERI.indd 85 16/07/18 10:31 n electronic infrastructure for managing the life cycle Aof research on Earth scien- ces namely, a virtual environment that supports researchers from the very beginning of their research to the fi nal publication. That s the un- derlying purpose of the E EREST platform, part of the H2020 project An open and bearing the same name, devised by a European pool that works under ESA coordination (European Spa- ce Agency). The basic idea of the reproducible project is that of putting scientists at the centre of the project, helping them narrow all sorts of technolo- gical gaps. E EREST provides the science stakeholders with all the services ne- cessary to fulfi l their research activi- ties and to preserve and share both irtual infrastructure scientifi c data and processes. The Founded in 1988, ASI is a government agency supervised space authority. From the fundamental questi ons about that c nstantly supp rts by the Ministry of Educati on, University and Research; it our understanding of the universe and the origins of life user interface, its services for data also works in cooperati on with other ministries. In less than up to space explorati on and testi ng of new technologies, detection, cloud access and proces- researchers in e ery ent two decades, ASI has become one of the leading players in now, more than ever, space appears to be the place from sing are the result of almost 15 years the world scene of space science and satellite technologies; which to extend our cultural boundaries and ensure a bett er it has also contributed signifi cantly to the development future on Earth. Nowadays, however, space is no longer of research and development in the operative and being used,” says r. stainable, with new partnerships wi- of systems aimed at reaching and exploring the universe. just a vast fi eld of research; it is also an excellent economic fi eld of Earth sciences electronic Mirko Albani of ESA Esrin, coordi- th external stakeholders also playing Nowadays, ASI is playing a key role both at European level, opportunity. Since the new space economy is constantly research services are now integrated nator of the project. “ ow, however, a role “throughout the project we where Italy is the third cooperati ng country of the European expanding, ASI’s goal is to enable Italy to respond to these Space Agency, and worldwide, representi ng the sixth new challenges. with latest-generation technology to once we have fruitfully achieved the have worked with four specifi c user manage the life-cycle of research, project goal, we have another tar- communities. We are now trying to pursuant to the FAIR data principles get to pursue to ensure that the pla- get more communities involved, in- (to make data fi ndable, accessible, tform will keep on running and be cluding from sectors that are not re- interoperable, reusable) of the Eu- available even after the EU ceases lated to Earth sciences, because the ropean pen Science Cloud (E - to fund the project.” r. Albani and platform can be used for several SC). “The project will end in Sep- his team are therefore working on a purposes in a number of fi elds...”. tember, but the platform is already business model that is to become su- E EREST platform ever-est.eu
Thanks to the Italian Space Agency, Italy has greatly built in Italy by Thales Alenia Space-Italy and financed by collaborated in the construction of the International Space the Italian Space Agency, make up 50% of the ISS habitable Station (ISS). Following an agreement with NASA, Italy has volume. Five Italian astronauts have been aboard the ISS. supplied three MPLM logistic modules, known as Leonardo, Umberto Guidoni has been the first European astronaut to Raffaello and Donatello, earning, consequently, the access visit the ISS, then Roberto Vittori (three missions), Paolo to six flight opportunities for ESA Italian astronauts, namely, Nespoli (three missions), Luca Parmitano and Samantha 3 short-term missions and 3 long-term ones. The Leonardo Cristoforetti (1 mission each one). Italy has carried out module, modified to become a permanent module, the about one hundred scientific experiments on board of the PMM, along with the European modules (Node 2 and Node ISS and has two ground centers, namely, ALTEC in Turin and 3), the Cupola and part of the Columbus laboratory, all Kayser Institute in Livorno, for scientific support.
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The satellite processor r in n ata irectly n b ar Italian excellence for the
arth-observation satellites produce huge amounts architecture of small-scale hardware and software solu- Eof data, which then of course need to be processed. tions for the powerful on-board processing of data. This is space industry This usually happens on the ground, but what if this ope- the subject of the EO-ALERT project, an H2020 initiati- ration were carried out directly on board the satellite it- ve that got under way in anuary of this year thanks to glo- C inte rate circuits an ules f r space techn l y self Results would be more immediate, thus more use- bal funding of . m euro. The project is coordinated by ful. To be able to do this, we need to come up with an Spain s DEIMOS Space, and involves the partners DEI- MOS Imaging, DLR Germany s Aerospace Research he region of Emilia may in the sphere of microelectronics going on to establish MEC “We Centre , the Technical University of Gra , Turin Polyte- be said to be the brains for the telecommunications sec- design and develop highly inte- chnic and OHB Italia Spa. “We deal with the hardware Tbehind “Atos”, a Horizon tor. “This new generation of ra- grated microwave integrated cir- part, designing the system”, explains Riccardo Freddi of 2020 project that kicked off a few dars is ambitious in terms of ima- cuits for use in the space sector. OHB Italia, “other partners do the rest software, algori- months ago and that has the goal ge resolution and quality, thanks ormally this activity is perfor- thms radar and optical , on-board communication, and of creating a new-generation mo- to the new technology being used med by the same foundries that so on”. The various partners will work in groups for two dule for earth-observation radars. that we have developed and ma- possess production technologies. of the three years of the project, before pooling their ef- The most advanced technologi- stered”, explains iorgio Mariani, We are therefore a unique centre forts and creating a prototype. “We are still not at a tech- cal part of the project - seeking to managing director of MEC. Why of excellence that is recognised as nological level such as be able to create a product that is integrate a number of functions has his company joined a project a leading company in the sector in market-ready the aim is to reach a point at which we will in a single chip, the heart of the like this (coordinated by Tha- Europe. Production is entrusted LEFT TRADITIONAL APPROACH have a sound base for developing a marketable product, transponder on board the satel- les-Alenia Space, which also sees to UMS, a Franco- erman foun- RIGHT INNOVATIVE EO-ALERT APPROACH re uiring as few changes as possible ”. lite is being handled by MEC the University of L Aqui- (Microwave Electronics for Com- la involved as a partner) munication Srl), a Bologna com- “We are an unusual fi rm pany founded in 200 as a spin-off in Italy”, says Mariani, of the Universities of Bologna and who was head of Tha- Ferrara, supplying the know-how les space division for The aircraft from university research centres southern Europe before of the future new enerati n c llab rati e aircraft esi n velopment of aeronautical products, with the target of a 0 reduction in time needed to develop complex, dry, of which MEC is the offi cial odern transport aircraft are now designed throu- multidisciplinary systems. Italian partners - the Univer- design house. Space is MEC s co- Mgh collaborative and multidisciplinary processes. sity of Naples Federico II and Turin Polytechnic are re business, however the expe- The challenge is to effectively put together the various providing their experience in aircraft design, alongside rience and know-how acquired skills supplied by specialist teams coming from different the company Leonardo. “The results of the project will in that sector enables us to bran- subject areas and often located in different nations. The help to optimise the supply chain of the whole aeronauti- ch out into other areas that requi- EU-funded AGILE project www. agile-project.eu is cal industry, offering lower operating costs”, explain Pier re the same skills, such as military developing a new g eneration of processes to improve air- Davide Ciampa DLR, Institute of System Architectu- and civilian telecommunications”. craft design, seeking to cut development costs and the ti- res in Aeronautics, Hamburg , Fabri io Nicolosi Naples Having these technological capa- me taken to enter the market of in- University and Marco Fioriti Tu- bilities, in recent years the fi rm novative and sustainable products. rin Polytechnic . AGILE is winner has taken part in around twenty Coordinated by DLR of Hamburg of the “ICAS Award for Innovation European projects, and has often and involving partners, inclu- in Aeronautics” 20 . been a partner of ESA (“ESA se- ding corporations, universities and es us as a key partner for spa- research centres from Europe, Ca- DANIELE VIOLATO PRO ECT OFFICER ce projects”, Mariani stresses) as nada and Russia, the project seeks INEA AND PRO ECT COORDINATOR well as Finmeccanica in the radar to speed up the collaborative de- PIER DAVIDE CIAMPA DLR I R I MARIA I sector .
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GB_pl_088.indd 88 16/07/18 10:29 GB_pl_119_RicercaeInnovazione_MEC.indd 89 16/07/18 10:34 research innovation research innovation The global market, the new frontier www.hermes-taitus.eu Viasat’s watchword is ‘diversi cation’ in the pursuit of new businesses and new distribution channels THE W R TEAM
found the company I was expecting to fi nd: in- novation-minded, in the forefront, driven by am- “Ibitious growth objectives. I found the conditions to create their own infrastructu- required to lead the roup towards globalisation.” This is Lots of space res, and they need software to do how alerio ridelli, CEO at iasat S.p.A., a company of simulations or perform other servi- the iasat roup, briefl y commented on the last two ye- ces. And for them it is very conve- ars spent with the Italian leading company engaging in nient to come across people like us, the telematics industry. iasat has been operating in the for software who can already provide them wi- LBS Location Based Services market for thirty years, du- th such software, with no fuss. This ring which it has managed to strengthen its innovation dri- enables us to offer extremely inte- ve, with the widespread distribution and support network r ucts f r ellin si ulatin resting solutions to an ever broa- across the national territory also playing a role to this end. an ali atin satellite syste s der client range, who may be space umbers at the iasat roup show an increasingly inter- agencies, corporations building sa- national focus: more than , installation centres, , tellites or working on satellites alre- of which are iasat Assistance centres, offi ces deployed fter nearly fi fteen years Agency), in 200 he founded Tai- ady in orbit, even companies acqui- in Europe and South America, company-owned opera- experience and an innova- tus, and since then has worked wi- ring satellite data”. “Hermes” will tions centres, in Italy Turin and ome employing Ative product (the softwa- th the company s staff on cutting-e- help further in this direction, hel- operators, in omania, in oland, in Belgium, in re “Sa oir”) sold to space agencies dge software in the space sector. ping to fi nance not only technolo- Bulgaria and outsourced across Europe, Africa and the all over the world, at the end of last “It is an important moment in ti- gical enhancements to the product, Middle East. A vibrant growth that ridelli relates to one ALE IO IDELLI year Rome-based company Taitus me”, Crespo stresses “space te- but also the communication and single watchword: diversifi cation. “Historically, iasat has obtained funding for a project for- chnology is going through a boom marketing activities needed to pro- been experimenting new distribution networks and sear- ming part of the H2020 “EIC (Eu- period, attracting a lot of invest- mote it, and the creation of a sales ching new businesses”, says ridelli. For example, one of ar, we invest more than million in development and in- ropean Innovation Council) pilot” ments also from the private sec- division that can market it all over the most recent agreements reached is the one entered in- novation. e are one of the rare examples of Italian excel- programme, of which it is the so- tor, in every corner of the globe, the world, through trade fairs, di- to with TIM. “ e look to the future, but we are ready to lence as rather than give in to foreign competitors, we win le benefi ciary. “Hermes” (High Ef- from Silicon alley to China. The rect contacts with clients and sun- reposition ourselves on the retail segment if the market so them over by exporting our history and our best practices.” fi ciency Real-time Multithreading various companies involved need dry events. demands. During the past few weeks, this partnership has At present, the iasat roup delivers its solutions to more Engine for Space applications) is enabled us to distribute our products in the re- than countries. How does it fare against competition the name of the project, whose aim tail stores located in as many shopping malls across the “ hat sets us apart from competition”, states proudly the is to bring up to a new technologi- country”. Another market in which the Company has gai- CEO,“ is our ability to stand by our customers from start to cal and commercial level a softwa- ned market share is waste management, where has been end. e are the only company that designs, produces and re that has been developed by the operating for the past few years through Datamove, a ia- markets its own solutions, delivers services and provides company over about ten years, con- sat roup company. During the past few weeks, Anthea, a support through its operations centres around the clock.” cerning the modelling, simulation Latina-based company also joined the roup building the However, the new frontier under ridelli s stewardship im- and validation of satellite systems. fi rst environmental E .” This has allowed us to develop plies targeting a global dimension. “After taking a leader- “This is a very important recogni- a unique solution addressing all the needs of the compa- ship position in Europe, we aim at becoming a key player tion for us, bearing out the validi- nies supplying urban hygiene and waste collection servi- on the global scene. History tells us we are innovators. To- ty of what we have been doing, and ces.” roup-wide, connected vehicles total about , , gether with our chairman, we are devising a strategy to re- specifi cally of our product”. Fe- including fl eet, insurance and car connect, while revenues ach this goal in the shortest time possibile.” After all, as the lipe Martin Crespo is understan- in stood in the region of million. Can things get roup s founder loves to say, “A dream will remain a dre- dably pleased after years collabo- better “Absolutely”, states reassuringly ridelli. “Each ye- am, until you decide to make it happen.” rating with ESA (European Space
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GB_pl_116_RicercaeInnovazione_VIASAT.indd 90 16/07/18 10:36 GB_pl_117_RicercaeInnovazione_TAITUS.indd 91 16/07/18 10:36 research innovation research innovation
Light from silicon www.fl ash-project.eu ultipurp se laser e uippe with inn ati e features A new infrastructure
he recently launched FLASH project is aimed tners that have gained extensive experience in basic as Tat creating a new type of silicon-based laser. The well as applied and industrial research. FLASH sets out to understand the project is funded by the E with a FET-O E H to build a prototype of a laser with far infrared emission grant .A. , is coordinated by the oma Tre ni- by exploiting the quantum properties of electrons confi - versity and relies on the support of major European par- ned in hundreds of very thin nanometric layers made of dynamics of planet Earth silicon and germanium that produce wells and barriers for the electrons. Silicon is the basic material used in most electronic devices currently available on the mar- A European consortium is being created in Italy to manage and ket integrating this new device into the well-establi- make available Earth science data and products shed microelectronic technology is one of FLASH s in- novation challenges. This technology will allow the laser developed by the FLASH consortium to be compact, n order to deal with the na- integrated. EPOS, working in low-priced and usable at room temperature, the latter tural events that characte- synergy with scientific commu- being a key driver for large-scale use. “ e are endea- Irise the dynamics of planet nities, has created a multidisci- vouring to build a prototype that can be applied to dif- Earth - earthquakes, volcano- plinary ICT platform allowing ferent fi elds, from security, i.e. detecting weapons and es, tsunamis, and so on - the open access to data and servi- The working principle of the FLASH laser, consisting of about explosives, to medical diagnosis, especially in relation to scientific community must be ces generated by observatories repetitions of the structure reproduced here: about skin cancer”, explains project coordinator rofessor Mo- able to share high-quality da- located in different nations. photons are generated from a single electron nica De Seta. ta and products from obser- This will allow many scienti- vation systems located in dif- sts from different fields to de- ferent countries - monitoring velop new scientific products”. networks, laboratories, obser- The second goal is to create a vatories, satellites. This appe- legal entity: a consortium to be ars to be a straightforward con- called EPOS-ERIC, based in Self-powered automotive sensors sideration, yet the process involved a new research infrastructure in or- Italy at the INGV, which will coor- is complex, as it requires the involve- der to better understand the dyna- dinate the infrastructure’s activities. ransf r in ibrati ns int ment of different scientific commu- mics of planet Earth. “The first goal The consortium will become opera- electricity with inn ati e techn l y nities from different nations, which is to make available the data produ- tional in 2019, and in 2020 data and over the years have developed dif- ced by observation systems and the services will be opened up to users. ferent standards and ways of curing services needed to manage them, Italy is also contributing to the ini- iniature wireless sensors - powered by energy har- the project,” explained professor ra iella Malandrino, and sharing data. The challenge of for scientists and other stakehol- tiative through a Joint Research Unit Mvesters - linked to cars help to recover “waste” who is coordinating the local team, with the assistance integrating data has fallen to EPOS, ders”, says Massimo Cocco of INGV, involving public research bodies and energy and recycle it into electricity within a vehicle s life of her colleague uglielmo . Condorelli. “In particu- a long-term EU initiative coordi- the project leader. “Observation sy- Universities. “This is a great challen- cycle. Instrumentation able to run on mechanical energy lar, our activity is focused on the preparation of precursor nated by Italy through INGV, wi- stems have been in place for a num- ge”, Cocco concludes, “namely ha- the kind released from vibration, for example but also compounds and the subsequent deposition of lead-free th the participation of 25 countries. ber of years in different countries, ving to guarantee access to high qua- on pyro- and photoelectric, or hybrid systems. A detai- fi lms which will be the active materials in these innova- EPOS, funded through two succes- but data have not always been ac- lity data and their mindful use on the led H project called “Enhance” www.itn-enhance. tive sensors.” sive European projects, is building cessible, or they have not been fully part of a broad user community”. com has set itself this objective, and a number of Euro- pean academies are working together to make it happen. Lead partner is the niversity of Franche-Comt , coor- dinated by professor Ausrine Bartasyte, and numerous other partner organisations. End user will be eugeot, who has the job of testing the sensors in three years ti- me. Another project partner is I STM Italian inter-uni- versity consortium for material science and technology , working from the local unit at the niversity of Catania. “ iven our long-lasting experience in the fi eld, we are dealing with the chemical and material science aspects of I STM- ICT TEAM
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GB_pl_092.indd 92 12/07/18 14:10 GB_pl_018_RicercaeInnovazione_ISTITUTO NAZIONALE DI GEOFISICA.indd 93 12/07/18 14:11 research innovation research innovation Nanotechnology Silicon carbide powering interdisciplinarity sustainable mobility An association has been active over the past he challenge o a European pro ect promoting e years to oster the dialogue among di erent the value chain bet een component stakeholders manu acturers research bodies and end users
NANOTECHNOLOGIES he objective of the “ In-Si- devices. The InSiC AP project is ARE HERE TO STAY C AP” project is to develop one of the fi rst examples of the te- innovative and reliable te- chnical and scientifi c integration of From 11 to 14 September, T chnological instruments based on two fi nancial mechanisms, one is Rome will host the third edition of NanoInnovation silicon carbide to create effi cient, European funds from the ECSE lowcost applications. Silicon carbide JU programme and the other all-I- ates hich are surely orth adding technology SiC has characteristics talian ESR funds from the Italian totyped we are now commencing to one s calendar rom to ep that make it preferable, in perspecti- Ministry of Education and Universi- the second part,” explained project tember the angallo enaissance loi ve, to the current silicon or gallium ties: this characteristic explains how coordinator, eoluca iggio. “The ster o a apien a niversity in o nitride technology. SiC, for exam- the project can count on such im- key innovative technological com- me ill play host to the third edition o anoInnovation on erence and ple, can work effi ciently and with pi- portant funding - to cover part of the ponents will be packaging, PC pro- E hibition organised by Airi and the loting capabilities at temperatures about 30 million euro of the resear- duction methods, and discrete pas- anoItaly Association ollo ing the up to 200 C, meaning lower weight ch costs - , and the many projects sive and active components based outstanding outcome o the past t o and higher performing components: partners involved - twenty in total on silicon carbide which will under- editions the event has no become the a signifi cant contribution to driving a covering four different Countries, pin the development of applications key initiative nation ide or the in potential revolution in the key sec- and coordinated by the Sicilian Mi- for the targeted project sectors.” The creasing number o stakeholders ho engage in research applied to nano tors targeted by the project applica- cro and Nano Systems Technological approach taken to the project is also technologies Industries and univer tions for electric vehicles, train, aero- istrict . “After the fi rst year, whi- innovative: “ irst and foremost, the sities research agencies and govern space and defence systems. Several ch was devoted to defi ning requi- emphasis on the value chain, at the mental institutions the relations and challenges remain to be overcome rements voltages, currents, weight, European level, through the close he development of nano- sociation. “Now we need to look contributions arising rom the con e regarding key issues like the driver dimensions and other characteristi- collaboration that we encouraged in technologies implies consi- ahead”, explains Marco Vittori An- rence here national and internatio gate, packaging, design and auxiliary cs of the new components to be pro- the project between manufacturers, nal leading personalities are e pected Tderable interdisciplinarity tisari, former research executive at to turn out ill most certainly provi end users, laboratories and resear- among different systems, something ENEA and chairman of the Asso- de some crucial insights to all o them ch bodies. Then there’s the synergy, that may not be always available in ciation since its inception. “ e are he goal is to take stock o the state o within a single project, between two the academic and industrial wor- considering expanding the Associa- the art o applied research and inno programmes which come together ld. In an effort to promote the dia- tion reach to include training even- vation as related to nanotechnologies in the end results and outcomes: the logue between the different indu- ts, since we are aware of the skills underscores pro essor arco os fi rst programme funded by ECSE si o a apien a niversity as ell stry stakeholders, in 2015 a group available across the country and we as anoItaly eputy hairman and JU and the other entirely by the Ita- of experts consisting of university are able to assess the requests co- member o the organising committee lian Ministry of Education and Uni- teachers, researchers and scientists ming from the production system, and help the debate among the di versities, which made it possible founded the NanoItaly Association. considering, among other things, erent areas o application promoting to practically double the resources Undoubtedly, the most impressive that this sector may also have a si- e changes bet een the research and available.” Ten of the project part- result attained by the Association is gnifi cant impact on employment. industrial environments he detai ners are Italian and considering that led schedule o the event is available the NanoInnovation’ conference, uring these initial years, the Ro- on nanoinnovation eu ebsite some are consortiums of universities the third edition of which will be me conference has kept us fully bu- and organisations, the impact on the staged in Rome in September fol- sy, but we hope we will also be able country, through the research bodies lowing an agreement reached with to engage in training events starting and small and medium enterprises the Italian Industrial Research As- from 2019.” involved, is signifi cant.
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GB_pl_036_RicercaeInnovazione_NANOITALY.indd 94 16/07/18 10:37 GB_pl_101_RicercaeInnovazione_DISTRETTO TECNOLOGICO.indd 95 16/07/18 10:37 research innovation research innovation
The future of graphene A complex research project opens up new Experts of materials used horizons for applications in the energy sphere under extreme conditions ow can graphene be used wi- and renewable energy. “Our resear- for other applications in the energy thin the framework of new te- ch has been conducted over a num- sector, in particular for batteries and chnologies The answer is: in a host ber of phases. As often happens, ap- super-capacitors. A European net ork ill provide of ways. Researchers have been en- plications emerge during the course services to those ho ork ith gaged for years in “Graphene la- of studies that differ from what we these particular materials gship”, one of the ongoing projects initially expect”, explains Valenti- of the ET call for emerging tech- na To ini, local head of the energy nologies. It is one of the most signi- applications sector. Research focu- fi cant European initiatives in ter- sing initially on materials for the sto- ms of budget, with an investment rage of hydrogen indicated that the of roughly 1 billion euros, and the potential of graphene in this fi eld number of persons involved 150 is still relatively far from the con- research groups from 23 countries . struction of a prototype. The work ince the last years the European Union is seriously ad- Of these, the CNR’s Istituto Na- going on at NANO has however re- dressing the issue of raw materials considered critical noscien e NANO has been pre- ceived further funding, with studies Sdue to economic and geopolitical reasons. Such mate- sent from the very outset, involved now aimed at designing graphene rials include also many materials that operate under condi- in studies on the use of graphene in sponges having controlled porosi- COMPUTER MO E O tions defi ned as “extreme”: namely, materials that are subject the fi elds of optoelectronics ty, a property that is useful NANOPOROUS GRAP ENE to particularly challenging conditions, owing to a number of reasons temperature, wear, loading, friction, corrosion . ANIE E VA ERINI These conditions are commonly reached in several techno- logical and productive sectors, ranging from transport to ma- chining, from construction to energy. The “E TREME” Concrete project, funded by the European organisation EIT Raw Ma- terials, is coordinated by the ENEA Research Centre in rin- eco friendly disi and includes nine European partners, aiming at creating a network of bodies with great expertise in this fi eld, capable Projects to nd materials that have of supporting enterprises, industries, universities or resear- less impact on the environment ch agencies operating in the considered technological are- as. “The network originates on materials classifi ed as critical for the EU, but expertise and the advanced facilities provi- he European Commission is deploying funds ded by the partners go beyond, creating a network supporting Tthrough the ori on 2020 programme to test the effi cient use of materials more broadly in the sectors of new construction materials - cement and coatings interest”, says aniele Valerini, the project coordinator. The that are more environmentally fri endly. stand aggressive environments as a result, current network is already operative, providing an array of services One recent project, which started in January 2018, testing is looking at applications in special environ- that may be even tailored to the customers’ needs: support is called “En urCrete”, Grant Agreement 0 39. ments, such as an oil gas platform, a tunnel, a dock, in the design, development and production of materials and It is coordinated by the German corporation ei- the piers of a bridge.” components, their characteri ation and functional testing, the delbergCement and includes Nuova Tesi System This is not the Venetian company’s first experience recovery and recycling of the materials, just to mention a few S.r.l., a Grigolin SpA company, as one of the part- of this kind. “ e are working on three EU projects examples. uring its fi rst three years of operation, the project ners focusing on industrial and commercial prefab at the moment www.veep-project.eu, www.ecobin- has been promoted at European level, also organi ing specifi c structures. der-project.eu, www.endurcrete.eu these are im- events and initiatives. “In ecember 2018, the funding period “The main objective of the project,” Marco Nucci, portant opportunities for us, both to learn about of the project will come to an end,” r. Valerini adds, “but the coordinator for Nuova Tesi, explained, “is to develop different contexts from our own and to anticipate E TREME network partners’ goal is to carry on providing
a new low-clinker cement with lower CO2 emissions developments in the prefabricated market. Moreo- support and offering advanced high-level services by relying and incorporating industrial by-products, including ver, these are high-value environmental projects: it on their expertise and cutting-edge infrastructure”. nano-particles with anti-corrosion properties. The is only right that operators in this sector, like oursel- urther information and contacts are available at: underlying idea is to develop solutions able to with- ves, try to improve the environment...” www.network-extreme.eu, daniele.valerini enea.it.
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GB_pl_096.indd 96 16/07/18 14:06 GB_pl_056_RicercaeInnovazione_ENEA.indd 97 10/07/18 09:15 research&innovation research&innovation We need to foster research Giorgio Parisi
ow is Italian research the well-known ‘brain drain’ issue is doing, particularly on a by no means a fantasy… “I can gi- Hscientific level? What is ve you a few emblematic examples. the current state of the art? The A couple of months ago, a presti- following pages will tell you about gious institute in London published
projects and professionals who are an international call for tenders for PH FRANCESCA MAIOLINO holding high the banner of our re- six researchers. Hundreds of young search, often coordinating – or, at scholars from all over the world ap- least, participating in – major Eu- plied. Well, the top six were all Ita- ropean projects. Yet there is always lian… Let’s move from the UK to someone ready to highlight the we- France. Let me point out that at aknesses of our system. Among the CNRS (the French equivalent them is Professor Giorgio Parisi, of our CNR, centre for national re- one of the most esteemed scienti- search), 37% of researchers are Ita- sts in the world, professor at La Sa- lian, who actually outnumber the pienza university in Rome and for French themselves.” years the only Italian physicist (to- We clearly need to reverse the gether with Carlo Rubbia) appoin- trend… “Following the law of 2008, ted as a member of the United Sta- which cut university funds by 20%, tes National Academy of Sciences no measure has been introduced and currently coordinator of an im- to turn things around, as a result of portant H2020 project called LoT- which the situation has virtually re- GlasSy, which studies the pro- mained unchanged. It’s probably a perties of low temperature glassy cultural problem, especially if you systems. He has never been one to consider that very few of our go- mince his words. vernment officials and MPs have “Let’s start from the foundations, a scientific background”. How can namely, the things that are actually we change this state of affairs? “The working well,” Professor Parisi says, entire research sector should raise “some very good research is being its voice, and not only the academic carried out in our universities, we sector, but also the industrial one, often take part in major projects and the one that crucially relies on in- we train competent PhD graduates. novation. Research features a huge And that’s where the big problem, amount of small and large agencies dures. The institution of a national inevitably associated with money, and bodies, scattered throughout agency for research was suggested shows up: considering the renow- the regions. some time ago: that would be a way ned shortage of funds, many of our We should try to sort them out and to fund research with no waste. But young brilliant scholars are forced reorganise everything in an order- then again, it would need reliable to look for jobs abroad”. Hence, ly way, setting up common proce- funding.”
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GB_pl_000_APERTURA PARISI_RIcercaeInnovazione.indd 98 05/07/18 13:52 GB_pl_000_APERTURA PARISI_RIcercaeInnovazione.indd 99 05/07/18 13:52 research&innovation research&innovation
ecoverin lan ua es urists and the oman Law igi a oo o r s r r o io ar o io ri gi g o o r r a rs a s r ia s o i i i a ris s i i s i ia ig s a
an ua es ie out i they are not s o en his o vious oman law is based chiefl y on the Digesta, or andects: a part of ustinian s Corpus iu- state ent as the startin oint o an ori inal ris civilis th century A.D. , which contains, in code form, a broad collection of tex- national interest research ro ect evelo e at the ni- ts written by oman jurists that lived in previous centuries. et in the history of law, no versity o urin - e art ent o u anistic tu ies he one has ever studied these individual works. This shortcoming is about to be remedied ro ect is calle rchi als an it entaile settin u a with the results of the project “SI - Scriptores iuris omani”, an E C Advanced rant e site an a i ital lat or that allo everyone to loo project, hosted by the Dipartimento di Scien a iuridiche , niversity La Sapien a, co- u a ictionary eaturin ter s an ronunciations o ordinated by professor Aldo Schiavone author of “The invention of law in the est”, Ei- the ialect s o en y the alser co unity hich is very naudi, , and “ ontius ilate. Deciphering a memory”, Einaudi , who has coor- co on in the area et een ie ont an al osta dinated the activities of a group of around thirty Italian and European colleagues in order his tool is e tre ely i ortant or research ut it is al- to create an unprecedented collection of works, translated, with comments and extensive so use ul or the youn er local enerations as it allo s the introductions, of the fi rst oman jurists, ordered by author and by work. “Before the ti- to retrieve or otten or s n turn this can hel s ar a me of late antiquity, law had been a creation of the jurists, not of the State” Schiavone re- virtuous circle or the recovery o tra ition says ro es- ust o inin this asic research ith the ost a van- minds us, “and the political-juridical form of a global empire was built on their writings”. sor ivio aeta coor inator o the ro ect is tea s or ce co utational lin uistic tools can lea to reat results The collection begins with a look at uintus Mucius Scaevola, a st century A.D. jurist of actually oes even urther the creation o a uro ean uni- ro aeta a e it is not y chance that startin ro the republican era credited with overseeing the creation of juridical thought as a science. versities net or or issues that are co on to lin uistic the lat or e create a start-u co any as set u as The collection, published by L Erma di Bretschneider, has the goal of publishing around inorities in the l s ill e iscusse at the u co in a s in-o o the ro ect an it has alrea y receive un s volumes. It is also hoped that a pool of universities will be able to take up the reins on ress to e hel in allinn in late u- ro a ilanese incu ator when the E funding will run out .
e syner ies et een The new mercury hu an an the environ ent thermometer o si g o r a s s a s o o o i rai a a ior i LEFT TO I HT, A TO IO CAST ILLO, LI IO IA F A I, an s allo to act ts an er or ro o- yna ics o connections et een y the end of next ovember, L I I MO ETTI, E E IO FASCI an use instru- tic-assiste aneuvers rain neurons y eans o unctio- Bthe th congress of C M ents to alter the envi- ith e tre e accuracy nal neuroi a in stu ies he sa e the international weights and mea- ron ent or create ne an control e lains stu ies ill e also er or e ith sures body will give a new defi ni- sha es r iviana etti ro a utees r etti is also irector tion for four of the seven basic units onsi erin that han the e art ent o o rain ren s an talian co any of measurement kilogram, ampere, usa e sha es rain an sycholo y a ien- s eciali e in a lie neuroscien- mole and kelvin , based on recent determinations of the Bolt mann constant”, ianfrani explains: “ e shall ehavior hat oul a niversity o o e ces an technolo ies create y the the key physics constants. The research group of the observe a spectral line in a monoatomic gas, mercury. ha en i rather than o a e visionary insi ht o r nea a- niversity of Campania “Luigi anvitelli”, coordina- e are the world-leading group in the development usin our han s e ro ect un e y vone ho recently asse a ay ted by professor Livio ianfrani, has been studying the of the primary thermometric method based on Dop- coul e irectly con- ur oal is to a ly rain ren s is lea er in the crea- question for years. Today he is in charge of a I pler broadening of a spectral line. The great novelty is necte to the tool an o erate throu- this rinci le to every ay tas s tion o ne technolo ical solutions project with the participation of Turin-based I IM the observation of the effect. e will retrieve the h it o otic sur ery currently re- usin virtual reality continues r or the in ustry an research an in and C s Florence-based ational Institute of Op- thermal energy from the shape of this line. Thus the lies on a co le technolo y that etti an investi ate ho re lace uil in o n- ran ro ucts ar- tics , which seeks to develop an experimental method project is innovative not only in terms of metrology, but allo s to trans er the natural ove- our han s ith instru ents contri- ete in taly uro e an even the for implementing the new kelvin, the fundamental unit also on account of the observation of the spectrum of ent o the han to the instru en- utes to o i y the to o ra hy an nite tates of thermodynamics. “The new defi nition is based on mercury vapours”.
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GB_pl_100.indd 100 16/07/18 10:38 CIANO_GB_pl_101.indd 101 23/07/18 14:09 research innovation research innovation From Calabria to Europe APRE rewards the best Italy info-desk
he GPPbest Life project is coming to an end. It star- Tted in 201 , coordinated Green by the Basilicata Region in Italy, urope calls, Ca- offers advisory and co- with another two Italian regions labria responds aching services to sub- as partners (Sardinia and Lazio) Eby proposing in- mit a successful proposal along with the Romanian Envi- procurement, novative products that for H2020. Several acti- ronmental Region and technical meet the societal unmet vities are offered to all partner, Rome Ecosystems Foun- needs. potential users (resear- dation. The aim is to promote the It happened inside the chers, entrepreneurs, in- sharing of “green procurement” experiences SME Instrument call ventors, citizens): match (aka GPP, Green Public Procure- for proposal, launched with call, proposal scre- ment) experiences, regulated in as part of Horizon 2020, ening, partner search, Italy (the fi rst country in Euro- that support companies FROM LEFT VERA TOMAINO, MARCO FALZETTI, check the eligibility. pe) by a specifi c action plan, da- and objectives from the feasibility study ANTONIO MAZZEI, MONICA FILICE Within CalabriaInno- ted 2008. Instruments are made of an innovative idea to va project, the results of available to local governments to the internationalization APRE Calabria actions change consumption habits and asi i a a r gio r a i of the products. work carried out over the years are identified in several SMEs bring real change to the market - ro i is rr i i g The Fincalabra help desk, called to make Calabria more competi- awarded by European Commision for example, by choosing organic APRE Calabria, aims to increa- tive, and where regional develop- with the grants of SME Instru- produce for communal dining hal- se the quality of proposal submit- ment funds are made available ment phase 1. They are innovative ls, paper from certifi ed forests, or was achieved thanks to the spe- ment. “and this allowed us greater ted in H2020. APRE Calabria is a to citizens and companies,” Re- start-up or research spin-off that energy from sustainable sources. cial approach taken. “In Basili- integration of procedures betwe- section of CalabriaInnova project gional President Mario Oliverio work from ICT solutions to bio- As a partner of the project, Basi- cata, the project was coordina- en sectors.” Worthy of note is the financed by Calabria Region with said. medial device to improve citizens’ licata offered to act as coordinator ted by the Planning and Finance strong relationship with the terri- ROP-ESFR 2014-2020 funds. The “The APRE Calabria help desk quality of life. because, with respect to the other Department rather than the En- tory, and in this regard the last of- work conducted in the year 2017 is just one example; in fact Cala- “This is for us a very significant two regions involved, it was the vironmental Department, as hap- fi cial action in the project was a was awarded as “Best APRE Help bria Region has launched seve- award, primarily because we are a one with the most ground to ma- pens in other regions, and it wor- public conference held on 2 May Desk” for the “the dedicated com- ral actions to support regional de- young help desk. - Antonio Maz- ke up in terms of planning green ked hand-in-hand with the Single in Matera, European City of Cul- mitment to a weak region like Ca- velopment”. Established in 2013, zei, Operations Director for Finca- procurement (Sardinia was one of Tendering Station in Basilicata as ture in 2019. Before an audien- labria, where tangible results we- the APRE Calabria help desk aims labra Spa, concluded - It has been the fi rst European regions to ad- part of the broader eco-reconver- ce of 100 guests, the conversation re achieved to support innovative to enhance SMEs competitive- merit of two key factors: a strong dress the issue): the Region’s aim sion of the local authority,” under- turned to how green procurement processes able to improve regional ness and to facilitate the technolo- institutional support, and the ne- was to construct and approve a lined Elio Manti, general manager would be organized, in view of this growth and opportunities”. gy transfer from research to busi- cessary professional and human green procurement plan, which of the same programming depart- important international event. “The results obtained reflect the ness. The multi-disciplinary team skills.”
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GB_pl_099_RicercaeInnovazione_REGIONE CALABRIA.indd 102 16/07/18 10:42 GB_pl_087_RicercaeInnovazione_FINCALABRA.indd 103 17/07/18 10:43 research innovation research innovation
Sharing the blue economy A editerranean l ster to en o ra e High performance b siness reati ity with a low energy impact he primary aim of the “ he- ched last February and granted Tlix ” project, an Interreg funding over 2 million euros, MED initiative involving ten the project offers a number of his is the hallen e that new ind strial ser ers and onne ted partners from the Mediterra- opportunities to all those SMEs ob e ts Io will need to eet nean area (university institutes, working in maritime-related chambers of commerce, deve- activities in the Mediter- lopment agencies, business in- ranean area that are se- ative indu- a reconfi gurable antenna. We managed to reach an cubators from Italy, Croatia, eking to revolutionise stries, throu- energy effi ciency level yet unseen on the market, France, Greece, Portugal, Spain their processes, pro- gh their expertise while retaining very high computing power capabi- and Albania) is to stimulate the ducts or services and as service providers. lities coupled with artifi cial intelligence and deep le- transnational activity of innova- enhance their compe- They will be able to arning functions”, added Stefano Serra, project par- tive regional clusters in order to titive strategies by sha- trigger creativity and innova- tner and CEO of TESEO CLEMESS Italia. And develop smart and sustainable ring knowledge and in- tion in traditional sectors of the then there is the third OPERA milestone. “The growth in the Mediterranean re- novation. This will be economy, since innovation and project aims at providing a contribution to compu- gion. fostered in part by using a creative culture are in fact ting continuum, i.e. a continuous interconnection Project coordinator is S IM, the “innovation vouchers”. viewed as being important dri- from the object to the server hosted in a datacen- Marche Region’s Regional De- A key role in this process will be vers for economic development ter so that the system may decide from time to time velopment Agency. Laun- played by cultural and cre- and job growth in local areas. whether computing tasks are to be entrusted to the IoT object or to the server. An operation that is carri- ed out using offl oading techniques, a very important aspect we are focusing on with a view to reaching a concrete implementation that may be used by re- Projects for the swine sector al users, as is the case with the Department de L’I- sere, a French public entity responsible for the ope- eneti s eterinary as e ts ooking ahead, industrial servers will have to meet ration of the road network within the renoble area.” “As rod t ality two key requirements: be low power and ensure far as STMicroelectronics and ISMB are concerned, it has Lhigh performance at the same time. To this end, been a very challenging 3 -month period, a meaningful new IT architectures need to be built and specifi c devi- experience from both a scientifi c and technical perspecti- ces ensuring excellent results with equivalent energy effi - ve, which was further enhanced by the contribution of the ciency need to be designed. This is the core objective of major industrial groups we have been working with.” the “OPERA” project, an H2020 endeavour rea- ching completion whose leading partner is the Ita- two of these projects: “Treasu- tes with natural antioxidants for lian-French company STMicroelectronics, while re”, now concluding, and “Swino- the ageing of products) and so- the scientifi c technical coordination is entrusted stics”, which has just launched. cioeconomic aspects. to the Mario Boella Higher Institute of Turin, an “The fi rst project relates to Eu- “Swinostics” is based on efforts excellence centre among Piedmont’s research fa- ropean native breeds, involving to create a new-generation dia- cilities. “The project, due to be completed in No- CAROLINA PUGLIESE mainly partners from the Medi- gnostic tool serving to detect the vember, has reached all of its goals”, underscore terranean area”, explains Profes- main swine viruses directly on project coordinators engineers iulio rlini of ST ig farming is also involved in sor Carolina Pugliese, “we are the farm. “This would be an ex- and Olivier Terzo of ISMB. “Besides In addition PEU-funded H2020 projects focusing mainly on the ‘cinta se- tremely important result” Puglie- to this, we have provided conclusive proof of the that relate to genetics, feedstuf- nese’ breed”. se concludes. “It is our job to test different industrial and academic partners’ ability fs and veterinary matters. Treasure deals with genetic the tool in the fi eld and to ma- to plan together.” The second major milestone co- The Department of Agrifood aspects, feedstuff techniques, ke suitable tests on results, wor- vered ultra low power architecture. “We designed Production and Environmen- product quality (in Florence for king in concert with the oo- a very innovative IoT prototype featuring consu- tal Sciences of the University of instance tests are being perfor- prophylactic Institutes of Latium mption rates in the region of milliwatts for both Florence is currently involved in med to replace nitrites and nitra- and Tuscany”. computing and communication tasks, integrating
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GB_pl_104.indd 104 10/07/18 09:16 GB_pl_063_RicercaeInnovazione_ISTITUTO SUPERIORE MARIO BOELLA.indd 105 05/07/18 13:56 research innovation research innovation
The economy of the future is circular Borderless technologies This is the idea uniting partners of CIRCE2020 project by ARPA Veneto and innovation European projects, events and opportunities for the young designed by he Circular Economy has beco- this new economic model in the di- ve positive effects not only on waste IDM Alto Adige Tme a very topical concept, espe- stricts involved. After a year of activi- management but also on the effi cient cially in light of the recent approval of ties a standing advisory forum has be- use of raw materials and reductions in provisions contained in the so-called en set up among stakeholders of the energy and water consumption”. “Circular Economy Package”, pre- territories involved (trade, professio- sented in December 201 by the Eu- nal, craft associations, etc.). “The next ropean Commission. ARPA eneto step is to choose pilot cases to work has been studying the question for a on over the next two years”, explain number of years, and is the coordi- Lorena Franz and Lucio Bergamin, nator of an Interreg Central Europe respectively project manager and te- project in which Austrian, Croatian, chnical manager of the project for Hungarian and Polish organisations ARPA . “The aim is to introduce a are participating alongside the ene- new economic model: we are convin- to multiutility Etra. The aim ced that taking a different ap- THE WORKING GROUP of the initiative is to promote proach to the economy can ha- www.interreg-central.eu Content.Node CIRCE2020.html IDM’s endeavours extend further. In conjunction with the European project, a dual educational program- me organised by the Free Universi- ty Bolzano is being launched in Bol- zano with the support of a group of Common fi shing automotive companies. “It is a per- fect learning-work combination, an Technology can help shermen reduce enabler for innovation. Automoti- discards ve companies have joined forces for THE 3DCENTRAL PROJECT PARTNERS common activities agreeing that the educational program is a good op- ishers - on pulling up their res) and helping fi shers to select portunity to train and recruit quali- Fnets up - have often throwned what fi sh to land. “The key cha- his is a particularly initiati- European countries. “We have iden- fied personnel. The first year of acti- back into the sea the fi sh they know racteristic of the project, - Marco ve-intense period for IDM tified 11 priority technological to- vities is due to start in September, they can’t sell. A regulation will ta- Costantini from WWF, a project Südtirol - Alto Adige, a re- pics”, explains Johannes Brunner, and students can still enrol.” On 19th T th ke effect in Europe from 1 January partner, explained - is the bot- gional business development agency project lead and head of IDM Di- and 20 September, Bolzano will al- 2019 banning such discards: pre- tom-up approach.” We sat down of the region of South Tyrol establi- gital Innovation Hub. “Each part- so play host to the 12th edition of the viously discarded species, will be with fi shers and stakeholders to shed three years ago by the Provin- ner deals with one of them (we have International Mechatronics Forum, obligatory landed and then forwar- fi nd a solution together, even or- cial Authority and the Chamber of been tasked with 3D design), gathe- to be staged in Italy for the first time.
PH: WWF CLAUDIA AMICO PH: WWF CLAUDIA ded to other markets, from co- ganizing interesting exchange trips Commerce of Bolzano. To start wi- ring excellences across the territory “It will be held in the new technolo- smetics to animal feed. This is to various countries to fi nd the bet- th, the company is a leading part- and then showing them to the other gy parks called NOI Techpark whi- somewhat “revolutionary” and dif- ter solutions” The results were en- ner of an Interreg Central Europe partners through a number of events ch was inaugurated a year ago. We fi cult to digest for some, especial- couraging: “Working together, we project called 3DCENTRAL, who- staged in different local areas. After focus on Industry 4.0 and artificial ly fi shermen working in the Medi- came up with several solutions, se goal is to compare the innovati- two years of efforts, we are very ple- intelligence as we aim at creating a terranean. For this reason, the EU which now have to be rolled out ve experiences of a number of dif- ased with our work: we have rea- bridge between the economic and has funded the “Minouw” project in practice. In this project, it was ferent entities (technology parks, ched important goals, training ne- scientific world of the German area to fi nd a way to use technology to important for fi shers to be treated universities, public partners, busi- arly 300 people and with hundreds and Italian area, with special empha- make selective fi shing possible (for as peers with the researchers and nesses, research institutes, enterpri- of stakeholders turning out at the sis on Italy’s north-eastern cluster”, example, by changing nets structu- other stakeholders. se networks) from different Central events we have staged.” However, concludes Brunner.
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GB_pl_106.indd 106 16/07/18 10:44 GB_pl_011_RicercaeInnovazione_IDM.indd 107 16/07/18 14:07 research innovation research innovation The fl exibility of productive Production processes with no defects
One single recon gurable workstation for different types of assembling How to improve the quality of multi stage
ne single, semi-automa- vious solution, but it’s actually an That is exactly why the E has production processes PORTABLE LASER SCANNER tic workstation consisting innovative and articulate project, funded an H2020 project called FOR ALIGNING ADJACENT PARTS Oof specifi c and replicable based on the structured integra- “ReCaM”, which features indu- modules, allowing the operator to tion (which is the real added va- strial giant Bosch as the leading swiftly carry out the entire assem- lue) of software and hardware to- partner. Among the other partners bling process. A workstation that ols: modelling of products and of the project we fi nd Cosberg, a roduction lines represent search and innovation at Loccioni, to Politecnico de Braganca, UNI- is also fl exible and reconfi gurable resources, planning and optimisa- Bergamo-based company that has the operational founda- “this allows to increase the flexibi- NOVA). so that it may be used for diffe- tion, control and quick reconfi gu- been engaging in the automation Ptions of most businesses: lity of production, the quality of The project is half-way and has alre- rent types of assembling. It might ration in fl exible productive pro- industry for over thirty years. “We their functioning must obviously products and of the production ady achieved concrete results. “Two sound like the most simple and ob- cesses. have reached the fi nal stage of the be constantly monitored and, pos- process, while reducing waste and patent applications have been sub- project. We are currently building sibly, improved. That’s the focus of production costs”. The project in- mitted, by the Polytechnic Univer- a prototype to be used for assem- the “GO0DMAN” H2020 project, volves nine partners from seve- sity of Marche, for two very intere- bling hydraulic valves. This can be coordinated by Loccioni, an Italian ral European countries, operating sting measurement systems. One is the starting point for future disse- company based in the Marche re- in different sectors, including so- a portable laser scanner for the ali- mination and strategic exploitation gion that has been working for 50 me big industries (Volkswagen Au- gnment of adjacent parts, the other actions. Indeed, the goal is to en- years in the quality control field. toeuropa, Electrolux Profesional, is a telecentric lens for the detection gineer solutions and make them “The goal is to reach zero defects Zannini) as end users of the te- of defects in high-precision machi- vertical so as to meet market de- in a production line, where con- chnologies to be developed, tech- nery components”. There is rea- mands”, says Mauro Viscardi, head trols are distributed along the line nological partners with a specific son to believe that significant goals of projects and innovation at Co- itself, using intelligent measure- know-how (BOC, Nissatech) and can be achieved in the manufactu- sberg. ment systems and Data and Know- universities, for the development ring sector by managing the data The complexity of the work carried ledge Management techniques,” of a new field of expertise (Polyte- generated by the sensors distribu- out by the nine partners (which in- says Cristina Cristalli, head of re- chnic University of Marche, Istitu- ted along the production line, fol- clude two more Italian bodies: the lowing the paradigms of Industry Milan Polytechnic and EnginSoft) 4.0. “This was the first time Loccio- lies in the integrated development ni has coordinated such an impor- between the different working mo- tant European project, although we dules. “The real novelty is the ho- have taken part in others. Our co- listic approach in designing a glo- re business has been always based bal process solution. Creating such on innovation, measuments and da- a system required the combina- ta: that’s why we accepted to be the tion of complementary solutions, lead partner and the integrator of mechanical and management to- the project. A challenging and en- ols, specifi cally-designed software, riching task that allows us to grow and concretely implementing all of while contributing to the creation of them in a semi-automatic worksta- an increasingly sustainable and effi- tion consisting of mechatronic mo- cient industry”. dules. Cosberg has actually crea- ted the physical prototype: for us it *GO0DMAN is an Innovation Action has been an intense and enriching project partially financed by the Horizon experience, which we will put to 2020 programme of the European Union good use in our automatic assem- in the call FOF-03-2016 (Grant Agree- THE WOR IN RO P bling machines”. GO0DMAN PROJECT ARCHITECTURE FOR DISTRIBUTED QUALITY CONTROLS ment No. 723764)
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GB_pl_043_RicercaeInnovazione_COSBERG SPA.indd 108 16/07/18 10:44 GB_pl_031_RicercaeInnovazione_GRUPPO LOCCIONI.indd 109 16/07/18 14:08 research&innovation research&innovation Research goes “pink” aolo eronesi
he common notion is that Italy has top-notch resear- Tchers, but lacks the due pu- blic funds (which are below the EU average). Those who can, address the problem by directly promoting locating resources over the past five Italy. If women do not screen, de- himself during the last decade, fea- research themselves. That’s the ca- years to fund medical research and tecting tumours in their early stage tures a number of initiatives suppor- se of Fondazione Veronesi, founded to promote, among women, heal- is almost impossible...”. Among the ting oncology and women, including in 2003 by the renowned oncologist thy lifestyles and adequate preven- several prevention initiatives pro- health and educational programs Umberto Veronesi. Since he pas- tion. “From a medical and scienti- moted by Fondazione Veronesi, it is against Breast and Cervical Cancers sed away, two years ago, the foun- fic standpoint, we are making huge worth mentioning the ‘Running Te- in Palestine, Jerusalem, Congo, Gui- dation has been chaired by his son, progress,” Dr. Veronesi says, “both am Pink is good’: a group of women nea, Haiti… “In Afghanistan too we Paolo, and it continues to promote in terms of prevention and surgery/ who underwent breast surgery and have set up an outpatient surgery fa- prevention and research, while rai- mastectomy. Today, chemotherapy – participate in the world’s foremost cility where mammographies and sing public awareness in the medical while remaining necessary – is much marathons (including the New York biopsies can be performed, with the and scientifi c fi elds. “In our own ri- less invasive than it used to be, and marathon), showing that it is possi- radiology and lab staff being trained ght, we try to counter the so-called its side effects can be kept under ble to live life to the fullest even after in Italy - Dr. Veronesi tells us -, today brain drain,” the chairman says, “al- control more easily. However, it is undergoing this kind of surgery. the facility performs 1,200 mammo- lowing researchers to work – more just as important to promote preven- The Fondazione’s activities in favour graphies per year. In poor or under- than 1,400 since inception – paying tion among women. In the regions of of women extend beyond national developed areas, such as the ones I them a good wage and pursuing se- northern Italy, prevention is already borders. The international project mentioned, minor interventions can veral types of projects, which they quite widespread, while the situation called Science for Peace, which was save the lives of thousands of wo- can contribute to.” Such as the ones isn’t as good in central and southern established by Umberto Veronesi men...”. on tumours affecting women (breast cancer and cancer of the female re- productive system). The project Pink is good has been al-
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GB_pl_000_APERTURA VERONESI_RicercaeInnovazione.indd 110 12/07/18 14:12 GB_pl_000_APERTURA VERONESI_RicercaeInnovazione.indd 111 12/07/18 14:12 research innovation research innovation A research that meets the needs of society The EU encourages the adoption of the RRI principles
RI (Responsible Research coordinated by the Biology De- THIS PROJECT HAS RECEIVED FUNDING FROM THE EUROPEAN UNION’S HORIZON 2020 RESEARCH AND INNOVATION PROGRAMME and Innovation) is a poli- partment of Rome’s Tor Vergata UNDER GRANT AGREEMENT NO. 709517 Rtical strategy that aims at university, is about: its goal is to increasing the intensity and quali- implement action plans aimed at vement of the stakeholders, on all ty of interaction between scientific achieving structural change (pur- levels of research and innovation. research and society. Indeed, for suant to RRI standards) in six Eu- “The project is half way through,” the European Commission this is ropean institutions working in the says the coordinator, Prof. Vittorio FRANC SCA PIST AT one of the transversal basic topics field of biosciences. The experien- Colizzi. “During the initial phase, of the Horizon 2020 programme: ce gathered will be used to draft following meetings with busines- the goal is for research and innova- guidelines and develop a structu- ses, private citizens, students and tion to optimally meet the needs, ral change model in the RRI sphe- researchers from several fields, The alternatives values and expectations of society. re in Europe and elsewhere, with the Tor Vergata team identified, The goal of RRI is to change the the project also benefitting from among other things, environment, status quo by directly acting on re- the participation of partners ope- diet/nutrition and gender diffe- search institutions, activating fra- rating in the U.S., South Africa rences as some of the biological to animal testing mework processes so as to deeply and Brazil. In particular, one of and social factors that mostly re- modify their culture, values, ru- the main risks for European rese- quire the attention of the scienti- he E has been investing in alternatives to us: here we are really able to ta- les and procedures with referen- arch is its inadequate link with so- fic world, particularly biosciences. ke the best bits of research, co- ce to five fundamental issues: pu- ciety. In order to tackle this pro- Environment and nutrition are ani al testing for over t enty years ordinate and validate alternative blic commitment, gender equality, blem, research must be more in factors (human exposome) that methods, increase the predictivi- educational paths, free access to line with the needs and values of contribute to a balanced human esting on animals such as of human stem cells consisting ty of testing and foster dialogue data and ethical standards. That’s society, which means – from the well-being or, vice-versa, can trig- mice, rats, rabbits and fi sh of different cell types and in sili- with our stakeholders”. what the “STARBIOS2” project, RRI standpoint – a greater invol- ger diseases...” Tis still widespread in u- co computer modelling. Using al- The battle has not yet been won rope in a number of fi elds. Yet for ternative approaches it is possible however. “Although fi ndings from more than twenty years the uro- to gain a better understanding of researches confi rm the validity of FIRST MEETING OF ALL STARBIOS2 pean Union has been investing in modulated molecular and cellu- new models, there is still a wide- PARTNERS, JUNE 2016 research to come up with alterna- lar mechanisms following exposu- spread mindset, particularly in tives to animal testing. The resul- re to a given chemical substance, the biomedical research sector, ts have been encouraging: in 201 unlike animal testing, in which that continues to focus on animal this sort of testing was banned in the “guinea pig” is exposed to a testing when studying human pa- urope in the cosmetics sector substance to observe the effects, thologies and creating new dru- (unfortunately it is still allowed in but without understanding why”. gs, even though results are unsa- many parts of the world). Francesca Pistollato implemen- tisfactory”. In the toxicology sector research ts such models based on the use It appears to be a question of cul- work has steered testing towards of human cells in the U referen- ture: “In the near future we ha- alternative methods. “In many ce laboratory for alternatives to ve to abandon the animal testing cases it is possible to avoid in vi- animal testing ( UR CVA ) model and adopt more relevant vo testing on animals and move hosted by the uropean Com- methods for human beings”, Pi- towards new in vitro cellular mo- mission’s Joint Research Centre stollato concludes. “This is what dels, for instance through the use (JRC). “This is a vital centre for our projects are aimed at”.
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GB_pl_008_RicercaeInnovazione_EUROPEAN COMMISSION JOINT RESEARCH CENTRE.indd 112 04/07/18 14:51 GB_pl_035_RicercaeInnovazione_UNIROMA COLIZZI.indd 113 12/07/18 14:12 research innovation research innovation
At the heart of the brain ontrolling and onitoring rain acti it using ne lo in asi e instru ents
he mechanisms of communication between cells inside the brain are hybrid, Tmeaning that they are based on both chemical and electrical signals. Optoge- netics is a recent science combining optical and genetic techniques to control and monitor neural activity by means of light pulses. In this framework, and to gain a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying central nervous system disor- ders, it is important to develop low-invasive technologies that can record and mo- nitor these signals across several brain regions at the same time. This is the goal being pursued by the MODEM’ (GA 677683) project funded by the European Research Council as part of the H2020 research and innovation programme of the European Union, whose benefi ciary is the Italian Institute of Technology, which is based in Lecce at the Biomolecular Nanotechnology Centre (CBN) and enjoys collaborations in Genoa, Rovereto and with the Harvard Medical School. “The project will last fi ve years and we have been working on it for a little more than one FROM LEFT PROFESSOR ORAZIO SCHILLACI AND DOCTOR AGOSTINO CHIARAVALLOTI year and a half”, explain staff at the Lecce-based CBN. “The real innovation consi- AN E AMPLE OF A TAPERED AND sts of designing multifunctional devices able to control and detect simultaneously LO -INVASIVE DEVICE USED TO both electrical and chemical signaling, something we are experimenting on animal ILLUMINATE DIFFERENT REGIONS Monitoring models. The project will also provide neuroscientists with new instruments to stu- OF THE BRAIN. SCALE BAR dy how the brain works.” REPRESENTS 00 MICROMETERS patients at home Nanotechnologies A shared platform to boost home monitoring for cell therapy t is known as ‘home monitoring’ of Tor Vergata in Rome. “We follow as PET and SPECT with new spe- and it may well soon become up a sample of patients affected by cific radiotracers are performed at T o European pro ects foster the application Ithe future of medical monito- Parkinson’s disease”, explain Orazio Tor Vergata Hospital instead. The of ste cells for therapeutic uses ring. Patients take their own measu- Schillaci, Department Head of the project is expected to be completed OR ING GROUP rements from home using specific Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, by Summer 2019. instruments (wrist bracelets, scales, and Agostino Chiaravallotti, resear- “The ultimate goal is to use this sha- seeks to develop an automated pla- two projects involve multidiscipli- blood pressure cuffs) and share the cher and Project Head for the Ro- ring system on a large scale”, con- tform for the controlled, large-sca- nary research groups, including en- data immediately through a specific me-based University. The benefits clude Schillaci and Chiaravalloti. le production of stem cells to be gineers, physicians, biologists as platform using a simple tablet. This accruing to the patients from the- “The benefit we expect to see is a used in clinic setting. According to well as high-biotechnologies com- will allow the doctor to access all the se new procedures are manifold, as multifaceted one, i.e. improving the Chiara Gentili and Maddalena Ma- panies, from fi ve different coun- information independently and gain they feel they are followed up mo- quality of work, streamlining time- strogiacomo, two researchers from tries. The goal of these projects is a full picture before visiting the pa- re closely, their medical records are frames for diagnoses or treatment egenerative medicine and the- the Department of Experimental the development of a certifi ed au- tient, with the same information also always up to date and can be acces- adjustments. Moreover, if applied Rrapies using stem cells offer Medicine of the University of Ge- tomated production of stem cells being available to any other specia- sed by the doctor at any time, whi- on a large scale home monitoring unique opportunity for the treat- noa, “The goal is to generate new to be used in therapy and the de- list involved. The platform is called le family members are trained in or- could have an impact on the fre- ment of a wide range of pathologies. methods of selection and expan- velopment of nanoparticles able to ‘Picaso’- just like the Horizon 2020 der to provide their contribution. quency of the patients’ visits for ea- However, the mechanisms involved sion to cultivate stem cells using target the stem cells produced, al- project coordinated by the presti- From an operational perspective, ch type of disorder, adjusting them in the healing processes induced by an innovative bioreactor”. The in- lowing them to be followed in the gious Fraunhofer Institute of San- the research conducted by the Ro- based on the different health condi- stem cells are still far to be totally terest of these two researchers in patient through innovative imaging kt Augustin, Bonn - and is made up me-based pool enjoys the support of tions and reducing the need to go to understood, making the approval of the distribution of stem cells in vi- systems. For more information: of eight European partners, inclu- the Santa Lucia Foundation, where the hospital carrying a huge amount stem cells-based therapies diffi cult. vo have led them to win a second www.autostem2020.eu ding the Department of Biomedici- examinations take place. Advanced of medical documents on each vi- The H2020 AUTOSTEM project H2020 project, STARSTEM. The www.starstem.eu ne and Prevention of the University medical imaging examinations such sit...”
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GB_pl_114.indd 114 12/07/18 14:15 GB_pl_075_RicercaeInnovazione_BIOMEDICINAEPREVENZIONE.indd 115 10/07/18 09:16 research innovation research innovation
The fi ght against diabetes A n mber of ropean pro e ts are see ing to a t on beta ells Aim at the heart he sear h for nlimited d ration re is around three and a half million. This disease is regenerating aorti al es the cause of around 20,000 deaths each year. How can we tackle these trends Of ongoing researches, three H2020 projects are worthy of mention (respectively Genoma (which is immunogenic project for the University of Pa- “Innodia”, “T2DSystems” and “Rhapsody”), in which and triggers rejection, making su- dua, Italy, together with Giovan- the University of Pisa- Pisa University Hospital is a par- ch valves perishable), we could ni Stellin. Now that the knotty au- tner one on type 1 diabetes (an autoimmune disea- obtain optimal valve substitutes, thorisation phase is over, in Padua se, which affects mainly youngsters) and two on type 2 with a potentially unlimited dura- too everything is set for the fi nal diabetes (more common among adults and elderly per- tion. This research underlies the stage the implantation of the val- sons). “The key point is the central role played by be- ‘ARISE’ project, led by the Car- ves in patients. “We are telling ta cells diabetes rears its head when they stop working diovascular Surgery Centre of them there is no certainty about and die. So our main goal is to seek strategies that can the University of Hannover, Ger- the unlimited duration of the val- PIERO MARCHETTI prevent or reduce the damage suffered by these cells”, many. ve, yet we are optimistic, becau- explains Professor Piero Marchetti, head of projects The only Italian partner in the se the clinical results obtained in for the Pisa centre, which is also very much engaged project is the Pediatric and Con- Germany have proved that these ccording to recent fi gures released by the Inter- in pancreas transplants. “Important scientifi c and clinic genital Cardiovascular Surgery valves are much better than the Anational Diabetes Federation, 25 million peo- results can be achieved if we operate in interdiscipli- Unit at the University Hospital traditional prostheses”. A positive ple around the world have diabetes forecasts point to nary working groups, which include a number of phar- of Padua. Over the past years, outcome would be a miracle cure, a rise to 29 million by 20 5. In Italy the fi gu- maceutical companies”. the project ‘ESPOIR’ proved the especially for children and young feasibility of this operation wi- patients, who would no longer re- th the pulmonary valve. “ARISE quire subsequent surgery throu- is about the aortic valve, which ghout their lives. “However, it is far more complex”, says Mas- will take more than ten years to Holding ageing simo Padalino, in charge of the reach a fi nal clinical outcome”. at bay n Europe, some 5,000 aor- A resear h stemming from chondrial DNA and membranes, triggering a mal- tic valves are replaced every the st d of mito hondria function in the entire organism. One of the ma- Iyear. The current prosthe- croscopic consequences is, indeed, ageing. The tic valves present limitations re- MINGLE project studies aspects of mitochondrial lated to necessity for chronic (for hat makes us age One of the causes invol- biology linked to ageing. “The mitochondria that mechanical valves), or short time Wves mitochondria, organelles found in ani- must be best preserved are those of specific cells, (for “biological” valves) anticoa- mal and plant cells. Each mitochondrion contains the gametes,” says Dr. Liliana Milani, principal in- gulation therapy. Neither of the its own DNA mitochondria have evolved from cel- vestigator at the University of Bologna, “they must current prostheses allows for in- ls that had previously invaded contain undamaged mitochon- dividual regeneration. Homograft larger cells, initially forming a dria in order for healthy off- valves have been used for several symbiosis with them and then spring to be generated at fer- years now these human cardiac becoming one. tilisation”. valves come from donors, they Their most renowned function Some features of such mito- are physiological and do not re- is that of generating energy via chondria allow them to stay quire anticoagulation treatment. a process called cellular respi- ‘healthy’ longer. However, their duration is limi- ration, which also produces hi- “The goal of the research is to ted, hence the patients need to ghly reactive molecules called understand how functional mi- undergo further surgery throu- free radicals. An excess quan- tochondria can be passed from ghout their lives. If it were possi- tity of free radicals contributes one generation to another...”, ble to extract the DNA from the- to the deterioration of mito- LILIANA MILANI concludes the researcher. se valves, depriving them of the
ARISE VALVE 11 PLATINUMPLATINUM - July 2018
GB_pl_116.indd 116 16/07/18 10:45 GB_pl_038_RicercaeInnovazione_UNIVERSITA DI PADOVA.indd 117 17/07/18 14:43 Founded in 1951 to foster dialogue between scientists Over 40 administrative and technical committees around the world and support international coopera- support the Federation in its mission to advance tion in all space-related activities, the IAF continues to knowledge about space and to foster the develop- connect space people worldwide. ment of space assets by facilitating global coopera- tion. The Federation is the world’s leading space advocacy body with over 340 members, including all key space At its annual International Astronautical Congress agencies, companies, societies, associations and insti- (IAC) and other thematic conferences, the IAF brings tutes across 68 countries. its multidisciplinary and international network to life.
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