HIGHLIGHTS ON HEAVY ION REACTIONS AROUND THE FERMI ENERGY

We review some features of heavy ion collisions around the Fermi energy with particular emphasis on results obtained in Italy within a broad theoretical and experimental collaboration. Microscopic vs. macroscopic equation of state (EOS) are discussed and compared to data both in low density and finite temperature regions as well as at higher then normal densities. Fragmentation and a possible liquid gas phase transition is discussed. At higher densities the role of three body forces are discussed and contrasted to microscopic calculations of the EOS and of the binding energy of light nuclei.