Every other year ELGRA organizes its meeting as a forum for discussions and exchange of ideas among scientists using (micro-)gravity in the fields of materials and fluid sciences, life sciences and technology.

Program

Full program and abstracts : ELGRA News # 25 Sept. 2007 (6.7 MB)

Pictures from the meeting

2007 - ELGRA and AIMAS participants

ELGRA student participants

Organization

The symposium is under the auspices of:
Faculty of Medicine, University of Florence
National Institute for Cardiovascular Research

Call for Papers

You are invited to enter manuscripts of papers presented during the meeting for publication in a special issue of Microgravity Science and Technology. See for details below.

Papers presented at the symposium can be submitted for publication in a special issue of Microgravity Science and Technology, MST. The deadline for the submission of papers for publication in MST is the Friday 12th October, 2007. Instructions for the preparation of the manuscript can be found on the MST web site but the manuscript should not exceed 4 pages, in print. You can download an example of a 4 page manuscript here. Please submit your manuscripts to Dr. Monica Monici: E-mail: Monica Monici

Venue

The conference site, the Institute of Military Aeronautical Sciences (IMAS) in the Cascine Park in Florence, was built by the famous architect Raffaello Fagnoni in the years 1937-38. From an architectonical point of view, it is considered one of the most beautiful examples of “functionalism”. Meeting address is Institute of Aeronautical Military Sciences, Aeronautical Military School “Giulio Douhet, Viale dell’Aeronautica 14, Cascine Park, I-50144 Florence, Italy (Goolgle Maps).

There are shuttles from the Florence airport to the main Florence railway station (S. Maria Novella). From the railway station to the symposium site. You can take a taxi or the bus 17C, direction Cascine Park. From 4 to 7 Sept, the Institute for Aeronautical Military Sciences has also organized shuttle services.

Florence cradle of history, art and culture

Florence’s origins date back to the Etruscan era. The name Florentia, "destined to flower" date back to the Romans. From the 13th century, with the prevalence of the Guelfs in the dispute between Guelfs and Ghibellines, loyal to the Pope and to the Emperor respectively, Florence enjoyed a long period of prosperity and magnificence. Great importance was given to the arts. The architectural beauties, which make Florence such a unique city, began to be built. Culture was in great ferment. The first work in the vernacular language (precursor of the italian language) appeared and then brought about the works of Dante, Petrarca, Boccaccio. Then, the Medici dynasty took over. Lorenzo il Magnifico brought the Humanist Age to Florence, together with the wonderful architecture by Brunelleschi. After Lorenzo il Magnifico’s death (1492), the city oscillated between Republican agitation and Medici revenge, while geniuses such as Michelangelo and Leonardo Da Vinci became famous names in art. In the 18th and 19th centuries Florence was the capital of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany, and then of the Kingdom of Italy.
Now, Florence is one of the most atmospheric and pleasant cities in Italy. It retains a strong resemblance to the small late-medieval centre that contributed so much to the cultural and political development of Europe. With its striking buildings, formidable galleries, treasure-crammed churches, russet rooftops and lofty domes, Florence has a picturesque and elegant appearance.

City view.

The Old Bridge by night.

Social Events

The social program for the symposium will include the visit to the Galileo Tribune at the “La Specola” Museum, Institute and Museum of the History of Science. For the Gala Dinners at the Institute of Aeronautical Military Sciences and in the Court of the Bargello Palace formal dresses should be preferred. More will be posted later.

Read some more on this beautiful city on the wikipedia web site.

Weahter forcast for Florence (BBC weather site).