by EH
In September, the city of Trieste will transform into a global center for scientific exchange, as it plays host to a prestigious international conference. From September 9 to 13, the Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) will bring together over 100 scientists from across the globe for the annual joint meeting of the European Molecular Liquids Group (EMLG) and the Japanese Molecular Liquids Group (JMLG).
The conference, supported by Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste, promises to offer a forum for groundbreaking discussions on molecular interactions in liquids, which have far-reaching implications across industries.
Renowned researchers from Europe, Japan, the United States, Australia, China, and Ukraine will convene to share the latest findings in fields ranging from green chemistry to energy and nanotechnology. The choice of Trieste as the venue underscores the city’s standing as a hub for scientific collaboration. Home to institutions like Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste, Trieste has long been at the forefront of international research.
Coordinated by Dr. Barbara Rossi of Elettra Sincrotrone and Professor Marco Paolantoni from the University of Perugia, the meeting represents a partnership between academia and research institutions that has thrived since its founding in 1982. The conference agenda highlights the cutting-edge research underway, with sessions focusing on green chemistry innovations, including the development of sustainable solvents, and advancements in energy storage technology, such as batteries and photovoltaic cells.
One of the standout projects to be presented involves an innovative method for analyzing extra virgin olive oil. In collaboration with Riccardo Mincigrucci of Elettra Sincrotrone, researchers have developed a portable, non-invasive spectroscopy technique that allows for rapid and accurate analysis of olive oil’s composition. This breakthrough offers potential in combating fraud and improving food safety, ensuring that one of Italy’s most cherished products remains authentic and well-preserved.
Beyond food sciences, the conference will address vital health issues. In the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic, Elettra and the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) have embarked on a collaboration to develop new diagnostic techniques that swiftly detect pathogens and evaluate the efficacy of treatments and sanitation methods, including UV radiation.
The meeting will also explore significant advances in the understanding of protein aggregation—an area critical to the development of biocompatible materials for tissue engineering and controlled drug release. Cutting-edge spectroscopic methods, utilizing infrared and ultraviolet radiation, are being employed to analyze the molecular structure of protein gels, which have important implications for the future of biomedical materials.
