23.03.2009 / 3L 3T Innovation Award": Art honours Science

The award ceremony for the 2008 best products and technologies developed in AREA Science Park has been held today within the framework of the inaugural year of the “3L 3T Innovation Award”.
Representatives of the institutions, press, artistic and cultural bodies of the Friuli Venezia Giulia region have been invited to present the awards.

- The winners
- The award
- The exhibition
- Contact us

According to Giancarlo Michellone, President of AREA Science Park, "The presence of these personalities demonstrates our success in winning recognition for the scientific community from the world of art, or, we might say, for our entrepreneurs and researchers from the potential beneficiaries of their research and development activities, in other words the '3Ts': Territory (mainly the FVG Region), Trieste (and, by extension, the communities and bodies of the Territory) and Te, or you (individual citizens). Over 50 products and technologies were in the running for the award. Among all entries, an external judging panel comprised of technology evaluation experts, eminent in scientific, entrepreneurial and financial circles, selected the winners in the four categories of the Award.

1) “Early Bird” potential innovation category

CimtecLab
Biophenolite – products derived from bio-renewable resources such as cardanol, with the potential to replace petroleum-based polymers.
Commendation: for creating a new product supply line of innovative low environmental impact materials which will also find application in the region’s key wood and furnishings sector.

Alphagenics
Alpha Rial K-ras – a reliable and rapid system for analysing K-ras gene mutations, an essential step in optimising the choice of a suitable metastatic colorectal cancer therapy.
Commendation: for the contribution this system could bring in the therapeutic management of this tumour characterised by a high social impact.

Sincrotrone Trieste
Environmental Monitoring Station – station enabling real time and in situ monitoring of the composition of PM10 particulates. Commendation: for providing public entities responsible for environmental management with a decision-making technology tool based on timely and objective data.

2) “To Be” potential innovation category

Health Robotics
IV Station – automated system for preparing intravenous medications in a hospital environment, complemented by versatility, compact size and a competitive cost.
Commendation: for improving reliability and reducing the time and costs of preparing hospital intravenous medications, in a sector, healthcare, with a substantial economic impact at regional and national levels.

Elcon Elettronica
Ecodrive – low-voltage electrical propulsion system for pleasure craft, providing high performance with low energy consumption and competitive costs.
Commendation: for meeting a growing ecological demand from the locally and nationally important sector of pleasure boating.

Microglass
Lamir – A switching system for high power UV lights that reduces energy consumption by at least 40%, thus ensuring a longer operating life and more uniform output.
Commendation: for having developed innovative solutions combining quality and energy savings in the laminated glass sector (Italy being the 3rd largest European producer), where energy requirements are particularly high.

3) “In the Market” actual innovation category

Dr Schaer
Ciabattine (ciabatta rolls) for celiac consumers – an innovative gluten-free bread product, distributed through pharmacies and supermarkets, proving very successful with consumers. Commendation: for providing an innovative response, at modest cost, to a socially important market demand arising from the dietary needs of celiac consumers.

Ergolines Lab
Electromagnetic stirrers – electric machines producing a rotating magnetic field with characteristics that guarantee optimal steel cooling and solidification in continuous casting plants.
Commendation: for its important contribution to quality improvement in steel products and notable success in non-European markets.

GME
Wallmod – the world’s smallest power line modem, transmitting data over the waves generated by power lines. It allows standard household appliances to operate intelligently.
Commendation: for its contribution to the simple and economical implementation of advanced home automation solutions.


“AREA INTERNATIONAL STRATEGIES” category

ESTECO
ModeFRONTIER TM – it is a software application that aids all stages of planning and testing by providing access to the most advanced optimisation technology through an easy and intuitive user interface. It is suitable for use in the automotive, aerospace, manufacturing, pharmaceutical and petrochemical sectors. In Italy the software has the potential for widespread adoption by National Research Bodies.
Commendation: for its rapid and continuous sales growth, its diffusion in the most advanced international markets – with 55% of sales in Japan, 15% in the USA and 30% in Europe (15% of which in Italy) – and for the versatility of application in very diverse and relevant sectors.

Synaps Technologies
Petra – personal security device that can establish the location of a person in need for help and summon immediate assistance. Commendation: for the refined technical solutions embodied in a sophisticated encrypted personal security device with extremely low energy requirements, incorporating a geolocator and featuring all the functions of a modern cellphone, as well as for the business model that bases research and development activities in AREA Science Park, high-tech production (sensors) in Trieste and low-cost mass production in China.

ICGEB
A plant model for use in the study of Badnavirus infections, an important tool for improving cultivation techniques in tropical regions (bananas, sugar cane, pineapples, cocoa, etc.).
Commendation: this invention, developed in Trieste and compliant with the ICGEB mission, enables member countries, in particular developing nations, to strengthen their scientific and technological potential.

Finally, a honourable mention goes to the nanolithography system of Ape Research, a company that develops scientific instrumentation for use in the field of bionanotechnology, with the following commendation: for its commitment to promote the use of micro and nanotechnologies, but above all for its resolve in sustaining a business model of “ advanced technological workmanship” in the metrology sector.

Guests in attendance
The award ceremony – organised by the President of AREA Science Park Giancarlo Michellone, a major driving force behind the initiative – was attended by the following representatives of the institutions, press, and the artistic and cultural bodies of the Friuli Venezia Giulia region: Maria Teresa Bassa Poropat, President of the Province of Trieste, Micaela Sette, Mayor of Latisana, Claudio Cojutti, Telequattro director, Fulvio Gon, editor in chief of the daily newspaper Il Piccolo, Paolo Pichierri, journalist of the daily newspaper Il Gazzettino, Marianna Accerboni, architect and art critic and Maria Campitelli, President of Gruppo 78 and curator of contemporary art exhibitions.

Art & Science
To a genius like Leonardo, who was both a scientist and an artist, or an artist-scientist, it would have seemed completely normal, something to be taken for granted. But in today’s compartmentalised world, where specialisation increasingly threatens to make us lose sight of the big picture – as far as the real world and human nature are concerned – the idea of bringing together science and art, or humanistic culture and the scientific method, may seem improbable and difficult ambition to achieve in practice.
During the next few weeks AREA Science Park, where research and technological development are everyday activities, is going to merge art and science by offering open-air and indoor exhibitions, as well as artistic and musical events accompanying important dates in its schedule, with some events already being planned.

“3L 3T Innovation Award”
The award recognises the best technology products conceived or launched in 2008, the results of sometimes lengthy and complex research and development work, aimed at bringing tangible innovations to the market in order to improve our working and personal lives. These results stem from the activity of companies and laboratories settled in AREA Science Park, and have either already entered international competition or are about to face the challenge of commercialisation. In collaboration with the Department of Labour, University and Research of the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, Area Science Park launches this year the “3L 3T Innovation Award”, with the objective of enhancing the potential and recognition of the results generated by the Science Park while responding to the genuine curiosity of the general public, institutions and investors. Councillor Alessia Rosolen will hand out the awards on March 16th during a public ceremony held at the Padriciano campus. Within the different competition categories, over 100 research results were submitted by centres operating in AREA Science Park. Of these, 52 passed the first selection phase and 19 are currently in the running as “nominees” for the final awards.
The philosophy of the Award is primarily to focus on the possible impact of the innovations on the so-called 3Ts: Territory (mainly the FVG Region), Trieste (and, by extension, the communities and bodies of the Territory) and Te, or you (individual citizens). These factors are not considered as merely passive subjects or potential innovation adopters. To the contrary, they can be key “levers” for the success of a new product, since they can make significant contributions in the initial phases or act as test-subjects before launching the product to the market.
Keeping these elements in mind, the different levels of market proximity have determined the Award categories, divided into 3 levels (3L): “early bird” potential innovation, “to be” potential innovation, “in the market” real innovation. The first level includes scientifically and technically certified research results which successfully underwent a business analysis, but which have not yet been industrialised. The second level includes results that are already in an advanced industrialisation phase and seeking more promising markets. The third level includes products that have already experienced initial success, and that can grow their own market while diversifying and developing their own line. Finally, the “Innovation International Strategies” recognition will be awarded to businesses and research centres that are geared towards globalisation with products that have a strong potential for impact on the international level. 

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“ I Messaggeri della scienza” Exhibition
Alongside the award ceremony, an exhibition of works by G. Borgarello, “I Messaggeri della scienza” (The Messengers of Science), will be inaugurated.
Its message is that art and science share many common features, including creativity, passion, hard work, frustration and, sometimes, success.
But above all they must speak to people.
The exhibition features 13 imposing works, in Carrara marble and granite, by Giovanni Borgarello, a 50-year-old Turin sculptor whose works have found buyers throughout the world. “Art and science have much in common,” he explains, “beginning with creativity, which must break free from culture and every constraint, seek new directions, make mistakes, find solutions, and strive for perfection, aware that it is a mirage. Above all, art and science must stimulate new ideas. But they must not stop at ideas; they must produce concrete results that others can evaluate, interpret and surpass through greater achievements. In short, I would say that art, like science, is hard work, but also a source of satisfaction seasoned with a little irony”.

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The journey between “Art and Science in AREA”
“Art in AREA Science Park” is a first step, to be followed in time by further exhibitions from artists of greater and lesser renown, to inspire dreams, emotions and tangible achievements.
In fact, as if to emphasise these words, Borgarello will integrate the open air exhibition with an indoor show entitled “I lunghi spiritelli dell'innovazione”. It will be held in the new management premises and conference centre of AREA Science Park, due to be inaugurated on 3 April, to coincide with an important international convention.
Around 40 wooden works will be showcased alongside the most notable products and technologies developed in AREA Science Park since its inception. They will be a sort of artistic duplicates of AREA most significant achievements, which will be displayed in the Mostra dei 30 anni di AREA – 30 Years of AREA Exhibition, to be held in the newly completed building.
The inauguration of the new premises will also feature the unveiling of a monument created by artists and craftsmen of the Friuli Venezia Giulia region to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Science Park.

Finally, during the 2009 Open Day on 6 June, when AREA laboratories will be open to the public, there will be performances by musicians and artists underlining how art and science are linked as elevated expressions of human creativity.

For further information please contact:
Public Relations Office (URP) – AREA Science Park
tel. 0039.040.3755289 – 0039.040.3755122
Send an email

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