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Starting with a case study developed within Spoke 4 NODES - the virtual reality modeling of a mountain cabin in Valle Cervo based on its photograph - an experiment was initiated at the Politecnico di Torino to explore the course topics with a new approach, capable of simulating the expected outcomes in an alternative, virtual, and immersive reality. Participants in the new course "Virtual Reality and Vulnerabilities," led by Anna Osello, a professor in the Department of Structural, Building, and Geotechnical Engineering (DISEG), and Umberto Manera, a researcher at the University of Turin, as part of the curricular course "Great Challenges – Health," used specific headsets to tackle digital modeling concerning the chosen type of vulnerability. The vulnerabilities of individuals - from physical illnesses to mental disorders - are at the heart of the proposed teaching. Thanks to the synergy between different disciplines - engineering and humanities - it explores the potential of digital tools in designing shared and interconnected spaces where users can interact through their avatars. Enhancing reality with virtuality is the goal of this educational experience, aiming to offer entertainment activities for those suffering from debilitating conditions through a therapeutically designed path. From lessons to exams, the entire course took place in the Metaverse, with the teachers and collaborators also present in the virtual reality modeled by the participants. A total of 23 multidisciplinary groups were formed, including "Digital and Sustainable Mountain," each composed of six students. Each group identified a vulnerability to address and modeled the virtual space according to the specific needs of the people involved. The ultimate goal is to train well-rounded engineers capable of designing public spaces precisely while safeguarding the various vulnerabilities present in our society.

  Enrollment is now open for the course "Frontier Olive Growing and Other Alternative Herbaceous Crops in Non-Mediterranean Climate Areas", offered by the University of Pavia. The course, led by Professor Graziano Rossi, is designed to provide agricultural operators with a wide range of practical and theoretical skills related to the development of olive cultivation and herbaceous crops such as cereals and artichokes, which are particularly suited to the sub-mountainous areas of northern Italy. Through a combination of theoretical lessons, practical activities, and company visits, participants will acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to successfully cultivate olives and other herbaceous crops in the sub-mountainous areas of northern Italy, thereby contributing to the growth and sustainability of the agricultural sector.   The course is free and will take place from October 6, 2023, to June 30, 2024. Enrollment is open until September 10, 2024.   For further information, please consult the course information sheet.    

On Wednesday 26 June 2024, at the Como - S. Abbondio headquarters of the University of Insubria, the results of the initiative were presented: Innovation Camp for PhD students; a course dedicated to PhD students who, during the sessions, were able to discuss important topics such as entrepreneurship and innovation, the development of hard and soft skills as well as technological transfer and the economic exploitation of research results.   The initiative, which falls within the scope of the NODES project and the initiatives of the Teaching and Learning Center, is organized by Prof. Mauro Fasano (Rector's Delegate for Innovation and Technology Transfer), Prof. Alessia Pisoni and the Prof. Andrea Vezzulli, in collaboration with the Strategic Planning Office. During the course, interventions were also made by Prof. Ilaria Capelli, Dr. Andrea Bellucci and Dr. Chiara Ronchetti.   In recent months, the course participants have worked in teams in order to create, thanks to the knowledge acquired in the theoretical introductory lessons regarding the Lean Startup approach, a proposal for an innovative business idea which was presented in front of a jury of external experts which decreed the Best Innovative Project of 2024.   The members of the jury include: Dr. Elena Zaffaroni, head of the Incubation Area of ​​ComoNext Innovation Hub, Dr. Immacolata Tina, head of the Innovation and Digitalization operational unit of the Como - Lecco Chamber of Commerce, Dr. Luisa Minoli, head of the Research Area and Innovation of Confindustria Varese, Eng. Gabriele Del Pero, Innovation and Research Area of ​​Confindustria Como and Dr. Edoardo Braccio, Project Manager of Spoke 2 - Department of Management of the University of Turin.   The 2 teams of PhD students presented 2 projects: Cornexus and OphthaLink; two innovative Apps to be used in the health field.   After careful analysis, OphthaLink was found to be the Best Innovative Project of 2024.

Enrollment is now open for the course "Wine Tourism: Omnichannel Customer Experience," offered by the University of Turin. The course, led by Professor Anna Claudia Pellicelli from the Department of Management, aims to provide an in-depth understanding of positioning and communication dynamics in the wine sector, highlighting the crucial importance of these aspects in the context of the growing competition in the current market. By providing an overview of the most innovative trends, such as content marketing and social media marketing, the course aims to equip participants with the necessary tools to effectively engage consumers and build emotional connections with the brand. The course is intended for professionals aiming to develop marketing strategies that consider environmental changes, efficient resource management, and the integration of digital technologies to optimize the entire production process. It includes theoretical lessons and company testimonials, offering participants practical inspiration derived from the direct experience of industry enterprises.   The course is free and will take place from September 27 to October 9, 2024. Enrollment is open until September 2, 2024.   For further information, please consult the course information sheet.

Ecosystem players meet to find interesting new ways forward together, identifying the skills, synergies and needs of players in the Aerospace and Sustainable Mobility supply chains. The event "Projects and Progress. Academy and Industry dialogue" on June 19 was a great success in terms of participation and discussion among Spoke 1 actors, representatives from innovative companies and applied research presented projects funded through NODES, and then looked together for new developments and applications, comparing possibilities for cooperation and complementary skills.

A new model for the valorisation of the landscape-cultural heritage of the territory On Tuesday 18 June 2024, in Livorno Ferraris, at the MAVO - Archaeological Museum of Eastern Vercelli, the activities of the PARADIGMA project (Multimodal Digital Active Rural Landscapes in Livorno FerrAris) financed by the cascade calls of the NODES Ecosystem within the Spoke 3 - Tourism industry and culture, through the MUR - PNRR funds of the European Union - NextGeneration EU.  The project is coordinated by Ithaca Srl with the support of the Inter-university Department of Territorial Sciences, Projects and Policies (DIST) of the Polytechnic of Turin and involves the Municipality of Livorno Ferraris as an area of ​​study and experimentation.  The objective is to create an interactive and digital platform, based on cartographic supports and integrated with information and data specific to the territory to offer an accessible and complete narrative of the municipality and its surroundings.   Thanks to the platform, it will be possible to explore the main points of cultural, rural and historical interest through the description of the cycling itineraries that branch off from Livorno Ferraris. Together with the web platform, citizens and tourists will also have an app available for more immediate and smart use. The PARADIGMA project aims to propose a new model of enjoyment of the landscape-cultural heritage, both from the point of view of valorization and of the active participation of the population in the processes of protection of the environmental heritage. One of the most interesting and innovative planning phases of the project is in fact that of "knowledge building" which sees the involvement and direct participation of the administration, the stakeholders of the territory and the citizens, a precious source of information and narration of its territory, from a cultural and historical point of view.   The Mayor of Livorno Ferraris, Franco Sandra, shows satisfaction: “We are very happy that our territory has been chosen as a pilot for the experimentation of the PARADIGMA project. The platform that we are going to create adds and integrates into the path that we have already started with the Borghi delle Vie d'Acqua Association of which our Municipality is part and validates our passion and our commitment in making known the numerous excellences that the Vercelli area expresses". For Marco Valle, Director of Ithaca Srl: "With this project, we continue to increase our skills in the analysis and management of geospatial data to offer solutions and products also for the cultural and historical valorization of territorial heritage" explains Marco Valle, Director by Ithaca Srl "PARADIGMA is also particularly strategic because we will have the opportunity to develop an adaptable and flexible model in other contexts, giving other Municipalities and Villages the opportunity to promote their excellence".  A model therefore replicable on those territories not included in the dynamics of mass tourism but which can offer cultural, historical and food and wine resources of excellence and interest and which, thanks to new increasingly flexible and adaptable digital tools, can position themselves and promote themselves towards a wider audience.        

During the presentation event of the courses offered by the University of Pavia as part of the Spoke 6 training offer, Hermes Giberti, Full Professor at the Department of Industrial and Information Engineering and Rector’s Delegate for Technology Transfer, outlined the "Agritech Training: Precision Viticulture" course, which he leads. Giberti explains: "Agritech represents a crucial step for anyone wishing to adopt cutting-edge technologies and sustainable practices to improve their productivity and competitiveness. The course focuses on the adoption of digital technologies in agriculture, such as precision farming and internet farming, which significantly increase agricultural productivity. These technologies optimize the use of resources like water, fertilizers, and pesticides, increasing crop yields by 10% to 30% and reducing environmental impact. Sensors and real-time monitoring systems reduce fertilizer and pesticide waste by up to 40%, enhancing efficiency and lowering operational costs. Smart irrigation systems reduce water consumption by up to 50%, ensuring optimal plant growth. Continuous monitoring of crop and soil conditions allows for timely interventions, improving crop quality and reducing post-harvest losses.” "Agritech- continues Giberti- offers numerous benefits from an ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) perspective. It improves the working conditions of farmers, increases the productivity and profitability of agricultural businesses, and facilitates access to crucial information. It also enhances the transparency and accountability of agricultural companies, helping them comply with environmental and food safety regulations. These tools facilitate informed decision-making and improve access to credit through verifiable and accurate data. In summary, digital technologies in agriculture support sustainable and responsible practices, with significant benefits for the environment, society, and governance of agricultural businesses." The contribution of industry specialists from IBF Servizi, Bayer Crop Science, and TIM is fundamental, as they will share their expertise with course participants as instructors. The Agritech course will be held from July 15 to 31, 2024, and can be attended both online and in person. Enrollment closes on July 1, 2024. For more information and registration, consult the course information sheet.

The first Students' Challenge of the University of Valle d'Aosta for NODES, organized with Grivel, a mountain equipment manufacturer, ended successfully with a final meeting held on Monday 10th at the Department of Economic and Political Sciences. The winners were awarded by prof. Marco Alderighi, Project Manager of Spoke 4 NODES; by prof. Mario Benassi, tutor of the Open Innovation course for business development; Federico Molino, representing the Spoke 4 Stakeholders Committee; by Oliviero Gobbi, CEO Grivel; and Matteo Boffi, Sales Manager Grivel.   Winners: Cojla Pezo Nelson Michael Davison Cristian Filimon Diego Foti Alessia Juglair Nicole Bordet Dario Boero Andrea Lesto Nathanael Chabod

Advancement in polymer process engineering, driven by recent developments in fields such as nanotechnology, chemistry, informatics, engineering, electronics and textile technology itself, together with societal demand for promoting health, have led to the development of the innovative and multidisciplinary field of ''Smart Textile''. And it is from these premises that Research Module 2 (RM2) of the TINCARE Flagship Project, in collaboration with the ''Associazione Tessile e Salute'', wanted to invest in this field for the design of a new prototype T-shirt containing sections of nanoceramics.    The T-shirt has as peculiarity the ability to interact harmoniously with our body, adapting to every movement thanks to its fabric type, which provides high confort, resistance and elasticity with FIR (Far Infrared) technology thus obtaining  an elastic but non-compressive prototype.     The FIR radiation emitted by the nanoceramic particles is perceived at the skin level as a gentle radiant heat: the resulting epidermal temperature is higher when the skin is exposed to FIR. This depends on the mechanism of action associated with nanoceramics: the FIR energy emitted/dispersed normally by the human body is transferred to the ceramic particles, which act as ''reflective mirrors'' by transmitting the energy back to the skin.  Althought this may seem like an energetically neutral process, it's actually not because the material emitting FIR prevents its dispersion, allowing the body to derive the maximum benefit. Due to these properties, a clinical trial protocol has been developed for testing the prototype to explore its tolerability and beneficial properties for patients suffering from cervical and lumbar pain.  The primary objective of the study will be to explore the impact of the T-shirt on patients' quality of life, while simultaneously assessing muscle soreness and spasms. As of now, the study protocol has been drafted and we are awaiting approval from the Local Ethics Committee. 

As part of the Flagship Project VINO of Spoke 6, ERSAF successfully completed the soil surveys planned under Research Module 1, with the objective of enhancing current knowledge of the main soil parameters in the Oltrepò Pavese region. This research is essential for evaluating vineyard suitability on a microscopic scale, focusing on pilot sites. In collaboration with the research team from the University of Pavia, four experimental sites were selected for field studies using a manual auger. These surveys were conducted by the ERSAF team, which includes geologists, pedologists, and agronomists, resulting in 31 sampling points across the four sites: Montù Beccaria, Costa Cavalieri, Canevino, and Santa Maria della Versa. During the core sampling, soil samples were analyzed to observe characteristics such as color, mottling due to oxidation-reduction processes, secondary concentrations, and a preliminary estimate of texture. These data allow for the definition of soil stratifications and the assessment of root depth, as well as the identification of any limitations such as shallow water tables or drainage issues. Each sampling point was georeferenced, documented, and photographed for inclusion in the ERSAF database. The collected soil samples will undergo future physico-chemical laboratory analyses to supplement the information gathered in the field. These results will contribute to a more precise understanding of vineyard suitability in the region, supporting agricultural management decisions and land use planning.

The University of Turin and the Polytechnic  of Turin developing a metaverse where students explore 3D reconstructions of brains and participate in immersive virtual reality lessons.    The digital reproduction of the rooms in the Palace of the Anatomical Insitutes at the University of Turin (UNITO) makes it possible to visit these historical premises from all over the globe, and facilitates teaching in a completely new way.    The metaverse, a concept that combines virtual and augmented reality to create interactive digital worlds, is revolutionizing many sectors, including cognitive rehabilitation. In this context, the metaverse represents an innovative platform that allows users to interact immersivily and collaboratively within digital environments, providing new opportunities for learning and therapy.    The Department of Neuroscience of the University of Turin in collaboration with the digital media artists from the 'RKH' studio in Turin and the 3D Lab of the Department of Management and Production Engineering at the Polytechnic University of Turin, has developed a Metaverse that allows multi-user remote interaction, up to 50 users simultaneously.  As of today, Professor Calì, within Research Module 7 of the flagship project TINCARE, has tested the use of the platform in the Computer Vision II course of the Biotechnology for Neuroscience program. The platform utilizes three-dimensional reconstructions of nanoscale portions of the brain obtained from volume electron microscopy. This allows students to enlarge and literally immerse themselves inside small portion of the brain, exploring its processes and smallest synapses.   Furthermore, in the same manner, a group of students from IC Spaziani, Istituto Drovetti, from the first to the third grade, had the opportunity to experiment this new teaching method together. After vsiting the specialized room and observing real anatomical spcimens with their teachers, they participated in a VR lesson using some of the same specimens that had been digitized into 3D.    The goal of this work is to study the potential of an immersive environment: thorugh the typical interaction between teacher and students in a biology or anatomy class, this approach serves ad a proof-of-concept for the development usable in medical rehabilitation contexts. 

The two events proposed by the researchers of Spoke 6 as part of the Sustainable Development Festival were a great public success. The first event, organized by Professor Graziano Rossi’s team (Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of Pavia), was held on Saturday, May 18, 2024, at the Castello di Lardirago. The informative and convivial meeting "Rice for Your Teeth: Pavia Rice from Field to Table" was held on the occasion of the second anniversary of the Master's Degree in Agrifood Sustainability at the University of Pavia. About 150 people participated in the event, which invited reflection on rice cultivation in the Pavia area and the effects of climate change. The second event, organized by Professor Carola Ricci’s research group (Department of Political and Social Sciences, University of Pavia), was held on Friday, May 24, at the Aula Grande of the Department of Political and Social Sciences. The meeting "The Challenges Posed by Climate Change to the Wine Sector: Legal Responses" saw an audience of about 50 participants, including internationally renowned experts in the wine sector, lawyers, food technologists, agronomists, and scholars interested in the impact of the new CAP on the sector and, in general, in the protection of the wine landscape and quality wine production in the face of climate change.