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Friuli Venezia Giulia continues to show a positive post-pandemic recovery trend in terms of the flow of foreign researchers and lecturers within the institutions and incoming mobility. This is what emerges from the annual “Mobility of Knowledge” survey conducted by Area Science Park, which has been collecting the main data on students, researchers and lecturers from the research institutions partnered with SiS FVG since 2005. The survey reveals that a total of 36,925 students were enrolled in the 2022/2023 academic year, 7% of whom were foreign nationals (compared to 36,459 students in 2021/2022, 6% of whom were foreigners). Female students represent 56% of the total enrolled (a 1% increase from the previous survey) and they mainly attend degree courses in the field of Humanities or related to Social Sciences. The number of incoming students, 707 in total, is now approaching pre-pandemic levels. Of these, 75% have European citizenship, 53% are female and 47% are enrolled in Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science, Engineering, Earth Sciences and Sciences of the Universe. There are a total of 1,104 outgoing mobility students, with 93% of them choosing destinations within the EU and 53% of them enrolled in courses in Human and Social Sciences. “Friuli Venezia Giulia is confirmed as an attractive destination for international students,” remarked Alessia Rosolen, Regional Councillor for Labour, Training, Education, Research, Universities and Families. “This is thanks to the good reputation of the regional university and research system, which draws thousands of talented individuals to the Region’s scientific and innovation system, and to the system of measures and incentives for the right to study, as well as opportunities for PhD students and researchers. It should also be noted that in 2022, the Region adopted a law to attract and retain expertise, offering benefits, contributions and solutions to balance work-life commitments for young individuals and their families who choose to build their life projects in Friuli Venezia Giulia. With a new draft law on social innovation, we intend to strengthen this package of measures and offer better conditions to those who choose our region for work and study. Attracting talent,” Rosolen concluded, “means attracting investments, supporting development with a high innovation content and creating quality employment.” As for researchers and lecturers employed by the scientific institutions that are part of the Scientific and Innovation System (SiS FVG), their numbers reached 3,641 in 2023. Although this is an increase of approximately 280 compared to 2022; the overall figure remains significantly lower than pre-pandemic levels (6,960 in 2019). The gender ratio remains unchanged, with women accounting for just over one-third of the sample (35%). When cross-referencing gender data with scientific disciplines, it becomes evident that the fields of Mathematics, Physics, Engineering, ICT, Earth Sciences and Sciences of the Universe continue to be strongly male-dominated. Lastly, concerning foreign personnel working within the SiS FVG institutions, 2023 saw the largest increase in the past four years, rising from 636 to 804 individuals, although the numbers are still far from pre-pandemic levels. Conversely, incoming mobility for researchers and lecturers has increased by almost 4,000, reaching 7,854 individuals. Of these, 89% belong to the scientific areas of Mathematics, Physics, Engineering, ICT, Earth Sciences and Sciences of the Universe, while 27% have European citizenship. Outgoing mobility also increased in 2023, with 75 trips abroad, primarily to EU countries (43%), but also to Asian countries (20%, excluding India and China). Overall, the total number of foreign personnel within the SiS FVG Scientific and Innovation System institutions shows a marked increase compared to the previous year, from 7,597 to 11,934, a figure approaching pre-pandemic levels (approximately 14,000). The complete survey, available in Italian and English, can be downloaded here.

During the end-of-year holidays, please be informed that our offices will be closed on the following days: 27, 30 and 31 December 2024; 2 and 3 January 2025. Due to reduced activity at the Area Science Park campuses, the cafeteria and bar services will undergo some changes: Cafeteria and Bar Closure Days: From 25 to 27 December 2024 1 and 6 January 2025 Pizzeria Closure Days: From 23 December 2024 to 3 January 2025 Bar Service Hours: On 24 and 31 December 2024, reduced hours will apply: 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM. We wish you a wonderful holiday season and a 2025 filled with joy and success! The Area Science Park Team

Innovation, sustainability and skills. These are the key words in the first Report on the Maritime Industry in the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, created with the support of the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region and thanks to the collaboration between mareFVG, Area Science Park and DEAMS – the Department of Economic, Business, Mathematical and Statistical Sciences at the University of Trieste. To support this study, data from the M.IND platform (Maritime Industry by mareFVG) was used and was collected thanks to initial contributions from the chamber of commerce system and regional employers’ associations, the Area Science Park Innovation Intelligence FVG platform and the ModeFinance databases. DEAMS and mareFVG also conducted nine interviews with companies in the sector, delving into topics such as technological and market challenges, the evolution of skills and the sustainability pathways launched by businesses. This document is the result of five years of work and is continuously updated, making it possible to analyse the positioning of the regional maritime sector – made up of 1,350 companies – within the Italian, European and international context. It highlights the distribution of businesses in the maritime value chains, the value of individual products and services and the orientation towards innovation and sustainability. Using purpose-built indicators, the document not only defines the current state of the art propensity for innovation and sustainability but it also highlights the evolution of technologies and skills necessary for tackling the ongoing technological transition in the sector. Thus, the Report on the Maritime Industry in the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region becomes a very important and useful tool for designing initiatives and services that respond to the needs of the entrepreneurial fabric. Lucio Sabbadini emphasizes how: “The Report reveals that the maritime economy in Friuli Venezia Giulia represents 15% of the total economy and directly employs over 10,000 workers. It also has a primary importance in terms of exports—nearly 40% of Italy’s exports in the shipbuilding sector (€3.496 billion) originate here, accounting for almost 16% of the region’s exports. This sector demonstrated exceptional resilience during the pandemic crisis and continues to show significant growth today (76% of companies report a growing turnover, 68% report strong growth), while most other economic sectors are showing considerable signs of crisis. The industry is investing in innovation, with 43% of companies showing a propensity for innovation, and is increasingly focused on sustainability, thanks to the strong synergy activated with the regional scientific system and despite a 70% reduction in regional administrative support compared to the 2014–2020 period.” Professor Guido Bortoluzzi from the Department of Economic, Business, Mathematical and Statistical Sciences at the University of Trieste states: “Our survey indicates that a quarter of businesses are already engaged in sustainability issues, distinguishing themselves through certifications, financial investments, professional skill development and monitoring of their value chain. Over 40% have started a sustainable development path, while approximately 30% are not yet equipped to address ESG issues. A crucial aspect concerns internal expertise: three-quarters of businesses have yet to formalise a figure dedicated to sustainability, an element that will be strategic in the coming years to address the growing attention focused on these issues. Lastly, nearly 70% of companies have adopted sustainability practices aimed at employees, underlining the crucial role of human resources in corporate processes and confirming attraction and retention as strategic priorities for the future. The centrality of environmental sustainability and people-related issues was also confirmed by the interviews conducted with both SMEs and large companies.” Enrico Longato of Area Science Park explains that: “The joint work carried out with DEAMS at the University of Trieste was particularly significant for developing a complex sustainability indicator dedicated to maritime businesses in Friuli Venezia Giulia. We took into account not only the financial sustainability of businesses but also elements such as certifications and innovation activities that can be considered green, like projects and patents where environmental compatibility is a qualifying factor or social sustainability practices adopted by companies. These analyses were made possible by enhancing the value of Area Science Park’s work on FVG Innovation Intelligence data and field activities conducted by DEAMS. From the integration of these various elements, we observed that a significant number of companies in the sample analysed have a solid economic and financial situation and have already started making substantial investments in green innovation. Nevertheless, there is still ample room to plan and implement further actions aimed at strengthening overall sustainability in corporate processes.” The Observatory of Maritime Supply Chains in Friuli Venezia Giulia was an initiative that emerged from the intuition of mareFVG, which analysed the entrepreneurial fabric in detail and developed an innovative methodology to represent the local institutions in the maritime sector. This study was subsequently transformed into the M.IND innovation platform, which makes it possible to discover the regional companies based on the supply chain in which they operate and related details. In recent years, synergies with Area Science Park, the University of Trieste and ModeFinance have enriched M.IND with new indicators, that on the propensity for innovation (developed directly by Area Science Park), which comes from the Innovation Intelligence FVG platform, and additional economic and financial indicators from ModeFinance, while a tool for measuring sustainability has been built in collaboration with the University of Trieste.   The report is available for download here.

Five projects from companies based in Area Science Park were among the 22 selected under the first call for the “Booster for Life Science-TRL Advancement” programme. This initiative, promoted by the Life Sciences Cluster Friuli Venezia Giulia at the request of the Autonomous Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia, aims to fund “industrial research and experimental development projects in the Life Sciences sector, with an initial overall budget of €10.040.000.” The 22 projects awarded funding will each receive between €200.000 and €500.000 to “raise the technology readiness level (TRL) of innovative products and services in the development phase, supporting both the validation of ideas and the creation of technologies, bringing cutting-edge solutions closer to the market.” The companies that presented the approved projects include AB Analitica srl, Alifax Research & Development srl, Clonit srl, Dr. Schär SpA and Prodigys Technology srl. The types of projects funded include start-ups, innovative start-ups and spin-offs (27%); small enterprises (23%); innovative SMEs (18%); large enterprises (9%); universities (9%); micro-enterprises (9%); medium-sized enterprises (5%). AB Analitica is a cutting-edge company in the field of molecular diagnostics and deals with medical-diagnostic laboratory devices for virology, bacteriology, parasitology, mycology, molecular genetics and oncology. Alifax is one of Italy’s most prominent companies specialising in the development, production and distribution of clinical diagnostic instruments for laboratory automation. Since 1987, Clonit has been focusing on the development, production and distribution of in vitro diagnostic equipment and innovative, reliable reagents for molecular diagnostics. Prodigys applies the latest and most innovative artificial intelligence and business intelligence technologies and systems for software cybersecurity, both web and mobile. It also provides design, implementation and support services for complex information systems. Dr. Schär is a company specialised in the development, production and marketing of dietary foods for individuals with specific nutritional needs, including the ketogenic diet, which is the focus of the funded project.

In a pioneering experiment conducted at FERMI, the Free Electron Laser (FEL) of Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste, active in Area Science Park, has, for the first time, made it possible to directly control quantum hybrid electron-photon states in helium atoms, demonstrating quantum control of nonlinear electronic dynamics. This significant achievement, the result of international collaboration between theoretical and experimental groups led by Dr Lukas Bruder from the University of Freiburg, involved several Italian institutions: the Polytechnic University of Milan, the Institute of Photonics and Nanotechnologies of the National Research Council in Milan (CNR-IFN), the Istituto Officina dei Materiali of the National Research Council in Trieste (CNR-IOM), the National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN), the National Laboratories of Frascati (Rome) and Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste. This is an important milestone in quantum physics, opening up new perspectives for studying and controlling chemical reactions on an atomic scale, thanks also to FERMI’s extraordinary technological capabilities. The research, published in the scientific journal Nature, demonstrates how precise manipulation of light pulses generated by the FERMI FEL makes it possible to facilitate specific quantum processes, through an approach known as “coherent control”. While this method has been well-established for visible light and at low intensities, it has now been successfully applied to extreme ultraviolet wavelengths, opening up a new field of research for analysing atomic and molecular phenomena occurring on attosecond timescales (one billionth of a billionth of a second). The FERMI laser stands out on the international scene as the only source of its kind capable of ensuring such precise control of the generation of ultraviolet radiation and X-rays, thanks to the use of an “external seed”. This innovative approach makes it possible to impart further coherence to the light during the amplification process, finally making coherent control experiments feasible. In fact, without this process, amplified radiation would be chaotic and incoherent, with a random sequence of pulses very close to each other. This experiment exploited ultraviolet radiation pulses with intensities in the range of 10–100 trillion watts per square centimetre, generating quantum states known as “dressed states”, where electrons strongly interact with the light field, altering their energy levels. Thanks to this precise manipulation of the phase and amplitude of these light pulses, the researchers achieved unprecedented control of these dynamics. The results obtained first of all demonstrate the efficiency and technical maturity achieved by FERMI, since the ability to reproduce effects well known at optical frequencies in X-rays was, and remains, a highly sought-after achievement that can by no means be taken for granted. Right now, we have new methodologies available for investigating fundamental quantum systems. Very short wavelengths and correspondingly shorter pulse durations generally allow us to handle electrons on their natural length and time scales – i.e. atomic. This also opens up new prospects for developing techniques to control material properties and chemical reactions, with potential implications in sectors such as photovoltaics, catalysis and materials science in general. When going into such minute details, it becomes increasingly challenging to grasp and understand the events being observed, and these very precise pulses allow us to isolate the smallest details very quickly and with equal precision (as with an ultra-high-resolution camera). Thanks to this technology, it is not only possible to passively explore all these phenomena but also to guide and manipulate them towards new discoveries and new hypotheses.   Institutions involved: Institute of Physics, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany Max-Planck-Institut für Physik komplexer Systeme, Dresden, Germany Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A., Trieste, Italy Institute of Physics, University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany Department of Physics, IFN-CNR, Milan, Italy Institut für Ionenphysik und Angewandte Physik, Universität Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria Department of Physics, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden Istituto Officina dei Materiali, CNR (CNR-IOM), Trieste, Italy National Institute of Nuclear Physics, National Laboratories of Frascati, Frascati, Italy Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY, Hamburg, Germany The Hamburg Centre for Ultrafast Imaging CUI, Hamburg, Germany IFN-CNR, Milan, Italy Department of Physics and Astronomy, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark Institute for Experimental Physics, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany

Environmental policy and spatial planning experts, along with institutional representatives, gathered in Rome yesterday to delve deeper into key topics such as the National Integrated Energy and Climate Plan (NIECP), the relationship between the various levels of energy transition plans and the path towards climate neutrality undertaken by Italy’s mission cities. The event, entitled “The Role of Multilevel Governance and Integrated Spatial Planning in Supporting the Energy Transition” was jointly organised by the Italian Local Agenda 21 Coordination and Area Science Park, the Italian partners of the NECPlatform and IN-PLAN projects, both funded by the LIFE programme, to discuss the crucial role of integrated planning and collaboration between different levels of governance in achieving national and European climate and energy objectives. The day also marked the launch of the work to be carried out by National Coalition Group as part of the IN-PLAN project, offering a unique opportunity for various stakeholders to discuss and formulate recommendations on integrated planning, to later be shared with national policymakers. Testimonies coming from various Italian cities provided concrete examples of participatory approaches and innovative initiatives, such as the Climate City Contracts, highlighting the importance of multilevel governance in energy and climate planning, the focus of the NECPlatform project. Among the contributions, there were also those of the Italian “lighthouse cities” involved in the IN-PLAN project: the Municipality of Prato shared its experience in harmonising the new Municipal Structural Plan with the Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan, following the courses of action outlined in the Climate City Contract and the Municipality of Narni talked about the importance of interdepartmental collaboration in small to medium-sized municipalities in addressing the challenges of complexity, while the Municipality of Padua spoke of the difficulties of implementing ambitious integrated plans to achieve climate neutrality by 2030. The Guideline to support municipalities in drafting, implementing and monitoring territorial plans that integrate energy, climate and mobility aspects, aimed at achieving climate neutrality from a multilevel governance perspective, was also introduced. “The IN-PLAN Guideline suggests an integrated and collaborative approach that combines sectoral plans – such as those for renewable energy, sustainable mobility and climate adaptation – and urban planning in a single territorial planning strategy”, as Fabrizia Salvi from Area Science Park explained. “Furthermore, it promotes collaboration between local, regional and national levels of government, ensuring greater coherence and resources for climate actions. It aligns with European initiatives, such as the Green Deal and the EU Climate Law, and supports the goals of reducing emissions and climate neutrality”. The day also featured the 6th meeting of the Italian Dialogue Platform for the NECPlatform project that, with Annalidia Pansini representing the Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security (MASE), had the opportunity to discuss horizontal and vertical multilevel governance, as well as the relationship between various plans – from national to local levels – for the full implementation of energy and climate policies. Important ideas emerged and will be reported in the Policy Brief that the Italian Local Agenda 21 Coordination. This document will be propose to the participants of the Italian Dialogue Platform, presented to MASE and shared with the other projects with which we are collaborating The aim is  full promotion of climate policies in Italy and  the spread of methodologies, best practices and lessons learned.

Area Science Park will once again participate in organising the national mission that will take the best Italian tech startups to CES in Las Vegas, the world’s most important tech fair, scheduled from 7 to 10 January 2025. The national research institution will collaborate with ICE – the Italian Trade Agency for the promotion abroad and internationalisation of Italian companies – to assist the 48 startups in the Italian Pavilion, set up inside the Eureka Park, the CES area dedicated to emerging innovations. Since 2018, Area Science Park has been supporting this mission, which offers startups a tangible opportunity to engage with the global market and with potential research and industrial partners. It is a stage that allows companies to validate their solutions directly in the field, interacting with key operators and investors. This year, Area Science Park has once again organised the Startup Academy, a series of training and capacity-building sessions with experts from the world of innovation, aimed at preparing the startups to get the most out of their experience at CES: from organising the event and the best ways to interact with potential research and industrial partners, investors and the press to contractual and legal aspects, media relations management and pitching techniques. This activity is part of the deep tech innovation development initiatives, favouring strategic sectors such as life sciences, materials science, advanced digital technologies and green energy supply chains, to support business generation and promote the socioeconomic development of the national territory by connecting research and business. During CES, Area Science Park will also play a key role in the lineup of events, workshops and conferences taking place in the Arena of the Italian Pavilion, where numerous international stakeholders from the technology sector will be speaking. Participation in CES is part of Area Science Park’s strategy to support the growth of Italian tech companies. Among the most recent initiatives was the fifth edition of the Startup Marathon, held in collaboration with UniCredit and Fondazione Comunica, which ended with the final event on 26 November in Milan, demonstrating the institution’s commitment to creating connections between startups, research, industry and investors, while stimulating open innovation within the economic fabric and the development of small innovative businesses.

The fourth edition of the annual report, created by DITEDI in collaboration with scientific partners Area Science Park (Enrico Longato, Innovation Intelligence FVG), the University of Trieste (Guido Bortoluzzi and Lorenzo Porta) and the University of Udine (Maria Chiarvesio and Martina Tomasetig), with the collaboration of the Autonomous Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia, was presented at the new P. Maurensig immersive theatre in Tavagnacco. The FVG Digital Report 2024 entitled “Business Strategies in the Era of AI: How IT Companies Face and Change the Market” analyses and describes how the numerous small and medium-sized companies within the FVG digital landscape are creating new product and service offerings linked to Artificial Intelligence and how they use it to customise solutions that can impact their clients’ products and production processes, either independently or by using collaborative forms, including business networks, to bring this technology into the regional production fabric. The 2024 data shows consistent and steady growth of ICT companies becoming established across the region, totalling 2,908, an increase of 2.4% compared to 2022, with a total of 2,214 companies in Friuli Venezia Giulia operating in the ICT sector, marking a 0.9% increase compared to 2022. The province of Udine represents the area of reference for regional ICT businesses, as it contains nearly half of those identified. Corporations (1,056 entities) represent the dominant company structure, accounting for 47.7% of the total, up 1.7% since 2022. These are followed by sole proprietorships (812 entities, 36.7%), which show a more significant nominal increase, with 31 additional businesses compared to 2022. The regional digital sector serves as a strong driver of innovation for the economy and the regional business system. In fact, the ICT sector currently includes 102 innovative startups, operating mainly in software development and representing 52% of all regional startups, demonstrating the importance of the sector in driving innovation. Other similar signs can be seen in the innovation propensity indicator, which reveals that 13% of regional ICT companies exhibit at least one sign of innovation. These companies account for 9% of all regional businesses with an objective propensity for innovation. Alongside the analysis of economic data and the growth dynamics of the sector, with insights into creditworthiness (ratings), the report features 12 significant business cases illustrating how regional companies are integrating AI to develop products, optimise processes and expand their markets (companies represented: AI4IV, Aindo, Datamantix, Datamind, Evoseed, eXact Lab, Eye-Tech, Infostar, Motion Analytica, NT Nuove Tecnologie, Visiofy and Visup). The FVG digital ecosystem thus appears to be growing and ready for the AI challenge, and the innovative drive not only affects products and services but also business models and relationships. The full report is available here.

The first call for the NFFA-DI infrastructure, announced in September, ended successfully on 10 November, with the active participation of 81 researchers from 28 research institutes, universities and small and medium enterprises (SMEs), as well as four international institutions. NFFA-DI is a research infrastructure distributed across Italy and was created thanks to funding by the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), which integrates cutting-edge instrumentation, computational resources and scientific data management in line with “Fair” and open science principles. Working alongside the eight operational units of the National Research Council (CNR), which coordinates the project, are those of the partner institutions: Area Science Park, the Polytechnic University of Milan and the University of Milan. These 11 operational units are centres of excellence in nanoscience and nanotechnology in Italy. In the first call, 29 research projects were presented, leveraging the capabilities of the consortium’s five distributed installations, made available through its 11 access points, also using them in combination with each other to obtain innovative results. The topics covered span across various cutting-edge scientific areas, including Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science, Engineering and ICT. Applications range from quantum technologies to biotechnology applied to diagnostics, sustainable energy solutions, hybrid materials research in nanotechnology and photonics. These areas of research are crucial for developing innovative solutions to global challenges such as sustainable energy, advancements in medical technologies and innovation in electronic devices and communications, as well as enhancing computational capabilities. The projects submitted involve not only basic research but also applied research, with two projects explicitly expressing industrial interest. A total of 45 experimental sessions were requested in the first call, corresponding to 260 days of access to the facilities. Notably, young researchers made up approximately one third of the participants, highlighting the importance of NFFA-DI as a valuable opportunity for researchers in the early stages of their careers to engage with state-of-the-art techniques and advanced instrumentation, supported by industry experts. The second call for the project is now open and will close on 15 April 2025. Key numbers: 29 Projects submitted (2 of industrial interest) 45 Experimental sessions requested 260 Days of access to the infrastructure requested 18 Different scientific techniques 28 Institutions (2 SMEs and 4 foreign institutions) 81 Users (of which one third are young researchers: students, PhD students, post-docs) (Source: CNR)

A dynamic sector, ready to face the challenges of innovation and diversification. These are the findings of Comet’s report on the Friuli Venezia Giulia Metalworking Industry Observatory presented on 27 November in Valvasone Arzene, at the TreZero Winery. The meeting was divided into two round tables: in the first one, moderated by Cluster Comet director Saverio Maisto, the report was illustrated by Enrico Longato (Area Science Park), Anna Maria Moressa (Intesa Sanpaolo), Maria Chiarvesio (University of Udine), Guido Bortoluzzi (University of Trieste); the second round table, moderated by Michele Valerio (Eupragma), gave voice to businesses, with Stefano Picinich (Airworks Srl), Matteo Querini (Eurolls SpA), Elisa Quattrin (Meccanica Hi-Tech Srl), Alessandro Sist (Siom Srl SB). The event was organised in partnership with Area Science Park, University of Trieste, University of Udine, Intesa Sanpaolo. The meeting highlighted three main topics: – An international vocation The metalworking sector accounts for 46% of regional manufacturing, with an electro-mechanical specialisation (94% of metalworking sector). As of November 2024, the industry ‘held up’ better than predicted in the June flash report, with 5,114 businesses (-0.3% compared to November 2023, instead of -0.7%), while the rest of the manufacturing sector performed in line with expectations. The province of Udine accounts for 45% of the regional companies, the area that has recorded the most significant decrease since 2021 (-2.3%). The province of Pordenone remains stable, with 32% of the companies. The tendency towards internationalisation remains strong (41% of companies); exports are prevalent among medium and large companies, which are often innovative and certified. – Diversification and economic performance Intesa Sanpaolo’s internal survey regarding its commercial network shows that businesses in Friuli Venezia Giulia are increasing the geographical diversification of their outlet and supply markets, exceeding the Italian average. In 2023, revenue growth at current prices was 22.5%, with an improvement in profit margins (+2 points compared to 2019), driven by foreign operations (25.9% growth) and participation in the construction industry. – Business diversification strategies In a rapidly evolving market, businesses in Friuli Venezia Giulia interviewed by the Universities of Udine and Trieste are experimenting with new strategies: some focus on geographical or sectoral diversification to grow or to avoid crises, while others are strengthening their presence in current markets. However, diversification requires transversal skills and the ability to adapt to the rules of the new markets, which not all companies possess. ‘Over the years, the metalworking industry in Friuli Venezia Giulia has managed to acquire a role of excellence at the international level, thanks to its solid tradition of craftsmanship skills and technological innovation,’ commented COMET Cluster Director, Saverio Maisto. ‘However, today we face an even greater challenge: the world is changing at an exponential speed, global scenarios are complex, and what has made us strong so far may no longer be sufficient to guarantee continuing success. This is how we have always worked; it is no longer a security, quite the contrary. The ability to adapt and anticipate the future is crucial. We have to look beyond the boundaries of the traditional and historical sectors in which we have been, and perhaps still are, leaders, exploring new markets that, while initially presenting themselves as challenges, may turn out to be extraordinary opportunities. This is why it becomes essential to diversify, not only strategically but also in the immediate future. ‘Only by embracing new sectors and markets, continuing to collaborate with the territory, innovating and consolidating our skills, businesses in Friuli Venezia Giulia can continue to play a leading role in our history. “The future of the Friuli Venezia Giulia metalworking sector will depend on its ability to combine tradition and innovation, diversifying markets and sectors and integrating emerging technologies. The cooperation and support of COMET will be central to ensuring competitiveness and resilience in global markets,’ concluded Comet President, Sergio Barel. He emphasized how the Friuli Venezia Giulia metalworking sector is facing the challenges of a complex economic and geopolitical context through geographical and sectoral diversification. This key strategy reduces dependence on traditional markets, such as the German one, and opens up new opportunities in areas of higher growth (Northern Europe, Asia, the United States) thanks to niche technical skills and high-quality production), and regulated sectors (aerospace, medical, defence). As for artificial intelligence, which is transforming the sector by improving quality, supply chain and innovation, ‘it, requires investment in training and infrastructure’. The president closed his speech by inviting companies, industrial clusters, universities and institutions to build networks.

For the first time, direct evidence of the use of psychoactive substances during rituals in the Ptolemaic Kingdom in Ancient Egypt has been provided. The discovery, published in the journal Scientific Reports, is based on the analysis of a ritual vase over 2,000 years old, which revealed traces of psychoactive plants used in religious and spiritual practices. The vase is adorned with the head of the Egyptian god Bes, a grotesque but benevolent deity often used as a protective amulet for the home. The research, coordinated by Professor Enrico Greco from the University of Trieste, in collaboration with the Tampa Museum of Art, the University of South Florida and the University of Milan, was made possible thanks to the crucial support provided by Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste, which contributed with advanced techniques, such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (SR µ-FTIR) coupled with synchrotron radiation. Chiaramaria Stani, CERIC-ERIC researcher at Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste’s SISSI beamline, explained: “These analyses made it possible to identify the ceremonial content of the vase, although the residual traces were minimal, but well preserved in the porosity of the pottery”. This technology made it possible to analyse the residual traces inside the vase, revealing the presence of plants such as Peganum harmala (Syrian rue), Nymphaea nouchali (blue lotus) and species of the Cleome genus, all known for their psychoactive properties. The analysis also indicated that the vase was used in rituals involving the achievement of altered states of consciousness, probably a means for communicating with the divine and facilitating mystical-ritual experiences. The research not only confirms previous hypotheses based on texts and iconography but it also provides solid physical evidence of the sophisticated use of natural substances by the Egyptians. The multidisciplinary approach, combining science, history and culture, was essential for solving this ancient mystery, confirming the importance of collaboration between research institutes like Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste and the universities involved.

Scientific collaboration between Italy and Serbia is being strengthened. The Minister of University and Research, Anna Maria Bernini, and the Serbian Minister of Science, Technological Development, and Innovation, Jelena Begović, inaugurated the second Italy-Serbia Scientific Forum in Trieste at Area Science Park, with the participation of over 100 researchers from both countries. Following a bilateral meeting, the ministers signed a joint declaration confirming the importance of cooperation in research and innovation, based on the MoU signed in Belgrade in 2023, as well as the promotion of researcher mobility, support for joint research programs, and bilateral scientific events. The document also highlighted the great success of the first call for joint research projects focused on the following areas: High Performance Computing and Big Data, Artificial Intelligence, Agri-food Technologies, and Sustainable Economy. Over 80 applications were received and are currently under evaluation. The selected projects will be co-financed by both countries (for a total of 2 million euros) at the beginning of 2025. Today’s event continues the path started in March 2023 in Belgrade when Area Science Park participated in the first edition of the Science Forum. In December 2023, during the Innovation Forum, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed in the capital between Area Science Park and the science and technology parks of Belgrade, Niš, Čačak, and Novi Sad. This memorandum further develops a longstanding cooperation with Serbia that began in 2015, focusing on technical assistance in the fields of technology transfer and economic development. The goal is to pool scientific and technological capacities, such as those generated by research infrastructures and technological platforms, for example, on topics like life sciences, energy transition, and innovative materials. “The Italy-Serbia scientific forum represents, for Area Science Park and for the entire Scientific and Innovation System of Friuli Venezia Giulia, an important opportunity to strengthen collaboration between the two countries and create new opportunities for the exchange and sharing of knowledge and best practices,” said Caterina Petrillo, President of Area Science Park. “In particular, for the institution I lead, hosting, and especially participating in the forum, means expanding the areas of exchange and dialogue with research centers, universities, and science and technology parks, with which we have previously developed innovation projects. Today, our attention is focused on research and technological infrastructures, where Area has been investing in recent years, which by their nature are places for aggregation and sharing of knowledge.”