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Il workshop vuole rappresentare un momento di incontro e confronto per l’intera comunità dell’istituto, per quella scientifica e per quella tecnico-amministrativa insieme, con l’obiettivo di favorire la conoscenza reciproca tra il personale, valorizzare le diverse competenze e aree di ricerca presenti nell’Istituto, promuovere le collaborazioni e integrare momenti di approfondimento scientifico con temi trasversali e gestionali.
Il workshop intende inoltre contribuire al rafforzamento della coesione interna, promuovendo un dialogo costruttivo, partecipato e orientato alla condivisione.
The transition towards a circular carbon economy requires catalytic technologies capable of converting captured CO₂ into fuels, energy carriers and valuable chemicals using renewable hydrogen. Achieving this goal calls for efficient and selective processes that integrate carbon recovery, energy storage and the production of industrially relevant molecules. Despite considerable progress, the rational design of catalysts combining high activity, controlled selectivity, long-term stability and efficient resource use remains an open challenge. Within this framework, CO₂ methanation and selective hydrogenation are promising routes for producing synthetic methane, CO, methanol, light olefins and other valuable building blocks ⦋1⦌.
Addressing this challenge requires a deeper understanding of the relationships among catalyst properties, reaction conditions and process performance. Current research therefore focuses on heterogeneous gas-phase CO₂ conversion, with particular emphasis on methanation and selective hydrogenation. Catalytic behaviour is governed by the relationship of metal dispersion, metal-support interactions, redox properties, surface basicity, oxygen mobility, defect concentration and the evolution of active phases under operating conditions. These features also affect competing and deactivation pathways, including reverse water–gas shift, carbon formation, sintering and catalyst restructuring. Catalyst composition alone is therefore insufficient to establish reliable structure-activity relationships or predict selectivity and long-term stability .
Future developments could arise from integrating experimental catalysis with advanced characterization, multiscale modelling and data-driven methods. In situ and operando techniques could provide direct information on oxidation states, surface intermediates, active interfaces and structural changes under realistic reaction environments. Combined with electronic-structure calculations, these observations could clarify CO₂ and H₂ activation, oxygen-vacancy stability and the energetics of intermediates involved in methanation and selective hydrogenation.
Machine-learning and multivariate approaches could further support catalyst development by correlating synthesis parameters, physicochemical descriptors, operating conditions and catalytic performance. These tools could identify the variables controlling conversion, selectivity, stability and regenerability, guide the selection of new formulations and make catalyst development more efficient and knowledge-driven. Multi-objective optimization would be particularly valuable, since conditions maximizing CO₂ conversion may not coincide with those favouring selectivity, energy efficiency or catalyst lifetime.
Within a circular perspective, this integrated approach could connect renewable H₂ production, CO₂ capture and catalytic conversion into synthetic fuels or higher-value products. Low-impact preparation methods and waste-derived or locally available materials could further reduce the environmental footprint. Achieving this vision requires a shared effort combining scientific, technical and organizational competences across the Institute. Closer interaction among catalysis, spectroscopy, materials science, computational modelling, data analysis and process development could promote the exchange of methods, facilities and expertise. This integrated approach could therefore help identify complementary skills and lay the foundations for shared experiments, interdisciplinary activities and joint project proposals, while strengthening a more connected research community around common environmental and energy challenges.
References
⦋1⦌ Consentino L, González-Castaño M, et al. Insights into the reactivity of Ni-La catalysts for CO₂ methanation. Journal of CO₂ Utilization. 2025; 95: 103076. DOI: 10.1016/j.jcou.2025.103076.
⦋2⦌ Consentino L, Deganello F, et al. Hydrogen production from chemical looping reforming of methane: A screening of Ni-based oxygen carriers. Applied Catalysis B: Environment and Energy. 2026; 381: 125819. DOI: 10.1016/j.apcatb.2025.125819.
Red Blood Cell-derived Extracellular Vesicles (RBC-EVs) are biogenic nanoparticles, secreted by cells, with hemoglobin (Hb) representing almost 90% of the total protein content. [1,2] Due to their extremely high selectivity and intrinsic biocompatibility, EVs are currently regarded as the most promising platform for drug delivery in several medical research fields such as personalized cancer treatment. [3] In this work, we present the current progress of our spectro-microscopy investigation of RBC-EVs loaded with the chemotherapy drug cisplatin (CisPt). [4,5,6] This drug can strongly interact with hemoglobin, promoting the formation of Hb−Pt complexes and the release of the heme group. [7] To highlight the localization of CisPt inside the RBC-EVs, and to probe the occurrence of chemical interactions, we have performed XANES investigation with spatial resolution of about 50 nm at the I14 beamline of the Diamond Light Source. Preliminary fine‑tuning of surface decoration was performed at ISMN through iterative substrate functionalization, EV deposition, and scanning probe microscopy, ultimately converging on samples optimally suited for measurements at I14. Our results, which are challenging to obtain with conventional techniques used for the EVs, could significantly enhance the understanding of the cisplatin loading process and its mechanism of action, thus paving the way for future advancements in the application of RBC-EVs.
References
[1] K. Thangaraju et al., Int. J. Mol. Sci. 22(1), 153 (2021).
[2] S. Biagiotti et al., Pharmaceutics 15(2), 365 (2023).
[3] N.D. Eliack et al., Metallomics 6, 2126–2133 (2014).
[4] A. Musicò et al., Nanoscale Adv. 5, 4703–4717 (2023).
[5] A. Ridolfi et al., J. Extracell. Vesicles 12, 2022.07.19.500441 (2023).
[6] E. Schulz et al., European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics 146 (2020), 55.
[7] R. Mandal et al., Chem. Res. Toxicol. 17, 1391–1397 (2004).
Metallic artworks are highly susceptible to rapid deterioration driven by complex chemical and electrochemical reactions. These processes are triggered by several environmental factors, including temperature, humidity, oxygen and concentration of airborne corrosive species. Materials design can significantly contribute to the preservation of metallic cultural heritage by enabling the development of advanced protective coatings capable of isolating artifacts from external aggressive agents. However, coatings intended for precious artistic and historical objects must meet stringent requirements: they must be highly transparent and preserve the original appearance of the surface; they must be easy and safe to apply and remove; they must provide effective barrier properties against corrosive species, and retain all these properties over a long service life.
In this contribution, we present our ongoing efforts conducted within the EU GREENART project in the design, development and validation of sustainable protective coatings based on biopolymers derived from natural and/or waste resources and containing green functional additives such as corrosion inhibitors and nanofillers [1,2]. We aim to highlight the main challenges and open research questions associated with the development of sustainable conservation materials for metallic heritage. Our ultimate goal is to further improve our current coating technologies, which already demonstrate a high level of technological readiness, by enhancing their effectiveness through the introduction of additional functionalities.
In particular, we address the intrinsic hydrophilicity of many biopolymer-based coatings, which limits their barrier performance in highly humid environments. Strategies such as the incorporation of nanofillers to enhance hydrophobicity are promising, but still require systematic investigation to balance effectiveness with transparency and reversibility. The second challenge concerns the long-term chemo-physical stability of biopolymer coatings. Mitigating degradation induced by light exposure or radical processes remains an open issue, particularly when strict aesthetic requirements must be fulfilled.
Furthermore, a significant open question concerns the in-depth understanding of the complex interactions between corrosion inhibitors and metal surfaces, which can seriously compromise their efficacy if not properly assessed. The performance of inhibitors is strongly influenced by the geometry and chemistry of their adsorption, which vary depending on the metal type, surface condition, and oxidation state (e.g., cleaned or patinated surfaces). A deeper insight into these interfacial mechanisms is essential to ensure reliable protective performance.
Finally, we propose to broaden the applicability of these biopolymer-based systems beyond metallic substrates to encompass other classes of materials. This perspective opens new opportunities, but also raises additional questions regarding compatibility, durability, and functional performance across different contexts.
[1] Boccaccini F., Giuliani C., et al. Toward a Green and Sustainable Silver Conservation: Development and Validation of Chitosan-Based Protective Coatings. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2022; 23(22):14454. 10.3390/ijms232214454
[2] Boccaccini F., Pascucci M., et al. Sustainable biopolymers as protective coatings against indoor corrosion of bronze: A comparison among alginate, carboxymethyl cellulose, chitosan and pectin. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules. 2026; in press. 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2026.153088
Early diagnosis can significantly improve the prognosis of severe diseases such as neurodegenerations. In collaboration with the research groups of Dr. Pappalardo (CNR-IC Catania) [1] and Dr. Scalese (CNR-IMM Catania) [2] and within the SAMOTHRACE project, a supramolecular KLVFF/graphene oxide/cyclodextrin assembly was developed for the selective recognition of amyloid β 42 peptide [3] which is a biomarker of Alzheimer’s disease. This material was integrated into screen-printed gold electrodes for miniaturized electrochemical analyses exploiting the ferrocene-KLVFF conjugate as probe. Despite the innovative approach and the promising results from the cyclic voltammetry (CV) technique, there is still room for sensibility improvement passing from the current μM to pM/nM range. Electrode optimization in terms of morphology, configuration, functionalization extent and fabrication could: i) increase the coating and reduce the variability at the diffusion layer, ii) improve stability, short- and long-term repeatability, iii) enable more sensitive techniques such as differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) and square wave voltammetry (SWV). Improvements like these would bring the TRL more close to a real biosensor for neurodegeneration. Furthermore, tailoring the functionalization of ferrocene with different targeting units may enable the detection of other biomarkers for more precise and accurate diagnostics considering the multifactorial nature of such complex diseases. In this context, a research opportunity could be the development of an array of biosensors targeting different biomarkers to assess the neurodegeneration state. This project would exploit the consolidated and emerging competences within our institute in terms of nanofabrication, surface characterization, electrochemistry, microfluidics and microscopy. The proposed design is a device made of an array of electrochemical cells fabricated by lithography and interconnected via a microfluidic system. Assisted by advanced thin layer deposition approaches, each working electrode is functionalized with ferrocene-ligand probes designed for different biomarkers of neurodegeneration exploiting the previously reported supramolecular approach [3]. Following an in-dept study of chemical interactions in a controlled colloidal environment (UV/Vis, CD, FT-IR, Raman, NMR spectroscopies, X-Ray scattering and DLS analysis) the functionalized platform will be characterized before and after the interaction with the biomarker by complementary surface techniques such as scanning probe and electron microscopies coupled with FT-IR and Raman spectroscopies, XPS and ToF-SIMS. The sensing performances and the more appropriate electrochemical technique will be evaluated in spiked solutions. Once that the device has reached sufficient maturity, future tests in relevant and operational environments could be considered in a collateral project following the approvals form ethic and regulatory committees for the use of real samples coming from patients or in vivo neurodegeneration models.
[1] Mazzaglia A, Di Natale G, et al. KLVFF oligopeptide-decorated amphiphilic cyclodextrin nanomagnets for selective amyloid beta recognition and fishing. J. Colloid Interface Sci. 2022; 613:814-826. 10.1016/j.jcis.2022.01.051
[2] Scuderi V, Turnaturi R, et al. KLVFF Functionalized Graphene Oxide for Aβ42 Peptide Electrical Detection: A Promising Nanomaterial for the Development of Alzheimer's Disease Diagnostic Devices. Small. 2026; 21:2503488. 10.1002/smll.202503488
[3] Nocito G, Scuderi V, et al. A supramolecular KLVFF/graphene oxide/cyclodextrin assembly for selective recognition of amyloid β 42 peptide. Int. J. Biol. Macrom. 2026; 372:153002. 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2026.153002
With the present advances in electronics and rising functional demands, heat flux in electronic systems has increased significantly over the past decade.1 Data centers illustrate this, with roughly 1,200 in Europe and 5,000 in the United States.2 Reliability and power consumption depend on effective thermal management, yet active cooling remains mostly limited to liquid systems. The IRDS identifies thermal management as a major challenge, especially for power electronics.3
Thermoelectrics materials (TE) allow to build solid-state coolers without any moving part; when TE are CMOS-compatible or suitable for heterogenous integration, are key ingredients for sustainable computing and low-power Internet of Things applications. However, the required material properties differ depending on the target application: energy generation requires high ZT with low k to preserve the thermal gradient, while thermal management needs a decent k to exploit passive cooling as well.
Here, we present three examples on how TE allow to deal with these challenges. For each of them, we combine band-structure and electron–phonon coupling parameters with the Boltzmann Transport Equation to capture the transport physics and benchmark the results against experimental data.
1 A. Heydari et al., Appl. Therm. Eng. 239, 122122 (2024).
2 kpmg.com/ie/en/home/insights/2024/09/data-centres-in-europe-strategy.html.
3 IEEE, IRDS “Systems and Architectures” 2023.
4 Y. Liu et al., Nature Communications 15, 4275 (2024).
We acknowledge the CINECA award under the ISCRA initiative, for the availability of high-performance computing resources and support, and funding from MSCA action project ID 788465, EPSRC EP/X02346X/1, PRIN 2022 No. 2022XZ2ZM8, DFG projects No. 537127697, JST ASPIRE cooperation No. JPMJAP2413.
Within the framework of the MSCA-DN "UP2MEM" project (funded by EU Horizon Europe MSCA-DN No 101227653), this study presents a sustainable "waste-to-resource" strategy for the synthesis of CaTiO3-TiO2-nanocarbon (CaTi-nC) based assemblies to be used as photo catalytic and antibacterial coatings in wastewater ceramic membranes. CaTiO3 perovskite oxide has the role of photocatalyst for degradation of organic contaminants in wastewater, TiO2 acts as an antibacterial component, whereas nanocarbons, beside their affinity toward hydrophobic membranes, act as microstructural template and enhance visible-light absorption through synergy with the CaTiO3 perovskite oxide. End-of-life sunscreen waste, such as industrial expired batches and retail returns, is directly used as source of both Ti (as TiO2 screen component) and chelating agents (as organic emulsifiers). The first step involves the characterization of different waste sunscreens using thermal decomposition, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), to identify/quantify the inorganic content and determine the thermal decomposition profile of the organic content. Following the solution combustion synthesis methodology, the waste with the highest content of TiO2 is then added to calcium nitrate, with an increasing amount of citric acid, as a co-reducing/chelating agent and other synthesis additives. This synthesis approach exploits the self-sustaining exothermic reaction between the metal nitrates and the organic components to produce mixed oxide phases at reduced temperature/time/energy. A reference powder is also prepared to reproduce a perovskite-oxide-nanocarbon assembly by using the same preparation methodology, with a commercial TiO2 powder employed as Ti precursor, adding the same amount of nanocarbons and using citric acid as unique reducing/chelating agent. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) combined with Rietveld analysis is used to determine the overall phase composition and to confirm the successful conversion of waste derived TiO2 to the orthorhombic CaTiO3 perovskite oxide structure. Scanning and Transmission Electron Microscopy (SEM/TEM) and N2 adsorption-desorption experiments are used to identify the microstructural and morphological features of the powders and to compare them with the reference powder. Temperature programmed reduction experiments are performed to analyze the reduction properties of reducible species (Ti) in the powders. Preliminary dip-coating experiments from the combustion sol are described for the functionalization of small pieces of commercial ceramic ZrO2 and SiC membranes. These experiments are finalized to the optimization of the sol’s chemical composition to improve coating adhesion and structural integrity without blocking the membrane pores and compromise the membrane permeability.
The interaction between organic molecules and magnetic layers has been extensively investigated over the past two decades; yet unresolved questions remain, and new phenomena continue to emerge. In particular, the interface formed between magnetic transition metals and organic molecules has recently been shown to have an unexpected impact on the magnetic properties of these systems, thereby stimulating renewed research interest in this field. [1]
Recently our group revealed that for 3d transition metals such as cobalt, the chemisorption of organic molecules on the surface has been shown to induce a transition from a conventional ferromagnetic state to a glass-like magnetic phase. This behavior arises when the random anisotropy induced by molecules on the surface features correlation effects over characteristic lengths comparable to the intrinsic exchange length of the material. It leads to the emergence of a new magnetic phase characterized by the collapse of the conventional domain structure and the emergence of blurred pseudo-domains, intertwined with diffuse and irregular domain walls. [2]
The effects of this non-conventional magnetic phase have been observed macroscopically and point toward interesting application prospects for these hybrid materials. In particular, an extraordinary magnetic hardening and a breakdown of the Rayleigh law in low-field (minor-loop) magnetization reversal have been experimentally observed in cobalt-molecule hybridized systems.
At the same time, at the microscopic scale, the developed glass state allows the stabilization of otherwise forbidden magnetic textures, such as topological vortex-like magnetic configurations, predicted by micromagnetic simulations and subsequently observed experimentally in real samples [2]. A key feature of the observed effects is that they are not confined to the surface but extend several nanometers into the bulk of the material.
The influence of the organic molecular layer is not limited to ferromagnets but also extends to antiferromagnetic systems, where it has been shown to enhance the overall magnetic stability at the macroscopic scale. In these systems, a clear shift in the characteristic temperatures linked to their magnetic order has been observed in the presence of the molecular layers. [3] Importantly, the effects on antiferromagnets are not only limited to static properties but are also visible in their dynamic magnetic behaviour. [4]
The multi-scale nature of the observed phenomena, together with their ability to propagate several nanometers into the magnetic material, opens up important application perspectives; molecular layers can act not only as fine-tuning elements but also as a means to unlock new functionalities in selected classes of magnetic materials.
[1] Cinchetti M., Valentin Dediu et al., "Activating the molecular spinterface." Nature Mater. 16 (5), 507 (2017) DOI: 10.1038/nmat4902
[2] Benini M. et al. "Collapse of the standard ferromagnetic domain structure in hybrid Co/Molecule bilayers." Nat. Commun. 16.1 (2025): 5807. DOI:10.1038/s41467-025-61068-7
[3] Gnoli L. et al. "Enhancement of magnetic stability in antiferromagnetic CoO films by adsorption of organic molecules." ACS Appl. Electron. Mat. 6.5 (2024): 3138-3146. DOI: 10.1021/acsaelm.3c01599
[4] Marino M. et al. "Chemical tuning of magnons in NiO (001) by Fe-phthalocyanine adsorption." Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. (2025) 27 (12): 6249–6254. DOI: 10.1039/d4cp04547e
Electron spectroscopies are well-established techniques, largely employed for the investigations of the surface chemical composition of a huge number of solid-state materials. The peculiarity of these techniques lies in their ability to probe a very tiny layer of the investigated materials, within the range of 1 ÷ 10 nm. Therefore, they represent a powerful tool for the study of nanomaterials. As it is well known, within the big family of nanomaterials are included nanoparticles, nanorods, nanowires, nanofilms, 2D-materials, etc., basically, all materials characterized by at least one dimension in the range of nanometers scale. The most popular techniques employed to study the nanomaterials are the microscopies, like SEM, AFM, STM, etc., but also spectroscopies like Raman spectroscopy, FTIR, Energy dispersive analysis (EDS), etc. However, the most surface sensitive techniques are the electron spectroscopies, which can provide information on the chemical state of the detected elements. They include X-ray Photoelecton Spectroscopy (XPS), Auger Electron Spectroscopy (AES), Ultraviolet Photoelectron Spectroscopy (UPS) and Energy Electron Loss Spectroscopy.
This presentation will give an overview of the main results obtained from the study of various nanostructured materials. Depending on the materials, it was alternatively employed XPS, AES and UPS, in order to determine the surface elemental composition of nanoparticles, nanofilms and 2d-materials [1], surface elemental distribution performed by XPS and AES microscopies [2], the work function calculation by UPS [3] and the D parameter used for the detection of the concentration of C-sp2 and C-sp3 hybridization in carbon-based materials, but also to detect the chemical modifications passing from graphite, to graphene oxide and reduced graphene oxide [4].
[1] Bolli E., Kaciulis S., Mezzi A. ESCA as a Tool for Exploration of Metals’ Surface. Coatings. 2020, 10: 1182. doi.org/10.3390/coatings10121182
[2] Mezzi A., Kaciulis S., Brucale M., Gentili D., Barbalinardo M., Durso M., Melucci M., Cavallini M. Surface immobilization of functional molecules by reactive self-assembling. SIA. 2016; 48: 626. doi.org/10.1002/sia.5979Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
[3] Mezzi A., Bolli E., Kaciulis S., Bellucci A., Paci B., Generosi A., Mastellone M., Serpente V., Trucchi D.M. Multi-Technique Approach for Work Function Exploration of Sc2O3 Thin Films. Nanomaterials. 2023; 13: 1430. doi.org/10.3390/nano13081430
[4] Kaciulis S., Mezzi A., Soltani P., de Caro T., Xia H., Wang T.L., Zhai T., Lavorgna M. Reduction of graphene oxide by UHV annealing. SIA; 50:1089. doi.org/10.1002/sia.6424Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Nanoparticle (NP)-based systems are widely employed in biomedical applications, and their therapeutic efficacy is mainly governed by interactions at the nano–bio interface, which ultimately dictate cellular recognition, uptake, intracellular trafficking, and biological response [1]. In particular, the formation of an interfacial protein corona (PC), resulting from the dynamic adsorption of biomolecular species onto the NP surface, profoundly alters their physicochemical properties. This, in turn, modulates receptor engagement, membrane-level interactions, and the intracellular pathways governing NP internalization [2]. Rather than constituting an unavoidable and inherently uncontrolled consequence of NP exposure to biologically relevant media, the PC can be rationally engineered to regulate NP biological identity [3,4]. This provides a powerful strategy to direct NP–cell interactions, thereby improving control over biodistribution and biological responses while potentially minimizing off-target accumulation. In the present work, the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) and their subsequent surface functionalization with various ligands was assessed. At this regard, the variation of surface potential and NP pre-coating strategies with relevant biomolecules was assessed, and their influence over colloidal stability and corona protein formation was inspected. Furthermore, through systematic variation of surface ligands, chemically addressable functional groups were introduced onto the NP surface. These functionalities enabled subsequent covalent conjugation with selected biomolecules, establishing a versatile platform to investigate and modulate protein corona formation and its downstream effects on NP–cell interactions. Cellular response to the engineered NP systems was evaluated in terms of cell viability and morphological alterations across representative cancerous and non-cancerous cell models. Collectively, these results highlight the potential of engineered protein corona strategies to enable more predictable NP behavior in biological systems, with implications for the development of next-generation targeted drug delivery platforms and advanced nanotherapeutic applications.
References
[1] Sousa de Almeida M., Susnik E., Drasler, et al. Understanding Nanoparticle Endocytosis to Improve Targeting Strategies in Nanomedicine. Chem. Soc. Rev. 2021, 50 (9), 5397–5434. https://doi.org/10.1039/D0CS01127D.
[2] Xiao Q., Zoulikha M., et al. Effects of Protein Corona on in Vivo Fate of Nanocarriers. Adv. Drug Deliv. Rev. 2022, 186, 114356. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addr.2022.114356.
[3] Barbalinardo M., Benvenuti E., et al. Impact of an Artificial Albumin Corona on Surface Charge-Driven Nano–Bio Interactions and Cytotoxicity of Silver Nanoparticles. ACS Omega 2026. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.6c02733.
[4] Barbalinardo M., Chiarini F., et al. Surface Charge Overrides Protein Corona Formation in Determining the Cytotoxicity, Cellular Uptake, and Biodistribution of Silver Nanoparticles. ACS Appl. Bio Mater. 2025, 8 (6), 5032–5043. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsabm.5c00392.
Sub-monolayer thick films of sexithiophene molecules, vapor-deposited on a set of native silicon oxide substrates with variable surface energy, were investigated using atomic force microscopy. A set of morphological descriptors was chosen and used to describe the formation of molecular islands. This formation is proven to be dependent on the surface energy, specifically linked to the doping concentration of the Silicon wafers. The existence of a concentration range, for which all morphological descriptors change, suggests an interpretation of the surface energy role at the early stage of the film growth different from the one introduced by Bauer for epitaxial growth. Using atomistic theoretical models, we calculated the energy values involved in the process, the number of molecules of the critical nucleus and, for the first time, the step barrier faced by the molecules to ascend, or descend, from the substrate to the island. Step barriers extracted from morphological measurements match with those obtained from molecular dynamics simulations. Our findings indicate that nucleation and island formation in sub-monolayer films on inert substrates are correlated to the surface energy on a molecular scale.
The transition from a linear to a circular economy has become a key objective for achieving a more sustainable and resource-efficient society. Unlike the traditional linear model, which relies on the extraction, use, and disposal of resources, the circular economy promotes the valorization, reuse, and recycling of materials, minimizing waste generation and environmental impact. In this context, the chemical industry plays a crucial role, as it is responsible for the production of a wide range of materials and chemicals that are essential for modern society. Consequently, the development of sustainable chemical processes is fundamental to support the transition towards a circular economy.
Among the various strategies adopted to improve the sustainability of chemical manufacturing, particular attention has been devoted to the development of energy-efficient and cost-effective synthetic methodologies. In recent years, microwave-assisted synthesis has emerged as a powerful alternative to conventional heating techniques for the preparation of functional materials. By enabling rapid and selective energy transfer directly to the reaction medium, microwave irradiation can significantly reduce reaction times, lower energy consumption, and improve process efficiency.
This presentation covers the synthesis and characterization of various metal oxides, illustrating the versatility of this technique across different contexts.
Humanity must maintain development while transitioning away from fossil fuels. This requires renewable energy sources and reliable storage systems to manage their intermittency. However, many current technologies depend on critical raw materials that are costly, environmentally impactful, and unevenly distributed globally. Developing sustainable alternatives based on abundant, low-impact materials is therefore essential.
Here, strategies for developing sustainable materials for energy conversion and storage systems are presented. Manganese oxide (MnO2) recovered from mining tailings were employed for the fabrication of conversion anode materials for lithium-ion batteries [1], demonstrating that secondary raw materials (SRMs) can be transformed into electrochemical components through relatively simple and cost-effective processing routes. To optimize these materials and develop new synthesis strategies, it is essential to elucidate their chemical and short-range structural evolution during battery operation. In this context, operando X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) at the ROCK beamline (SOLEIL synchrotron) will provide real-time insight into redox processes and degradation mechanisms, enabling the identification of the factors limiting performances.
Another example of a sustainable material currently under investigation is the biopolymer sodium alginate (SA), combined with protic ionic liquids to fabricate solid-state electrolytes (SSEs). The incorporation of a green ionic liquid into the polymer matrix significantly increases the ionic conductivity of alginate while improving its mechanical properties. Preliminary electrochemical results from supercapacitors featuring MnO2-based electrodes and commercial activated carbons demonstrate that SA-based membranes are a promising and viable alternative for SSEs. Nevertheless, a comprehensive understanding of the composite nanostructure and the interactions between the ionic liquid and polymer chains is required to optimize ion transport and improve the cycling stability. To this end, small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) experiments at the Italian ISISMACH platform will be performed to establish structure-property relationships and guide the design of next-generation sustainable SSEs.
Beyond the exploitation of waste-derived SRMs and biopolymers, sustainable nanomaterials offer additional opportunities to engineer green energy conversion devices. Carbon nanoparticles derived from citric acid and L-tryptophan were employed to enhance the performance of hybrid perovskite solar cells [2]. Their incorporation into alginate matrices represents a promising strategy for developing multifunctional composite substrates with tailored optical properties. In particular, the strong UV absorption of these nanoparticles can act as an effective UV-filtering layer, mitigating photodegradation processes, improving device stability, highlighting the potential of bio-derived nanomaterials for next-generation sustainable energy technologies.
[1] Angeletti L., Agostini M., et al. A sustainable δ-MnO2 derived from Amazon rainforest Mn-ore tailings for applications in lithium-ion batteries. Sustainable Materials and Technologies. 2025; 44: e01347. DOI:10.1016/j.susmat.2025.e01347
[2] Squillantini L., Tocco D., et al. Integration of Sustainable Carbon Nanoparticles Into Inverted Hybrid Perovskite Solar Cells to Enhance Optoelectronic Performance. Global Challenges. 2026; 1: e00363. DOI: 10.1002/gch2.202500363
The analysis of volatile biomarkers released by biological samples is emerging as an approach for the detection of metabolic alterations associated with physiological and pathological conditions. Human breath, cell cultures, biological fluids, tissues, and microbiological samples emit complex mixtures of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) reflecting biochemical processes and providing diagnostic and prognostic information [1]. The growing interest in volatile biomarkers has stimulated the development of portable sensing platforms capable of replacing or complementing conventional analytical techniques with faster, less expensive, and point-of-care solutions. Recent advances in gas sensors and microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) have demonstrated that miniaturized devices can achieve good sensitivity, while enabling integration into compact platforms. Nevertheless, translating these technologies into reliable clinical tools requires improvements in selectivity, detection limits, sample pretreatment, and discrimination of complex VOC fingerprints under realistic conditions. In particular, the integration of microfabricated pretreatment components, such as preconcentrators, humidity management systems, and microfluidic interfaces, represents a key enabling strategy for biological sample analysis.
Within this framework, preliminary investigations on volatile emissions from biological samples have been carried out by the “Gas Sensors and Gas Sensing Microsystems”group at CNR-ISMN Bologna in collaboration with the University of Ferrara [2]. The Department of Physics and Earth Sciences contributed to the fabrication and characterization of chemoresistive gas sensors, while the Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology provided expertise in cell culture preparation and biological sample management. Building upon the expertise developed at ISMN in MEMS fabrication, the activity demonstrated the potential of silicon-based micro-preconcentrators to enhance the detection of VOCs from cell cultures by increasing analyte concentration before sensor exposure, while avoiding the retention of strong interferents such as water vapor. The developed micro-preconcentrator consists of a silicon micromachined structure filled with an adsorbing material for VOC trapping during the sampling, integrating a platinum heater and platinum temperature sensor. This configuration enables precise thermal control of the desorption process and easy operation through a dedicated electronic board. The controlled release of preconcentrated gases at different times through temperature ramps or discrete temperature steps provides additional physicochemical information on collected compounds, particularly on their volatility, which is mainly related to molecular weight, polarity, intermolecular interactions, and boiling point. This approach introduces an additional separation mechanism prior to sensing, improving the discrimination of complex gas mixtures.
The obtained proof of concept represents a starting point for extending the application of micro-preconcentration technologies to a broader range of biological samples, including cell cultures, biological fluids, and other clinically relevant specimens. Looking ahead, combining advanced microfabrication technologies and sensing units could enable new integrated platforms for medical diagnostics. This research direction promotes interdisciplinary collaborations in materials science, analytical chemistry, biology, and clinical research, paving the way for new initiatives within ISMN and with external partners.
References
[1] Volatile Biomarkers for Human Health: From Nature to Artificial Senses; Haick, H., Ed.; The Royal Society of Chemistry, 2022.
[2] M.Tamisari et al., Early Detection of Volatile Tumor Biomarkers Using Chemoresistive Sensors and MEMS-Based Preconcentration: A Study on K562 Cell Line. Eng. Proc. 2025, 118 https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.3390/ECSA-12-26565.
The development of neuromorphic devices is a key step toward enabling low-power artificial intelligence. Among the various emerging technologies, memristive devices have attracted considerable attention owing to their ability to perform efficient one-shot multiply-accumulate (MAC) operations, which are fundamental for neural network computation. However, programming noise remains a major challenge, as it significantly degrades network performance and is intrinsically associated with the operation of memristive devices.
A promising solution is offered by a class of molecular spin valves. Here, we investigate the synaptic behavior of molecular La₀.₇Sr₀.₃MnO₃/tris(8-hydroxyquinolinato)gallium/AlOₓ/Co spintronic devices, which uniquely combine memristive and magnetoresistive functionalities [1,2,3,4]. By arranging these devices in an N-crosspoint architecture and encoding the synaptic weight in the total conductance, we realize an artificial synapse that is robust against programming noise [5].
This robustness is achieved through a quantization strategy in which each crosspoint represents a bit of different significance. The memristive behavior is first exploited to program the synaptic weight, while the magnetic degree of freedom is subsequently used to select the conductance configuration that minimizes programming noise.
To validate the proposed architecture, we experimentally demonstrated the quantization strategy and implemented a reinforcement learning task on a simple neural network. The performance of the quantized network was compared with that of a conventional architecture employing the same number of crosspoints under progressively increasing programming noise. The proposed synapse consistently exhibited superior robustness, maintaining higher performance under noisy operating conditions.
These results highlight the strong potential of molecular resistive spin valves as fundamental building blocks for next-generation neuromorphic architectures, offering an effective hardware strategy to improve the reliability of memristive neural networks.
⦋1⦌ Shumilin A., Baldassini C., et al. Glassy Synaptic Time Dynamics in Molecular La₀.₇Sr₀.₃MnO₃/Gaq₃/AlOₓ/Co Spintronic Crossbar Devices. Advanced Electronic Materials. 2024; 10(2): 2300887. DOI: 10.1002/aelm.202300887.
⦋2⦌ Riminucci A., Legenstein R. Fast Learning Synapses with Molecular Spin Valves via Selective Magnetic Potentiation. arXiv preprint. 2019. DOI: 10.48550/arXiv.1903.08624.
⦋3⦌ Prezioso M., Riminucci A., Graziosi P., et al. A Single-Device Universal Logic Gate Based on a Magnetically Enhanced Memristor. Advanced Materials. 2013; 25(4): 534–538. DOI: 10.1002/adma.201202624.
⦋4⦌ Baldassini C. Spintronic Advantage in the Training of a Molecular Cross-Bar Neural Network. Unpublished manuscript. 2025.
⦋5⦌ Baldassini C., Riminucci A., et al. Programming Noise Mitigation by Adaptive Quantization in Spintronic Memristive Artificial Synapses. Submitted for publication.
Agrochemicals remain essential for controlling pests, pathogens, and weeds, particularly under increasing pressure from resistance, climate change, and water scarcity. At the same time, efficient nutrient management is necessary to sustain crop productivity. The inefficient application of agrochemicals and nutrients may lead to excessive dosing, soil accumulation, leaching, volatilization, and contamination of aquatic ecosystems. In this context, nanotechnology offers promising tools for protecting active compounds, regulating their release, and improving their retention at the target site. Among the available materials, calcium phosphates (CaPs) are particularly attractive because of their biocompatibility, high surface area, and pH-responsive solubility. In addition, CaPs provide calcium and phosphorus, two essential plant nutrients, while their gradual dissolution under acidic soil or rhizosphere conditions may promote sustained nutrient release and better synchronization with plant demand. [1]
Nevertheless, the efficient loading of agrochemicals into these carriers remains a major challenge. Many active compounds exhibit poor aqueous solubility, which limits their incorporation. Conventional approaches often rely on carrier functionalization, surface modification, post-synthetic adsorption, or the use of organic solvents. However, these procedures increase production complexity, compromise carrier integrity, and usually raise environmental and industrial concerns. [1]
Building on our experience in crystal engineering, our research line addresses this limitation by designing salts/cocrystals containing agrochemicals and carefully selected coformers. These materials are crystalline solids that exhibit crystal structures and physicochemical properties that differ from those of the individual components while preserving their covalent molecular structures, thus retaining the activity of the molecules. [2] In particular, cocrystal formation can be used to modulate aqueous solubility and dissolution behaviour, thereby increasing the availability of agrochemicals under aqueous conditions and facilitating their loading in the CaPs nanocarriers.
The integration of crystal engineering with CaP nanotechnology therefore offers a versatile route to improve in situ loading, avoid hazardous organic solvents, and develop multifunctional nanocarriers for the sustained delivery of both crop-protection agents and essential plant nutrients.
References:
[1] Changcheng An, Changjiao Sun, Ningjun Li, et al. “Nanomaterials and nanotechnology for the delivery of agrochemicals: strategies towards sustainable agriculture”. Journal of Nanobiotechnology. 2022; 20, 11. DOI: 10.1186/s12951-021-01214-7
[2] Yuntian Xiao , Chuanhua Wu , Pingping Cui, et al. “Pursuing Green and Efficient Agriculture from Molecular Assembly: A Review of Solid-State Forms on Agrochemicals”. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 2023; 71, 10500-10524. DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.3c01084
Electrochemical CO₂ reduction (CO₂RR) represents a promising pathway for converting carbon dioxide into useful chemicals. However, conventional systems are limited by the inherently low solubility of CO₂ in aqueous electrolytes and by the competing hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), which reduces efficiency.
To address these challenges, we have designed and implemented a novel experimental platform in which the phase of CO₂ (gas or liquid) is a controllable parameter. By integrating thermoelectric (Peltier) cooling, the system enables in situ CO₂ liquefaction and electrochemical operation under liquid-CO₂-rich conditions. The higher density of liquid CO₂ enhances reactant availability at the electrode surface, while the use of non-aqueous electrolytes contributes to suppressing HER. In our recent work [1], we demonstrated the feasibility of CO₂ electroreduction in liquid CO₂, achieving promising selectivity toward carbon monoxide under low-temperature conditions.
The presentation will introduce the development of the experimental platform and discuss key open scientific and technological questions concerning the effects of CO₂ phase, temperature, pressure, electrolyte composition, and electrode design on CO₂ conversion.
Overall, the proposed platform provides a versatile tool for electrochemical reactions in variable and extreme thermodynamic conditions. This research opens new opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration across electrochemistry, thermal engineering, materials science, analytical chemistry, and modelling.
References:
[1] Barile, A., Myadzelets, D., Lorusso, G., Mazzaro, R. Low-temperature CO2 reduction in liquid CO2 medium. (Under submission)
3D biology has marked a turning point in biomedical research, offering a more realistic and dynamic representation of cellular and tissue processes. Within this framework, bioprinting has emerged as a key technology, capable of precisely and reproducibly recreating complex pathological models and cellular microenvironments. This evolution opens new perspectives in disease modeling, personalized therapies, and the design of biofunctional materials.
To address these challenges, a new scientific topic was developed three years ago at ISMN Bologna, focusing on two main research fields: the complexity of the tumor mass and neuropathic pain. Understanding these processes is crucial, as tumor heterogeneity remains a major obstacle to effective cancer treatment, while neuropathic pain, largely resistant to conventional therapies, still lacks reliable in vitro models for mechanistic studies and drug testing.
In this context, new strategies have been developed to investigate the effects of tumor heterogeneity by combining microstructured microwell technology with bioprinting, producing multiple tumor microenvironments within the same well, with the aim of better replicating the complex structures observed in vivo. In particular, these studies focused on producing and characterizing samples composed of arrays of bioprinted spheroids with controlled size and composition, to investigate colon and breast tumor models.
Another key research topic focused on the development of a neuropathic pain model, with a perspective toward personalized therapy. This was achieved through the bioprinting of synthetic innervated dermal tissue, first in murine and subsequently in human models, investigating their coherence with in vivo tissues. This topic has also been articulated through a tissue engineering approach, studying novel materials doped with micro-nano fibers and developing models to pattern dermal cells within the printed scaffold.
Sustainable organic electronics requires low thermal budget processing together with bio-derived functional materials. We report a hybrid dielectric platform combining low-temperature (80 °C) atomic layer deposited Al₂O₃ with silk fibroin, a naturally derived protein, for low-voltage organic field-effect transistors on flexible PEN substrates. We compare ultrathin silk fibroin interfacial layers with conventional PMMA as a benchmark, and discuss the correlation between interface engineering, semiconductor morphology and device characteristics under flat and bent conditions. Attention is given to the continuity of the fibroin films on low-temperature ALD oxide, to the resulting low-voltage operation, leakage, mobility and bending stability down to 5 mm radius, and to the absence of any post-deposition annealing requirement for as-cast fibroin. The demonstrated compatibility with thermally sensitive flexible substrates indicates a route toward bio-based and eco-compatible substrate technologies for sustainable organic electronics.
Citrus processing waste (CPW) is an abundant biological resource whose valorization through the CytroCav process developed by Italy’s Research Council researchers allows to obtain two new bioproducts: the highly bioactive pectin-flavonoid bioconjugate IntegroPectin and the new nanocellulose CytroCell.[1]
CytroCell nanocellulose has a unique molecular structure and morphology in water and aqueous solutions that has been recently identified using advanced structural, spectroscopic and computational methods.[2] In particular, its hydrophilic character, dispersibility and surface functionalities, including citrate-derived groups and esterification features, support adhesion, hydration, ion transport, adsorption and coupling with organic, inorganic or hybrid substrates. These functionalities contribute to interfacial stabilization, ion binding and improved dispersion, while the nanocellulosic network may enhance the mechanical resistance and durability of CytroCell-based composites.
Showing evidence of its versatile role as a completely new nanocellulose platform for advanced materials and devices, CytroCell has already been successfully used to develop new composite membranes for fuel cells and electrolyzers.[3,4] Added to air lime, CytroCell, uniquely accelerates (triples) carbonation of air lime mortars [5] making CytroCell the key enabling material for the widespread uptake of lime in the construction industry.[6]
Collaborative studies are being conducted to develop new functional materials and applications in which CytroCell will emerge as a low-cost, citrus-derived nanocellulose capable to replace costly nanocellulose obtained via conventional nanofibrillation of cellulose fibers.
Acknowledgements: PNRR MICS, Extended Partnership – Mission 4 Component 2, Investment 1.3 – D.D. 1551.11-10-2022 and PNRR AdP POR H2 “Ricerca e sviluppo sull’idrogeno” – LA 1.1.6, both financed by the EU – Next-GenerationEU; “FutuRaw” Le materie prime del futuro da fonti non-critiche, residuali e rinnovabili, Fondo Ordinario Enti di Ricerca, 2022 (CUP B53C23008390005).
References
[1] Ciriminna R, Angellotti G, et al. Cavitation as a zero-waste circular economy process to convert citrus processing waste into biopolymers in high demand. Journal of Bioresources and Bioproducts. 2024; 9(4): 486–494. DOI:10.1016/j.jobab.2024.09.002
[2] Fabiano Tixier A-S, Michel N, et al. CytroCell: a computational study in aqueous solution and infrared spectroscopic structural characterization. Materials Advances. 2026; 7(1): 228–240. DOI:10.1039/d5ma01060h
[3] Fontananova E, Ciriminna, R, et al. CytroCell@PIL: A New Citrus Nanocellulose-Polymeric Ionic Liquid Composite for Enhanced Anion Exchange Membranes. Nano Select. 2025; 6(9): e70001. DOI:10.1002/nano.70001
[4] Talarico D, Fontananova E, et al. CytroCell@Nafion: Enhanced Proton Exchange Membranes. Global Challenges. 2025; 9(12): e00338. DOI:10.1002/gch2.202500338
[5] Guzmán García Lascurain P, Rodriguez-Navarro C, et al. Cellulose nano- and micro-fibers as air lime carbonation accelerators: FTIR analysis of the carbonation kinetics. Construction and Building Materials. 2025, 489: 142291. DOI:10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2025.142291
[6] Angellotti G, Li Petri G, et al. CytroCell@Lime for the widespread uptake of lime in construction: a bioeconomy insight. ChemRxiv 2025. DOI:10.26434/chemrxiv-2025-hwx9h
The conventional ab-initio simulations require a great number of computational resources and time. In contrast to classical ab-initio programs, BigDFT simulations can exhibit linear scaling progression achieved through the use of Daubechies wavelets and support functions. The Daubechies wavelets are based on two functions: scaling function ϕ(x) and wavelet function ψ(x) that are the basis of multiresolution analysis. The code expresses wavefunctions as Daubechies bases and shows high systematic convergence properties and an excellent efficiency for parallelcalculations 1 . The aim of this work is to investigate electronic transport in a MoS2 with vacancy defects using a generalized non-equilibrium Green’s function (NEGF) approach 2 . To achieve the results, we combined BigDFT with the LibNEGF code, a library used to calculate Green’s functions in equilibrium and non-equilibrium systems. NEGF relies on many-body perturbation theory (MBPT) to describe embedding and interactions via self-energy functions and allowing non equilibrium calculation of the electronic density, density of states and contact currents 3 . We sketch the basics of the interfacing concepts and computational results.
Genovese L, Videau B, Ospici M, Deutsch T, Goedecker S, Méhaut JF. Daubechies wavelets for high performance electronic structure calculations: The BigDFT project. Comptes Rendus Mécanique. 2010;339(2-3):149-164. doi:10.1016/j.crme.2010.12.003
Pecchia A, Penazzi G, Salvucci L, Di Carlo A. Non-equilibrium Green’s functions in density functional tight binding: method and applications. New J Phys. 2008;10(6):065022. doi:10.1088/1367-2630/10/6/065022
Camsari KY, Chowdhury S, Datta S. The Non-Equilibrium Green Function (NEGF) Method. In: 2023:1583-1599. doi:10.1007/978-3-030-79827-7_44
Organometal halide perovskites (OHPs) with general formula ABX₃ (A = organic cation, B = metal cation, X = halide) have emerged as promising candidates for thermoelectric (TE) applications owing to their hybrid “electron-crystal/phonon-glass” behavior. In these materials, the inorganic framework enables efficient charge transport, while the organic sublattice suppresses lattice thermal conductivity through enhanced phonon scattering, offering a pathway toward high thermoelectric performance (ZT = S²σT/κ).
Among OHPs, Sn-based compounds are particularly attractive as lead-free alternatives. Materials such as MASnI₃ and FASnI₃ exhibit relatively high intrinsic electrical conductivity (~1 S cm⁻¹), primarily arising from low formation energies of Sn vacancies and halogen-related defects, which induce significant p-type self-doping. However, the instability of Sn²⁺ under ambient conditions, leading to oxidation to Sn⁴⁺, strongly affects carrier concentration and transport properties, posing a key challenge for TE optimization.
In this work, we investigate the impact of air exposure on the structural, chemical, and electronic properties of Sn-based two-dimensional OHPs. We focus on elucidating the interplay between Sn oxidation, defect-mediated self-doping, and charge carrier density, and its consequences on TE-relevant transport parameters. By correlating compositional and structural evolution with electrical response, we identify stability thresholds and quantify changes in conductivity associated with environmental degradation.
These insights provide guidelines for controlling carrier concentration via intrinsic defect engineering and extrinsic doping strategies, with the goal of optimizing the power factor while maintaining low thermal conductivity. Our findings highlight both the opportunities and limitations of Sn-based 2D OHPs for thermoelectric applications and offer design principles for improving their performance and stability.
Living microorganisms are increasingly recognized as key components of next-generation technologies in agriculture, environmental remediation, industrial biotechnology, and biomanufacturing. However, their transition from laboratory systems to real-world applications is still limited by a fundamental challenge: microorganisms are inherently dynamic and fragile, and their performance rapidly declines under complex environmental conditions.
In recent years, our research has explored the use of natural polymers, biominerals, and nanostructured materials to encapsulate microorganisms. This work suggests that these materials should not be considered merely as passive protective shells, but rather as functional interfaces that regulate diffusion, hydration, mechanical stability, and chemical gradients around the cells. Through these mechanisms, they influence not only cell survival, but also metabolic activity, interspecies interactions, and long-term functionality.
From this perspective, encapsulation can evolve into a strategy for engineering programmable living materials. A key challenge lies in identifying combinations of natural polymers and inorganic components that can reproduce the dynamic behavior of natural microbial environments. At the same time, biominerals such as calcium phosphates, calcium carbonate, and biogenic silica offer the potential to actively regulate microbial metabolism while enhancing structural robustness and environmental sustainability. More broadly, the design of these materials must enable control over communication, nutrient exchange, and functional specialization within microbial communities.
Addressing these challenges may lead to the development of hybrid organic–inorganic microreactors, where microorganisms function as coordinated systems rather than isolated entities. Such platforms could provide well-defined microenvironments capable of supporting complex microbial consortia in applications ranging from sustainable agriculture and precision fermentation to environmental biotechnology, biosensing, and distributed biomanufacturing. In this context, materials move beyond a protective role and become active elements that shape and guide biological processes.
This research direction inherently requires strong interdisciplinary integration, combining expertise in materials chemistry, biomineralization, nanotechnology, microbiology, biotechnology, and advanced characterization.
Ultimately, the objective is to move beyond conventional microbial encapsulation and develop living hybrid materials, where natural polymers and biominerals are combined to create adaptive and functional microenvironments for living systems. These platforms have the potential not only to improve the practical use of microorganisms, but also to establish new design principles for sustainable, multifunctional materials at the interface between biology and materials science.
The increasing complexity of advanced materials design requires digital infrastructures capable of integrating modelling, simulation, data management, and analysis across multiple scales. In this context, automated and interoperable workflows can support more efficient, reproducible, and traceable computational studies, while providing structured data that can be reused within broader materials informatics approaches.
In this work, we present automated multiscale simulation workflows for the design and characterization of advanced materials for industrial applications. The workflows orchestrate heterogeneous physics-based modelling tools across different length and time scales, supporting computational tasks such as simulation setup, execution, property evaluation, data aggregation, analysis, and post-processing. Their modular architecture allows individual components to be adapted, extended, or reused according to different materials systems, modelling requirements, and application domains.
A key aspect of the approach is the systematic organization of simulation data and metadata throughout the workflow lifecycle, with the aim of supporting FAIR data principles. By linking input parameters, computational procedures, software versions, simulation outputs, and derived properties, the workflows improve the findability, accessibility, interoperability, and reusability of computational results. Automated metadata capture and provenance tracking enhance reproducibility and traceability, while enabling simulation data to be more easily compared with experimental information and reused in broader materials informatics contexts. This structured data handling also provides a basis for the integration of workflows with data-driven and AI-assisted frameworks.
The workflow environment supports scalable execution, from exploratory calculations to larger high-performance computing campaigns, and has been applied in industrial case studies within European research projects focused on innovative and bio-based materials, following the Safe-and-Sustainable-by-Design (SSbD) approach. These examples show how automated multiscale simulation workflows can contribute to more efficient and reproducible materials development by connecting predictive modelling, FAIR-oriented data management, and interoperable computational protocols within a unified digital framework.
The transition toward a sustainable and resource-efficient society requires a shift from linear production models to circular economy strategies that promote the recovery, regeneration, and valorization of waste-derived resources. In this context, a wide range of organic and inorganic residual streams, including recycled calcium phosphate (CaP), fish protein hydrolysates (FPHs), natural biopolymers (e.g., cellulose, chitin, and alginate), as well as nutrient-rich byproducts like human and animal urine, represent valuable secondary raw materials for the development of innovative functional products.
Advances in extraction, purification, and processing technologies are enabling the transformation of these underutilized resources into high-value materials with tailored physicochemical and biological properties. This approach not only diverts waste from disposal, reducing environmental impacts and the demand for virgin raw materials, but also contributes to the conservation of critical resources and the development of more sustainable production systems.
Although many of these recovered materials have traditionally found application in agriculture as fertilizers, biostimulants, and soil amendments, their potential is increasingly being explored in a wide range of advanced technological applications. Recycled calcium phosphate, owing to its biocompatibility and osteoconductive properties, is a promising candidate for biomedical applications, including bone regeneration and tissue engineering. Natural polymers offer biodegradable, renewable alternatives for the production of sustainable packaging, bioplastics, and multifunctional composites, while protein hydrolysates provide bioactive components that can be exploited in agriculture, biomaterials, and other value-added formulations. Furthermore, several of these bio-based materials can be engineered as efficient biosorbents for environmental remediation, enabling the removal of heavy metals, dyes, and emerging contaminants from water and wastewater.
Overall, the valorization of secondary raw materials through circular economy approaches represents a key driver for the transition toward a more sustainable bioeconomy. By fostering interdisciplinary research and cross-sectoral applications, waste streams can be transformed into high-performance functional materials that contribute to environmental protection, resource efficiency, and industrial innovation.
In the modern field of microelectronics and advanced sensing, Micro-ElectroMechanical Systems (MEMS) represent a mature yet dynamic platform for the development of high-performance miniaturized devices, thanks to their ability to integrate transduction, actuation, and readout in compact, low-power devices compatible with wafer-level processing. Resonant MEMS strain sensors convert small strain variations into electrical signals starting from a mechanical resonance frequency shift, enabling high-resolution monitoring of several parameters connected to strain variations in collaborative robotics, predictive maintenance, and structural health monitoring. Based on the mechanical resonance of an elastic structure, they detect changes in the applied strain that produce a shift of the resonance frequency. Since the frequency variation is proportional to the applied strain, the resonator can be calibrated as a strain sensor: an increase in frequency indicates tensile strain, whereas a decrease indicates compressive strain.
To achieve high performance in strain-sensing applications based on mechanical resonators, a high strain sensitivity S is essential, as it represents the proportionality factor between the resonance frequency shift and the applied strain. The resonator’s quality factor Q is also crucial, since these devices are typically operated in closed-loop configurations, such as MEMS oscillators or phase-locked loop (PLL) circuits [1]. In this context, the frequency stability of the system is strongly influenced by the resonator Q factor, with higher values generally leading to improved stability, and consequently to lower output noise on the sensor.
Within the European FET Project “SiC Nano for PicoGeo”, the development of micromechanical resonators fabricated from cubic silicon carbide (3C-SiC) grown on silicon by wafer-level micromachining techniques, including vacuum encapsulation, was carried out, achieving very high Q-factors [2] and strain sensitivity on the manufactured prototypes. By employing a different design strategy based on stress-engineered poly-Si/SiC double-clamped beam resonators, it was also possible to improve and control both the mechanical resonance frequency and the sensitivity of the resonators [3].
Despite the demonstrated performance, several scientific challenges remain open. In particular, the development of dedicated control electronics is essential to optimize the bandwidth–resolution trade-off while preserving high readout stability and device robustness under realistic operating conditions.
Another promising avenue is the extension of this technology to ultra-high-bandwidth force and torque sensors for robotic applications. This growing market imposes stringent requirements in terms of response speed, measurement accuracy, and long-term reliability.
Furthermore, in a context of future technology transfer, the scalability of the proposed solution toward industrial applications, such as industrial automation and automotive systems, will need to be thoroughly evaluated, as cost, integration, and long-term reliability become critical requirements in these domains.
[1] Belsito L., et al. “Nanostrain Resolution Strain Sensing by Monocrystalline 3C-SiC on SOI Electrostatic MEMS Resonators”. J. Microelectromech. Syst. 2020, 29, 117 – 128.
[2] Sapienza S., et al. "Fabrication of Wafer-Level Vacuum-Packaged 3C-SiC Resonant Microstructures Grown on< 111> and< 100> Silicon". Key Engineering Materials 2024, 984, 29-33.
[3] Sapienza S., et al. "Fabrication of Wafer-Level Vacuum Packaged Poly-SI/SiC Beam Resonators with Strain Sensitivity Larger than 1 kHz/με". Transducers 2025, 1572-1575.
While nanotechnology shows transformative potential in sustainable applications and circular economy models, transitioning from lab-scale prototypes to field-deployable and application-ready solutions remains complex. Building upon research from the last three years, focusing on nanocarriers, smart sensors, and biomass/agricultural-waste valorisation into value-added products, including geopolymers, functional coatings, nanocomposites, hybrid materials and advanced adsorbent platforms, this contribution stimulates a prospective reflection on research activities within the thematic areas of ISMN-CNR. Rather than revisiting consolidated outcomes, the goal is to project current knowledge toward the next scientific frontier, emphasizing life-cycle understanding and systemic integration within complex environmental, industrial, and technological ecosystems.
Despite recent advancements, critical scientific bottlenecks remain open. The dynamic nano-bio interface demands rigorous investigation, particularly regarding the long-term ecotoxicological fate of nanomaterials in environmental matrices, biological systems, and uptake pathways. Furthermore, the scalable synthesis of waste-derived nanofillers faces technological hurdles beyond bench-scale production [1–3]. Additionally, the lack of robust, multiplexed nanosensors operating continuously under harsh real conditions without signal degradation still prevents reliable real-time data integration for advanced sustainable applications [4].
Future research trajectories must move toward a strict " Safe-and-Sustainable-by-Design (SSbD)" framework. Research will focus on engineering fully biodegradable nano-architectures and stimuli-responsive platforms. These advanced materials will dynamically adapt to environmental triggers, such as pH variations, delivering active agents on demand and degrading into non-toxic by-products to ensure minimal environmental persistence.
Addressing these multidimensional challenges requires deep interdisciplinary collaborations across the CNR-ISMN community. Bridging expertise in advanced material synthesis with computational modelling, physicochemical characterization, ecotoxicology, and IoT engineering is crucial. This synergistic framework will foster a cross-disciplinary dialogue to overcome technological limits. Ultimately, this integration will strategically position the Institute for upcoming European funding initiatives, such as Horizon Europe, driving innovative projects that address the global food-water-energy nexus. A further emerging challenge will be the sustainable valorization of marine and algal biomasses, whose intrinsic compositional variability, seasonal availability, processing complexity, and environmental footprint require dedicated approaches to transform them into reliable high-value building blocks for future circular nano-enabled applications.
[1] G. Rando, S. Sfameni, M.R. Plutino et al. Sustainable Materials and Technologies 44 (2025) e01402
[2] G. Rando, S. Sfameni, M.R. Plutino et al. Energy Environ. Mater. (2026) e70321
[3] S. Sfameni, G. Rando, M. R. Plutino. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 24.6 (2023): 5472.
[4] G. Rando, E. Scalone, S. Sfameni, M. R. Plutino. Gels 10.8 (2024), 498.
Acknowledgment:
This work was supported by the Italian Ministry of University and Research (MUR) through the Post-PNRR research projects DD307 “REMICS” and “Quantas”, by the BRiC INAIL 2025 project “NanoCARE” and FOE2024 Future Raw Materials.
The rapid spread of antibiotic resistance is driving the development of alternative strategies to prevent bacterial colonization on surfaces. In this context, antibacterial nanostructured surfaces (ANSs), particularly those based on high-aspect ratio nanoneedle arrays, have attracted growing attention for their ability to mechanically disrupt bacterial membranes and induce stress responses independently of conventional antibiotics. These nano-engineered interfaces offer a promising route to overcome current limitations of antimicrobial therapies, yet several fundamental questions remain open regarding their mechanisms of action, long-term effectiveness, and selectivity toward different bacterial species.
A key scientific challenge is understanding how nanoscale parameters, such as needle geometry, orientation, density, and surface chemistry, govern the interplay between physical damage, ion-mediated effects, and oxidative stress in bacterial cells. Moreover, the variability of bacterial responses, especially between Gram-positive and Gram-negative strains, highlights the need for predictive models linking nanostructure design to antimicrobial performance. Addressing these aspects is essential for advancing ANSs from proof-of-concept systems to reliable, application-oriented technologies.
Within the specific context of bone-related applications, these challenges become even more complex. Surfaces are required not only to prevent or eradicate infections but also to support tissue integration and regeneration. This dual requirement exposes a key limitation of many existing ANSs, which are often based on bioinert materials that lack the ability to actively promote healing processes. Therefore, the development of multifunctional surfaces capable of combining antibacterial activity with regenerative potential represents a critical research direction.
Building on recent advances in calcium phosphate (CaP)-based nanoneedle arrays, future efforts will increasingly focus on exploiting the unique properties of these biomimetic materials. Beyond enabling the fabrication of controlled nanostructures, CaPs are intrinsically bioactive and closely mimic the mineral component of bone, making them particularly suited for applications where the induction of new bone formation is essential. Their capacity to support osteogenic cell functions provides a significant advantage over conventional nanostructured materials. At the same time, the possibility to introduce functional ions (e.g., Zn, Sr, Mg), bioactive molecules, and antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) opens new opportunities to develop multifunctional surfaces that combine mechano-bactericidal activity with targeted biochemical antimicrobial effects while preserving cytocompatibility.
Achieving these goals will require the rational design of such systems by integrating nano-topographical cues, controlled ion release, and biofunctionalization strategies to maximize antibacterial efficacy while promoting tissue regeneration. Particular attention should be devoted to elucidating the synergistic contribution of mechanical membrane disruption, ion-mediated antibacterial activity, and biochemical antimicrobial mechanisms, as well as to establishing predictive structure–property–function relationships for the rational design of next-generation antibacterial biomaterials. Equally important will be the investigation of interactions with host cells, including immune and stem cell populations, to better understand how these surfaces influence the balance between inflammation, infection control, and tissue regeneration.
Advancing this field will require interdisciplinary approaches and provide significant opportunities for collaboration within the ISMN network. In particular, the integration of expertise in the synthesis and advanced physicochemical characterization of nanostructured biomaterials with microbiology and cell biology will be essential to accelerate the development of multifunctional antibacterial surfaces for bone-related applications.
In-situ or operando synchrotron X-ray techniques are currently used to understand the fundamental mechanism and guide not only the materials design protocols but the technological optimization, as well, in energy storage and catalytical processes.
The merits of synchrotron X-rays, such as high brightness (1012 more intense than that from the laboratory sources), highly collimated and energy tunable, make them perfect for applications in energy storage and catalysis science. The highly-collimated and variable focus synchrotron beam allows the implementation of sophisticated synchrotron techniques and it also allows the conduct of high temporal resolution (up to milliseconds) studies of the electrochemical/chemical reaction. In particular, the ultrahigh intense and penetration ability of synchrotron X-rays make the in situ and operando investigation of catalytical and electrocatalytical systems possible and easier to realize. Remarkably, this approaches allows to monitor and follow the structural modification during the chemical processes unveiling their dynamic mechanism.
In this seminar, after a brief introduction, the unique results obtained with Synchrotron Light on catalytical and electrocatalytical systems will be discussed.
The widespread occurrence of microplastics (MPs), commonly defined as solid plastic particles ranging from 1 µm to 5 mm in size and composed of a mixture of polymeric materials and functional additives, has raised increasing concern regarding their potential environmental and human health impacts. Although MPs have been extensively investigated in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, the atmospheric compartment remains comparatively underexplored, particularly in indoor environments (e.g., homes, workplaces, schools, hospitals, and public buildings), where individuals spend up to 90% of their time and are continuously exposed through inhalation [1].
In this context, this research, initiated within the INAIL BRiC 2022 ID-14 project “Characterization of Emissions in Workplaces of Airborne Microplastics and Nanoplastics” (CELLOPHAN), aims to develop and validate an integrated multi-analytical and correlative workflow for the characterization of airborne MPs in indoor environments, addressing the challenges associated with the complexity of the environmental matrix and the current lack of standardized operational protocols (SOPs) for sampling, sample pre-treatment, and instrumental analysis, thereby limiting study comparability [1].
A key aspect of the analytical workflow is sample pre-treatment, which must efficiently isolate MPs while minimizing interference from co-occurring particulate matter. An oil-extraction protocol was investigated as a rapid, versatile, and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional density separation methods.
For comprehensive characterization, a multi-technique analytical strategy was implemented, combining field emission scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (FE-SEM-EDS) for morphological and elemental analysis with spectroscopic micro-FTIR and micro-Raman techniques for chemical identification. To further improve analytical reliability, a correlative spectroscopic approach was developed through the implementation of a custom-designed 3D-printed holder, enabling coordinate-based tracking and sequential analysis of the same particle using different spectroscopic techniques. This integrated strategy provides complementary chemical information, facilitates the identification of polymer composition and associated additives, and improves the robustness of characterization method. Moreover, the optimized pre-treatment minimizes several limitations commonly affecting spectroscopic analyses, including contaminant contributions and fluorescence effects, resulting in improved spectral quality for more accurate data interpretation.
Future perspectives will focus on extending the workflow to the targeted characterization of plastic additives, optimizing analytical methodologies for the detection and identification of nanoplastics, and broadening the application of the correlative multi-analytical approach to other matrices and analytical contexts.
Overall, this research demonstrates the potential of the proposed integrated workflow to improve the reliability of airborne MP characterization and supports the future development of standardized analytical procedures in this emerging field.
References:
[1] Campanale C., Barlucchi, L., et al. Airborne Microplastics in indoor environments: current knowledge, methodological challenges, and future directions. Building and Environment. 2026; 297:114567. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2026.114567.
Citrus processing waste (CPW) represents a widely available biomass feedstock that can be converted, through the CytroCav process developed by researchers at Italy’s National Research Council, into two innovative bioproducts: IntegroPectin, a highly bioactive pectin–flavonoid bioconjugate, and CytroCell, a novel form of nanocellulose [1]. Citrus IntegroPectin is a highly water-soluble pectin-flavonoid bioconjugate of exceptional bioactivity [2]. The pectic backbone provides a hydrated, polyanionic and film-forming matrix able to interact with ions, proteins, oxide surfaces and small molecules. The naturally associated flavonoids and phenolics add antioxidant and redox-sensitive functions that are absent in conventional purified pectin [2]. Hence, citrus IntegroPectin might be used as a redox-active soft interface for microfluidic electrochemical sensors in which IntegroPectin thin coatings of controlled thickness, adhesion, hydration, and permeability would act as the functional interface between the liquid sample and the electronic transducer. Pectin-based films are mechanically weak. Hence, we will use CytroCell@IntegroPectin composite films adding to the IntegroPectin a small amount of CytroCell nanocellulose which translates into exceptional improvement of the mechanical properties of the composite films [3]. A first demonstrator could be an impedimetric or voltammetric chip showing that the IntegroPectin coating provides a stable and measurable response under controlled flow, rather than a fully validated diagnostic device. This choice is also supported by recent microfluidic studies on pectin-based systems, where miniaturized flow platforms improve reproducibility and control over material formation [4]. Key questions that will be addressed include biofouling and mechanical and electrochemical stability of IntegroPectin-based sensors.
Acknowledgements: Chimica verde, materiali avanzati e processi per l’economia circolare, l’industria 5.0 e la sostenibilità (DCM.AD001.288)
References
[1] Ciriminna, R.; Angellotti, G.; Li Petri, G.; Meneguzzo, F.; Riccucci, C.; Di Carlo, G.; Pagliaro, M. Cavitation as a zero-waste circular economy process to convert citrus processing waste into biopolymers in high demand. Journal of Bioresources and Bioproducts 2024, 9, 486–494.
[2] Ciriminna, R.; Di Liberto, V.; Albanese, L.; Li Petri, G.; Valenza, C.; Angellotti, G.; Meneguzzo, F.; Pagliaro, M. Citrus IntegroPectin: A Family of Bioconjugates with Large Therapeutic Potential. ChemFoodChem 2025, 1, e202500014.
[3] Scurria A, Pagliaro M, et al. CytroCell Micronized Cellulose Enhances the Structural and Thermal Properties of IntegroPectin Cross-Linked Films. ACS Applied Bio Materials 2022; 5(10), 4942–4947.
[4] Silva, P. B. V.; Fabi, J. P. Overview of Pectin-Derived Microparticles through Microfluidic Technology. Fluids 2024, 9, 184.
Magnetic particles are widely utilised in clinical research; however, conventional systems rely upon relatively large, micrometre-sized beads. Although the deployment of ultrasmall nanoparticles—comparable in scale to biological molecules—presents significant advantages, their control is severely hindered by thermal fluctuations. At ISMN, we have developed a magnetic approach that enables the reliable manipulation of sub-20 nm nanoparticles [1]. This advancement transforms magnetic nanoparticles into active, functional materials capable of performing analytical operations such as selective capture, purification, transport, concentration, sensing, and the controlled delivery of biomolecules. To demonstrate its utility, this technology has been applied to the highly sensitive detection of Alzheimer’s disease biomarkers [2], as well as the controlled delivery of neural morphogens to stem cells [3].
References
[1] Surpi A. et al. Versatile magnetic configuration for the control and manipulation of superparamagnetic nanoparticles. Scientific Reports. (2023) 13:5301 doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-32299-9.
[2] Surpi A. et al. Magnetic separation and concentration of Aβ1–42 molecules dispersed at the threshold concentration for Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis in clinically-relevant volumes of sample. Journal of Nanobiotechnology. (2023) 21:329 doi.org/10.1186/s12951-023-02095-8.
[3] Surpi A. et al. Amphiphilic cyclodextrin-based nanocarriers for magnetic delivery of a morphogen in microfluidic environments. Materials Advances. (2025) 6: 6775 doi.org /10.1039/d5ma00374a.
The development of sustainable technologies for CO2 valorization, clean air and renewable H2 production represents a key challenge for the coming years. In this context, heterogeneous catalysis can play a central role in transforming CO2 from an emission problem into a resource, while enabling the production of hydrogen and value-added molecules through thermal, photo-assisted and cyclic processes.
This contribution addresses the development of catalytic strategies for two closely interconnected research directions: CO2 valorization and renewable H₂ production. CO2 valorization is explored through thermocatalytic and photo-assisted reforming, chemical looping reforming approaches and VOC oxidation, with the aim of integrating CO2 into circular carbon pathways rather than treating it only as an emission to be mitigated [1]. At the same time, renewable H2 production is investigated through reforming and photoreforming of biomass-derived molecules, such as glycerol, as sustainable routes for hydrogen generation from renewable feedstocks [2]. Within this framework, attention is also devoted to the development of greener catalytic systems based on available waste resources, including Etna volcanic ash, aiming to combine sustainable hydrogen production with resource valorization and circular economy strategies.
These studies have highlighted the importance of catalyst composition, redox behaviour, oxygen mobility, metal-support interactions, carbon formation and regeneration dynamics, as well as light-assisted activation mechanisms. However, several scientific questions remain open. A deeper understanding is still required to identify the real active sites under dynamic reaction conditions, control catalyst deactivation, improve stability during cyclic operation and clarify the interplay between thermal and photo-induced pathways.
Looking ahead, this research line could evolve from the study of individual catalytic materials towards integrated catalytic and functional platforms. Several internal competences within the Institute may offer promising opportunities to strengthen this direction. In particular, expertise in nanostructured materials, metallic foams, surface engineering and functional coatings could support the development of advanced systems for CO2 conversion, VOC oxidation and H2 production. These approaches could help move beyond conventional powdered catalysts towards structured materials, catalytic coatings and multifunctional platforms, opening new perspectives for scale-up and real applications while maintaining a strong focus on reaction mechanisms, activity and long-term stability.
Advanced characterization, including in situ and operando approaches, will be crucial to clarify catalyst evolution, chemical states, surface and interface composition and electronic structure under reaction-relevant environments.
Finally, these challenges could benefit from a stronger internal network, particularly among young researchers across the Institute. Short exchanges, joint access to instrumentation, interdisciplinary training and collaborative project proposals would promote the circulation of skills and ideas, making CO2 valorisation, VOC abatement and renewable H2 production shared platforms for future interdisciplinary research within ISMN.
⦋1⦌ La Greca E, La Parola V, et al. Ru–Ni modified LaMnO₃ perovskites for H₂ production via CH₄–CO₂ chemical looping: Structure–activity effect. Applied Catalysis B: Environment and Energy. 2026; 385: 126282. DOI: 10.1016/j.apcatb.2025.126282.
⦋2⦌ La Greca E, Armeli Iapichino MT, et al. Influence of Ni addition on Au/CeO₂ photocatalysts for solar photocatalytic H₂ production by glycerol photoreforming. Catalysts. 2025; 15(6): 555. DOI: 10.3390/catal15060555.
Membrane-based technologies are at the forefront of the global transition toward sustainable environmental remediation, resource recovery, and clean energy production. As explored in this communication, research activities conducted over the past three years have demonstrated the viability of replacing conventional, environmentally persistent fluoropolymers with eco-friendly mixed-matrix membranes [1]. By leveraging biopolymer blends and integrating sustainable nanofillers, such as halloysite nanotubes and functionalized biochar, highly tunable platforms have been developed for advanced membrane-based applications in water treatment, pollutant removal, selective separation, energy conversion, storage, and green technological processes [2,3].
However, to fully realize the impact of these materials, the focus must now shift from consolidated laboratory-scale achievements to the unresolved scientific and technological challenges that hinder real-world deployment. A critical knowledge gap remains in understanding the interfacial phenomena that govern long-term membrane stability under harsh operating conditions, including biofouling dynamics in complex wastewater matrices, chemical ageing, thermal stress, ion-transport limitations, and degradation mechanisms occurring in energy-related devices and environmental processes. Furthermore, transitioning from passive adsorption to active catalytic degradation, selective recovery, and responsive separation poses complex mechanistic challenges that require deeper investigation.
Moving forward, future research trajectories will prioritize the design of reactive, catalytic, selective, and multifunctional membranes able to operate efficiently under realistic environmental and energy-related conditions. These systems may support pollutant degradation, water purification, resource recovery, CO2 capture, ion separation, energy harvesting, fuel cells, electrolyzers, batteries, and other emerging sustainable technologies. Parallel efforts will focus on overcoming the engineering bottlenecks associated with scaling up fabrication techniques, moving from laboratory-scale patches to pilot-ready modules and application-oriented prototypes.
Addressing these multifaceted challenges requires a departure from isolated research lines in favor of a synergistic and multidisciplinary approach. Significant collaborative opportunities are foreseen within the broader CNR-ISMN community, particularly in integrating computational chemistry to model complex filler–matrix interactions, utilizing advanced in operando spectroscopy to dynamically monitor transport, adsorption, and degradation pathways, and applying materials engineering for the physical integration of these membranes into functional environmental and energy devices.
Ultimately, these strategic directions align seamlessly with upcoming European funding frameworks focused on the circular economy, PFAS-free alternative materials, water resilience, resource efficiency, climate neutrality, and sustainable energy infrastructures. By tackling these open challenges collectively, the objective is to catalyze new joint project proposals, fostering an open and generative dialogue that will position the Institute as a leading hub for next-generation sustainable membrane materials for both environmental and energy applications.
[1] G. Rando, M.R. Plutino et al. ChemSusChem 17.10 (2024) e202301502
[2] G. Rando, M.R. Plutino et al. Sustainable Materials and Technologies 44 (2025) e01402
[3] G. Rando, M.R. Plutino et al., Energy Environ. Mater. (2026) e70321
Acknowledgment:
This work was supported by the Italian Ministry of University and Research (MUR) through the Post-PNRR research projects DD307 “REMICS” and “Quantas”, by the BRiC INAIL 2025 project “NanoCARE”, by “PRR.AP015.017 H2 - ADP ENEA/CNR POR l.a. 1.1.6” project and FOE2024 Future Raw Materials.
Low-cost sensing systems are not intended to replace reference-grade instrumentation, but rather to complement it by enabling flexible prototyping of bio-based sensing and material platforms, and denser deployment for broader access to environmental monitoring. As a result, affordable and Python-based programmable sensor platforms can support modular, interoperable solutions across laboratory studies, field observation, and participatory science [1]. This contribution outlines an ongoing research trajectory based on recent prototyping activities and on currently open scientific questions. The under-development fully automated microalgae-based biosensor is conceived as a bio-analytical platform for monitoring the status of freshwater systems. The work builds on the EcoNet project (https://www.econet.cnr.it/) and on the perspective that microalgae-based biosensors still offer significant untapped potential for innovative environmental monitoring, including integration with other ground-based sensing approaches, remote sensing, and machine learning, to improve interpretation, classification, and predictive capabilities [2]. Another ongoing prototyping activity concerns the development of an automated, standardized platform for filamentous fungi growth. This platform is intended to support reproducible cultivation of saprotrophic filamentous fungi, with potential applications including the fabrication of mycelium-based materials, mycogenic nanomaterials, hybrid bioelectronics, and in-habitat biosensing [3]. For both microalgae- and fungal-based systems, key challenges remain in standardizing operating conditions, controlling biological variability, and successfully transferring laboratory prototypes into field-deployable devices. These challenges include stabilizing biological responses, reducing batch-to-batch differences, and defining reliable validation procedures under real environmental conditions. Beyond laboratory prototyping, this research framework is designed to foster project development and collaboration across sensing, microbiology, materials science, and data analysis. The same technological logic can also be extended to distributed monitoring, territorially embedded environmental observation, and citizen science applications. In this perspective, low-cost sensing is envisioned not only as a technical solution, but also as a methodological enabler for accessible, scalable, and reusable sensing platforms capable of evolving from controlled laboratory settings to real-world field applications.
References
[1] Chan K., Schillereff D. N., et al. Low-cost electronic sensors for environmental research: Pitfalls and opportunities. Progress in Physical Geography: Earth and Environment. 2021; 45(5): 576-601. doi: 10.1177/0309133320956567
[2] Grasso G., Zane D., Dragone R. Field and Remote Sensors for Environmental Health and Food Safety Diagnostics: An Open Challenge. Biosensors. 2022; 12(5): 285. 10.3390/bios12050285
[3] Grasso G. Fungal Frontiers in (Bio)sensing. Biosensors. 2026; 16(2): 131. 10.3390/bios16020131
Increasing the computing and memory efficiency of artificial intelligence is a major driver in current research. In memory computing tackles this problem at the hardware level by removing the memory-computing bottleneck intrinsic to current von Neumann architectures. At the algorithmic level, approaches such as multi-experts or low rank adaptation attempt to achieve the same performance with less memory.
In this work we combine these approaches in a novel, hardware memristive-spintronic approach[1]. We use the memristive properties to implement in memory computing, while we use the spintronic ones to switch between different, pre-stored experts.
We tested this approach in simulations of reinforcement learning which together with supervised and unsupervised learning, is one the three paradigms for learning in artificial intelligence. Reinforcement learning is based of rewarding the system when the desired goal is achieved and is a primary tool for robotics. The simulations were aimed at demonstrating the ability to train several experts simultaneously on the same physical substrate. We used inverted pendulum balancing, a classic reinforcement learning benchmark, to test our concept, and demonstrated the ability to train the hardware to balance three distinct inverted pendula[2], [3].
Bibliography
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[2] C. Baldassini et al., «Spintronic Advantage of Molecular Spin-Valves for Reinforcement Learning», in 2026 IEEE International Magnetic Conference - Short Papers (INTERMAG Short Papers), apr. 2026, pp. 1–2. doi: 10.1109/INTERMAGShortPapers68882.2026.11596177.
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