Il Parco Scientifico e Tecnologico della Sicilia: profilo e progetti sui beni culturali
10.6092/issn.1973-9494/6184
Viene presentato un breve scritto sulle attività del Parco Scientifico e Tecnologico della Sicilia, in particolare relative al settore dei beni culturali. La formazione e la ricerca risultano fondamentali per l’inserimento dei giovani nel mercato del lavoro nell’ambito della tutela e valorizzazione del patrimonio culturale.
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1973-9494
6184
en
Roberto D’Agostino
Conservation Science in Cultural Heritage
research
The Science and Technology Park of Sicily (Parco Scientifico e Tecnologico della Sicilia). Cultural heritage profile and projects
Text.Serial.Journal
https://conservation-science.unibo.it/
15
Articles
2015-12-30
2016-06-08
2015-12-30
2017-09-04
315-327
CSCH
Roberto D’Agostino
2015/12/30
10.6092/issn.1973-9494/6184
315
Presidente del Parco Scientifico e Tecnologico della Sicilia S.C.p.A. (PSTS), Catania
1973-9494
research
en
327
The Science and Technology Park of Sicily (Parco Scientifico e Tecnologico della Sicilia). Cultural heritage profile and projects
https://conservation-science.unibo.it/article/download/6184/5959
15
T    HE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY PARK OF SICILY
     (PARCO SCIENTIFICO E TECNOLOGICO DELLA SICILIA)
Cultural heritage profile and projects

    Roberto D’Agostino*
    Presidente del Parco Scientifico e Tecnologico della Sicilia S.C.p.A. (PSTS),
    Catania, Italy

    Keywords: park, Sicily, training, research


   1. Introduction

   The Science and Technology Park of Sicily (STPS) is a no profit joint-stock consor-
tium established in 1991 between the Regional Authority, research centres and com-
panies operating in different sectors of the Sicilian economy, with the aim of increas-
ing Sicily’s competitiveness through research, innovation, technology transfer, training
and attraction of investments. STPS acts as a catalyser between processes and SME
product innovation and regional research system capability, both in traditional strategic
sectors such as Agro-Food, Environment and Cultural Heritage and in emerging sec-
tors such as ICT, Biotechnology, Bioenergy and Innovative Materials.
   Thanks to teamwork with Sicily’s Universities and the National Research Council,
the STPS is one of the originators of territorial innovation. Efforts are oriented towards
identifying the technological needs of SMEs and to supply them with assistance also
in an international context, developing innovative products and processes and promot-




                                                                                                   CONSERVATION SCIENCE IN CULTURAL HERITAGE
ing technology transfer as well as providing a high level of professional training and
innovative services.
   Besides the ability to develop research and innovation, the PSTS has developed
expertise over time in managing complex projects, governing the whole process from
the planning to the implementation and reporting phases.
   In the field of Cultural Heritage, the STPS has developed consolidated experience
creating the “STPS Laboratory for Cultural and Environmental Heritage and analy-
sis of materials”. The laboratory is able to provide ARCHAEOMETRIC investigations,
particularly aimed at determining the chemical and mineralogical composition of solid
materials (ceramics, mortars, metal alloys, stone, glass, etc ...) through innovative and
advanced methods.
   The services available are related to diagnostic analysis for the restoration, pres-
ervation and assessment of the status quo, the characterization and analysis of deg-
radation, the assessment of the physical and chemical compatibility of materials, de-
velopment of new materials, design of interventions, evaluation of the performance of
treatments, etc .....
   Major laboratory equipment includes (Figure 1):



* Corresponding author: rdagostino@pstsicilia.it


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R. D’Agostino - The Science and Technology Park of Sicily (Parco Scientifico e Tecnologico della Sicilia)




                                                                                                                               	
  




                                                                                                                                      	
     Figure 1. Main laboratory equipment

                                                                                                                 a) D/MAX-2500HL Rigaku Diffractometer equipped for investigations - Ritveld iden-
                                                                                                             tifies natural crystalline substances (minerals) or synthetic, present in a solid material,
                                                                                                             through the detection of X-rays diffracted by them;
                                                                                                                 b) Fluorescence spectrometer Rigaku ZSX Primu – carries out elemental analysis
                                                                                                             of solid and liquid materials by X-ray fluorescence;
                                                                                                                 c ) Porosimeter by mercury intrusion – investigates the distribution of porosity in the
                                                                                                             range of diameter between 360000 nm and 5 nm in solid or dust samples, by mercury
                                                                                                             intrusion, through gradually increasing pressure.
                                                                                                                 In addition, the STPS has a Chemical Laboratory (Figure 2) and an X-ray Spec-
                                                                                                             troscopy Laboratory equipped with an AXIS Ultra DLD photoelectron spectrometer; it
                                                                                                             allows detailed information to be obtained on the chemical state of a surface with high
                                                                                                             analysis speed, resolution and sensitivity.




                                                                                                                        	
  
                                                                                                                                               Figure 2. Chemistry Laboratory


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   2. Cultural Heritage projects

   Research projects

   A.   THE MORTARS AND PLASTERS OF HISTORICAL AND MONUMENTAL
        BUILDINGS IN SICILY - compositional characterization and research into new
        restoration products compatible with regional stone substrates funded by the
        National Operational Programme for Scientific Research, Technological Devel-
        opment and Higher Education 2000-2006.
   B.   DEVELOPMENT OF INNOVATIVE INTEGRATED ASSETS for operators in the
        recovery, preservation, enhancement and fruition of cultural heritage funded
        by the National Operational Programme for Scientific Research, Technological
        Development and Higher Education 2000-2006.
   C.   TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE FIELD OF TERRACOTTA AND
        RESTORATION - Terrecotte project - funded by MIUR 1999-2001.

   Training projects

   D.   MASDIBEC - Master in Diagnostic Systems for Cultural Heritage funded by the
        National Operational Programme for Scientific Research, Technological Devel-
        opment and Higher Education 2000-2006 axis III.
   E.   MORTARS TECHNOLOGIST - Advanced training course for “Expert focused
        on the introduction of innovative processes in mortar production and on its use
        in the restoration of historic town centres and monumental heritage” funded
        by the National Operational Programme for Scientific Research, Technological
        Development and Higher Education 2000-2006.




                                                                                                   CONSERVATION SCIENCE IN CULTURAL HERITAGE
   A.   THE MORTARS AND PLASTERS OF HISTORICAL AND MONUMENTAL
        BUILDINGS IN SICILY

   The research project developed in Sicily focused on the study of plaster and artificial
stones in regional architectural tradition and was aimed at increasing knowledge about
used recipes in order to re-propose them, as well as improving production processes
and experimenting innovative mixtures to develop products compatible with traditional
wall supports.
   The collected data, the proven methodologies and absorbed experience are knowl-
edge and “best practices” that are available to be exchanged, disseminated and trans-
ferred. In particular:
   •    Codification of methodological approach for diagnostic analysis of plaster and
        artificial stones aimed at :
        – improving knowledge about the material and traditional techniques of pro-
        duction and construction: sampling design methods, design methods of diag-
        nostic plans, methods for the compositional characterization and definition of
        “recipes” - definition of compositional and functional parameters;
        – understanding the mechanisms and causes of degradation and identification
        of categories of damage in relation to different environmental characteristics;



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                                                                                                                •  Operational code for the application of proper intervention of conservation and
                                                                                                                   restoration;
                                                                                                               •   Codification of methodological approach for experimenting new mixtures (re-
                                                                                                                   vival of traditional mixtures or development of innovative mixtures) - characteri-
                                                                                                                   zation of the fresh state and hardened state and definition of operational codes
                                                                                                                   for proper application;
                                                                                                               •   Codification of methodological approach for the study of the compatibility
R. D’Agostino - The Science and Technology Park of Sicily (Parco Scientifico e Tecnologico della Sicilia)




                                                                                                                   among stone materials: chemical compatibility, physical compatibility, mechani-
                                                                                                                   cal compatibility;
                                                                                                               •   Know-how required for the creation of laboratories able:
                                                                                                                   – to implement the fresh state tests (workability time, consistency, air content,
                                                                                                                   bulk specific gravity, etc…),
                                                                                                                   – to test the hardened state (macroscopic analysis, optical microscopy under
                                                                                                                   a polarizing microscope in thin section, electron microscopy and scanning with
                                                                                                                   quantitative and qualitative EDS analysis, x-ray diffraction, chemical analysis in
                                                                                                                   fluorescence, determination of soluble salts, thermogravimetric analysis, poro-
                                                                                                                   simetry analysis, capillary absorption tests and hygroscopic tests, mechanical
                                                                                                                   tests),
                                                                                                                   – to implement durability tests (adhesion to the substrate, soluble salt content,
                                                                                                                   salt crystallization, freeze thaw cycles) and CE certification of materials;
                                                                                                               •   Implementation of specific databases able to manage knowledge and aimed
                                                                                                                   at dissemination of the “intellectual capital” in an integrated manner (both data
                                                                                                                   and structured multimedia documents), and able to ensure the use of the infor-
                                                                                                                   mation, through appropriate navigation and search options, consistent with the
                                                                                                                   needs of the interested users community.
                                                                                                               Partnership: STPS (lead partner), Consorzio Catania Ricerche, CEPA, IBM, ISRIM
                                                                                                             and Guglielmino Group.


                                                                                                                B.   DEVELOPMENT OF INNOVATIVE INTEGRATED ASSETS

                                                                                                                The project focused on the development of new ASSETS (methods, analytical and
                                                                                                             operational procedures, etc..) aimed at improving the current analytical, consultancy
                                                                                                             and design services offered in the field of Cultural Heritage. The developed ASSETS
                                                                                                             are able to reduce the experimental work required for diagnostic tests and for the de-
                                                                                                             sign of restoration with a consequent reduction in time and cost of services and are
                                                                                                             directed at different operators in the Cultural Heritage sector (architects, engineers,
                                                                                                             geologists, chemists, conservators, superintendencies, museums, construction com-
                                                                                                             panies, local authorities, etc.) and can be used at different levels. In particular, the pro-
                                                                                                             jects were focused on natural stone materials (calcarenite stone) and artificial material
                                                                                                             (terracotta).
                                                                                                                The ASSETS developed consist in:
                                                                                                                •    High value-added information and data on the characteristics of the Plio-Pleis-
                                                                                                                     tocene calcarenites used in the Sicilian ars aedificatoria and the terracotta
                                                                                                                     found in the monumental buildings (churches, castles, historic towns) and in
                                                                                                                     the traditional artistic objects of Eastern Sicily: material characterization, ana-
                                                                                                                     lytical study of their origins, of types and of the most frequent mechanisms of
                                                                                                                     degradation; statistical analysis of the data collected and clustering;


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   •  models, procedural codes and operating practices for diagnosis and inter-
      ventions for the recovery of archaeological and architectural monuments (for
      example, practices and methods of treatment and application of products for
      restoration, surveys/investigations for planning diagnostic campaigns and res-
      toration and conservation interventions;
  •   methods of cataloging, arranging and enhancing the data in order for it to be
      available and used in a focused way;
  •   definition of strategies for the fruition of historical and cultural heritage through:
      – dissemination activities (physical or photographic reproduction of monuments
      or museum objects using innovative technologies such as three-dimensional
      digitization and rapid prototyping or refined photographic techniques such as
      photomosaic);
      – development of training programs with scientific contents (educational and
      training courses aimed at education institutions, public/private organisms or
      professionals in the field).
  Partnership: STPS (lead partner), Consorzio Catania Ricerche, CEPA, ISRIM and
Department of Chemical Sciences-University of Catania.


   C.   TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE FIELD OF TERRACOTTA AND
        RESTORATION “Terrecotte project”

   The project, closed in 2001, and was aimed at implementing processes of techno-
logical innovation in the activities of small enterprises of the ceramic sector, increas-
ing knowledge of raw materials, optimizing production processes and marketing. It
involved the small businesses of the three main Sicilian ceramic districts (Caltagirone,
Santo Stefano di Camastra and Sciacca), trade associations, Art schools and the Local
Authorities.




                                                                                                     CONSERVATION SCIENCE IN CULTURAL HERITAGE
   Within this overall objective, the project achieved :
   – know-how transfer to the user (knowledge of local raw materials, study and
        cataloging of the pottery of ancient traditions - from the twelfth to the twentieth
        century - modern techniques of business management, advanced marketing,
        computer science);
   – designing and creation of technological laboratories for chemical, physical and
        mineralogical- petrographic analysis of raw materials, resistance testing of ma-
        terials, experimenting of new cooking methods and equipment, such as the
        designing of the innovative oven based on the application of the control system
        with fuzzy methodology;
   – designing and creation of computer laboratories aimed at developing specif-
        ic applications dedicated to the ceramic industry, based on high technology
        computer-aided design, multimedia catalogs, technical drawing and retouching
        images, E-commerce.
   Partnership: STPS (lead partner), Consorzio Catania Ricerche, CEPA, IBM.




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                                                                                                                D.   MASDIBEC - Master in Diagnostics Systems for Cultural Heritage

                                                                                                                The Master was aimed at training professionals able to manage and monitor com-
                                                                                                             plex diagnostic interventions on Cultural Heritage. The professionals learned know-
                                                                                                             how and tools in order to be able to operate in the conservation and restoration field,
                                                                                                             paying particular attention to material analysis, detection and prevention of possible
                                                                                                             degradation mechanisms, checking for damage and defining methods of intervention
R. D’Agostino - The Science and Technology Park of Sicily (Parco Scientifico e Tecnologico della Sicilia)




                                                                                                             as well as checking the correctness of the applied restoration techniques and monitor-
                                                                                                             ing the state of the cultural asset under investigation.
                                                                                                                Partnership: STPS, CEPA and ISRIM

                                                                                                                E.   MORTARS TECHNOLOGIST

                                                                                                                The course, related to the research project “the mortars and plasters of historical
                                                                                                             and monumental buildings of Sicily”, aimed at training professionals “Expert focused
                                                                                                             on the introduction of innovative processes in mortars production and on its use in the
                                                                                                             restoration interventions of old historic town centres and monumental heritage”. At the
                                                                                                             end of the course “Experts” had acquired: a) Knowledge on the characterization of
                                                                                                             historic mortars in the monumental and historical buildings, b) Skills relating to mortars
                                                                                                             in order to experiment new products appropriate to the climatic conditions and stone
                                                                                                             substrates, c) Methods of dissemination of knowledge on mortar composition, d) How
                                                                                                             to create platforms for the dissemination of results.
                                                                                                                Partnership: STPS (lead partner), Cepa, CEPA, Consorzio Catania Ricerche in col-
                                                                                                             laboration with the Department of Chemical Engineering of Processes and Materials,
                                                                                                             University of Palermo, and Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Catania.


                                                                                                                Biographical notes

                                                                                                                Roberto D’Agostino has a degree in Chemical Engineering and since November
                                                                                                             2013 is CEO of the Consortium, Science and Technology Park of Sicily - STPS (Parco
                                                                                                             Scientifico e Tecnologico della Sicilia - PSTS), whose members include the Regione
                                                                                                             Sicilia and 20 other private shareholders; since September 2014, CEO of the lead
                                                                                                             Company of the High-Tech Biomedical District of Sicily (Distretto Biomedico ad Alta
                                                                                                             Tecnologia Siciliana - ATS); since 1988, Special Prosecutor and responsible for Sicily
                                                                                                             and Calabria relations for IBM Italy; from 2009-2012, Professor at the Faculty of Com-
                                                                                                             puter Engineering at the University of Palermo; from 2012-2015, CEO of the Consor-
                                                                                                             tium, Pact of Palermo (Patto di Palermo), whose members include: the municipality of
                                                                                                             Palermo, Confindustria Palermo, Palermo Chamber of Commerce, Istituto Regionale
                                                                                                             per il Finanziamento alle Industrie in Sicilia (IRFIS); from 2011-2015 councilor of the
                                                                                                             Chamber of Commerce of Palermo and member of the Commission for Innovation,
                                                                                                             Internationalization and Marketing of the same.




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