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September 16, 2025

A new tool being developed at INL can explore electrical effects on cells

Shedding light on ultrafast heat transport in graphene

Managing heat efficiently is one of the great challenges in the development of next-generation electronic and optoelectronic devices. At the nanoscale, energy moves in ways that defy classical descriptions of heat transfer. Houssem Rezgui, researcher from the Sotomayor research group at INL, has now provided new insights into how energy flows in graphene when excited with ultrafast laser pulses. Their work, published as a Letter in Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics, explores how electrons and vibrations in the lattice (known as phonons) interact in timeframes shorter than a trillionth of a second. Graphene, with its remarkable electronic and thermal properties, is an ideal platform for probing these processes. When struck by a femtosecond laser pulse, graphene enters a highly non-equilibrium state: electrons absorb the incoming energy almost instantly, and only afterward begin to share it with the lattice. Traditionally, this sequence has been described by the two-temperature model, which assumes that electrons and phonons equilibrate in a straightforward way. However, the INL researcher shows that reality is more complex. Using an extended temperature model, Rezgui revealed that different phonon branches respond at distinct timescales, with longitudinal acoustic phonons playing a key role in energy absorption and redistribution. Strikingly, their […]

Magnetic nanowires take hydrogen production to the next level

As the world looks for cleaner ways to produce energy, green hydrogen (fuel made from water and renewable electricity) is gaining attention as a promising solution. To make green hydrogen affordable and efficient, better catalysts are needed to speed up the chemical reactions involved. Researchers at INL – International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory have developed a new type of magnetic catalyst that could change the game. Their findings, recently published in ACS Nano, reveal how these magnetic nanowires efficiently catalyse the oxygen evolution reaction, a key reaction in hydrogen production from water. The research team led by Yury Kolen’ko created cobalt ferrite (CoFe2O4) nanowires using a technique called electrospinning, which forms ultra-thin fibres by using an electric field to draw solid threads from a liquid solution; imagine sugar being spun into cotton candy, but at the nanoscale. By precisely controlling the calcination temperature, the team transformed the fibres into nanowires with excellent magnetic properties, critical for their catalytic performance. Why does magnetism matter? The oxygen molecules, which are formed during the water-splitting process, have a special triplet spin state. When the catalyst is magnetic, it can influence the spin alignment of the reaction intermediates, guiding the reaction to proceed faster and […]

Eco-friendly sensor developed at INL enables rapid detection of pharmaceutical contaminants in water

Pharmaceutical waste in water sources is becoming a growing environmental concern. Among the most common pollutants are paracetamol and 4-aminophenol, a related compound that can appear as a contaminant or breakdown product. These substances persist in urban wastewater and surface waters, potentially harming aquatic ecosystems and human health. Detecting them accurately and efficiently is crucial for environmental protection and risk management. Researchers at INL from Espiña’s research group have designed an innovative electrochemical sensor that can simultaneously detect both pharmaceuticals at very low concentrations. The sensor uses carbon screen-printed electrodes modified with specially functionalised carbon nanofibers, which enhance sensitivity and selectivity. This study published in the journal Sensing and Bio-Sensing Research, describes a solution for portable, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly tool for water quality monitoring. Traditional methods for identifying pharmaceutical contaminants often rely on complex laboratory techniques such as chromatography and spectrometry. While highly precise, these require expensive equipment, trained personnel, and time-consuming sample preparation, limiting their use for routine or on-site testing. In contrast, electrochemical sensors like the one developed by the INL team led by Raquel Queirós, provide rapid, real-time results with minimal costs. The research team compared different transducer materials, finding that carbon-based ones performed better than […]

Celebrating 5 years of Nanosafety excellence at INL: the legacy of the SINFONIA Project

The International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL) proudly celebrates the successful conclusion of the SiNfONiA Project, marking five years of groundbreaking progress in nanosafety research under the leadership of Dr. Ernesto Alfaro-Moreno, ERA Chair in Nanosafety. Launched in 2020 and co-funded by the Horizon Europe programme, SINFONIA laid the foundation for a dedicated Nanosafety Research Group at INL — now recognized for its scientific excellence, regulatory relevance, and global reach. Over its five-year trajectory, the project has: + Established a state-of-the-art nanosafety research infrastructure at INL; + Achieved OECD Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) accreditation, the first for our institution; + Built a robust international network across Europe, Latin America, Asia, and North America; + Coordinated and participated in major EU-funded projects aligned with responsible innovation in nanotechnologies; In a closing interview, Dr. Alfaro-Moreno reflects on the project’s transformative impact: “SINFONIA was not just about scientific output. It was about creating a lasting ecosystem for nanosafety, combining capacity building, regulatory standards, and international cooperation.” The video offers a behind-the-scenes look at the project’s evolution, milestones, and what lies ahead for INL’s Nanosafety Group, including a continued focus on human health, environmental risk assessment, and emerging regulatory frameworks. SINFONIA’s legacy is one of excellence, leadership, and vision — […]

Magnetic 1D van der Waals heterostructure

A new spin on magnetism: INL researchers create 1D magnetic nanotubesResearchers at the International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL) in Braga, Portugal, have achieved a major breakthrough at the intersection of quantum materials and nanotechnology. In a new study published in Communications Chemistry, they report the synthesis and atomic-scale characterisation of high-quality, single-walled hollow magnetic CrI₃ nanotubes – a landmark advance in the control of low-dimensional magnetism. What distinguishes this work is the confinement of the iconic layered ferromagnet CrI₃ within the innermost cavities of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). This structural innovation yields truly 1D magnetic heterostructures with unprecedented aspect ratios. “This is not just a structural feat, it’s a conceptual leap forward to develop a fully isolated, truly 1D magnetic heterostructure.”, says the first author Ihsan Çaha. Exploring magnetic states This study raises new questions about magnetism at the nanoscale. Using X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) at the ALBA Synchrotron in Spain, the researchers observed unusual magnetic behavior in the CrI₃ nanotubes. “Our XMCD results carried out at ALBA synchrotron show that chromium atoms retain magnetism, but act like paramagnets with minimal remanence,” explains Aqrab ul Ahmad. “This behaviour hints at an intriguing suppression of long-range magnetic order, until now, unexplored.” Theoretical insight […]

Intelligent biosensor developed at INL combines NMR and AI to improve infectious disease diagnostics

In the fight against infectious diseases, rapid and accurate diagnosis is key to effective treatment and control. INL researchers have developed a breakthrough biosensor that combines cutting-edge nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) technology with artificial intelligence. This portable device not only speeds up diagnosis but also provides detailed insights into the immune response, opening new possibilities for point-of-care testing. The study, led by Juan Gallo and Weng Kung Peng published in the journal Biosensors and Bioelectronics, demonstrates how this innovative approach can detect viral infections and monitor patient recovery faster and more precisely than traditional methods, all within a compact, user-friendly system. The technology uses magnetic nanoparticles specifically designed to detect viral particles, as well as the immune response they trigger in the body. When these nanoparticles bind to target molecules in a small biological sample, they cause measurable changes in the sample’s magnetic properties. These changes are captured by the portable NMR system and translated into meaningful diagnostic information using machine learning models. “What sets this system apart is its ability to offer a more complete picture of the patient’s status,” explains Juan Gallo. “It doesn’t just tell you if someone is infected – it can help determine whether they […]

Graphene-based biosensor breaks detection records for non-invasive monitoring of diabetes

A breakthrough biosensor detects glucose in human tears at ultra-low concentrations, opening new avenues for wearable health monitoring technologies. In a significant leap toward the future of diabetes care, INL researchers have developed a graphene-based biosensor capable of detecting glucose at attomolar levels—representing the lowest detection limits ever achieved for this crucial biomarker. It’s comparable to finding a single grain of sugar dissolved in an entire lake. The study, published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society and led by Dr. Andrea Capasso at INL, introduces an ultra-sensitive glucose sensor based on graphene field-effect transistor (GFET) technology. Engineered to operate with extremely small volumes of biological fluid – down to a single tear -, this device has the potential to revolutionise glucose monitoring, particularly in non-invasive and wearable systems. The researchers developed a targeted graphene functionalisation using glucose oxidase (GOx), enabling highly selective glucose recognition. They then employed advanced spectroscopic and microscopic techniques to analyse the graphene’s chemical composition and surface modifications at each stage of functionalisation, from enzyme immobilisation to interaction with the target analyte. “While finger-prick sensors remain the clinical standard for diabetes monitoring, they are often perceived as uncomfortable and invasive,” says Dr. Capasso. “Our goal […]

No assumptions: just quantum advantage

INL researcher Michael de Oliveira, together with collaborators from the University of Cambridge and the Hon Hai (Foxconn) Quantum Computing Research Center, has published a new article in Nature Communications demonstrating that even small, noisy quantum circuits can outperform certain types of classical computation, without relying on assumptions or ideal conditions. This study focuses on constant-depth quantum circuits, meaning that all operations happen in parallel in a very short time – like multiple people completing a task simultaneously rather than one after another. The researchers show that these simple quantum circuits can solve specific problems that no classical circuit of the same kind and size can solve, even when those classical circuits are modelled after neural networks, with tuneable flexibility. The classical models studied here (biased threshold circuits) are used in theoretical models of machine learning and resemble basic neural networks. Despite the authors considering versions with low bias – and therefore greater versatility – they are still outperformed by shallow quantum circuits, even when the quantum devices are noisy or imperfect. What makes this breakthrough particularly important is that it applies to qudits (quantum systems that go beyond binary bits or qubits), and the results are valid across all […]

INL Statement on the Passing of Pope Francis

The International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL) joins its founding Member States, Portugal and Spain, in expressing condolences following the passing of Pope Francis. INL offers its most heartfelt sympathies to the Vatican, to His Holiness’s collaborators, and to all who have been touched by his remarkable life and legacy. Throughout his tenure, Pope Francis promoted interfaith dialogue, advocated the ethical use of science and technology, and addressed global inequality and environmental sustainability. These values resonate broadly across societies and align closely with INL’s principles of diversity, inclusion, and mutual respect. In recognition of the universal relevance of these principles, INL marks this moment respectfully and extends sympathies to all those mourning his loss. Photo credits: pexels.com

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