{"id":1902,"date":"2026-04-09T15:11:51","date_gmt":"2026-04-09T13:11:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/web.infn.it\/enrich\/?p=1902"},"modified":"2026-04-10T10:15:50","modified_gmt":"2026-04-10T08:15:50","slug":"xgrade-2026-concluded-in-palermo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/web.infn.it\/enrich\/xgrade-2026-concluded-in-palermo\/","title":{"rendered":"XGRADE 2026 workshop concluded in Palermo: Bridging Communities on X-ray and \u03b3-ray detector technology and applications"},"content":{"rendered":"

 <\/p>\n

\"Participants<\/p>\n

From\u00a0March 24th<\/sup> to 26th<\/sup> 2026, the University of Palermo (UniPa, Italy) hosted XGRADE 2026<\/strong><\/a> (Advances in X-ray and Gamma RAy DEtectors and applications<\/em>), the inaugural workshop of the\u00a0COST Action <\/strong>ENRICH<\/strong>. Organized within WG2, the event was chaired by\u00a0Leonardo Abbene (UniPa) together with the co-chairs Antonino Buttacavoli (UniPa), Jesel Patel (University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK) and Alessandro Scordo, (INFN-LNF, Italy).<\/p>\n

The workshop served as a high-level forum to discuss the state-of-the-art and the future of X-ray and \u03b3<\/strong>-ray detector technology<\/strong> – from material improvement to electronic readout – software<\/strong>, including AI and machine learning approaches, for fundamental research and emerging applications,<\/strong> in medicine, astrophysics, environmental monitoring, space science and societal impact. The workshop successfully acted as a catalyst for new<\/strong> European research synergies.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Opening remarks respectively by the XGRADE and ENRICH Cost Chairs\u00a0Leonardo Abbene<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0Alessandro Scordo<\/strong>, alongside a welcome from “E. Segr\u00e8” Physics and Chemistry Department Director\u00a0Gioacchino M. Palma<\/strong>, set an engaging tone for the workshop. The event brought together\u00a046 participants<\/strong>\u00a0for\u00a032 specialized talks (<\/strong>book of abstract<\/em><\/a>)<\/strong>, with a strong emphasis on deep-dive Q&A sessions. The program included four main sessions: i) Detectors, ii) Applications, iii) Electronics and Pulse Processing and iv) Data Analysis and Machine Learning. Beyond the formal agenda, coffee breaks and lunches proved fruitful for networking, fostering the “human side<\/em>” of science and sparking new professional synergies.<\/p>\n

The success of the workshop was also made possible by the support of sponsors<\/strong>, including CAEN – Tools for Discovery, due2lab s.r.l., and AISF (Associazione Italiana Studenti di Fisica), along with the institutional support of the University of Palermo and the COST Association.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Role of the COST Action: Bridging Communities<\/strong><\/h5>\n

One of the most compelling outcomes was observing the dynamic intersection between detector development and diverse application fields<\/strong>. It became clear that while many researchers and institutions are developing sensors and detectors that represent the frontier of the state-of-the-art, these innovations are often still confined to specific niches. The discussions highlighted a cross-fertilization of needs and solutions.<\/strong><\/p>\n

A recurring sentiment among technology experts was the desire to break boundaries: “These systems have reached incredible performance levels, and we are now eager to expand their range of applications.<\/em>” Conversely, experts from various applied fields noted: “The specific features of these detectors would be invaluable for our research challenges, providing the high-performance tools we currently lack.<\/em>”<\/p>\n

This is precisely where the ENRICH COST Action proves its fundamental value. By fostering a collaborative environment, the Action enables a “qualitative leap<\/em>” through the synergy of different systems<\/strong>. It was inspiring to see participants move beyond their specific domains to brainstorm how a technology developed for one field could find a “new home<\/em>” and solve problems in another, transforming isolated expertise into a connected European community and reaching their full potential across all scientific disciplines.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Empowering Early Career Researchers (ECR)<\/strong><\/h5>\n

As a representative for\u00a0Early Career Researchers<\/strong>\u00a0(ECRs) within the ENRICH Cost, I was proud to see that around 20%\u00a0participants belonged to the ECR category<\/strong>. To further support inclusivity and mobility, the COST Action provided\u00a010 Travel Grants <\/strong>specifically for young researchers and participants from\u00a0Inclusiveness Target Countries (ITC)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Beyond the financial support, what truly defines the XGRADE experience for an ECR is the atmosphere of ‘flat hierarchy<\/em>‘. It was empowering to see early-stage researchers engaging in spontaneous, high-level technical discussions with senior experts. This direct access breaks down traditional academic barriers, transforming a daunting scientific challenge into a shared collaborative journey. Inclusivity was further reflected in the event’s excellent\u00a0gender balance. It was inspiring to see a good representation of women scientists across the sessions, not only as attendees but as key contributors, delivering many of the workshop’s talks and leading several of the technical discussions.<\/p>\n

This collaborative spirit was also celebrated with the\u00a0Best Young Researcher Talk Award<\/strong>: a huge congratulations to\u00a0Jos\u00e8 Sousa<\/strong>, who received the Award for his presentation titled\u00a0“<\/em> CadTool- a end-to-end x-ray\/gamma-ray solid state detector simulation framework”<\/em>.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Science, Hospitality, and Networking<\/strong><\/h5>\n

The shared desire to collaborate was evident even in informal moments\u2014like the great social dinner marked by a traditional\u00a0Sicilian cake<\/strong>, symbolizing the start of a “sweet<\/em>” and fruitful cooperation.<\/p>\n

On a personal level, this experience enriched by the new concepts learned and the connections made. These have already translated into concrete plans for<\/strong>\u00a0short-term collaborations<\/strong>\u00a0with other researchers and institutions. These growing inter-links confirm the synergy already blooming between our Working Groups.<\/p>\n

We look forward to seeing the community again at the\u00a0first ENRICH Annual Meeting<\/strong>, taking place in\u00a0Poland<\/strong>\u00a0in\u00a0July 2026<\/strong>!<\/p>\n

Eugenia Naselli
\n<\/em><\/strong>Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare,
\n<\/em>Laboratori Nazionali del Sud (INFN-LNS), Catania, Italy
\n<\/em>Young Researchers’ Coordinator of the ENRICH Cost Action<\/em><\/p>\n

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