Advanced Aerospace Technologies: Bridging Research and Industry in Emilia Romagna

The aerospace sector is currently one of the most demanding testing grounds for technological innovation, highlighting the crucial role of research in developing increasingly advanced solutions in materials, manufacturing processes, and validation technologies. This event brings together three strategic industrial research projects, HEATBETA, LA2COM, and SpaceLAB, all united by the goal of delivering new solutions to some of the sector’s most critical challenges. HEATBETA (Design and Fabrication of a Turbine Blade for Elevated Temperature Applications Made by a Laser Engineered Net Shaping Technique Manufactured High Entropy Alloy) explores the potential of high-entropy alloys, a new frontier in metallurgy, for the production of turbine blades using Direct Energy Deposition (DED) additive manufacturing technologies. The project opens new pathways towards lighter components capable of withstanding extreme operating temperatures. LA2COM (LAboratory of Lightweight Aircrafts COndition Monitoring: Integration of Multimodal Experimental Data Fusion and Digital Twin Simulations) is developing an integrated structural health monitoring ecosystem for lightweight aircraft. By combining heterogeneous sensor data fusion, Digital Twin simulations, and advanced classification algorithms, the project aims to enable the early detection and diagnosis of structural failures. SpaceLAB (Design, Implementation, and Validation of Test Systems for Strategic and Advanced Environmental Testing in the Aerospace Sector) focuses on enhancing environmental testing systems for the qualification of satellite components. The project involves the development and validation of dedicated test benches for Pyroshock and Outgassing testing, supporting the reliability and performance of space systems. Together, these projects outline a coherent pathway from research to technology transfer, bringing together universities, competence centres, and companies across Emilia-Romagna. Their shared ambition is to strengthen the competitiveness of the region’s industrial ecosystem and enhance its position within both European and global aerospace markets.

Programme

Moderator
Francesco Blumetti, Democenter Foundation

Speakers
Davide Santachiara, CEO, DTM Technologies
Ramona Fagiani, Founder, Vibmec
Mattia Battarra, Researcher IN4, University of Ferrara
Massimiliano De Agostinis, Director, CIRI MAM, University of Bologna
Riccardo Corsini, Chief Technical Officer, Highftech Engineering