“THE BEAUTY OF SEASHELLS.
NATURE INSPIRING A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE“
Conference by Prof. Giuseppe Falini,
Scientific Attaché, Embassy of Italy in Israel
Thursday, September 10, 2026, 6:30 PM
Italian Cultural Institute of Tel Aviv, 25 Hamered Street, Tel Aviv-Yafo
Event in English
Mollusk shells bear witness to humanity’s enduring ability to identify value in natural materials. This lecture examines the use of shells across cultures and historical periods. It follows their transition from ornaments, ritual objects, currency, tools, and pigments to innovative materials of biological origin. Particular attention will be devoted to the properties of the hierarchical structure and composition of shells, which have inspired the development of new sustainable solutions. Today, materials derived from shells find application in numerous fields, including construction, polymer composite materials, environmental remediation, and medicine.
Through this journey, the lecture aims to highlight the value of Italian scientific research and innovation, showing how the study of nature can translate into new knowledge, technologies, and sustainable solutions for the future.
Photo: Cross-sectional view of a nautilus shell, showing its characteristic chambered structure, alongside a high-magnification image revealing the layered structure of the material that makes up the shell.