The wealth of scientific activities, collaborations, and services carried out by the Department of Physical Sciences, Earth and Environment (DSFTA) during the 2024-2025 biennium clearly shows the DSFTA's function as a genuine hub of expertise. It generates tangible value for the region through established synergies with both public entities and private businesses. These strategic partnerships are crucial for driving applied research, technology transfer, sustainable regional development, and industrial innovation, solidifying the DSFTA's role as a proactive force in scientific and social advancement.
The current strategic collaborations with public bodies, research institutes, and private companies are executed through both large-scale, significantly funded research projects and the provision of highly specialized laboratory analysis services and focused consulting.
The most notable funding includes a €465,000 project with ISPRA and the Tuscany Region for geological mapping, a €180,000 agreement with the Tuscany Region for the management of marine waste (P.Ri.S.Ma. MED2), and a €174,900 contract with Enel Green Power for ecological monitoring. The main thematic areas include geosciences, with a strong focus on seismic and hydrogeological risk; environment, ecology, and sustainability, with initiatives on biodiversity conservation, plastic pollution, and carbon footprint; and the enhancement of cultural heritage through scientific analysis of artifacts and monuments. The plurality of partners, which includes Regions, Municipalities, CNR, INGV, and important industrial companies, demonstrates a solid network of cooperation and a marked ability to attract resources and expertise on topics of advanced and socially relevant research.
The activities for the 2024-2025 biennium are supported by a combination of public and private funding, service contracts, and scientific collaboration agreements. There is a clear prevalence of projects with external funding, although there are also strategic collaborations with zero budgets aimed at developing common research interests and participating in training programs.
Strategic agreements with zero funding have also been made, which do not provide for a direct financial flow but consolidate scientific and educational partnerships, particularly with universities, the Tuscany Region, and the CNR.
Geosciences and Seismic and Hydrogeological Risk
This section details the main projects dedicated to the study of the territory and the mitigation of natural risks.
- Geological Mapping: The CARG project with ISPRA and the Tuscany Region.
- Seismic Microzonation: Technical-scientific support to the Marche Region in collaboration with CNR-IGAG.
- Seismic Risk: Analysis of observations from the regional GPS geodetic network with the Tuscany Region and research activities on seismic input with the ReLUIS Network.
- Slope Stability: Study of gravitational movements for the Municipality of Abbadia San Salvatore.
- Structural Geology: Stratigraphic-structural characterization of the subsoil in collaboration with INGV within a PRIN 2022 project.
Environment, Ecology, and Sustainability
This section details the main projects dedicated to environmental protection, biodiversity conservation, and the promotion of sustainability.
- Marine Pollution: Major projects such as P.Ri.S.Ma. MED2 on marine waste management and the development of a column on the "Plastic Busters" project in partnership with Pizzardi Editore.
- Ecology and Conservation: Assessment of the impact of invasive alien species for the Tuscan Archipelago National Park Authority and studies on human-animal-environment interaction in the Pelagos Sanctuary with the Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute.
- Ecotoxicology: Studies on the effects of microplastics on the nervous and reproductive systems of marine mammals.
- Sustainability Services:
- Calculation of the Carbon and Water Footprint for companies like Banfi S.r.l.
- Drafting of the annual greenhouse gas report for the Municipality of Siena (GSTC certification).
- Provision of advanced training services in Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) for KION Group staff (STILL S.p.A.).
- Validation of product footprint calculation tools (CFP-Tool) for Raffmetal spa.
Cultural Heritage and Materials Analysis
This section details the main projects dedicated to the conservation and enhancement of cultural heritage through:
- Diagnostics on Monuments: Study of the stone finishes of the Duomo of Pisa for the Opera Primiziale Pisana.
- Analysis of Archaeological Finds: Characterization of samples from bronze artifacts from the Sanctuary of Bagno Grande di San Casciano dei Bagni for the Archaeological Superintendence.
- Dating and Composition: Analysis of ancient bricks found in Massa Marittima for the Municipality.
- Heritage Enhancement: Creation of content and itineraries for the Municipality of Rignano Garganico.
Specialized Laboratory Analysis Services
Provision of third-party analysis services.
- Mineralogical, petrographic, and chemical analysis.
- Analysis using scanning electron microscopy (SEM/EDS).
- Biological assays (e.g., DR-CALUX).
Clients are primarily private companies (e.g., Bioscience Research Center, Chimet Spa, Minerali Industriali srl, Fondital SpA) and other research institutions (e.g., CoNISMa, University of Genoa).
Lekton.AI
Lekton.AI is an Academic Spin-off of the University of Siena, established in 2024. Its objective is to provide solutions based on Generative Artificial Intelligence, such as:
- Complex algorithms for smart searching;
- Virtual assistants;
- IoT and Generative AI solutions;
- Strategic consulting;
- Change management;
- Generative competencies.
Lekton.AI website: https://www.lekton.ai/
2021 – CGT-Engineering
The company provides services and expertise in the fields of applied Geology, Geotechnics, and Geo-engineering, analysis and monitoring in the geotechnical and environmental sectors, operational management, construction supervision, supervision, and safety coordination during design and execution. This supports the sectors of civil and industrial engineering, environment and territory, architecture, infrastructure, energy, workplace health and safety, and related analytical, strategic, and operational marketing.
CGT-Engineering – Website: https://www.cgtengineering.com/
2014 – Geoexplorer srl Social venture
GeoExplorer provides services and expertise in the fields of geophysics and hydrogeology, offering a wide range of services by applying modern investigative tools and addressing problems of varying complexity. The staff supports investigation plans in various application areas, ranging from territorial planning, to environmental surveys, water research, slope stability studies, geology applied to construction, mineral prospecting, and the monitoring of natural radioactivity.
Geoexplorer Social venture – Website: https://geoexplorersrl.it/
