On September 26-27, 2025, Piazza Duomo in Milan hosted an exciting event as part of the EU Researchers’ Night initiative, organized by CNR (National Research Council of Italy) and Politecnico di Milano (Polimi). The event offered the public a chance to explore the world of light through hands-on experiments, engaging visitors of all ages.
Led by Cristian Manzoni from CNR, the event featured interactive activities such as light demonstrations, where visitors observed how light interacts with different materials to create dynamic effects. Another highlight was the polarization experiment, showing how light changes when passing through transparent objects, revealing hidden details.
One of the experiments was the pH detection using red cabbage juice. Visitors were amazed to see how the cabbage juice changed color when mixed with different substances, allowing them to visually explore the concept of acidity and alkalinity.
Participants also experimented with color mixing using white light and colored filters, discovering how different colors combine to create new hues and even hidden messages through colored shadows.
Additionally, the use of a thermal camera to visualize heat signatures fascinated visitors, demonstrating how objects at different temperatures emit infrared radiation. The thermal camera experiments allowed people to see their own heat patterns and explore how different materials reflect heat.
The event successfully engaged the public, offering a glimpse into the world of scientific innovation and its real-world applications in healthcare, technology, and beyond.
