This review focuses on the design process of additively manufactured mesoscale lattice structures (MSLSs). They are arrays of three-dimensional (3D) printed trussed unit cells, whose dimensions span from 0.1 to 10.0 mm. This study intends to detail the phases of the MSLSs design process (with a particular focus on MSLSs whose unit cells are made up of a network of struts and nodes), proposing an integrated and holistic view of it, which is currently lacking in the literature. It aims at guiding designers' decisions with respect to the settled functional requirements and the manufacturing constraints. It also aims to provide an overview for software developers and researchers concerning the design approaches and strategies currently available. A further objective of this review is to stimulate researchers in exploring new MSLSs functionalities, consciously considering the impact of each design phase on the whole process, and on the manufactured product.

The potentiality of the Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) process for multi-material printing has not yet been thoroughly explored in the literature. That is a limitation considering the wide diffusion of dual extruders printers and the possibility of increasing the number of these extruders. An exploratory study, based on tensile tests and performed on double-material butt-joined bars, was thus conceived; the aim was to explore how the adhesion strength between 3 pairs of filaments (TPU-PLA, PLA-CPE, CPE-TPU) is influenced by the material printing order, the type of slicing pattern used for the layers at the interface, and the infill density of the layers below the interface. Results confirm the effectiveness of mechanical interlocking strategies in increasing the adhesion strength even when thermodynamic and diffusion mechanisms of adhesion are not robust enough. Besides, thermal aspects also demonstrated to play a relevant role in influencing the performance of the interface.

As technology advances, we are surrounded by more complex products that can be challenging to use and troubleshoot. We often turn to online resources and the help of others to learn how to use a product’s features or fix malfunctions. This is a common issue in both everyday life and industry. The key to being able to use a product or fix malfunctions is having access to accurate information and instructions and gaining the necessary skills to perform the tasks correctly. This paper offers an overview of how artificial intelligence, digital twins, and the metaverse—currently popular technologies—can enhance the process of acquiring knowledge, know-how, and skills, with a focus on industrial maintenance. However, the concepts discussed may also apply to the maintenance of consumer products.

This article summarizes the main results of a joint endeavor towards a standard reference model (SRM) for intelligent multimedia presentation systems (IMMPSs). After a brief motivation, we give basic definitions for media terms and presentation systems. The core of this contribution is a generic reference architecture that reflects an implementation-independent view of the processes required for the generation of multimedia presentations. The reference architecture is described in terms of layers, components, and knowledge servers. Our SRM focuses on the functions assigned to the layers and components, rather than on the methods or communication protocols that may be employed to realize this functionality. Finally, we point to some possible extensions of the reference model.

In the last years, interactive exhibitions based on digital technologies have become widely common, thanks to their flexibility and effectiveness in engaging visitors and creating memorable experiences. One of the topics in which digital technologies can be particularly effective is the communication of abstract concepts that are difficult for the human mind to imagine. An emblematic example is the astronomy discipline, which requires us to imagine and understand phenomena far away from our everyday life. In this paper, the authors present a research project, MARSS, in which digital technologies are used effectively to enhance the Users’ Experience of the Museo Astronomico di Brera located in Milan. Specifically, the MARSS project aims at designing and developing a new digital journey inside the museum to allow different categories of visitors to enjoy the exhibition in an engaging and interactive way. The paper presents the design and development phases of the experience and its evaluation with users. The results of the evaluation indicate that the digital interactive experience is appreciated by users and is successful in translating the content of high scientific value into more engaging and easily understandable elements.