The CTE PRISMA laboratories will provide a space with cross-cutting functions to explore the application frontiers of emerging technologies and the following activities:

1. targeted workshops to foster strategic-design convergences on emerging technologies;
2. specific training activities on how to employ emerging technologies such as Internet of Things (IoT), Blockchain (BC), 5G and Artificial Intelligence (AI).

The CTE PRISMA project laboratories stem from specific areas of study and research of the partner research centres and have been designed to address the specific needs identified by the project. There will be 3 thematic laboratories, plus a vertical laboratory that will collaborate with the others:

• Internet of Things Laboratory, coordinated by Prof. Lorenzo Mucchi (PIN - University Hub of the City of Prato);
• Artificial Intelligence and 5G Laboratory, coordinated by Prof. Tommaso Pecorella (DINFO - Department of Information Engineering, University of Florence);
• Blockchain Laboratory, coordinated by Prof. Mauro Lombardi (PIN);
• CNR-INO Laboratory in collaboration with the three thematic laboratories, coordinated by Dr. Jacopo Catani.

PRISMA will support innovative research and experimentation projects across several key technological domains that represent equally key sectors for the development of the textile-fashion manufacturing industry and of Made in Italy.

Internet of Things (IoT) Laboratory

IoT will help companies collect data and obtain real-time information, to be used to monitor the entire critical system, both internal and external, such as:

• Smart Tag: Development of intelligent sensors to be placed on the fabric from the beginning of its composition through to storage;
• Smart Tracking: IoT sensors deployed throughout the company for precise monitoring (cm-level accuracy) of operators and machinery in motion;
• Solutions to collect and process data on cloud platforms and integrate information in real time.

Blockchain (BC)

The BC Lab, coordinated by Prof. Mauro Lombardi, aims to support companies in evaluating opportunities related to the introduction of distributed ledger technology and, in particular, Blockchain. The technology has moved past the hype phase, but knowledge of the advantages it can bring at various levels is still limited. The BC Lab, drawing on the expertise developed by the research unit of the Department of Economics and Business Sciences at the University of Florence known as BABEL (Blockchains and Artificial intelligence for Business, Economics and Law), of which Prof. Lombardi is co-founder and member of the Steering Committee, aims to accompany companies through the delicate ongoing phase of digital transformation, encouraging them to consider BC applications at various levels. Some possible applications include:

• information processes between companies in supply chains or micro-supply chains through networks, within which each entity is certified and therefore the entire sequence of distributed production phases is validated through protocols that ensure membership in a distributed ledger;
• protocols (software) that allow companies to carry out secure transactions (contractual agreements, contract execution, monetary transfers, asset sales, information exchanges) without intermediaries;
• recording of the sequence of activities in a private (credentials are identity-based) and transparent manner, guaranteed by a double encrypted key (one public, one private), whereby the network is made up of concatenated nodes and is immutable (validated by the protocols).

Blockchain creates, stores and transfers value within a network by rejecting undue interference. BC is therefore the most suitable tool for certifying the quality of economic and production phases and cycles, both for brand-oriented business models and for circular economy models.

5G, Advanced Sensing and Artificial Intelligence (AI)

The laboratory supports companies in the use of the 5G network and artificial intelligence to connect multiple devices in order to process, monitor, analyse and diagnose production processes, through the use of modern software capable of learning and making predictions (machine learning). Examples of applications of these technologies include:

• Smart Cataloguing of fabrics (tactile internet), which allows tactile sensations to be reproduced remotely;
• Reverse Engineering through 3D scanning, additive manufacturing (3D printing) and Design for Additive Manufacturing;
• Textile District 4.0: networking the companies that make up the textile supply chain of the district, enabling them to communicate with one another constantly and immediately;
• Virtual Reality: 3D scanning for the reproduction of work environments, production lines and machinery;
• Smart VISION: development of a sensor system for the automatic detection of product defects in continuous production lines — the system processes images and flags defects;
• Ambient Assisted Working: a network of wearable and environmental sensors for the remote monitoring of operators' activities in high-risk production environments.

Each laboratory will be equipped with both advanced and technology-specific equipment for emerging technologies and 5G, and dedicated staff who will work under the coordination of the laboratory managers for the development of activities.