February 2026 was a dynamic month for the ALL-MICRO project, marked by training activities, outreach events, and strategic discussions on the future of the consortium.
Winter School on Electron Microscopy
From 2-5 February 2026, the Winter School on Electron Microscopy provided participants with training in both the theoretical and practical aspects of electron microscopy. The course focused on key techniques such as SEM, TEM, FIB, EDX, imaging, diffraction, chemical microanalysis, and sample preparation.
Training sessions took place at the University of Nova Gorica in Ajdovščina and at the Nanocenter Ljubljana, where participants worked in small groups and gained hands-on experience with advanced instrumentation. The programme also encouraged discussion and networking among doctoral students, postdoctoral researchers, and expert trainers.
A selection of photos from the training is available in the Winter School photogallery on the ALL-MICRO website.
ALL-MICRO at SAMU Expo
The project was also promoted to industry professionals during the SAMU Expo 2026, held in Pordenone from 5–7 February 2026. The event, which focuses on metalworking and plastics processing technologies, provided an important opportunity to present ALL-MICRO to companies and stakeholders interested in advanced characterization techniques.
Participation was organised by TEC4I-FVG, which prepared dedicated promotional materials and hosted a 30-minute presentation introducing the project, its objectives, and the opportunities it offers for collaboration between research institutions and industry.
Consortium Meeting in Ljubljana
On 19 February 2026, partners met in person in Ljubljana for a consortium meeting aimed at reviewing project progress and discussing future activities.
The meeting opened with general updates and reminders regarding project reporting deadlines, including the submission of pilot project reports ahead of the next reporting period at the end of March. Partners also discussed the organisation of upcoming Open Days, which will allow each institute in the network to showcase its microscopy facilities and services to companies and stakeholders, with coordinated promotion through regional technology parks.
A major focus of the meeting was the preparation of a “future commitment” document, intended as a Memorandum of Understanding that expresses the partners’ willingness to continue collaborating beyond the current project. The discussion explored possible forms of cooperation, including regular network meetings, joint research proposals, collaboration with industry, and continued training activities such as summer and winter schools.
Partners also reviewed potential funding opportunities under the Horizon Europe Research Infrastructures Work Programme, considering calls related to infrastructure development, services, and technology advancement. Maintaining a strong focus on microscopy while strengthening cross-border collaboration in the region was identified as a strategic direction for the network.
The meeting concluded with agreement on the end-of-March deadlines for pilot project reporting and feedback on the future commitment document, as well as a shared commitment to continue building the ALL-MICRO network and exploring new collaborative opportunities.
Together, these activities highlight the project’s continued efforts to strengthen the regional microscopy ecosystem through training, industry engagement, and strategic cooperation among research institutions.
