On 27 September, the 2024 edition of the ‘Mediterranean Women Researchers’ Night’ (MEDNIGHT) was held at the Rector’s Office of the University of Messina, an event aimed at enhancing university research, and especially that of women involved in research.

Dr. Cristina Scolaro, professor Beatrice Di Bella, and engineer Aldo Ruta (part of the UNIME group participating in the EU co-founded project – LIFE RESTART) showed the many visitors the prototypes, produced by the project’s partners and stakeholders and all entirely made with LIFE RESTART bioplastics.

The research work behind the production of the various objects obtained by recycling waste grains from the production of beer at the Messina Brewery was also illustrated.

There were many interested visitors and a lot of curiosity expressed, especially about the consistency of the bio-composites.

It was a very well attended night, an opportunity to bring the academic world closer to the general public, showing how research is an accessible and stimulating field.

MEDNIGHT was celebrated simultaneously in 23 countries involving more than 400 European cities. Italy, Greece, Spain, Turkey and Cyprus were the partner countries for the Mediterranean basin.