Technology Transfer

This application domain represents a strategic pillar of the Department’s research activities, focusing on the design, integration, and validation of hardware and software systems for the processing, transmission, and intelligent management of information. Research spans the full technological spectrum, from micro- and nanoelectronics to computing architectures, and from embedded and cyber-physical systems to secure and scalable IoT platforms. A key focus area is edge computing, developing efficient computing and communication solutions for devices and platforms with limited resources while ensuring interoperability among heterogeneous components and systems constrained in terms of energy, memory, and processing capabilities.

The main applications include:

• next-generation wired and wireless networks;
• mobile and satellite communications;
• low-latency protocols;
• techniques for the security, resilience, and energy efficiency of digital infrastructures;
• solutions for the industrial, healthcare, energy, and intelligent mobility sectors.

This research area focuses on the digital and sustainable transformation of industrial and manufacturing systems, representing a key driver of technological innovation and industrial competitiveness. 
Its main research activities include: 

• the development of solutions in service, industrial, and collaborative robotics, autonomous systems, mechatronics, advanced control, intelligent sensing, computer vision, and real-time embedded systems for automation;  
• the integration of hardware and software systems together with the application of artificial intelligence for process control and optimization, including quality assurance and predictive maintenance;  
• the development of systems and sensors for functional safety, as well as technologies for digital twins, smart manufacturing, and human–robot interaction, with the aim of making industrial systems more efficient, reliable, and safe.  

This research area develops advanced technologies to improve prevention, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, healthcare delivery, and healthcare management, with applications extending to sports science and ergonomics. By combining multidisciplinary expertise in close collaboration with clinical and industrial partners, it contributes to healthcare innovation through the development of: 

• multi-scale mathematical and computational models of physiological and pathological processes to interpret experimental data and simulate the behavior of biological systems;  
• sensors, measurement systems, and medical devices for monitoring physiological processes, diagnosis, and therapy, with particular emphasis on neuromuscular and cardiovascular applications;  
• augmented and virtual reality, telemedicine, and robotic solutions to improve treatment effectiveness, personalize rehabilitation pathways, and support continuity of care;  
• advanced techniques for the automated analysis of signals and images to identify novel biomarkers, enable early diagnosis, and develop assistive technologies;  
• digital solutions that integrate heterogeneous clinical data and support clinical decision-making, leveraging artificial intelligence to enable more efficient and personalized diagnostic and therapeutic pathways.  

This research area develops innovative electronics and communication technologies for aerospace, covering everything from circuits and systems to advanced applications, while exploiting artificial intelligence to model complex data and physical phenomena.
Research activities include multidisciplinary expertise in both upstream and downstream space technologies, including: 

• remote sensing for Earth, Sun, and space observation;  
• AI-based methodologies for image compression, processing, analysis, and generation, multimodal foundation models, and onboard satellite processing;  
• reliable and secure onboard electronics and electromagnetic compatibility;  
• satellite and space communication systems, including physical- and network-layer algorithms, design, emulation, and services for LEO and VLEO constellations, as well as direct-to-satellite IoT;  
• satellite navigation systems, user receivers and applications, satellite positioning and space missions, signal authentication, and resilience against interference;  
• RF front-ends and power amplifiers.

This research area combines expertise in wireless communications, edge computing, and data-driven control systems, with a focus on connected and intelligent mobility. 
Its main activities include: 

• the design and analysis of communication systems for connected vehicles based on V2X and 5G/6G technologies, enabling reliable, low-latency data exchange between vehicles and infrastructure, while integrating mobile edge computing to support data processing and autonomous driving decisions;  
• the application of artificial intelligence to mobility, with particular emphasis on distributed and federated edge learning for cooperative perception, traffic prediction and management, navigation, and safe and efficient vehicle maneuvering;  
• the design and optimization of services and applications for connected autonomous vehicles, including experimental validation and advanced simulation tools, with the goal of making transportation safer, more sustainable, and more efficient.  

The Department conducts research and development activities aimed at sustainability and reducing environmental impact, with a strong focus on energy conversion, agritech, and environmental monitoring. 
Its main activities include: 

• the development of advanced models and devices for solar energy conversion, aimed at improving efficiency, reliability, and environmental integration;  
• the modeling and simulation of multi-energy systems and gas and hydrogen distribution networks, including machine learning approaches, to improve sustainability and support decarbonization;  
• research in agritech and agrifood, focusing on the design and implementation of systems for crop health monitoring, optimizing the use of water and nutrients, detecting diseases caused by biotic and abiotic stress, and promoting more efficient and sustainable agricultural practices;  
• the development of ultra-low-power solutions and wide-area communication systems, also suitable for applications in regions affected by the digital divide.