Leonardo participates in the European Researchers' Night, the initiative promoted by the European Commission and dedicated to the world of science and research that, the next 28 September, will involve a large audience of visitors in more than one hundred Italian cities. The event, which provides free access to the public in research facilities, offers many events for everyone, even for the little ones. For Leonardo, scientific research is a central element of growth and collaboration with universities, institutes and research institutions is a fundamental tool in the company's Open Innovation strategy, which in 2017 has invested 1,5 billion euro in Research and Development, equal to over 13% of revenues. The initiative is also part of Leonardo's activities aimed at disseminating scientific citizenship and promoting, among the new generations, themes and paths oriented to the STEM disciplines (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths).
Many appointments to which Leonardo's employees will take part to promote the culture of innovation and show the public advanced technologies and products.
In Rome, within the area of CNR of Tor Vergata, there will be three Leonardo laboratories open to the public that will experience the extraordinary aspects of Quantum Physics and its use in secure communications, sensors and calculation. The first prototypes of neuromorphic light circuits will be shown, able to replicate the functioning of the human brain in the near future. Interferometric experiments will reveal the structure of optical vortices, a new alphabet of communication, while with the interactive experiment "007 QUANTUM", children and youngsters will play "quantum spies", using light to generate cryptographic keys for secret messages. In the same pavilion the MORPHEUS-XR system will be visible, allowing the visitor to live an immersive experience in a virtually reproduced work environment. With the support of Telespazio and e-Geos, it will also be possible to explore the topic of the use of satellite data of Earth Observation in land management, natural resources and human activities. Starting from the results of a project carried out for the European Commission, the importance of forecasting meteorological events occurring in space, such as solar eruptions or storms, which could jeopardize the operation and safety of means - aircraft to example - and critical infrastructures using satellite positioning systems.
In Milan, Leonardo will be present at the National Museum of Science and Technology at the "Open Night | Face to face with the search ". The protagonist of the evening will once again be Mars, with the ExoMars 2020 mission, the European probe that will hunt for signs of life in the subsoil of the Red Planet. A prototype of the auger, produced by Leonardo and used to drill the Martian soil during the mission, was donated to the National Museum of Science and Technology in Milan, where it is permanently exhibited.