Aerospace applications with instruments operating on the InternationalSpace Station or satellites; observation of cosmic radiation with large ground-based Cherenkovtelescopes; development of innovative sensors with applications in various fields (e.g., in experiments in space and at accelerators, in biomedical and agri-food, in energy storage and transport, in charged and neutral radiation imaging for cultural heritage, and in anthropology); electronics, lasers and quantum optics; high-precision mechanics; "big data" (simulations and data analysis); theoretical studies on quantum computing.
Characterization and monitoring of natural hazards (e.g., seismic, hydrogeological and anthropogenic); development of digital cartography to identify and enhance knowledge and management of land, geo-resources, and artistic-cultural heritage (e.g., mapping of the territory with drones equipped for hyper-spectral and geo-radar analysis, analysis of SAR data from satellites); participation in the Antarctic research program.
Understanding and parameterising complex natural systems and the influence of climatic factors in ecology and pollutants in ecotoxicology; study of indicators and bio-indicators to assess the sustainability of systems and processes; environmental monitoring studies (with a focus on marine monitoring with research aimed at assessing the impact of marine litter and microplastics on Mediterranean biodiversity and with a particular focus on endangered species such as cetaceans and sea turtles); sustainable management of natural resources and land, carbon-neutrality, food chemistry. In addition, investigations in the field of Paleoanthropology, Prehistoric Archaeology and Paleo-environment in the framework of numerous international collaborations with publications in highly prestigious international journals.