Nanochemistry Camp 2024

The I.S.E.O. Institute and the University of Brescia organized the Nanochemistry Camp, an international residential summer school designed for master’s and doctoral students in Chemistry, Physics and related fields, with a special focus on nanochemistry. This event was held in partnership with INSTM (National Interuniversity Consortium of Materials Science and Technology) and CSGI (Center for Colloid and Surface Science).

The course delivered top-tier, cutting-edge insights on pivotal topics in nanochemistry, by featuring an original and innovative format that brought together 30 phd students coming from 12 countries and 18 universities and  globally renowned experts in (nano)chemistry, including a Nobel Laureate. The relaxed and informal atmosphere at one of Italy’s most picturesque campsites, Campeggio del Sole, overlooking Lake Iseo, provided an ideal setting for deep learning and collaboration.

The inaugural edition covered a wide range of nanotechnology topics at the intersection of physics, chemistry, and biology. Participants had the opportunity to attend lectures delivered by seven distinguished international experts: Andre GEIM (professor at the University of Manchester and winner of the Nobel Prize in Physics 2010), Françoise BROCHARD-WYART (professor at the Sorbonne University, Curie Institute), Paul DYSON (professor at Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne), Katharina LANDFESTER (professor at Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research), Sijbren OTTO (professor at the Centre for Systems Chemistry, University of Groningen), Roberta SESSOLI (professor at the Laboratory of Molecular Magnetism, University of Firenze), and Edman TSANG (professor at Wolfson Catalysis Laboratory, Oxford University).

The program also encouraged community building, offering students numerous opportunities to engage with professors and peers and exchange ideas about ongoing research and future projects. To facilitate these connections, activities such as poster presentations, team-building exercises, trekking, and responsible tourism were included.

During the week, participants also enjoyed leisure activities, including a visit to Monte Isola with a hike to the top, kayaking on Lake Iseo, and guided tours of Iseo and Brescia, including a visit to the archaeological site of the Capitolium. A highlight of the event was the gala dinner at the renowned Berlucchi winery, where participants received certificates of attendance, and awards were presented for the best poster presentations.

You can download the full program of the course, the list of participants and the press release (in Italian) at the end of this webpage, or check our photo-gallery with some of the best shots of the Nanochemistry Camp 2024 here.

If you are interested in consulting the press coverage, with all the articles published by Italian newspapers during the Nanochemistry Camp 2024, please click here.

BOARD

Directors:

• Paolo Bergese, Biogenic Colloids and Surfaces Lab., Dep. Molecular and Translational Medicine, Università degli Studi di Brescia, CSGI – Center for Colloid and Interface Science, Firenze
• Laura Eleonora Depero, Chem4Tech Lab., Dep. Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Università degli Studi di Brescia

Scientific secretary:

• Andrea Zendrini, Biogenic Colloids and Surfaces Lab., Dep. Molecular and Translational Medicine, Università degli Studi di Brescia, CSGI – Center for Colloid and Interface Science, Firenze

Organizing secretary:

• Sara Venchiarutti, Secretariat Istituto I.S.E.O.