The SENSOPAD consortium met at the University of Bologna (UNIBO) on 6–7 October to celebrate the project’s second anniversary, review progress, and discuss the next steps in its technical development and market strategy. Thanks to our hosts’ outstanding hospitality, the meeting combined productive discussions with a closer look at the research facilities and academic heritage behind the project.
Day 1: Showcasing technological progress
The first day featured presentations from the project’s technical Work Packages (WPs), highlighting the progress made in developing the sensors, electronics, circuits, the SENSOPAD sweep app, and other technologies that will form the foundation of the smart pads.
The afternoon featured two parallel sessions. One focused on a demonstration of the SENSOPAD prototype, while the other brought partners in front of the camera to record interviews for the project’s second promotional video. Thanks to thorough preparation and the enthusiastic participation of consortium members, a substantial amount of footage was collected for the upcoming video, helping communicate SENSOPAD’s objectives and achievements to a wider audience.
The day concluded with visits to five UNIBO laboratories, offering participants first-hand insight into the research facilities supporting the project. The visits showcased activities ranging from sample analysis for SENSOPAD and other research projects to the printing of microchips used in the consortium’s work.
Day 2: From communication and dissemination to market opportunities
The second day focused on the Communication, Market, and Business aspects of the project. An interactive workshop on business models was the main component of the day, during which consortium members explored how SENSOPAD and its associated tools could enter and establish themselves in the market. Discussions examined the strengths and weaknesses of the three proposed business model options, providing valuable insights into the commercial potential of the project’s outcomes and helping inform future exploitation strategies.
Exploring the university and the city
Beyond the formal sessions, our hosts offered a memorable introduction to the university’s academic heritage and research environment. The meeting took place at two distinct venues: a modern campus on the first day and a magnificent Renaissance-inspired hall on the second.
Participants also had the opportunity to explore the historic university area and visit an observatory associated with the development of the hexagonal mirror-segment concept used in modern space telescopes, including NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope.
And, of course, no visit would have been complete without a walk through the historic city centre and the chance to sample some of the region’s celebrated local delicacies!
Looking ahead
The second-anniversary meeting marked an important milestone for SENSOPAD, bringing together technological progress, collaboration, and discussions on future market opportunities. With promising developments across the technical Work Packages, encouraging results in dissemination and communication, and valuable insights from the business model workshop, the consortium continues to work towards its shared objectives.
A big thank you to the University of Bologna for its outstanding hospitality and to all SENSOPAD partners for their contributions, engagement, and continued commitment to the project. We look forward to the next milestones and to sharing more updates as SENSOPAD progresses!
