[Image above] ACerS International Italy Chapter members attend the “Thousand Lives of Glass” Workshop in Venice, Italy Credit:ACerS
On May 14–15, 2026, the historic island of Murano (Venice, Italy), internationally renowned for its centuries-old glassmaking tradition, hosted the workshop “Le Mille Vite del Vetro – Bringing Glass Back Home!” at the prestigious Abate Zanetti Institute. The initiative brought together researchers, students, industry representatives, and glass artists to celebrate the multifaceted world of glass, bridging cultural heritage with cutting-edge scientific innovation.
The workshop was organized with the support of several academic and industrial partners, including Italy Chapter of the ACerS, Politecnico di Torino, Università Ca’ Foscari Venezia, the Italian Ceramic Society, KMM-VIN and stakeholders from the glass industry (GIMAV, Glass Company). The event created a multidisciplinary platform for discussing advanced glass materials, sustainable technologies, and the future of glass science while reconnecting these developments with the historical roots of Murano craftsmanship.
The first day included guided visits and live demonstrations at the Abate Zanetti glassmakers’ laboratory, offering participants a unique opportunity to experience traditional Murano glassmaking techniques firsthand. This immersive activity highlighted the importance of preserving artisanal expertise while fostering dialogue between artisans and researchers.
The scientific workshop on May 15 featured a rich program of oral presentations covering topics ranging from innovative glass fabrication methods to artificial intelligence applied to chemically strengthened glass, energy conversion devices, bioglass scaffolds, and volcanic glass-ceramic systems.
A particularly significant moment for the participants was the keynote lecture delivered by Prof. Affatigato, President of The American Ceramic Society. It was a great honor for the workshop organizers and attendees to host the President of ACerS in Murano for this occasion. His lecture, “Strange Transformations: Nontraditional Techniques for Fabricating Glass,” stimulated lively discussions on the evolving role of glass in modern technology, science, and design, while reinforcing the strong connection between the international ceramics and glass communities.
The event also included a poster session and a Best Poster Award, encouraging the active participation of young researchers and fostering networking opportunities among attendees from academia and industry.
“Le Mille Vite del Vetro” successfully demonstrated how glass continues to represent a vibrant intersection of art, science, sustainability, and technological innovation. Hosting the workshop in Murano symbolically reinforced the connection between the historical identity of glassmaking and the future challenges of advanced materials research.
We are grateful to all speakers, participants, sponsors, and organizers who contributed to the success of this inspiring event.
[Images above] Traditional glassmaking techniques demonstrated by a master artisan at the Abate Zanetti Institute in Murano (Venice, Italy) during the workshop Credit:ACerS
