The Department plays a very active role on the ground and in society in general. Members of the department work with organisations, such as the Chamber of Commerce and Confindustria, and numerous large and medium-sized companies, particularly in the manufacturing and service sectors. 

Collaboration takes place through different contractual arrangements such as:

• Framework agreement: expresses the willingness of the department and the client to cooperate in the field of both research and training. Research contracts may be concluded under framework agreements.

• Research contract: concerns the performance of research activities with a defined objective that is limited both in time and in content.  This type of contract is characterised by the significant scientific contribution of research staff working to investigate issues and develop new technological solutions in specific topics proposed by the client.

• Research consultancy: this concerns activities which, on the basis of the already acquired expertise of the research staff, provide opinions on technical and scientific problems provided by research staff, solutions to specific problems posed by the client or reports for test results.

• Teaching contract: organisation and delivery of professional qualification and refresher courses and seminars, both at the Department and at the premises of the client company.

• Tests on behalf of third parties: these concern the carrying out of analyses, including numerical analyses, tests, calibrations, scientific technical performances provided by means of certificates or technical reports containing results obtained using equipment in the Engineering laboratories or with equipment developed ad hoc.

Collaboration with companies and various public and private institutions can also take place through participation in regional, national and international research projects (e.g. H2020).
The skills of the staff involved in basic and applied research have, on several occasions, made it possible to achieve patentable and/or patented results in cooperation with the companies involved.
Below are some of the companies the Department has concluded framework agreements, contracts and research projects with: 

Finally, over the past decade, the Department has invested significantly in the health sector and has set up numerous collaborations with various hospitals in the Bergamo area, which have led to the conclusion of framework agreements.