The Italian delegation, composed of 12 students with Prof. S. Palladino, T. Barone and M. Reggiani was selected by Dr. A. Torreggiani and Dr. A. Zanelli among the schools collaborating with CNR-ISOF in Bologna to represent Italy at the International Conference Materials Without Borders, Science, sustainability and international collaboration.

The event was organized by the Department of Chemistry of the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics at the University of Banja Luka. Since 2019 the conference has brought together students from different countries as part of the RM@Schools European Project.

The initiative aims at introducing young people aged 13 to 19 to the world of materials science and research through hands-on STEM projects. Particular attention is devoted to major global challenges, including environmental sustainability, resource efficiency and the circular economy.

During the conference, students had the opportunity to present their research projects to an international audience and exchange ideas with peers from different countries. The projects were evaluated by an independent jury composed of experts, university researchers and representatives of scientific institutions.

Two Italian projects addressing environmental challenges

The Italian delegation presented two projects developed around the theme of environmental sustainability:

LIGHT LIFE 2.0 – Energy Efficiency
An educational board game c, designed to explore the principles of photovoltaic energy production, energy efficiency and responsible energy consumption.

IRON MAGNET – Nanotechnology for the Environment
A project investigating the potential of magnetic nanoparticles for water purification, with particular emphasis on the removal of organic pollutants. IRON MAGNET was awarded first place.

Beyond the competition itself, the experience in Banja Luka represented an important opportunity for the students to work in an international scientific environment, strengthen their scientific and communication skills, and engage directly with young researchers and students from different countries.

Initiatives such as this demonstrate how collaboration between the research community and education can create opportunities for students to experience science not only as a subject of study, but as a dynamic process of discovery, innovation and problem-solving.

Congratulations to the entire Italian delegation, the students and their teachers, for this remarkable achievement!

Here for more details:

The post Italian Student Delegation selected by CNR-ISOF wins at “Materials Without Borders” first appeared on CNR-ISOF.

As one of the DSCTM institutes, CNR-ISOF will actively contribute to the event by presenting recent advances in its research activities and participating in discussions on emerging scientific challenges and future research directions.

The Department Days provide a unique forum where scientists working in chemistry, green chemistry, advanced materials, photonics, nanoscience, energy, sustainability, biotechnology, pollution, water and related disciplines can share results, discuss innovative methodologies, and identify new opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration. By bringing together researchers with complementary expertise, the event fosters the development of integrated approaches to address complex scientific and technological challenges.

Beyond the scientific programme, the Department Days represent an opportunity to strengthen the DSCTM research community, encourage interactions between early-career and senior researchers, and stimulate new national and international collaborations. The event also promotes the exchange of best practices and strategic discussions on future research priorities within the Department.

We look forward to DSCTM days!

For the complete programme and additional information about the event, visit the official DSCTM Department Days 2026 webpage:

https://dsctm.cnr.it/it/giornate-di-dipartimento-2026.html

The post ISOF at the DSCTM Department Days 2026: Advancing Scientific Excellence Through Collaboration first appeared on CNR-ISOF.

“Water quality is continuously shaped by environmental pressures and human activities,” explains Dr. M. Melucci, “Many compounds used in domestic, industrial and agricultural applications eventually reach aquatic environments. Some of these substances are only recently regulated, or not yet regulated, and may pose significant risks to ecosystems and human health.”

Emerging contaminants encompass a highly diverse range of chemicals, often present at trace concentrations but characterised by high persistence, mobility and potential toxicity. Their ability to move across water, soil and air makes their detection and removal particularly challenging. Among the best-known examples are per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), widely used for their water- and oil-repellent properties.

Addressing these pollutants requires increasingly sophisticated technologies. Current treatment methods include adsorption using activated carbon, membrane filtration and reverse osmosis. At the same time, researchers are developing advanced materials capable of selectively capturing contaminants at the molecular level.

“At CNR-ISOF, we have been investigating systems based on macromolecular materials enriched with graphene oxide,” says Dr. M. Melucci. “These materials combine physical filtration with molecular interactions that enhance pollutant removal. Similar adsorption mechanisms are exploited by activated carbon, although through different chemical pathways.”

The research also explores the potential of nanomaterials such as graphene and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) to improve membrane performance, opening new perspectives for more efficient and sustainable water treatment technologies. Developing sustainable adsorbent materials, selective molecular recognition platforms and next-generation filtration systems will play a crucial role in protecting one of the planet’s most valuable resources.

Here for the full article:

https://almanacco.cnr.it/articolo/16283/l-esiziale-e-invisibile-agli-occhi

The post Invisible Pollutants, Visible Solutions: CNR-ISOF Research Tackles Emerging Water Contaminants first appeared on CNR-ISOF.

ARIS, supported by the Italian National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) through ECOSISTER Ecosystem for Sustainable Transition in Emilia-Romagna, within Spoke 3 (2025-2026), promoted the circular use of natural resources, aiming at establishing a strong technological platform for future eco-friendly air filtration systems. By integrating waste valorisation, advanced materials engineering, and sustainable manufacturing, the project contributed to reducing environmental impact while promoting circular economy strategies.

ARIS focused on two abundant waste streams from the agro-food and textile sectors, through advanced electrospinning technology, researchers have successfully produced ultrathin silk fibroin nanofibre membranes from waste silk and enhanced their functionality using natural polyphenols recovered from olive mill wastewater. These bio-based additives provide antibacterial activity for innovative pilot- scale membranes.

The project, for its innovative approach, has also received attention from major Italian media.

Here for more details: 

https://www.rainews.it/tgr/rubriche/leonardo

https://www.ilsole24ore.com/art/mascherine-ecosostenibili-e-antibatteriche-scarti-agroalimentari-AIibf4VC?refresh_ce=1

The post Turning Industrial Waste into Sustainable Air Filtration Materials: ARIS PROJECT first appeared on CNR-ISOF.

Established in 1997, the Bonino Medal is awarded annually to scientists who have achieved international recognition for the excellence of their research, their outstanding contributions to the advancement of physical chemistry, and their commitment to promoting scientific culture and public engagement.

The award to Dr. Nicola Armaroli recognizes a distinguished scientific career marked by outstanding achievements in research on energy, sustainability, and photochemistry, as well as by his long-standing commitment to communicating science to both the academic community and the wider public.

According to the unanimous decision of the selection committee, the Medal is awarded to Dr. Armaroli “for the outstanding results achieved through his scientific research in the field of photochemical processes, and for his intense, passionate, and authoritative commitment to disseminating knowledge on energy issues and the ecological transition.”

This prestigious honor highlights the impact of Dr. N. Armaroli’s research at both the national and international levels and further confirms the leading role of the National Research Council of Italy (CNR) in advancing scientific knowledge and fostering its dissemination.

The post Dr. Nicola Armaroli awarded the Italian Chemical Society’s 2026 Bonino Medal first appeared on CNR-ISOF.

The post Renza Benzi Retires After Many Years of Dedicated Service to CNR-ISOF first appeared on CNR-ISOF.

Original pictures of CNR-ISOF (FRAE) in Fossatone di Medicina

CNR-ISOF was honored to welcome Architect Dante Bini  and Mrs. Adria Bini for a visit to the former CNR-ISOF LINAC site in Fossatone di Medicina, the 17th of June. Completed in 1972, the building is one of around 1.300 BiniShell structures  (https://binishells.com) built around the world. The institute CNR-ISOF (FRAE at that time) housed the linear electron accelerator, which was used for a wide range of scientific experiments and research activities.

https://www.domusweb.it/it/architettura/gallery/2019/07/25/dante-bini-e-la-luna.html)

ISOF Team Welcome to Architect D. Bini and A. Bini

Welcoming Dante and Adria Bini back to Fossatone di Medicina was not only a tribute to an extraordinary architectural achievement, but also a celebration of the people and ideas that helped shape an important piece of Italy’s scientific heritage.

ISOF Team during the visit of the site with Dr, D. Bini

The post Architect Dante Bini Visits the CNR-ISOF site in Fossatone di Medicina first appeared on CNR-ISOF.

Over the years, Chem2DMat has established itself as a key meeting point for the international scientific community working in the field of 2D systems, fostering dialogue between fundamental research and emerging technological applications. The 2026 edition will offer a comprehensive overview of the entire lifecycle of materials, spanning their synthesis and characterization through to the development of innovative devices and applications.

The scientific programme will address several major themes, including:

• Synthesis and Processing, with a focus on bottom-up growth strategies, multiscale characterization techniques, and the development of novel synthetic 2D materials;
• Chemical Functionalization, exploring both covalent and non-covalent approaches to tailor and expand the properties of 2D systems;
• Advanced Applications, highlighting the design of three-dimensional functional architectures for energy conversion and harvesting, electro- and photocatalysis, (bio)sensing, nanomedicine, and next-generation electronics.

The list of confirmed invited speakers includes:

• Bettina V. Lotsch (Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research, Germany);
• Nazario Martín (Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain);
• Stephan Roche (ICREA / ICN2, Spain);
• Xiaojuan Ni (The University of Arizona, USA);
• Cristina Gómez-Navarro (Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Spain).

Chem2DMat 2026 promises to be an important occasion for scientific exchange, collaboration, and networking, bringing together researchers at different career stages to discuss the challenges and opportunities ahead in a field that is increasingly strategic for energy technologies, healthcare, and future electronic applications. CNR-ISOF researchers will be present with ongoing studies in our institute,

Here for more information:

https://www.chem2dmatconf.org/2026

The post CNR-ISOF at CHEM2DMAT Conference in Valencia first appeared on CNR-ISOF.

The post CNR-ISOF at BEX 2026: Exploring the Future of the BioSpace Economy first appeared on CNR-ISOF.

These themes were at the center of the event “Resilient Islands: Governance, Innovation and Strategies to Address the Water Crisis in Small Island Systems”, jointly promoted by the CNR Department of Earth System Science and Environmental Technologies (CNR-DSSTTA) and the Italian Ministry for Civil Protection and Sea Policies. The initiative brought together, today 10th June 2026 in Rome, institutional representatives, researchers, experts to discuss innovative solutions and governance models for strengthening water security in vulnerable island territories.

Among the participants was Dr. N. Musumeci, Italian Minister for Civil Protection and Sea Policies, who highlighted the importance of coordinated actions to enhance the resilience of island communities in the face of climate and environmental challenges and the President of CNR, Dr. A. Lenzi.

A. Lenzi opening the event dedicated to research and innovation for the water security in small island systems

The CNR-DSCTM actively contributed to the initiative through the participation of researchers from ISOF and ITM showcasing how advanced materials and sustainable technologies can support innovative solutions for water treatment and purification. In particular, CNR-ISOF Director, Dr. M. Melucci presented research activities on “Molecules and Materials for Water Purification in Isolated Areas through Sustainable Technologies”.

Find here more details:

https://www.cnr.it/it/comunicato-stampa/14418/isole-resilienti-strategie-governance-e-innovazione-per-affrontare-la-crisi-idrica-nei-sistemi-insulari-minori

The post Science, Innovation and Governance to Address Water Scarcity in Small Island Systems first appeared on CNR-ISOF.