Results of the academic POCs of Spoke 7 presented
Researchers from Spoke 7 presented the preliminary results of the Proof of Concepts funded by NODES at the Tech Sharing Days organized at the Polytechnic of Turin on May 27 and 28, two days entirely dedicated to sustainable innovation and technology transfer, where academic research had the opportunity to meet the business world and generate new opportunities for the North West.
The projects, carried out by researchers from the universities of Spoke and ecosystem partners, range across various topics related to innovation and sustainability in the agrifood sector, from attention to the Mediterranean diet to the development of new products based on insect flours and flours derived from mushrooms.
Common goal: transform applied research into concrete solutions ready for the market. The Spoke 7 teams had a large exhibition area set up in the courtyard of the Polytechnic, where they could show prototypes, materials, results and engage directly with investors, stakeholders and companies.
Research conducted in collaboration with the MadeInAdd company launched
Luisa Torri and Chiara Chirilli of the Sensory, Behavior and Cognition Lab research team of the University of Gastronomic Sciences participated in the 7th International Conference on Food Oral Processing – Physics, Physiology and Psychology of Eating in Valencia (12-14 May 2025), to share the results of the research activities conducted as part of the Spoke 7 Flagship Projects.
The conference saw the research group present two works related to an innovative study on an aspect relevant to understanding how people perceive and evaluate the characteristics of texture of foods, known as oral tactile acuity.
Individual differences in oral tactile acuity contribute to each person having a different oral perception of texture from another person and consequently influence eating behavior. "Participating in the conference - explained Chiara Chirilli - was a valuable opportunity to discuss interdisciplinary topics that connect oral sensitivity, sensory perception, nutrition, metabolism and design of new foods. Our contribution highlighted how oral tactile sensitivity can influence eating behavior and explain some individual preferences. Investigating differences in lingual tactile acuity can offer important insights for the development of personalized eating patterns based on sensory responses".
The research was conducted in collaboration with MadeInAdd, a partner company in the creation of the devices used to assess oral tactile acuity. Participation in the conference represented an important opportunity for visibility for the activities of Spoke 7 and strengthened the dialogue between scientific research, technological innovation and the food industry.
The University of Turin launches challenges for students from Piedmont
The program of the University of Turin 2030 Academy will be used to carry out the challenges of Spoke 7.
The NODES Spoke 7 Challenges are aimed at students enrolled at universities in Piedmont and will focus on the following topics: Digitalization as a tool to increase the efficiency of transformative food systems Innovative technologies for the stabilization of food Enhancement of food industry waste and its intelligent reuse Innovative approaches for the hygienic health control of food New innovative products based on vegetable raw materials
The challenges are linked to two Piedmontese companies:
Molino Stenca S.r.l. Born as an ancient water mill, Molino Stenca has been a point of reference for the soft wheat milling sector for sixty years and for 4 generations. Innovation and product customization are the distinctive features of the company. Ziccat S.r.l. Artisan chocolate maker since 1958, reinvented by a young and innovative group. In the artisan laboratory, the chocolate ingredients are carefully selected to guarantee quality and authenticity.
To register for the program, you must fill out the following form by May 15, 2025 at 11:59 p.m.
The University of Turin hosts the event dedicated to the theme of innovation
New products starting from valorized by-products, new processes for the control of food quality and food safety, digital technologies at the service of food transformation and supply chain control, environmental and social sustainability, circularity...
The event, linked to the NODES Spring Roadshow, took place in the Aula Magna of the University of Turin on March 25 and was attended by approximately 60 people including companies, stakeholders, researchers from the Turin area. North-West.
These are the themes of the stage hosted by the University of Turin and dedicated to the enterprises of Spoke 7 - Secondary Agro-industry to present the results of innovation projects! The perfect opportunity to show the enthusiasm of many companies and startups in experimenting with innovative solutions!
A seminar on sustainability in Pavia: an integrated approach for the future of the planet
On June 20, 2025, at Simbiosi – Innovation Center Giulio Natta in Giussago (PV), an unmissable event will be held for those interested in the sustainable future of our society.
The seminar, open both in presence (with mandatory registration by June 9 at this link) and online without the need for registration, it will offer an in-depth overview of sustainability through an integrated approach that embraces the entire supply chain, from industry to health.
During the day we will talk about:
sustainable technologies for efficient use of environmental resources;
circular economy strategies and waste valorization;
extraction of bioactive molecules with nutraceutical and therapeutic potential, also in the fight against malnutrition.
The program also includes a guided tour of Simbiosi, a unique opportunity to discover green technologies already in operation, immersed in a natural environment consistent with the values of innovation and environmental responsibility. Simbiosi was born from agro-environmental research projects and today presents itself as a point of reference in the application of sustainable solutions for industry, public services and the real estate sector.
With the concept of "Environment Producers", it promotes the conscious use of natural resources, the reduction of emissions, the valorization of waste and the protection of biodiversity. An event not to be missed for those who want to be a protagonist of the ecological transition.
Register by June 9th to participate in person!
Or follow the event online, without the need to register.
NODES Spoke 7 will be the protagonist at WMF 2025, the international fair dedicated to innovation, technology and the future, within the Innovation Area.
We will be present at the collective stand “Ecosistema dell’Innovazione Piemontese”, coordinated by the AGRIFOOD and ICT hubs. An opportunity for international visibility for 6 Spoke 7 entities, which will have the chance to talk about their projects, network and meet investors, innovators, companies and startups from all over Europe.
Results and impact of Spoke 7 PoCs
The technology transfer path represents a strategic element to transform scientific research into concrete solutions to support the competitiveness of the agro-industrial sector.
The event "From Research to Business: Results and Impact of Spoke 7 PoCs" on Tuesday 25 March 2025 aims to tell the results obtained by the Proof of Concept (PoC) projects developed within Spoke 7, with particular attention to innovations for secondary agro-industry and initiatives to support entrepreneurship.
The meeting will be an opportunity to present prototypes, products and demonstrators resulting from the PoC activities, enhancing the impact of innovative solutions on the production system and on companies in the sector.
Programme: 14:00 – Registration 14:15 – Presentation and start of work 14:30 – Results and impact of industrial PoCs in secondary agro-industry 15:30 – Promoting entrepreneurship: initiatives for innovation and competitiveness in the agri-food sector 16:00 – Tangible innovation: products, prototypes and demonstrators 17:15 – Closing of proceedings
The event is open to the world of research, to companies, startups, investors and stakeholders interested in discovering how research can become a driver of development for the agri-food sector.
Participation is free, subject to registration at the link below.
SIGN UP HERE
An event dedicated to companies on March 12 in Cuneo
The conference "Paths of innovation in the agro-industry" will be held on March 12, 2025, at the Aula Magna of the Department of Agricultural, Forestry and Food Sciences (DISAFA) of the University of Turin in Cuneo.
The event will be an opportunity to explore the new frontiers of innovation in the agri-food sector. After the welcome and institutional greetings, a session of interventions will follow on key topics such as: Robotics and agro-industry, with the design of a mobile robot for the collection and analysis of wine samples. Circular economy in the wine sector, with the presentation of a platform to promote sustainable practices. Communicating sustainability in food & beverage, to improve consumer perception.
From 11:30 to 12:30, a round table will discuss opportunities for growth and inclusion in the Piedmont agro-industry.
Innovative studies will be presented during the event, including: Biomechanical nanosensors for surface safety Consumer perception of technologies to extend the shelf-life of meat Use of agri-food by-products, such as the addition of hazelnut and apple extracts in meat burgers and brewing with apple scraps
The event, organized by Spoke 7 NODES in collaboration with the Interdepartmental Center for Food and Anti-Fraud Research, requires mandatory registration by March 11, 2025.
MANDATORY REGISTRATION
