Lab Village 9
Lab Village Trieste
Lab Village Trieste is a pioneering initiative designed to bridge the gap between academic research and industry, fostering systematic and effective technology transfer. By uniting the rigour of academic expertise with the strategic vision of business, the platform seeks to redefine the landscape of innovation, not only within Trieste but across the wider Triveneto region.
The project is promoted by INEST Spoke 9. The lead institution is SISSA – the International School for Advanced Studies – with the University of Trieste, the Venezia Giulia Chamber of Commerce, and Confindustria Alto Adriatico as project partners.
A Two-Tiered Lab Village
Lab Village Trieste operates on two complementary levels:
- Digital Level
To close the gap between research and industry, Spoke 9 has developed TCube - a digital platform powered by generative artificial intelligence, conceived to facilitate innovation and collaboration. - Physical Level
The digital infrastructure of the Lab Village is reinforced by the Digital Intelligence Hub, a state-of-the-art physical space designed to encourage collaboration between researchers and innovators.
TCube: Advancing Technology Transfer with Generative AI
TCube (Trieste Tech Transfer) is the virtual platform developed by Spoke 9, with the support of RES.
Harnessing the capabilities of generative artificial intelligence, TCube enables users to interact promptly and on demand. This novel application of Large Language Models (LLMs) - AI systems capable of understanding and generating natural language - ensures the platform is continually updated through the addition of new content and user feedback.
The pilot version of TCube, enriched by the specialist knowledge of Spoke 9’s researchers, is now live.
Key Features
- Abstraction
TCube is designed to ingest highly specialised knowledge from researchers - particularly in numerical computation methods—presented in scientific articles. Leveraging AI, the platform identifies and suggests alternative applications of these methods, even across diverse industrial sectors, thereby unlocking new avenues for innovation. - AI Search
The Search function employs an advanced approach, combining information retrieval with text generation to deliver precise and relevant results. Searches extend beyond scientific articles to include their analyses, highlighting significant publications and leading researchers in the field. - Translation
Building on existing expertise, TCube offers innovative solutions to industrial challenges, with a particular focus on small and medium-sized enterprises. It translates complex scientific content into accessible, practical information, empowering businesses to apply cutting-edge research methods to real-world problems. - AI Chat
The Chat function enables dynamic, real-time exchanges by merging conversational interaction with advanced knowledge retrieval. It can interpret user queries, extract pertinent information from scientific sources, and generate clear, intelligent responses tailored to industrial needs.
Videos
Official teaser of TCube, the generative AI platform developed by SISSA with RES as an initiative within the iNEST (Interconnected Nord-Est Innovation Ecosystem) Consortium.
Official presentation video of the TCube platform, developed by SISSA in collaboration with RES as an initiative of Spoke 9 of iNEST (Interconnected Nord-Est Innovation Ecosystem).