On 25 September 2026, the NanoLeaves Group was active part in BRIGHT 2026 (European Researchers' Night 2026) in Pisa with the outreach activity “The Smell of Books” (L'Odore dei Libri), an engaging journey through chemistry, history, and environmental awareness.
Inspired by the SALVABIO and BIO-TEXTILE-SSbD projects, the activity explored the fascinating chemistry behind the characteristic scent of ancient books.
Starting from the distinctive aroma released by old paper, participants were guided through 500 years of paper history, discovering the volatile molecules generated during the aging process and learning how these compounds contribute to the unique smell associated with historical books and archives.
Through hands-on explanations and interactive demonstrations, the activity introduced visitors to the scientific theory of olfaction through the lock-and-key model, illustrating how odorant molecules interact with olfactory receptors according to mechanism known as molecular docking.
Connecting these concepts to present-day environmental challenges, the activity also highlighted the issue of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), presenting them as invisible and odorless threats to human health and the environment. This section encouraged participants to reflect on the important awareness about pollutants that cannot be detected by our senses.
During the morning session, Alessandra Operamolla, Laura Spagnuolo, Cicely May Warne, Davide Chiapperini, and Amira Laftaha welcomed and guided six high school classes at the Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry of the University of Pisa, helping students discover the molecular world behind smells and books.
In the afternoon, the activity moved to Piazza dei Cavalieri, where the NanoLeaves stand remained open until the evening, attracting tens of visitors, children, university students, and members of the general public.
The NanoLeaves Group is proud to have contributed to BRIGHT 2026 and to have shared with the public how chemistry helps us understand both the scents of the past and the invisible challenges of the future!
