The fourth edition of the STIIMA-CNR Conference took place in Biella from 29 to 31 January 2025, marking a significant moment for the Institute’s scientific community.

For the first time, the Conference has opened doors to external guests, creating a bridge between the world of research and the Biella area, with the aim of encouraging dialogue between institutions, companies, and prestigious academic realities.

Global challenges

The current geopolitical crises and climate change are significantly affecting the economy and politics of the European Union (EU). Modern production processes are undergoing profound transformations driven by global challenges orbiting around themes of sustainability, digitalization, and geopolitical change. The need to reduce the environmental impact of industrial activities is leading to a revision of production models, with an increasing focus on the efficient use of resources.

At the same time, factors such as production costs, dependence on critical raw materials, and increasing digitalization are revolutionizing the industry and influencing the company’s ability to innovate and grow.

A call to collaboration and innovation

To respond to these challenges effectively, a paradigm shift involving the entire productive, social, and economic fabric is essential. The motto of the Conference, “Leave the doors open” draws inspiration from the words of the poet Emily Dickinson and represents an invitation to reflection and change. In a context characterized by uncertainty and profound transformations, keeping an open eye to innovation and dialogue allows us to turn challenges into opportunities.

Topics and scientific contributions

The three days of the IV STIIMA-CNR Conference represented an important opportunity to share skills and research results, through oral and poster sessions, articulated around six macro-themes:

  • Textile
  • Health
  • Digital, Industry and Space
  • Climate, Energy and Mobility
  • Agriculture, Food and Bioeconomy
  • Third Mission: Dissemination

Among the main topics covered, we note:

  • Advanced manufacturing technologies and materials for sustainable production
  • Mechatronic, robotic, and digital solutions based on artificial intelligence
  • Innovative energy systems and new models of sustainable mobility
  • Technologies for the conservation of biodiversity and the management of natural resources
  • Environmental monitoring and strategies for vertical farming
  • Advanced solutions for health and quality of life improvement
  • Mechatronic devices and multisensory interfaces for care and rehabilitation

Focus on the textile sector

With its historic textile vocation, Biella offered the ideal context to deepen the role of innovation in this sector. The Conference dedicated large contributions to five key themes, addressed in collaboration with companies and academic institutions, within special sessions:

  • The “A New Era for Textile Industry” session focused on strategies to reduce the environmental impact of textile production, promoting reuse and the circular economy.
  • In “Textile Finishing Processes: Between Conventional Application and Donizetti Project,” an in-depth analysis concerning the activities of the DONIZETTI (PNRR-MICS Spoke 3) project was shown, aimed at the development of eco-friendly textile finishes.
  • The talks in “Electrospinning Process and Applications” session explored the potential of electrospinning and electrospray processes for the production of high-performance sub-micrometric fibers and particles for several applications.
  • The “Smart Water” contributions tackled solutions for the protection of water resources and the reduction of microplastics in ecosystems.
  • The “Green Chemistry” session highlighted the strategies for a more sustainable textile sector accomplished through the use of natural fibers, environmentally friendly textile auxiliaries, and control processes downstream of the supply chain (in water and soil).

Conclusions

The IV STIIMA-CNR Conference represented an opportunity for research, industry, and institutions to meet and discuss, helping to outline new perspectives for sustainable innovation. The variety of topics addressed and the quality of the scientific contributions testify to the central role of research in building a more sustainable and inclusive future.

Check the full program of oral presentations and poster sessions on the Poster Sessions page of the 4th STIIMA-CNR Conference