Tg Mondo Hi-Tech, edition of 31 May 2024

We talk about underwater wi-fi network, space 'scotch', AI and medicine

TERNA TESTS UNDERWATER WI-FI NETWORK

An underwater wi-fi network for the transmission of marine ecosystem monitoring data relating to various parameters: noise, current measurement, chlorophyll, water temperature and turbidity. A system capable of detecting those aspects useful for creating and managing large underwater electrical connections with ever greater efficiency. Terna has started testing the Internet of Underwater Things or IoT technology -> PRONOUNCED AI-O-IU-TI) in collaboration with Wsense, a deep-tech company leader in monitoring and communication systems for the underwater environment, in order to guarantee the safety of assets and the monitoring of nearby environmental conditions of the works. The results of the experimentation in the waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea, in the Piombino canal, have highlighted the very promising potential of this technological solution.

SOLUTIONS FOR RENEWABLES AND FUSION FROM ENEA SUPERCOMPUTER

Optimize the performance of energy sources such as photovoltaic, hydroelectric, wind and in the future also nuclear fusion, using new generation supercomputers capable of solving a trillion operations per second, ‘exascale’ level. This is the goal of the three-year EoCoE-III project, which aims to make the European Union a world leader in supercomputing. IT and renewable energy experts from 18 public and private European organizations are participating in the project, including Enea, Cnr and the universities of Trento and Rome Tor Vergata for Italy. “Through supercomputing it is possible to carry out simulations in sectors such as fusion energy, materials, hydroelectric and wind power”, explained the project manager for Enea, Massimo Celino. As regards the production of hydroelectric energy, the models obtained allow us to make predictions on the performance of water basins. Compared to wind power, the simulations will be able to clarify the dynamics of air flows in a wind farm. As part of the merger, they intend to support experiments on the Iter tokamak under construction in Cadarache, France.

FROM SPACE ‘SCOTCH’ TO ‘LEGO’ BATTERIES, AT BOLOGNA STARTUP DAY

Someone has invented a kind of electrostatic ‘scotch’ that can be used to collect both fruit and space debris in orbit. And there are those who can convert waste sludge into biodegradable bioplastic. Then there are those who use microorganisms to treat waste, as an alternative to chemical toilets. And those who use vineyard prunings as fuel instead of LPG. But there are also those who have invented advanced high-performance batteries, which are assembled like the famous Lego bricks. And who has built electric and self-driving robots for work in the fields. Finally, there are those who have developed a kit to make every diesel engine also suitable for pure biodiesel and those who have developed a special bioresin, made with tomato peels, to cover metal food packaging. These are some of the inventions on display at ‘Startup Day’, the initiative organized by the Alma Mater of Bologna to enhance the innovative ideas of its students and researchers. In total, more than 40 companies including start-ups, spin-offs, investors, incubators and business accelerators.

ITALIANS AND AI IN MEDICINE, PROMOTED BY 6 OUT OF 10

Just over 6 out of 10 Italians are in favor of the use of artificial intelligence in the healthcare sector, of which 88% would use it to simplify the language of reports, 86% as a support for the doctor to make a diagnosis and 80% as a help to establish an adequate pharmacological therapy, while almost 6 out of 10 Italians would however use it as a tool for self-analysis. Another risk, in addition to ‘do-it-yourself’, is that for 7 out of 10 Italians, AI could cause a loss of the relationship and direct contact with the doctor. These are the first data to emerge from the survey by EngageMinds Hub, the research center in consumer and health psychology of the Catholic University, Cremona campus. Just under 8 out of 10 Italians report that digital technologies will improve the accessibility and use of health services and will lead to a reduction in paper waste as well as greater patient involvement thanks to easier use of their health records. Just over 7 out of 10 Italians also think that digital technologies will be able to reduce costs in the long term and just over 6 out of 10 also expect that AI can improve diagnoses.