For three days, the Bologna Research Area became a hub of science and collaboration, hosting the 2025 edition of the Scientific Days of the Department of Chemical Sciences and Materials Technologies (DSCTM). The event brought together over three hundred participants from the Department’s eleven Institutes, alternating invited lectures, oral presentations, flash presentations, and poster sessions.
Over the course of three days, 70 researchers and technologists from across Italy shared their projects and results in fields as diverse as advanced materials, life sciences, energy, green chemistry, and cultural heritage conservation — offering a vivid snapshot of the Department’s multidisciplinary research landscape.
ISOF research was presented by: Dr. Emanuela Saracino on “Advanced Materials and 3D Technologies bridging Basic and Applied Research”, Dr. Jessica Groppi on “Developing molecular devices and materials with photoactive compounds”, Dr. Marco Agnes on ” Cyclodextrin-based materials as multi purpose supramolecular platforms”, Dr. Sara Khaliha on “Upcycling of plastic scraps from biomedical membrane production and their use in water treatment technologies”,Dr. Elisa Martella on “A multimodal nano-based approach for cancer therapy: tumor microenvironment remodelling by photodynamic and immuno-therapies”, Dr. Anna Sansone on “Capsaicin, Oleic Acid, and their combined treatment Differentially Modulate Lipidome profile and Cytokine Levels in HepG2 Cells”, Dr. Claudia Ferroni on “Oxygenation, reprogramming and stem cell targeting: A therapeutic triad against triple negative breast cancer – NANOALLIANCE”, Dr. Alessandra Scidà on “Laser-scribing of biodegradable poly (lactic acid)/graphene oxide composites for sustainable electrochemical sensors”, Dr. Vasiliki Benekou on “Advanced Scanning Probe Microscopy for 2D materials”, Dr. Angela Pintus on “Direct Functionalization of graphene oxide in polymeric composites for tunable water contaminant adsorption”, Dr. Federica Ruani on “Control on the photophysical responses of porphirin-acridium conjugates upon application of different orthogonal triggers”, Dr. Elisa Bandini on “Carbon Dioxide Valorization by chemical, photo and electro-chemical processes (Cadivape)”, Dr. Emanuele Treossi on “Metal replacement with two-dimensional materials for sustainable polymer composites”, Dr. Andrea Trifoglio on “Synthesis of V-Shaped oligothiophenes photocatalysts and their incorporation into alginate beads for the degradation of emerging organic contaminants in water”, Dr. Roberta Fabbri on “Bioelectronic material interfaces and devices to stimulate and record glial dynamics”, Dr. Barbara Ventura on “Phtalocyanine-based host-guest supramolecular frameworks: assessing and modulating photoinduced energy/electron transfer processes for artificial photosynthesis applications”, Dr. Chiara Lazzarini on “Inorganic and organic platforms for neural cell culture and functional 3d in vitro modelling”, Dr. Andrea Barbieri on “A Multicomponent Solar Energy Conversion System with Extended Spectral Collection and Improved Efficiency (MUSES)”
The poster session – with about 80 posters on display – provided a lively space for discussion and exchange, allowing participants to share insights and spark new collaborations. After sharing the current state of research, at the closing ceremony, the Scientific Committee — led by the CNR Department Director, Lidia Armelao, together with the Institute Directors — awarded the best scientific posters across the Department’s thematic areas.
ISOF was proud to see the Advanced Materials area prize awarded to Federica Ruani; Ruani, Researcher at ISOF since 2021, works in the field of photochemistry and photophysics, and her effort within the European project NOAAH – Network of Functional Molecular Containers with Controlled Switchable Abilities was recognized.
Alongside the scientific sessions, visitors also had the chance to explore interactive projects that blend science, education, and play. During the event, scientific software and science-themed gaming projects designed by the Departments were showcased to participants. The projects highlight innovative ways of learning, teaching, and disseminating scientific knowledge across different ages. ISOF joined the initiative with two original science-themed board games:“RawSeekers – Control raw materials, dominate strategic technologies”, inspired by the classic game Risiko, and “Mendeleev’s World”: an exciting collectible card game fueled by chemical element facts.