News

European project FUNLAYERS: a boost for research in functional layered materials

European project FUNLAYERS: a boost for research in functional layered materials

In a concerted effort to advance research and innovation in layered materials, the European project FUNLAYERS (Functional Layered Materials for Advanced Applications) brings together three research institutions to make significant steps in the field of functional layered materials with broad applications.  FUNLAYERS is a collaborative initiative involving INL – International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, ALBA Synchrotron in Barcelona, Spain, and the Max Planck Institute of Microstructure Physics in Halle, Germany, aiming to achieve the following key objectives: a) fostering a transnational research environment for layered materials, promoting interdisciplinary collaboration and knowledge exchange; b) enhancing the scientific and research capacity of INL; c) elevating research excellence in developing layered materials with applications in fields such as spintronics and energy storage; d) building strategic partnerships in the international research community, among industry stakeholders, policymakers, the business community, and the general public; e) creating a sustainable environment for future collaborations, ensuring that the advancements made in the field endure beyond the project’s duration. One of the highlights of the FUNLAYERS project is an upcoming workshop scheduled to take place from October 23-25, 2023, at the Max Planck Institute of Microstructure Physics in Halle, Germany. The workshop will bring together experts to discuss recent developments […]

Read more
European Researchers’ Night returns next week to Braga

European Researchers’ Night returns next week to Braga

The European Researchers’ Night 2023 – #ERN2023 will be back in Portugal, next week, with the theme “Science for All (SCIEVER) – Inclusion and Sustainability”, within a national consortium coordinated by the University of Lisbon, through the National Museum of Natural History and Science (MUHNAC), which also integrates the INL – International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, and the School of Sciences of the University of Minho. The initiative will take place on September 29th, between 4 pm and midnight, with a national online program and local activities in Braga, Coimbra, Lisbon and Évora. The theme of the European Researchers’ Night 2023 – ‘SCIEVER’ – will contribute simultaneously to two main objectives: (i) improving the understanding of the importance of scientific careers development and science investments; (ii) increasing researchers’ understanding of the role of society as a whole for sustainable science policies development. The goal of our consortium is to directly respond to Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) goals of the EU framework program by raising public awareness, also among school communities, about the relevance of science to assure resource preservation, decarbonization and inclusion and by bridging the gap between scientists and society, giving researchers the opportunity to perceive the main concerns […]

Read more
Conference on Tools and Tests for Safer-by-Design Nanomaterials at INL

Conference on Tools and Tests for Safer-by-Design Nanomaterials at INL

The Conference on Tools and Tests for Safer-by-Design Nanomaterials, took place, this week, in Braga – Portugal, at INL – International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory. This conference was organised by the SBDToolbox Project team and addressed the most promising methods and tools to obtain the relevant data encompassing the specific properties that differentiate nanomaterials from chemicals. We paid special attention to the particular needs of the diverse impact and application areas, namely health, food or environment and their relationship in the integrative context of ONE HEALTH. This unique event on Tools and Tests for Safer-by-Design Nanomaterials brought together researchers, policy-makers and industry in a full programme with insightful plenaries, invited talks, and networking opportunities.

Read more
i-GRAPE project distinguished by Port and Douro Wines Institute

i-GRAPE project distinguished by Port and Douro Wines Institute

On September 10th, the project i-GRAPE was celebrated amidst “Porto Wine Day”, an event hosted by the Port and Douro Wines Institute (IVDP). With the goal of preserving the wine’s heritage and attained to the theme “Douro + Susteinable”, this was also an opportunity to celebrate Sogrape, which was awarded in the “Viticulture” category. INL is the project coordinator of i-GRAPE and Professor Paulo Freitas, INL’s Deputy Director-General, attended the event, held at Teatrinho Reguense, in the city of Peso da Régua. i-GRAPE is an innovative project, focused on developing a new generation of analytical methods for control of the grape maturation phase and vine hydric stress. Operating in a highly competitive market, its simple, rapid and cost-effective techniques will allow the winemaker to control irrigation in the latest steps of grape maturation, and plan the harvest at the optimum time. When it comes to efficacy, this means optimizing wine quality at the end of the wine value chain. Promoting forefront applications to everyday fields, i-GRAPE provides a digital tool that supports the decision-making processes, making sure that the automation control has an impact in the quality and value of the wine. This tool consists in an apparatus that is […]

Read more
TrustEat Final Conference in Wageningen Netherlands 

TrustEat Final Conference in Wageningen Netherlands 

TRUSTEAT project final conference will take place in Wageningen – Netherlands on September 22, 2023. The one-day event is aimed towards both national and international industrial players, research institutions and universities, as well as national and regional authorities. By bringing together R&D experts and stakeholders, the consortium aims to identify common research goals, overlaps, and promising areas of potential collaboration. The sessions will also include disseminating selected technologies and collaboration opportunities in fundraising through brokerage sessions: TrustEat Final Conference is powered by the KB37 project, which is centred on promoting healthy and safe food systems, bringing together experts from various fields. Know more and register by clicking here.

Read more
Revolutionising cancer monitoring: INL’s microfluidic chip enables earlier diagnosis and personalised treatment

Revolutionising cancer monitoring: INL’s microfluidic chip enables earlier diagnosis and personalised treatment

Circulating tumour cells, or CTCs, are the agents responsible for cancer’s spread to distant parts of the body and have been an enigma in the realm of cancer research. Their analysis, termed liquid biopsy, allows for non-invasive and continuous monitoring of cancer through a simple blood test. However, until now, this analysis has been limited by the technologies available for CTC isolation which were primarily dependent on immuno-recognition and only captured a subgroup of CTCs (typically the less aggressive type). The Medical Devices research group at INL has pioneered a microfluidic system that holds the potential to transform the way we understand and fight cancer. This pioneering microfluidic chip marks a paradigm shift. The revolutionary system can efficiently and swiftly isolate all types of CTCs directly from whole blood samples, eliminating the need for complex pre-processing steps. The microfluidic chip also facilitates high-resolution imaging of the CTCs, enabling automation of the entire processing and analysis method, thus reducing user dependence, and has already been demonstrated in clinical testing to predict cancer progression up to 1 year earlier than existing technologies. The project CTC-OncoDynamics funded through the Caixa Impulse Consolidate program, and done in collaboration with INL’s spin-off company RUBYnanomed, aimed […]

Read more
1 2 3 146