The value of applied research and technology transfer: Electronic Nose

Nowadays, universities impact is also measured on the “third mission”, which sees the universities as engines of economic and social development. In particular, for public universities, the third mission is a duty, not only in Italy, but also in the rest of the world.

What are technology transfer, knowledge transfer, research enhancement and third mission? These are all practices aimed at increasing the value of the role of universities as places of knowledge and impact  creation. Patenting and doing research with and for companies is the main tool through to fill the gap between Academia and Industry.

The talk focus on the value of applied research and academia-industrial collaboration through a successful case study.

Electronic Nose is a wearable device for those who work in unhealthy work environments such as painting plants. The main purpose of Electronic Nose Device is to provide continuous monitoring of indoor air quality – in particular of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and carbon dioxide, to give operators real-time feedback on the level of monitored contaminants, to provide a adequate protection in case of need. Electronic Nose Device consists of an electronic device equipped with a series of sensors designed to provide data relating to air quality over time; Electronic Nose Device is based on an existing sensor technology, the novelty of this device is in the purpose and application: to train and inform operators about the danger to which they are exposed and at the same time provide adequate protection in a sector , such as that of painting plants, where the problem of VOC and carbon dioxide concertation has never been dealt with in such a precise way before.

Watch the recording.

Speaker: Venere Ferraro, PhD in design, is researcher (RTDB) at the Design Department of the Politecnico di Milano. He teaches the theoretical course entitled “Theories and Tools for Interaction Design” within the Master’s Degree Course in “Digital and Interaction Design” and for more than 10 years at the Project Laboratories of the Master’s Degree course in “Design & Engineering ”At the School of Design of the Politecnico di Milano. He is a member of the Research Laboratory in Interaction and Experience Design (IEX- www.interactionlab.polimi.it). She was Visiting Researcher at the University of New South Wales in Sydney (2006) and at the Media Lab of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (2009), where she conducted research on Wearable Systems with a focus on user oriented for products generally investigated with an approach technology-driven. She has participated in several international and national researches and has been coordinator of the research project POD: Multi-sensory device to prevent occupational diseases (SAF € RA 2014 joint call). Author of numerous international publications and holds both national and international patents, she is currently Coordinator of the European project “DATEMATS” – Knowledge & Technology Transfer of Emerging Materials & Technologies through a Design-Driven Approach (KA2 2018). His main research activity is focused on the role of interaction design in shaping disruptive technologies (Wearables / smart textile and AI). In particular, on how to exploit the potential of digital technologies to design experiential systems in both the private and public sectors. What characterizes his research is the approach to human-centered design. The research interests have concerned and concern wearable devices, smart interactive systems for well-being with particular attention to tools and methods for changing user behavior. (design for behavioral change)