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February 16, 2026

How magnetic interactions shape MRI contrast

INL Celebrates the International Day of Women and Girls in Science

Today, 11 February, the world celebrates the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. As gender inequality persists across the scientific landscape, this date serves both to honour the pioneering women who defied the odds and to remind future generations that they, too, belong in science. Recognising the importance of this mission, INL is deeply committed to fostering an equal and balanced workplace, where women represent 44% of the scientific community, including key leadership positions. This year, to raise awareness for the cause, INL highlighted six outstanding women in science, and their impactful contributions to scientific advancement: :: Dr. Patrícia Sousa, from the Hanay Group, develops microfluidic systems with applications in healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and environmental and food safety. :: Dr. Temple Douglas, also a member of the Hanay Group, has built an impressive trajectory since she began researching in high school. Her work aims to advance cancer diagnostics and therapies. :: Dr. Begoña Espiña, leader of the Espiña Group, is dedicated to water quality research. Her team works across two lines: water monitoring, detecting contaminants and pollutants; and econanosafety, studying how nanomaterials behave in aquatic environments. :: Dr. Andrea Gouvêa, specialist at the EMX Facility, provides training, consultancy, and […]

World Cancer Day 2026: Delivering hope through cancer research

Cancer has a ripple effect that extends beyond those who receive a diagnosis, impacting families, friends, and entire communities. In fact, according to the World Health Organization, the global cancer burden is expected to rise sharply, with more than 35 million new cases projected for 2050. However, World Cancer Day, marked today, is not about fear. It is a day to raise awareness, reinforce the importance of prevention, and highlight the scientific progress pushing us towards better treatments and outcomes. At INL, multiple research projects, studies, and technological innovations contribute to better understand cancer and develop new therapeutic solutions. And while the full scope of this work is vast, in this piece we will limit the spotlight to four meaningful initiatives: The 3DSecret project proposes a radical new perspective to deciphering patterns behind metastasis. Its overarching goal is to advance microfluidics to isolate and grow tumour cells into 3D mini-tumours, allowing scientists to study how cancer adapts and spreads, unlocking critical insights for next-generation treatments. The ALADDIN project is creating a groundbreaking platform designed to accelerate the discovery and validation of therapeutic nanobodies for cancer treatment. By integrating biotechnology, AI, microfluidics, and advanced modelling, ALADDIN aims to deliver a fast, efficient, and animal‑free approach […]

Reading neurochemical signals with integrated graphene–CMOS

Understanding how the brain communicates chemically requires tools that can capture fast, subtle changes across many locations at once. Neurotransmitters such as dopamine, serotonin, or glutamate act on very short timescales and in highly localised regions of the brain, making their detection particularly challenging. Graphene-based sensors have emerged as promising candidates for this task. Thanks to their atomic thickness and high sensitivity to ionic changes, graphene field-effect transistors (GFETs) can detect small variations in the chemical environment, making them well suited for neurochemical monitoring. Yet sensing is only half of the challenge. To fully exploit dense arrays of graphene sensors, compact electronic systems are needed to read many signals simultaneously, quickly, and reliably. Researchers from the Piteira and Alpuim research groups at INL have now developed a CMOS-based electronic platform designed precisely for this purpose. Their work, published in IEEE Transactions on Circuits and Systems–I, presents an integrated system capable of reading signals from an array of 32 graphene transistors in real time, enabling detailed spatiotemporal mapping of neurochemical activity. João Piteira, group leader at INL, explains “At the core of the platform is a custom-designed CMOS chip that converts tiny currents from graphene sensors into digital signals. By combining […]

INL Statement on Córdoba Railway Accident

The International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory expresses its profound sorrow to His Majesty King Felipe VI regarding the tragic consequences of the railway collision that occurred on the 18th of January 2026, in the province of Córdoba, Spain, resulting in the loss of numerous lives and leaving many others injured. At this time of mourning, INL also conveys its condolences to the families and friends of the victims and expresses its solidarity with all those who were injured, to whom it extends its sincere wishes for a swift recovery. To the emergency and rescue teams, INL expresses its appreciation for their dedication and professionalism in responding to this incident. As a binational institution, with Spain among its founding Member States, INL and its community share in the national mourning and in the sorrow felt throughout Spain.

Seeing the invisible: How electron microscopy reveals the hidden structure of battery electrodes

Lithium-ion batteries power much of modern technology, yet their performance is still strongly shaped by something that remains difficult to observe: the internal structure of their electrodes. At the nano/microscopic scale, the arrangement of the active solid particles, carbon binders, and pores determines how electrons and ions move, how reactions unfold, and how efficiently a battery can operate. Capturing this internal architecture in three dimensions is challenging. “Focused Ion Beam–Scanning Electron Microscopy (FIB-SEM) has been employed in tomography of battery electrodes, yet poor contrast between key electrode components has long limited reliable 3D reconstruction”, explains João Cunha, who led the study as a Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellow at INL. INL researchers have now demonstrated a practical way to overcome this limitation. In a recent work, published in Energy Storage Materials, the team introduced an in-situ contrast-enhancement strategy that greatly improves the visibility of porous battery electrodes during FIB-SEM tomography. By enabling 3D observations into electrode microstructures, this work supports the development of better-informed models and design strategies for next-generation batteries. Developed by INL researchers João Cunha, Ihsan Çaha, Francis Leonard Deepak, and Paulo Ferreira, the study reflects INL’s focus on practical advances in energy storage characterisation. “The approach enhances contrast directly […]

2025 INL Awards Wrap-Up: Honouring Scientific Excellence

The pursuit of scientific excellence is a shared ambition among all INLers. Every day, our researchers step into the laboratory with unwavering dedication and laser-focused expertise, determined to advance the frontiers of science—and, ultimately, improve the future of society. In 2025, their efforts earned widespread recognition within both national and international scientific communities. The following overview celebrates the achievements, grants, and awards that marked an exceptional year for INL. Triumph season began in February when Maria Relvas, a research associate from the Dieguez group, received a Research Initiation Grant by the Portuguese Cancer League to advance cancer diagnosis. Soon after, Begoña Espiña was appointed as a Water Europe expert, acknowledging INL group leader’s exceptional contributions to water quality research, particularly in developing portable and automated devices for the selective detection and quantification of chemical and biological contaminants in water. In April, the laboratory welcomed an ERC Consolidator Grant recipient. Rui Domingues, now group leader at INL, serves as the scientific project manager of the EU-funded FORTIFy project, which aims to develop wireless nanoswitches to control PIEZO channels—specialised cell force sensors—to restore tendon function. Summer brought further acclaim as Clivia Sotomayor won the Bloch Prize 2025. As a pioneer in the field of phononics, Sotomayor was […]

2025 INL Research Wrap-up: Breakthroughs & Milestones

As 2025 draws to a close, we are incredibly proud to present a compilation of INL’s research spotlights from the past 12 months. This extensive collection reflects INL’s ongoing commitment to scientific excellence, technological innovation, and positive societal impact. How could microalgae transform the way we produce photonics?— INL researchers, working within the NASCADIA project, have discovered a sustainable low-cost alternative to traditional cleanroom fabrication of photonic crystals, by using diatoms, a type of microalgae. Exploring new ways to predict breast cancer metastasis— The 3DSecret research project has been exploring innovative methods to predict breast cancer metastasis by analysing tumour cells circulating in the bloodstream. More importantly, the output of this study has the potential to improve already existing cancer therapies. INL advances skin engineering with the European network NETSKINMODELS— Reducing animal testing and promoting ethical research practices are central goals for INL teams developing skin-on-chip models—microfluidic devices that replicate human skin. Beyond advancing skin model research, the work carried out within NETSKINMODELS is placing Europe at the forefront of sustainable skin engineering. Can Earth’s gravitational field monitor climate change?— Through the uPGRADE project, INL is developing a high-precision MEMS accelerometer to detect subtle changes in Earth’s gravitational field, enabling […]

2025 INL Events Wrap-Up: The Moments That Mattered

As we turn the page on 2025, INL reflects on the moments that made this year worth remembering! Driven by a commitment to scientific progress, world-class innovation, and a strong sense of community, INL welcomed over 5,000 event visitors and nearly 3,000 conference participants throughout the year. Winter: Qualifying the next-generation of scientists The year set off strong for early-stage researchers. The INL Postgraduate School held its grand opening, following an immersive 30 hour communication course, designed to equip PhD students with essential skills beyond the lab. Soon after, the 3 MT Competition returned to INL. In a race against the clock, PhD students were challenged to pitch their theses in under a three minute mark. Spring: Expanding the frontiers of science Spring 2025 was the perfect season to celebrate and advance scientific knowledge. In March, INL hosted the 2nd annual meeting of the IDEAL Cluster for Indoor Air Quality and Health, amplifying the impact of Horizon Europe projects. April brought the high-level workshop on advanced materials for medical devices, gathering leading experts, policymakers, and innovators across Europe to discuss pathways to successful health-tech adoption. In May, INL celebrated the International Day of Light 2025. Through a series of engaging presentations, […]

Celebrating FORGING Project Conclusion: From Major Outcomes to JRC Collaboration

The International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL) is proud to announce the successful completion of the FORGING Project— Forum for Emerging Enabling Technologies in Support to the Digital and Green Transitions through Value Sensitive Innovations. Project Overview and Milestones Supported by Horizon Europe and led by INL, the initiative was launched in 2022 with the ambition to accelerate the responsible adoption of emerging enabling technologies across Europe. To achieve this, FORGING introduced a new methodology based on a value-sensitive innovation journey— one fully aligned with the Industry 5.0 paradigm, ensuring that technological development respects societal values, environmental sustainability, and human-centric design. Over its three-year duration, the project achieved several milestones: :: Established a sustainable multi-stakeholder FORGING Forum with 600 active members representing the quadruple helix: academia, industry, civil society, and public sector institutions. :: Engaged the Forum in 6 foresight and scenario planning exercises, 12 co-creation workshops, and a series of podcasts and webinars to explore future societal and environmental challenges of emerging technologies, and design responsible adoption pathways. :: Developed a suite of tools, including the FORGING Toolbox, Playbook, Key Value Indicators (KVIs), Actor Cards, and the Theseus Foresight Simulator. :: Facilitated the creation of 22 use cases across six strategic technology frameworks, including AI, […]

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