The collaboration between scientific research and industry has been recognized with the Giovanni Francesco Brambilla Award, granted to Onyax Srl, an innovative SME based in Vigevano, and to the Department of Chemistry of the University of Pavia, for the NEMO project, an IoT micro-laboratory for remote monitoring of municipal water quality.
The award was presented on February 26, 2026, at Palazzo Brera in Milan, during the Adunanza Solenne opening the 223rd academic year of the Istituto Lombardo Accademia di Scienze e Lettere. Established in 1841 by engineer Giovanni Francesco Brambilla, the award aims to support innovations capable of generating tangible benefits for citizens, enhancing collaboration between companies and universities.
NEMO: beyond traditional water monitoring
The project was developed to overcome the limitations of traditional laboratory analyses, which are based on periodic sampling and long response times. NEMO is a low-energy IoT micro-laboratory that can be installed at strategic points within water distribution networks. It performs real-time analysis of key water quality parameters (pH, Redox ORP, free chlorine, turbidity, and conductivity) and integrates advanced measurements such as the “water fingerprint” through electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.
The development followed a bidirectional technology transfer model: the Department of Chemistry at the University of Pavia played a key role in the scientific optimization of the system, focusing on calibration and analytical validation of measurements under real operating conditions. Onyax managed the electronic design, engineering, industrialization, and software-hardware integration, ensuring reliability and scalability of the solution.
The NEMO technology has already been tested by A2A Ciclo Idrico within the water network of the city of Brescia, demonstrating concrete benefits: continuous remote monitoring, reduced response times in case of anomalies, automation of control processes, and lower operational costs.
An Award looking toward the future of lombard innovation
The awarding of the Giovanni Francesco Brambilla Prize to Onyax and the Department of Chemistry of the University of Pavia confirms the value of collaborations between public research and the productive system, capable of transforming scientific knowledge and technological innovation into concrete solutions for the territory.
During 2026, the awarded projects will be presented at a dedicated event and included in a scientific publication curated by the Istituto Lombardo.
“The Brambilla Award represents a highly valuable recognition for Onyax, both from a sustainability and territorial perspective. With the NEMO project, we combined chemistry and micro-electronics, demonstrating how an SME can operate at the technological frontier when dialogue with the University is structured and continuous. We have transformed our ongoing research and development activities into a concrete industrial solution for the intelligent management of water in citizens’ homes”, Eng. Gian Paolo Quarta – CEO, Onyax Srl
“As a researcher, I believe in scientific knowledge that translates into concrete solutions. Thanks to the collaboration with Onyax, we were able to combine academic expertise with industrial know-how, transforming knowledge into a useful technology for water monitoring.” Prof.ssa Lisa Rita Magnaghi – Tenure Track Researcher, Università degli Studi di Pavia
