Mario Milazzo, last director of the Institute of Applied General Physics and former professor of methodologies of Physics applied to Cultural Heritage, passed away at the age of 83. Graduated in Physics, lecturer in General Physics, he carried out his research activity in Experimental Nuclear Physics and Atomic Physics at the CISE Laboratories and (since 1974) at the University of Milan.
He was appointed 'professore incaricato' in 1964 and became associated professor in 1983, teaching the laboratory course in Nuclear Physics; in 1988 he became full professor of Physics Methodologies for Cultural Heritage for the degree course in Physics.
From the 90s he mainly dealt with physics topics connected with specific analyses for the study and diagnostics of works of art and archaeological findings, developing non-destructive XRF quantitative analysis techniques, infrared analysis techniques, thermographic analyzes and radiographs .
He has carried out surveys for the main museums (Pinacoteca di Brera, Poldi Pezzoli, Archaeological Museum of Milan, Museum of the Duomo of Monza). He participated in the measurements on the occasion of the restoration of the Last Supper, carried out analysis and dating measurements on the Iron Crown of Monza and measurement activities in the Camera degli Sposi in Mantua and for the windows of the Certosa di Pavia.
In the last years of activity he has mainly dedicated himself to developing the collaboration with other departments, bringing the Physics course into the teaching of Cultural Heritage and favoring the birth of a group of young people who would develop the different research themes.
Gifted with a great sense of humor and deep humanity, he leaves a full and intense memory in his collaborators, friends and former students.