Maker Faire Yearbook 2023
Projects
Found 49 Results
LIGNOPACK – Bioplastic from food waste for food packaging
Faire: Rome
Maker: Università degli Studi della Tuscia
Every year in the field of food packaging synthetic additives are used for the development of plastic packaging, whose deleterious impact they have on the marine ecosystem and on human health is now known.
LIGNOPACK is proposed as a natural alternative to the current toxic additives being composed of natural substances: lignin and chitosan. The union of these two biopolymers as nanoparticles has allowed the development of a completely natural additive that can be used in food packaging, with great advantages in terms of sustainability, performance and cost-effectiveness.
“LIGNOPACK represents a biotechnological innovation aimed at the circular bioeconomy''.
Elaisian – Il Sistema di Supporto alle Decisioni in agricoltura
Faire: Rome
Maker: Elaisian srl
Elaisian offers a precision agriculture service to prevent diseases in olive groves, vineyards, and almond orchards and to have a continuous decision support system (SSD) for field interventions. The service is based on SSDs related to pest management and SSDs related to satellite imagery (for all crops). This enables farmers to reduce phytosanitary treatments and optimize fertilization and irrigation.
Elaisian offers the installation of weather stations in the field connected to an app where notifications and alerts on pathogen development are sent. We have different types of services that allow us to give accessibility to farms of all sizes and therefore with different economic possibilities. The following sections are available in the app: 5-day weather forecast, self-set alerts (weather parameter, value range, message sending interval), notifications (non-severe messages on plant and pathogen development), alerts (threshold severity messages), field notebook (linked to algorithms), map and reports from satellite images.
The pathogen forecasting service is applied for olive groves, vineyards and almond orchards. Through the use of proprietary algorithms we are able to calculate the development of pathogens and plants, which, when correlated, allow us to calculate the infection rate of pathogens with high accuracy.
We also use satellite images to calculate vegetation and water indices that are useful for monitoring soils and always have a control for optimizing fertilization and irrigation.
SLY empowers wildfire resilience
Faire: Rome
Maker: SLY
SLY is pioneering a transformative approach to wildfire detection and mitigation. By harnessing the convergence of artificial intelligence at the edge, novel semiconductor gas sensing, and global NB-IOT connectivity, we provide a solution that not only detects wildfires during their incipient stages but also predicts their potential evolution, thereby enabling more efficient and timely responses. SLY offers a ground-breaking solution that improves the cost-effectiveness, speed, accuracy, and sustainability of wildfire detection and mitigation, making a significant impact on a global issue.
THE FOOD OF THE FUTURE, THE FUTURE OF FOOD
Faire: Rome
Maker: EltHub srl
How can food be produced in the future? How can food be produced in extreme environments? What does it have in common with future space food? These are some of the topics we want to "tell" at maker faire. Futuristic hydroponic crops within everyone's reach:
- ROBOTFARM a hydroponic greenhouse the size of a washing machine
- HYDROWALL a vertical farm the size of a planter
- SOLE a future greenhouse ground demonstrator rack cabinet on the International Space Station
- ROBOTLAMP new generation LED lamps for growing anywhere in the world and in space
- MIG the vertical container farm to cultivate automatically even in the most extreme environments
- NUTRI3D a 3D food printer to obtain nutraceuticals, vitamins and sources of antioxidants, starting from fresh raw materials or agri-food processing waste for the formulation of new generation food "inks", personalized foods, snacks-on-the-go , sports food, military, astronauts etc...
Mycastellium – From Mushroom to Masterpiece
Faire: Rome
Maker: Orietta Bartalini
Mycastellium is the perfect project for people who want to open their minds into a sustainable environment. This project is entirely made of a sustainable material called mycelium: an ideal substitute to plastic. We created this lamp combining nature inspired designs and advanced technologies. Our project took time and dedication as we collaborated to reach our goal. Mycastellium’s aim is to spread awareness about sustainability. Help us transform our world step by step; every little step counts!
FRANCHINO IL ROBOTTINO PER L’AGRICOLTURA
Faire: Rome
Maker: Fondazione ITS E.A.T. di Grosseto
It is known that in agriculture a healthy and protected environment is important for having a quality harvest.
Being able to intervene promptly and within tight deadlines is essential in agriculture to solve any problem encountered in the soil.
Hence the idea of creating a "robot insect" that is able to move autonomously on the ground and, thanks to the advanced technology with which it is equipped, will be able to analyze the technical parameters of the soil. This allows the farmer to have the results in real time (or in any case a few minutes after the analysis) without having to wait days (as in the current laboratory analysis method).
Green4Mud
Faire: Rome
Maker: ITS "Efficienza Energetica"
Mud is processed trought water extraction into purified water, consequently hydrogen (STEP 2), and biocompost (STEP 3). Purified water from water extraction process is distilled and then used to produce green hydrogen trought electrolytic cell. After the first step of water extraction, the resulted biocompost could be used as fertilizer in agro-food companies.
Ploovium® – Predictive Irrigation
Faire: Rome
Maker: Soonapse Srl
Ploovium® is an AI and IoT-based cloud service for predictive water optimization in agriculture.
The system is fully data-driven. Data are monitored and processed by two levels of AI: the first predicts the irrigation behavior of the soil/crop system in the next 5 days with 99% accuracy, the second processes the irrigation strategy with average savings of water and irrigation costs (electricity, fuels, personnel, etc...) up to 50%.
Ploovium® AI methods have the Italian Patent, which has been filed in EU, USA, India and Israel.
Insetti, il Cibo del Futuro – Small Giants
Faire: Rome
Maker: Small Giants srl
Made with insect flour, our award-winning products are mega tasty and packed full with planet-positive protein, fibre and vitamins. We want to lead the transition to a new phase where eating insects is part of our daily eating habits. We are a young team highly motivated to break the edible insects taboo with unruly tasty snacks and make the weird wonderful!
Polyter®: La rivoluzione verde dell’agricoltura – Conservazione dell’acqua, aumento della produttività e sostenibilità in un unico granulato innovativo!”
Faire: Rome
Maker: Agrifertile srl
Polyter® is a revolutionary agricultural project that addresses global challenges related to pollution, energy costs, food security, global warming, and water scarcity. Its main objective is water conservation, a precious and limited resource often wasted in large quantities, especially in the agricultural sector.
Polyter® is a unique fertilizing hydro-retainer that comes in the form of granules. These granules have an extraordinary capacity to absorb water from 160 to 300 times their dry weight, functioning as a water reservoir for plants. Moreover, Polyter® acts as a permanent dispenser of water and fertilizers to meet the plants' needs, providing them with everything they require to grow and develop optimally.
What makes Polyter® truly exceptional is its ability to lower soil temperature, reducing plant stress. It works as a kind of refrigerated dispenser, ensuring optimal root, vegetative, fruit, and flower development. Balanced fertilizers specifically designed to nourish root development are incorporated within Polyter®, which is an essential element for plant growth. Polyter® seamlessly integrates with the roots, becoming an integral and optimal part of the plant.
The versatility of Polyter® is one of its main strengths. It can be used in all types of crops and on all types of soil, allowing for broad applicability in both agricultural and horticultural contexts. Worldwide, agronomists, researchers, and inventors have been searching for hidden freshwater sources, but current methodologies fail to address the massive water waste in agriculture. Polyter® represents a breakthrough in this direction.
The benefits of Polyter® are manifold. Firstly, it enables water savings of at least 50% to 80%, ensuring more efficient water resource management. Additionally, it reduces fertilizer consumption by 30% to 50%, optimizing yield, quality, and production sustainability. Polyter® also acts as a growth activator, advancing cultivation cycles and increasing root mass by 3 to 5 times. This translates into higher agricultural productivity, ranging from 30% to 100% depending on the crop type.
Another important aspect is that Polyter® is completely biodegradable in the soil, with a degradation period ranging from 3 to 5 years, depending on the number of bacteria present in the soil. This further enhances Polyter®'s sustainability and environmental impact.
In addition to water savings and improved crop yields, Polyter® plays a fundamental role in soil regeneration. It acts as a synthetic "earthworm," aerating, stabilizing, and binding the soil. Furthermore, it contributes to humus restructuring and reduces losses from evaporation and leaching. This promotes soil health and preserves long-term fertility.
Safety is a top priority for Polyter®. It leaves no residues in the soil or in fruit and vegetable crops, as confirmed by accredited analyses. This aspect is crucial to ensure the quality and safety of food produced using Polyter®.
Participating in the Maker Faire Rome represents an exceptional opportunity for us to share the innovation of Polyter® with the public. Our project offers tangible solutions to water-related challenges, sustainable agriculture, and environmental preservation. We are proud to present an idea that combines technology with ecology, promoting more efficient and environmentally friendly agricultural practices.
Thanks to our participation in the Maker Faire Rome, we can demonstrate how Polyter® works through an exhibition that includes a table to showcase our products, a display to illustrate Polyter® granules, a computer, and a screen to present case studies, photos, and videos showcasing the extraordinary results achieved. Additionally, we will have an informative panel to provide further details about the project.
We are excited to be part of such a stimulating event and to present Polyter® as an innovation that will transform sustainable agriculture. Our goal is to contribute to a future where water resources are used responsibly, and the environment is preserved.
Food Pairing
Faire: Rome
Maker: Sapienza Università di Roma
Food pairing is a method of identifying which foods go well together. Thanks to the recent availability on the internet of a large number of recipes and databases on the chemical compounds, it is possible to propose combinations based on modern data science techniques which analyze the food graph possibly enriched by the graph of their chemical components. The project proposes to investigate this graph, to visualize it in an attractive way and to experiment during the maker faire with some combinations in order to collect visitor feedback
Girasole: Sensing in Farming
Faire: Rome
Maker: GIRASOLE SRL
The system consists of a network of wireless IoT sensors in the shape of a sunflower equipped with a photovoltaic panel and internal battery. These devices are configured to monitor specific applications, and the collected data is transmitted to our completely Italian cloud system, where it is processed by artificial intelligence algorithms to make visible predictions on the Sunflower App. For example, the application supports farmers in reducing water waste for irrigation, reducing fertilizers and treatments, and improving productivity.
Pollen Sprayer
Faire: Rome
Maker: IISS “Ven. Ignazio Capizzi” - Bronte ( CT)
The Pollen Sprayer is a particular electronic tank, equipped with nebulizers, which allows you to carry out the artificial pollination of plants with the aid of a drone. Designed for the pistachio plant, it can be used for any fruit tree in order to improve fruit setting and increase production. What makes the Pollen Sprayer unique is the fact that it can be adapted to any drone. In fact, given the high cost, the purchase of specific agricultural drones is not accessible to everyone.
Gamification of Sensory Analysis
Faire: Rome
Maker: Simply SFA
To define the sensory profile of a product according to UNI/ISO standards, the test must be carried out in sensory booths; "white rooms" where it is tested in ideal conditions.
ISO booths are not easy to find, so we decided to make them portable: the Sensorial Stations. These can be of various types:
• ISO Mode a sensory booth
• Desk Mode a sensory desk
• MiniSens which transforms any desk into an ISO station
But our aim is to highlight how the tasting of products changes according to the conditions in which it takes place. This is why we want to train and challenge the senses of consumers to recognize the characteristics of the products in any environment.
Contenitore Unico di Identita Digitale
Faire: Rome
Maker: One Network Technology S.r.l.
Idea
One Network Technology is an Italian company that is dedicated to the interactive promotion of Italian products in the world, through eco-sustainable initiatives, with the mission of offering innovative solutions based on the simplest form of business digitalization: Augmented Reality, 3D technology and NFC sharing. Our unique product aims to optimize the economic results of companies, while safeguarding the environmental heritage.
Our mission is to offer an innovative and unique solution for the digitalization of SMEs that integrates Augmented Reality, 3D technology and NFC (Near Field Communication) sharing, which can transform the user experience forever.
Innovative Purpose With our technology, we can create virtual objects and interactive communications, using Augmented Reality to insert them into the real context and make the experience more engaging and immersive thanks to 3D vision. NFC allows digital transfer of information and product certifications in a simple and secure way. This technology can be applied to various purposes, such as content sharing, promotion of personal activities or updating of points of sale. Our solution represents a new way of interacting with the surrounding world, which stimulates interest in specific areas or products and improves the user experience.
Board: Project Manager 1 Web Developer 1 Senior Developer 1 Copywriter 1 Communication Manager 1 President of the Study Center 1 Graphic and Videomaker Team 4 Communication Consultants Team Certified by our Study Center 17 Secretariat 2 Our company is driven by innovation and the evolution of communication. We believe that our true value is what you can appreciate in person. For this reason, we do not consider it relevant to communicate to you the identity of our team, but rather to show you the result of our work. We thank you for your understanding.
Scaling Up To assess the market potential of our solution, we used the model that allows us to estimate the total demand, the reachable segment and the obtainable share for our product or service. In addition, we analyzed the following variables that influence our ability to penetrate the market and generate value: • Market need: the degree of need or desire that customers have for our solution and its differentiation from existing alternatives we have discovered that there is no company on the market that could be evaluated today as a true competitor. • Product-market fit: the level of adherence between the features and benefits of our solution and the needs and expectations of customers. • N° of active POCs: the number of proof of concept (Prof of Concept) that we have started with potential customers to demonstrate the validity and effectiveness of our solution was quite reduced as the product is easily adaptable to any type of product. • N° of converted POCs: the number of proof of concept that have turned into contracts or actual orders from customers exceeds 90% of the value of proposals. • N° of active customers: we decided to give the opportunity to a small number of customers who were allowed to use our solution regularly and are satisfied with it, especially because we selected some particular products brought to market by small emerging companies as seen from presentation we sent. • N° of potential active customers: The number of potential customers who have expressed interest in our solution and are in contact with our sales group are unquantifiable since the product is an integral part of Bado’s Voucher 4.0
Spireat un futuro sostenibile
Faire: Rome
Maker: algaria srl
the project we are presenting this year derives from the technological innovations presented in recent years and will lead to the request for a new patent, application presented in 2022. the project concerns the optimization of natural light on productions in open pond systems on the production of microalgae by improving the performance of production and returns on investment in technologies that are still not very mature, and which will also make it possible to improve the capture of CO2 which is already naturally efficient in microalgal production systems,
ModuSmart
Faire: Rome
Maker: Pasquale Iavecchia
Bring smart automation to your fingertips with our Arduino based controllers. Easy to install and highly adaptable, they offer seamless and integrated control for homes and industries. Discover how our innovative solution transforms your everyday life. #Automation #Arduino #MakerFaire
MyEasyCarbon: the future of sustainable agriculture
Faire: Rome
Maker: MYEASYFARM
MyEasyCarbon is the first Label Bas Carbone certified tool capable of assessing the sustainability of agricultural businesses by calculating the balance between emissions and carbon storage in the soil. The advantage of using MyEasyCarbon lies on its interoperability, its ease of use and speed of analysis. The combined use of MyEasyFarm and MyEasyCarbon allows for the integration of data from agricultural machinery into the carbon calculation, making the final calculation more realistic and transparent, and providing more reliable data regarding Scope 3 emissions in the agri-food supply chain.
Circle Fermenter – Feeding communities
Faire: Rome
Maker: Matteo Cappellari
Circle fits into the free and self-powered cycle of the fermentation community with the desire not only to delight its palate, but to increase its exchanges and visions.
This sanctions a true symbiosis: the community needs Circle for its preparations, Circle needs the community to develop and expand its horizons.
A fermenter that emphasizes the feeling of sharing that food often gives. The nature of such a simple food transformation reflects the open source character of the project, which is designed for digital manufacturing.
Caratterizzazione dei prodotti alimentari mediante nuovi marker molecolari
Faire: Rome
Maker: Sapienza Università di Roma
As part of specific departmental and multidisciplinary initiatives (Department of Management) for consumer protection and developed within the Commodity Laboratory, we have identified a cluster of specific and innovative indicators [molecular markers] which allow to better characterize the perceived quality of some commercial food products.In particular, we applied our model to pasta [primary sector of interest], craft beers, grappa and coffee. The main aim of our studies is to discriminate commercial products which, thanks to their specificity - deriving in particular from "mild" industrial treatments - can benefit from "premium price" logics.
Bombeer srl
Faire: Rome
Maker: Bombeer srl
Bombeer is a bottom-fermented lager beer, born from the careful selection of the finest varieties of barley, hops and yeast, produced by Birra Castello Spa.
The particular fermentation process gives it a harmonious, soft and enveloping taste.
The slim body and subtle carbonation play in balance, closing with a clean finish that invites a second sip.
Due to its characteristics it is suitable as an aperitif beer and for consumption throughout the meal, even better if in front of a match on TV.
Info Point Olografico tridimensionale Interattivo con Intelligenza Artificiale
Faire: Rome
Maker: Media Engineering Srl
An AI-powered agri-food holographic avatar can offer detailed food information, assist with personalized recipes, assess environmental impacts, guide diets, suggest trends, and educate on safety and sustainability, benefiting consumers and producers alike.
Nectar
Faire: Rome
Maker: posti s.r.l.
NECTAR is an innovative project aiming to create the first agrifood metaverse, providing an immersive experience in the realm of nutrition and healthy, sustainable eating. This environment combines cutting-edge technologies to offer users a unique experience that merges education, experimentation, and innovation.
The main components of the project are blockchain-tracked products and metabolic avatars. The blockchain aspect includes a wide range of agri-food products from select Italian companies, allowing users to interact with them in an immersive experience. They can learn about the products' origins, nutritional characteristics, and make informed choices. Users can also connect with the producing companies, gaining insights into their sustainable production practices and the food supply chain.
The metabolic avatar is a personalized digital representation of an individual's metabolism, created using information from wearable devices such as smart bands and impedance scales. It enables real-time and remote monitoring of physiological parameters, providing data used to deliver a customized quality index for food choices based on simulated metabolic effects. The avatar tracks user metabolism levels over time, offering a comprehensive view of metabolic variations and responses to consumed foods and supplements.
The personalized metabolic avatar (PMA) employs a deep learning GRU (gated recurrent unit) model trained to predict weight changes, blood glucose, and other physiological variables tailored to macronutrient composition and daily energy balance. The model allows simulations and evaluations of dietary plans, facilitating the definition of customized goals for achieving ideal weight.
NECTAR's platform integrates metabolic and sensory avatars, blockchain, and virtual reality technologies to create a metaverse dedicated to agrifood. Avatars interact with blockchain-tracked products, providing consumers with detailed information on the origin, quality, and sustainability of food products. By combining sensory and metabolic analyses with blockchain, NECTAR ensures transparency, sustainability, and food safety, meeting the needs of consumers, institutions, and companies. The ultimate goal is to promote sustainable agriculture, environmentally and human-health-friendly food production, circular economy, and the reduction of food waste, following the "One Health" approach.
NECTAR addresses various industrial, economic, and social challenges. It tackles the lack of transparency in nutritional information and the presence of unhealthy ingredients in food products. It also aims to combat the global obesity epidemic by promoting balanced and healthy eating. Furthermore, NECTAR aims to address social issues by offering affordable access to nutritious and sustainable food.
In conclusion, NECTAR is an innovative proposal that combines emerging technologies like the metaverse, metabolic avatars, blockchain, and NFTs to create a platform dedicated to agrifood, promoting sustainability and transparency in the industry. Despite not being realized yet, presenting this project to the public can generate interest, engagement, and potential collaborations while evaluating market demand.
Erogatore mangimi solidi e liquidi per volatili.
Faire: Rome
Maker: IIS Tito Sarrocchi
"Solid and liquid feed dispenser" was designed to solve the problem of feeding our domestic birds during the holidays and, therefore, away from our property.
This electronic type device would be able to distribute a certain portion of feed per day, decided in advance by us and to supply the liquid container with water, from which the birds can drink.
