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In Aosta, a day of creative dialogue among key players on results, impacts, and future visions On Friday, 18 July 2025, the NODES – North-West Digital and Sustainable Innovation Ecosystem gathered in Aosta for its sixth General Assembly, hosted at the new University Campus of the Università della Valle d’Aosta (UniVdA). It was an intense, well-attended day that placed shared assessment front and center: taking stock of results achieved, examining the first evidence of impact, and charting the horizon of activities between now and the Program’s conclusion at the end of the year.   The proceedings opened with a video welcome message from Stefano Paolo Corgnati, President of HUB NODES, while Alberto Gaggero, the newly appointed lead of Spoke 4 – Digital & Sustainable Mountain, conveyed greetings on behalf of UniVdA’s Rector, Manuela Ceretta.   With total participation exceeding 110 people, 85 onsite and about 25 online, the day marked an important opportunity for broad-based dialogue across the entire NODES network.

On Thursday, July 17, in the Council Chamber on Via Monte Generoso in Varese, the results of the fourth edition of "Innovation Camp for PhD Students" were presented. This course, launched in April, is dedicated to PhD students at the University of Insubria and aims to disseminate the principles of entrepreneurship and innovation.   Conceived as a six-stage program, the Innovation Camp was created by the university thanks to the collaboration between Spoke 3 and Spoke 2. Its goal is to introduce PhD students to the development of technical skills (hard skills) and interpersonal and transversal skills (soft skills), addressing the challenges of technology transfer, sustainability, and the economic valorization of research results.   The project was conceived and organized by Professor Mauro Fasano, the Rector's Delegate for Knowledge Valorization, and by professors Alessia Pisoni and Andrea Vezzulli from the Department of Economics, in collaboration with the university's Strategic Planning Office. Professors Francesca Ferrari, Andrea Bellucci, Ilaria Capelli, and Chiara Ronchetti also participated in the course, offering specific contributions on the various topics covered.   Organized into working groups, the doctoral students conceived and developed two business proposals: "Timeless," an innovative platform for the valorization of cultural heritage, and "DojoTech," a project that proposes the application of artificial intelligence to the world of martial arts.   During the event, the two teams competed with pitches, presenting their ideas to an audience and a panel of experts who commented on the projects, offered suggestions, and ultimately selected the proposal deemed most promising for the market. The meeting also provided an important opportunity for dialogue between the research community and the manufacturing sector, highlighting the innovative potential of doctoral programs.   The jury included Ivana Perusin, Deputy Mayor of Varese; Eloana Cardella, Head of the New Generations Service at the Varese Chamber of Commerce; Gloria Martignoni, Sustainability Specialist at Banca Sella Holding; and Maurizio Liverani, Angel Investor and Startup Expert.   After careful analysis, DojoTech was selected as Best Innovative Project 2025.   Competing Projects Timeless – Agency for the Promotion of Cultural Heritage Timeless is the first agency specializing in the mediation and redevelopment of properties protected for their historical and artistic value. It offers an integrated service combining legal advice, technical planning, and promotional support for owners, investors, and agencies. Through a dedicated platform, Timeless transforms forgotten assets into new cultural and economic opportunities, restoring function and value to often overlooked heritage.   DojoTech – Martial Arts and Artificial Intelligence DojoTech is an innovative startup that brings artificial intelligence to the world of martial arts, transforming traditional dojos into intelligent learning environments. Thanks to a proprietary algorithm, it's possible to analyze students' movements in real time, highlight technical errors, and generate personalized progress reports. The goal is to support instructors in their teaching and offer each student a more effective, engaging, and accessible path.

Una ricerca condotta dal Laboratorio di Fisiologia del DISSTE, Università del Piemonte Orientale, mostra come la combinazione di due sostanze, quali Palmitoiletanolamide (PEA) ed Equisetum arvense L. (Equiseto), sia in grado di agire direttamente sul cervello riuscendo così a ridurre dolore e infiammazione, dopo aver superato la barriera ematoencefalica.    Il dolore cronico e le neuropatie rappresentato una sfida per milioni di persone nel mondo, spesso trattate con farmaci che, pur efficaci, possono causare effetti collaterali significativi. La ricerca scientifica si sta orientando sempre di più verso soluzioni naturali e complementari, proprio come è stato effettuato da una recente ricerca condotta dal Research Module 2 di TINCARE del progetto NODES, pubblicata sulla rivista scientifica Nutrients (MDPI) che aggiunge un tassello importante in questa direzione.    Nel dettaglio è stato studiato in vitro il comportamento di una formulazione composta da PEA, una molecola lipidica con proprietà antiinfiammatorie, ed estratto di Equiseto, una pianta utilizzata tradizionalmente per le sue proprietà antiossidanti. Utilizzando un modello cellulare avanzato che simula la barriera ematoencefalica (BBB) validato in letterature scientifica, è stato osservato che questa combinazione non solo riesce ad attraversare efficacemente la barriera che protegge il cervello, ma esercita anche un'azione diretta sulle cellule nervose e glieli coinvolti nei meccanismi del dolore.    I risultati sono promettenti: la miscela ha migliorato la vitalità cellulare, ridotto lo stress ossidativo e abbassato i livelli di molecole infiammatorie. Inoltre, ha modulato positivamente alcuni meccanismi intracellulari chiave legati alla percezione del dolore e alla neuroinfiammazione, tra cui si possono citare i recettori degli endocannabinoidi su cui la combinazione agisce modulando i livelli dei principali endocannabinoidi come l'anandamide.  Questa scoperta apre nuove prospettive per lo sviluppo di integratori o trattamenti nutraceutici in grado di supportare il sistema nervoso centrale e contribuire al sollievo dal dolore in modo naturale e meno aggressivo rispetto ai tradizionali farmaci. 

Spoke 4 continues to support local businesses. LINKS Foundation, a Spoke 4 partner, has prepared a guide to upcoming deadlines for competitive calls for proposals that may be of interest to local businesses involved in the NODES ecosystem. The guide with information is included in the attachments. Our staff is available for one-on-one meetings. To schedule a meeting, please write to info.spoke4@ecs-nodes.eu

The food education project to fight waste From June 21 to July 1, 2025, Federica Quintiero (University of Pavia) conducted a food education initiative aimed at boys and girls from the Voghera summer camp, traveling to the mountain resort of Macugnaga.   The initiative promotes sustainable and innovative approaches in the fields of health and nutrition. Specifically, the activity aimed to introduce children to the issues of food and environmental sustainability through an educational program based on practical experiences and moments of shared reflection.   The project was divided into several phases. A significant portion was dedicated to promoting virtuous behaviors to reduce food waste, such as reusing leftovers and paying attention to portion sizes. Another key focus was reducing the use of single-use plastic by encouraging the use of water bottles filled with drinking water from local fountains: a natural, safe, and sustainable resource.   Among the most engaging moments, the cooking workshop allowed children to try their hand at preparing simple, low-impact dishes, contributing to the development of manual skills, creativity, and greater awareness of the value of food, in line with the principles of sustainability education promoted by NODES.   At the end of the program, a nutrition education lesson was offered, focusing on the creation of balanced meals, exploring topics such as the Mediterranean Diet pyramid, the variety and seasonality of foods, and the importance of informed choices. This project was a valuable educational experience, providing participants with concrete tools to develop healthy, sustainable, and conscious eating habits that can be maintained in their daily lives.

An achievement that confirms the project excellence and entrepreneurial potential of NODES Spoke 6, turning research and innovation into concrete, nationally recognized ventures.   Outstanding results for NODES at the 2025 Startup Contest organized by Borsa della Ricerca: two of the ten winning projects come from Spoke 6, making NODES the only PNRR-funded ecosystem to receive a double award.   The Startup Contest is a national initiative designed to highlight entrepreneurial ideas and emerging startups developed within PNRR projects. The 2025 edition saw the participation of 50 teams who presented their solutions and proof-of-concepts to a national audience of over 100 leading companies and investors, including Thermo Fisher, RINA, De Longhi, ENAV, EssilorLuxottica, Colussi, Zoppas and Giuliani. The winners were selected by a jury of R&D managers from Barilla, NTTData, Webuild, Pfizer, and representatives of Invitalia.   The two winning projects from Spoke 6 are: 🔹 BIORESTART 4.0 – An innovative and sustainable extraction technology for producing functional plant-based ingredients from fruit, vegetable, and aromatic plant by-products. Applications span the food and agrochemical sectors, with clear environmental and cost benefits compared to traditional solvent-based methods. 🔹 DEMETRA – A virtual reality training system for agricultural workers that enables learning of crop-handling techniques regardless of seasonality. Real farming tools are adapted for virtual interaction, offering companies reduced training costs, time savings, and standardized learning outcomes.   Both teams will participate in the Forum EXPO PNRR, to be held in Catania from October 1 to 3, 2025, with a customized agenda of B2B meetings with investors, companies, and innovation stakeholders.

Napoli, 14-17 giugno 2025 - Il 25° Convegno Nazionale AIIC, tenutosi a Napoli, ha visto la partecipazione di oltre 2500 esperti, istituzioni e aziende, confermandosi evento di riferimento per innovazione e sostenibilità in sanità. I temi principali sono stati la sostenibilità ambientale e l'intelligenza artificiale, con l'obiettivo di responsabilizzare tutti gli attori del sistema sanitario. Tra gli argomenti trattati: il riutilizzo delle tecnologie mediche (second hand), il Right to Repair, l'interoperabilità dei dispositivi medicali e i criteri ESG. Si è discusso del potenziale della telemedicina, delle stampanti 3D e di progetti innovativi come Telestroke e TED. È stato sottolineato il ruolo chiave dell'ingegneria clinica nella gestione consapevole delle tecnologie. Il mondo industriale ha partecipato attivamente, con premi assegnati ai progetti più innovativi. Il convegno ha lanciato un messaggio chiaro: occorre accelerare l'integrazione tra sanità, tecnologia e sostenibilità ambientale.    bioPmed ha partecipato con uno stand collettivo, rappresentando il Sistema Poli e l'ecosistema dell'innovazione NODES. Sono state protagoniste le aziende del Polo che hanno aderito alla collettiva (Azoi, Syndiag, Nuova BN, SurgiQ, DAIRI, Ospedale di Alessandria), insieme ad altre realtà del network di Bioindustry Park e NODES (INTA, Robosan).   L'evento ha offerto un'importante opportunità di visibilità grazie alla partecipazione agli AIIC Awards e al premio AIIC, con la possibilità per le aziende del Polo e del network di presentare i propri progetti innovativi.  Il convegno ha permesso anche di valorizzare le attività legate ai progetti NODES.  Tra i progetti presentati:  Pocus AI: intelligenza artificiale per l'ecografia in telemedicina per la diagnosi precoce ginecologica al punto di cura; TEPSIM: simulatore di pianificazione dell'embolizzazione transarteriosa;  TOT-AL: ottimizzazione della Transizione Ospedale Territorio presso l'Ospedale di Alessandria;  ROBO-HOSPITAL: piattaforma robotica per la gestione dei campioni biologici negli ospedali.    La partecipazione ha permesso di rafforzare il posizionamento dei progetti come esempi concreti di tecnologie e soluzioni a beneficio della salute e dell'ambiente. 

At the international conference TerraenVision 2025 – Nature-based Solutions to Facilitate the Transitions for Living within the Planetary Boundaries, held in Granada from July 8 to 11, the NH1 panel dedicated to Spoke 6 of the NODES project took place with great success.   Hosted at the Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería de Caminos, Canales y Puertos of the University of Granada, the event attracted a large and engaged audience and was part of three intensive days of scientific sessions, plenaries, debates, and field activities focused on nature-based solutions for climate resilience.   The panel, titled Innovative solutions for increasing resilience to water-related hazards and soil erosion in agricultural areas, was coordinated by Valerio Vivaldi, Valentina Vaglia, and Chiara Toffanin (University of Pavia), and represented an important opportunity for dissemination and international engagement for Spoke 6 within the broader NODES initiative.   Strongly interdisciplinary, the panel reflected the diverse core areas of Spoke 6 and its flagship projects, bringing together expertise in agronomy, hydrogeology, engineering, biology, and digital technologies.   Among the key contributions, Nadia Bertolino presented a project integrating water resilience, agricultural production, and energy generation at Cascina Vialone; Giovanni Marchese discussed new agronomic scenarios for viticulture in the Oltrepò Pavese; and Valerio Vivaldi introduced an integrated approach for assessing shallow landslide susceptibility on vineyard slopes. Antonio Gambarani illustrated the positive effects of Nature-based Solutions on soil degradation mitigation, while Ali Hajian and Kima Saber Sichanii analyzed the mechanical behavior of clayey soils treated with fungal agents. Joining remotely, Fabio Dell’Acqua presented an advanced satellite-based monitoring system applied to vineyards in Northern Italy, developed within the NODES project.   The strong participation and vibrant discussion among experts confirmed the high scientific value of the session and the strategic role of Spoke 6 in addressing environmental challenges through systemic, innovative, and integrated approaches.

NEWBREATH researchers at the congress of the Italian Chapter of the European Society of Biomechanics. From June 18th to June 19th, the Italian members of the Italian Chapter of the European Society of Biomechanics gathered in Palermo for their annual congress, the main Italian event for experts in the field of biomechanics: l'ESB-ITA2025. The event was attended by young researchers led by Prof. Alberto Audenino, Prof. Mara Terzini and Dr. Simone Borrelli, who took the opportunity to share the latest results from research activities carried out within  NEWBREATH, TINCARE's Research Module 4, which aims to develop a ventilation device to support patients at home. In particular, the study entitled ''Optimization of Non-Invasive Ventilation Interfaces: Experimental Insights into Reducing CO2 Rebreathing'' was presented. The study focuses on the accumulation of carbon dioxide within helmet- and mask-type interfaces commonly used in non-invasive ventilatory support. The study identified the interfaces at greatest risk of accumulation and proposed innovative designs that reduce this phenomenon, thus increasing safety for the ventilated patient.   The analysis of non-invasive ventilation interfaces was also published in the Journal of Biomechanics. Coinciding with the event, the paper that explores this topic in depth, and which can be consulted free of charge, was published in the journal of choice for the biomechanics communty, the Journal of Biomechanics:  (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0021929025003380?via%3Dihub). The Palermo days and the publication in this important scientific journal represented a further stimulus to the continuation of the research and encouraged the sharing of the results with the respiratory biomechanics community, in Italy and abroad.

The afternoon of Monday, 30 June 2025 saw the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Eastern Piedmont play host to the eighth stop of Round GRIP - Spoke 2, the cycle of meetings dedicated to the exchange between research, innovation and enterprise promoted as part of the NODES Ecosystem. 📍 The focus of the event was the Research Module 2 (RM2) of the GRIP project, dedicated to innovative solutions for waste-to-energy and upcycling processes: a concrete opportunity to learn more about sustainable practices and frontier experiences. After the institutional greetings, participants were treated to a series of speeches dedicated to the NODES Ecosystem, the role of Spoke 2 and the specific challenges faced by the RM2, including industrial context, critical issues and technological opportunities. 💬 The voice of business took centre stage in the second part of the afternoon: through thematic working tables, companies and researchers discussed experiences, needs and potential areas of collaboration.   The day ended with a moment of restitution and networking, confirming Round GRIP's mission: to build solid and lasting connections between the world of research and the entrepreneurial fabric, in a sustainable and territorial key.   🔄 Next stop? Coming soon! The Round GRIP journey continues, with the aim of enhancing local expertise and strengthening the synergy between innovation and sustainability. 🚀

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.

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  

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.