Investigations on the base properties of materials animate scientists of different backgrounds. The activity is even more engaging especially when the materials find applications in particular fields of daily life. The final user finds advantages from the basic research, while involved scientists deal with new challenges in solving concrete problems.

In this talk, I will try to illustrate some examples on the combined use of spectroscopic techniques and innovative materials: starting from the Optically Stimulated Luminescence Dosimetry (OSLD), which can find application in combating waste, continuing with hybrid photocatalytic nano-materials that can be used for virus sanitizing and finally the pump-probe spectroscopy and its employment in the field of Cultural Heritage. The experience at the University of Cagliari – Italy will guide the seminar in providing some concrete experiences.