News

Un gemello in Comune - Spoke 1 NODES e il Digital Twin di Torino All’interno di Spoke 1 NODES, a partire dal lavoro del Dipartimento Interateneo di Scienze, Progetto e Politiche del Territorio del Politecnico di Torino e dell'Università di Torino si sviluppa il Digital Twin della Città di Torino.   Il Digital Twin è (ri)costruito partendo da 32mila fotogrammi e scansioni LiDAR, precise al centimetro. Una grandissima mole di dati presi da terra e dall’alto, la cui combinazione permette di creare un modello tridimensionale estremamente realistico, con l’aspetto e le proporzioni della città, in grande dettaglio. Il gemello digitale di Torino sarà utilizzato dall’amministrazione della Città per capire le necessità della città più in fretta, per pianificare efficacemente sia interventi urgenti che policy e progetti futuri. Il modello è infatti uno strumento ideale per supportare i decisori, a servizio dei cittadini.   Al momento, è possibile scoprire il modello presso Il Museo dell’Automobile di Torino con l’iniziativa “Spazio Futuro”, che offre uno sguardo sulle trasformazioni in atto per la mobilità sostenibile sulle possibili traiettorie del futuro.  

On Tuesday, 24 June, a meeting was held at the Council Hall of the Municipality of Sant’Alessio con Vialone between the Research Module 1 team of the flagship project Formidabilae, Mayor Ivana Maria Cartanì, and agricultural entrepreneur Stefano Lamberti, owner of Tenuta Vialone.   The discussion aimed to explore the future sustainability of agricultural enterprises and to reflect on the role that the farm of the future can play as a productive, energetic, and social space in response to current environmental and territorial challenges. The research project, developed by AUDE Lab of the Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture at the University of Pavia, proposes a reconfiguration of the traditional Lombard farmstead as an ideal model of an agro-energetic farm—capable of integrating technological innovation, landscape stewardship, energy self-sufficiency, and community values.   During the meeting, Prof. Carlo Berizzi and Prof. Nadia Bertolino, supported by research interns Adele Bianchi and Beatrice Zanetti, presented the preliminary outcomes of a design-based research project centred on Cascina Vialone, used as a case study to explore alternative models of agriculture and land management.   The collaboration between research, local government, and economic stakeholders proved to be a strategic driver for promoting high-impact social innovation, and will be publicly shared through the upcoming exhibition “Cultivating the Future: Agriculture, Energy, Community”, curated by the AUDE Lab team and scheduled for Autumn 2025. This initiative is part of the broader mission of the PNRR NODES project to develop sustainable models of agro-industrial innovation that generate territorial and collective value.

Secondary agro-industry at the reference event for the sustainable future of the global food system The Spoke 7 of the NODES project has recently brought the results of the research to Singapore, participating in the international conference Future Foods - Bridging the future of sustainability and food science, a reference event for the sustainable future of the global food system.   During the event, the results of some research activities conducted within Spoke 7 were presented, in particular in the context of the Industrial PoC "Circular Egg". Luisa Torri illustrated the main outcomes of the project, highlighting how the "circular egg" represents a concrete and promising solution for the market, capable of combining innovation and sustainability.   Next, Marta Bertolino presented the results of the activity "Apple pomaces: from waste to potential functional ingredient in biscuits. Investigation of the effects of variety and concentration of use", the result of a collaboration between the University of Turin and the University of Gastronomic Sciences, focused on the reuse of apple cake - a by-product of the food industry - to increase the nutritional value of biscuits, showing a virtuous example of circular economy applied to food.   A further contribution entitled "Appl[e]ause: evaluation of gastronomic pairing, context of consumption and consumer acceptability of apple pomace-based bakery products", presented in poster format by Nazarena Cela, illustrated a research activity developed in synergy between Unisg and Politecnico di Torino, demonstrating the strong interdisciplinary approach that characterizes Spoke 7.   Participation in Future Foods confirmed the international level of the activities conducted within Spoke 7, demonstrating how the NODES project is at the forefront of guiding future trends in the food system, through research, innovation and strategic collaborations.

Applications Now Open for Reaction – Acceleration Program 2025   The ReAction acceleration program is back, dedicated to supporting innovative local startups. This year’s focus expands on the themes of the first edition, with the addition of Sustainable Mobility from Spoke 1.   ReAction is an acceleration program for Italian startups operating within the Ecosystem sectors, designed to foster growth in the context of the twin digital and ecological transitions, while promoting the development of innovative and sustainable industrial models.   The program offers a three-month tailored pathway, featuring thematic workshops, mentorship, founders battles, industrial worktables, business model validation support, meetings with investors, and participation in national and international events — all valuable opportunities for networking and matchmaking to build strategic connections with professionals, investors, and key stakeholders.   The program is supported by the Innovative Enterprises Incubator of the Politecnico di Torino (I3P), a key partner of Spoke 1 and a hub of essential expertise for the development of early-stage startups. I3P provides strategic consulting, coaching, mentoring, and valuable support for fundraising activities.   Main goals and benefits for selected startups: Strengthening of startup solutions, encouraging innovation and experimentation New tools to integrate ESG metrics, circular economy principles, and SDGs into business models Definition of sustainable, scalable business models Go-to-market, distribution, and sales strategies Connections with investors, companies, institutions, and other key ecosystem players   Applications are open from June 25 to July 21, 2025.   For more information and to apply:   ReAction  

Il Research Module 5  del progetto TINCARE NODES - Spoke 5 ha avviato una nuova sperimentazione dedicata all'analisi dell'impatto delle interazioni sociali su stress e performance cognitiva, attraverso l'uso integrato di strumentazione fisiologica non invasiva e compiti digitali gamificati. Nel corso delle sessioni sperimentali, i partecipanti svolgono esercizi mirati allo studio della memoria e delle funzioni esecutive, e come queste vengono influenzate da contesti cooperativi o competitivi. Durante l'attività, vengono registrati i segnali di attività elettrodermica (EDA) e elettrocardiagramma (ECG), utili per monitare l'andamento dell'attivazione fisiologica e delle risposte emotive.  Questa combinazione metodologica consente di studiare come diversi contesti sociali influenzino la regolazione dello stress e l'efficacia nei compiti cognitivi. L'obiettivo finale è la creazione di una piattaforma digitale per la riabilitazione cognitiva, rivolta a persone con decadimento cognitivo, o chiunque voglia tenere la mente in forma, che integri gamification, riabilitazione e principi di neuroestetica per aumentare l'engagement e l'efficacia dell'intervento.    Partecipa anche tu!    Il team del RM5 sta attualmente cercando nuovi volontari interessati a partecipare alle sessioni sperimentali, che si svolgono presso l'Università di Torino.  Per candidarti o ricevere maggiori informazioni, puoi scrivere a: francesca.piovesan@unito.it    

On 12 June 2025, the final conference of the SmartSilo project was held at the headquarters of SIVAM S.p.A., as part of the NODES – Nord Ovest Digitale e Sostenibile programme (Spoke 6 – Primary Agroindustry). Together with Società Agricola Berticelli Luigi S.S. and the research centre CERZOO, around 30 dairy farmers and stakeholders gathered to share the key outcomes of the project.   During the event, an intelligent silo system was presented, equipped with electronic load cells capable of remotely monitoring daily feed and supplement consumption. Through digital monitoring and the use of advanced sensors such as ruminal boluses, the project enabled more efficient logistics, reduced waste and packaging, and optimised cow diet management based on precision feeding principles.   Professor Francesco Masoero presented CERZOO’s scientific contribution to the experimental validation of the system, highlighting its benefits in terms of environmental sustainability and animal welfare.   The event underlined the crucial role of digitalisation in making the dairy supply chain more efficient and resilient, in line with the objectives of Spoke 6. With the official project closure, a wider dissemination phase of the results will soon begin to encourage the adoption of the SmartSilo system across the sector.

The Spoke 7 event at Simbiosi, Innovation Center Giulio Natta The seminar "From research to business: sustainable strategies for public health" (June 20, 2025) represented an opportunity for discussion between the academic world, applied research and businesses on the topic of sustainability, with particular attention to its implications in the health and environmental fields.   Promoted as part of the NODES project and the extended OnFoods partnership, the event involved students, young researchers, university professors, startups and local businesses in a day full of ideas and testimonials. The program addressed the issue of sustainability through an integrated approach, along the entire supply chain: from the environment to nutrition, from the valorization of waste to the circular economy, up to the strategic role of businesses.   Hellas Cena opened the proceedings with a reflection on the link between environment and health, underlining the urgency of promoting lifestyles and dietary models capable of preserving public health and the planet. Following this, Sara Boussetta examined the concept of sustainable nutrition, illustrating innovative solutions for a fairer and healthier future. The dialogue between research and business was at the center of the speech by Vincenzo Della Monica, who presented the vision of Simbiosi: transforming utilities, industries and property owners into “environment producers” through nature-based solutions, waste valorization and resource regeneration.   The second part of the morning was dedicated to the valorization of bioactive molecules and the  fight against malnutrition, with the speech by Niccolò Meriggi (CNR IBBA) and Adele Papetti (University of Pavia), who highlighted the therapeutic and nutraceutical potential of compounds extracted from organic matrices. Closing the session, Pietro Agostinelli illustrated how artificial intelligence can support the circular economy, monitoring and optimizing the use of land and natural resources.   In the afternoon, a guided tour was organized at Simbiosi, a host company born from agro-environmental research projects and now active in the development of sustainable technologies applied to the real world. The experience allowed those present to see circular and nature-based solutions in action that integrate innovation, environmental protection and social responsibility.

The prestigious award given at the 45th SINU National Congress  On the occasion of the 45th National Congress of the Italian Society of Human Nutrition (SINU), held in Salerno from 28 to 30 May 2025, Federica Quintiero, research fellow at the Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine of the University of Pavia, was awarded for the scientific value of her contribution.   Federica, involved in the Spoke 7 of the NODES – Digital and Sustainable North West project, funded by the PNRR and active at the University's Food Education and Sports Nutrition Laboratory, received the Award for the Best Poster Communication with the work entitled Validation of structure of home cooking skills questionnaire: an Italian version (HCSQ- ITA).   The study, developed within the Spoke 7 – Secondary agro-industry of the NODES project, aims to validate the Italian version of the Brazilian questionnaire “Primary Health Care Home Cooking Skills Scale (PHCHCSS)”, a tool to evaluate the domestic culinary skills of the Italian population.   This represents the fundamental starting point for the launch of food education and culinary medicine projects, with the aim of improving not only the population's knowledge, but also their eating habits and culinary.

Il gruppo di ricerca del Dipartimento di Economia e Culture dell'Università degli Studi dell'Insbubria, coordinato dalla Prof.ssa Roberta Minazzi, ha recentemente presentato al convegno Sinergie-SIMA dal titolo “Tertiarization & sustainability. New challenges for management in the digital era” (Genova il 12 e 13 giugno 2025) il paper dal titolo «Rapporto di sostituibilità fra sharing economy accommodation e imprese alberghiere», realizzato nell’ambito del progetto PNRR NODES – Spoke 3 Turismo e Cultura.   Negli ultimi anni, la sharing economy ha assunto un ruolo di rilievo all’interno del sistema turistico tradizionale, modificando le dinamiche competitive e sollevando interrogativi sull’impatto che gli alloggi in affitto a breve termine esercitano sulle strutture alberghiere e sulla destinazione nel suo complesso.   Lo studio si concentra sull’area del Lago di Como, territorio che ha registrato una crescita significativa di strutture ricettive gestite secondo modelli di sharing economy. Attraverso un’indagine basata su questionari somministrati a un campione di 104 turisti, la ricerca ha evidenziato la presenza di un effetto di sostituzione limitato principalmente alle strutture alberghiere di fascia medio-bassa.   Tra i fattori che spingono i viaggiatori a preferire gli affitti a breve termine emergono la maggiore convenienza economica e la posizione strategica delle soluzioni disponibili, elementi che suggeriscono la necessità, per alcune imprese alberghiere, di ripensare strategie di differenziazione e posizionamento sul mercato.   Questo contributo si inserisce nelle attività di ricerca promosse dallo Spoke 3 Industria del Turismo e Cultura del progetto PNRR NODES, con l’obiettivo di fornire analisi e strumenti utili per supportare lo sviluppo sostenibile e competitivo del settore turistico italiano.

On 28 May 2025, Professor Fabio Dell’Acqua (University of Pavia) presented the initial results achieved by his Research Module within VINO flagship project at the Radar and Remote Sensing Workshop (RRSW) organised by GTTI.   The study, conducted in collaboration with the Microwave Remote Sensing Lab (MRSLab) at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay and the Telecommunication and Remote Sensing Lab at UniPV, proposes an innovative approach to vineyard monitoring by combining optical vegetation indexes with multi-polarisation radar indexes. The case study focused on vineyards in the Valle Versa area, contributing to the development of more sustainable, data-driven agricultural practices.   The project is now expanding to Armenia, where full-polarimetric radar data are being acquired through the support of the Italian Space Agency (project AO "ID 910 actirs4env-nodes") on vineyards at Trinity Canyon Vineyards, equipped with in-situ sensors. In collaboration with the CENS NAS RA, researchers are analysing the relationship between radar responses and the seasonal evolution of the vine, also thanks to the presence of co-author Andrea Bergamaschi (UniPV), currently on Erasmus+ mobility.   Future developments include the modelling of radar backscatter from vine rows, in collaboration with Professor Ferdinando Nunziata from Sapienza University of Rome. The project thus strengthens the international and multidisciplinary network of Spoke 6, contributing to digital innovation for a more sustainable agri-food industry.   This experience confirms the strategic value of international research cooperation promoted by Spoke 6, fostering synergies between universities, centres of excellence, and businesses worldwide to advance digital and sustainable solutions in agroindustry.

Ecosystem partners at StartupItalia Open Summit 2025 On 11 June, Politecnico di Torino, coordinator of Spoke 1, hosted SIOS25, one of Italy's leading events for innovation, start-ups and entrepreneurship. Designed to connect startups, investors, companies, institutions, students and innovators, the event provided a valuable platform for discussion, inspiration and networking. The overarching theme of this 10th edition was 'Digital Renaissance': an approach that encourages entrepreneurs, start-ups and thinkers to consider how technology can enhance, rather than replace, human beings in an era of great transformation. Topics such as artificial intelligence, pervasive digitisation and contemporary challenges formed the focus of the debate, with the aim of creating an inclusive technological future in which humans continue to be at the heart of innovation. Through the Innovation Village, workshops, and the SIOS25 Main Stage, Spoke 1 partners, including the Politecnico di Torino, LINKS Foundation, and I3P, as well as startups supported by and born with Spoke 1, such as Deplotic, shared their vision with the innovation players in attendance. NODES represents a strategically important area undergoing transformation, capable of identifying innovation needs at a national and international level. Turin has been confirmed as the ideal location in which to showcase and reinforce this well-established innovation network. Giuseppe Scellato, scientific coordinator of NODES Spoke 1, professor at Politecnico di Torino and president of I3P, engaged in direct dialogue with some of the major local investors and promising start-ups. In particular, he discussed how, through I3P and collaboration with NODES and ESA BIC Turin, the creation and development of start-ups is favored, in order to promote industrial competitiveness, particularly in the aerospace sector — a key area for Spoke 1 in NODES. Spoke 1 has the ambition to consolidate a leadership position, based on scientific excellence and knowledge transfer to the industrial fabric. The event website:   Summer Torino - Sios25   Event by StartupItalia  

in a demonstration of anatomical knowledge and collaborative spirit, the Students Challenges ''UPO Anatomy Talents 2025'' concluded with great success. The event was conceived and coordinated by Professor Francesca Boccafoschi, leader of the flagship project INNDIANA within the NODES - Nord Ovest Digitale e Sostenibile initiative (Spoke 5 – Health Industry and Silver Economy). On June 6th, at the SIMNOVA center in Novara, young talents from the University of Piemonte Orientale,University of Torino,University of Bologna,University of Cagliari, University of Verona and University of Genova, put themselves to the test in a high-intensity simulation pathway. Activities included virtual anatomy tables, microscopic anatomy tests, challenges on the heart, bones, muscles, splanchnology and even a comparison between artificial intelligence and human knowledge.  The event was not just a competition but a real experential learning lab that gave students the opportunity to: test their theoretical knowledge in realistic scenarios; learning by doing; experience teamwork, time management and stress handling; improve their communication and decision-making skills in complex situations. Winners of the 2025 edition:  🥇University of Piemonte Orientale 🥈University of Verona 🥉University of Torino    The goal of the challenge? To train competent, mindful doctors, ready to face the challenges of the healthcare profession with preparation, empathy and critical thinking. An immersive experience that combined theory, practice and innovation, confirming once again the importance of dynamic and multidisciplinary teaching approaches in medical university education.    Professor Boccafoschi comments: ''This third edition of the talent was particularly exciting! We have optimized various aspects of the organization thanks to past experiences. The collaboration of the other universities also in the organizational phases gratifying to see the surprised and smiling faces of the students, that they find university life engaging and fun even in the moments of training and learning''.    Special thanks for their support go to: Piccin Nuova Libraria S.p.A., Sectra, Anatomage Inc., Zaccanti S.p.A., Wolters Kluwer Italia, and Ceabis.        

The "Networking and Acceleration on the Digital and Sustainable Mountain" meeting, held on January 16 at the LINKS Foundation headquarters, was an important moment of progress for NODES Spoke 4. This is demonstrated by the data, such as: 68 registered attendees 22 participating companies and startups 8 meetings between companies/startups and investors 25 B2B meetings between companies/startups The average rating of the event by the participating funded companies, collected at the end of the meeting, was 8.75/10. An event that is only the first of a 2025 full of activities and initiatives.