Special Session 12

SPECIAL SESSION #12

Emma Angelini

DISAT - Department of Applied Science and Technology Polytechnic University of Turin, Italy

• emma.angelini@polito.it

Margherita Bongiovanni

ARIA-Historical Collections and Archives Office - Polytechnic University of Turin, Italy

• margherita.bongiovanni@polito.it

Measurement is a fundamental aspect of science, engineering, commerce, and daily life. It stands as a hallmark of scientific inquiry, offering a privileged means of gaining knowledge, especially when compared to qualitative approaches. Measurement involves interacting with physical systems in order to represent various aspects of these systems in abstract terms. This session focuses on historical scientific instruments, developed in the past for a variety of scientific purposes, including mechanical, electrical, and electrotechnical measurements, as well as mathematical tools, mechanical calculators, telescopes, and astronomical instruments. These artifacts not only serve as valuable witnesses to human culture but also highlight the collaboration between science and craftsmanship. In many cases, the scientists themselves were also skilled craftsmen or worked closely with instrument makers. The session will explore different categories of historical scientific instruments, the types of measurements they facilitated, and the challenges associated with their preservation.

Emma Angelini graduated in Chemistry at Torino University, is Full Professor of Applied Physical Chemistry in the Faculty of Engineering, Politecnico di Torino. Her research areas are: Studies on Cultural Heritage protection and conservation - studies on the degradation processes of ancient metals, monitoring of museum environments by smart button sensors, innovative coatings for the protection of metallic artefacts; Plasma chemistry - PECVD techniques for surface modificiations; Corrosion and protection of metallic materials: study of the corrosion resistance of superficially treated steels, duplex stainless steels and sintered steels, amorphous and nanocrystalline alloys proposed as innovative materials for electrocatalysis. Studies on biomaterials: on dental materials in environments simulating the oral cavity, for the evaluation of the corrosion resistance and ion release. In the frame of the dissemination activities she carries out planning and implementation of events aimed at disseminating and popularizing scientific knowledge to a wide audience, promoted within the scope of the third mission of the Polytechnic of Turin in collaboration with cultural associations and museum institutions, such as the Galileo Museum-Institute and Museum of the History of Science in Florence, the Fabbrica della Ruota, former Zignone wool mill, in Pray (Biella), the Science Festival in Genoa. She is member of : ICC - International Corrosion Council, Past President, EFC - European Federation of Corrosion, W.P. “Surface Science: Corrosion Mechanisms” , AIM - Italian Association of Metallurgy, SCI - Italian Chemical Society, AIAr – Associazione Italiana Archeometria.

Margherita Bongiovanni is an architect and has been operating since 1998 within the Museum and Historical Documentation Centre of Turin Polytechnic. Since 2013, she has been responsible for the conservation and enhancement of the university's historical and scientific heritage of Politecnico di Torino, coordinates, organizes, and manages projects aimed at promoting the cultural heritage of historical and scientific interest, developing activities and initiatives to foster polytechnic culture. Her interests also involve gender studies with a focus on women who studied at Turin Polytechnic.
She is the President of A.I.D.I.A., Italian Association of Women Engineers and Architects, as well as national councilor.