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A chemist and an engineer—the winners of the fifth edition of the 2009 Nobile Prize—are from the Universities of Padua and Florence
Elisabetta Ugel and Alessandro Cardillo are the winners of the fifth edition of the Bernardo Nobile Award for Patent Research, the annual award sponsored by AREA Science Park in memory of Bernardo Nobile, the director of the PatLib Patent Information Center who passed away prematurely.
Elisabetta Ugel, who holds a Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering with a specialization in Chemical Engineering, was honored for her doctoral dissertation on the characteristics of certain innovative materials, completed at the University of Padua. Alessandro Cardillo, a mechanical engineer, received recognition for his master’s thesis on the analysis of walking aids for the elderly, completed at the University of Florence.
During the ceremony, held in the Conference Hall of the Science Park as part of the 2009 AIDB National Conference, both recipients were presented with a check for 3,000 euros. AIDB, represented by President Guido Moradei, also offered them the opportunity to become members of the Association for the 2009–2010 academic year.
In addition, two other master’s theses were selected and awarded honorable mentions. The recipients were Dario Clori and Walter D’Anna of the University of Florence, authors of a joint thesis, and Chiara Pasut of the University of Udine. An honorable mention was also awarded to a thesis on the economics of international trade written by Mariachiara Barzotto of Ca’ Foscari University of Venice. The winning theses were recognized for highlighting patents and related information as an up-to-date and useful source for further research, reflecting the mission of the fifth edition of the Award. Thus, the aim is not only to focus greater attention on patent information but also to promote patents themselves as a complementary reference source and tool, the use of which must be documented.
Elisabetta Ugel’s doctoral dissertation, titled “Modification of Surface Characteristics and Mechanical Properties of Films Obtained from Thermoplastic Materials Using Micro- and Nanometer-Sized Inorganic Fillers,” analyzed certain characteristics of plastics, which—thanks in part to sophisticated production methods and low cost—have replaced metallic and ceramic materials in many fields, including automotive and motorcycle components, household appliances, toys, and others.
In the master’s thesis category, Alessandro Cardillo won the award for his thesis titled “Evolutionary Analysis and Technology Forecasting of Mobility Aids for the Elderly and People with Disabilities.” The work was inspired by the analysis of emerging technologies and the study of new products and various methodologies to support innovation, with particular reference to “Technology Forecasting” and “Value Innovation.” The winning theses and those that received honorable mentions are available on the AREA Science Park website at www.area.trieste.it/premionobile.