60th Public Conference

On the occasion of the first edition of the Nanochemistry Camp, the I.S.E.O. Institute hosted its 60th international conference in collaboration with the University of Brescia. The public lecture was delivered by Professor Paolo BERGESE (University of Brescia, and former visiting professor at MIT), who led attendees on a fascinating journey into the hidden world of nanochemistry.

If an enchanted “Sarneghera”* storm suddenly burst into our lives and shrunk everything down to nanoscale dimensions, our surroundings would appear incredibly colorful, and everything would be transformed. The lecture allowed all interested attendees, not just industry professionals, to explore this world of nanochemistry: a disruptive, intriguing, and astonishing world. A “nano” world that impacts the “macro” world every day: our health, the economy, technology (even the kind we carry in our pockets), and sustainability. And it is a world where the boundaries between physics, chemistry, and biology have essentially disappeared.

What is nanochemistry? Many describe it as the cutting edge of science, enabling the manipulation and understanding of materials at the atomic and molecular level. This emerging field has the potential to revolutionize various sectors, from the economy to medicine, energy to materials production, and even electronics. Not surprisingly, many see nanochemistry as the key to unlocking secrets invisible to the naked eye: the bridge between the micro and the macro that paves the way for discoveries that will change how we live, work, and interact with the world. Due to its potential impact on health and the environment, however, it is essential to carefully consider the ethical implications and safety of nanostructured materials, ensuring that nanochemistry is developed and applied in a responsible and secure manner.

The event, titled “I colori dell’invisibile” (“The Colors of the Invisible”), was organized as part of the first edition of the Nanochemistry Camp, an international summer school for PhD students in physics and chemistry. Organized by the I.S.E.O. Institute and the University of Brescia, the camp took place in Iseo from September 21st to 28th. During the camp, about thirty young researchers from around the world had the opportunity to attend lectures by world-renowned scientists, including Nobel Laureate in Physics, Andre Geim.

The event was held on Wednesday, September 25th, 2024, at the prestigious Guido Berlucchi Winery in Franciacorta.

The poster for the public lecture can be downloaded at the bottom of the page.

*Sarneghera, the periodic storm that rages over Lake Iseo, which has nothing “nano” about it.

A photo gallery featuring the best images from the public lecture “I colori dell’invisibile” is available at the following link.