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September 22, 2025

Braga Startups Shine | Global Health Accelerator Demo Day at INL

Cristiana Alves: Revealing the Invisible Through Materials Science

Meet Cristiana Alves, Facility Lead at the Electron Microscopy and X-Rays (EMX) Facility at INL. With a lifelong curiosity for how things work and a deep passion for uncovering the unseen, Cristiana’s journey into materials engineering and nanotechnology has been driven by both precision and wonder. From exploring bioactive coatings for dental implants during her PhD to working in one of the most advanced electron microscopy facilities in the Iberian Peninsula, she combines technical excellence with a commitment to discovery. At the heart of her work is a drive to understand materials at their most fundamental level, and to help others do the same. Can you tell us a bit about your path, your main area of work, and the importance of your work?Since I was a child, I have always loved to explore and discover things in nature, get to know how things work, and why they work in such a way. I also loved math because for me, math is simple; there are no doubts or misinterpretations. This combination brought me to an engineering course (materials engineering).While pursuing my master’s, I naturally became passionate about research and science, and I pursued a PhD to study nanomaterials for biomedical applications. When you […]

INL Workshop on Medical Devices Helps Shape EU Policy Milestone in Advanced Materials

Just months after INL hosted a high-level workshop on Advanced Innovative Materials for Medical Devices, the momentum generated in Braga has culminated in a major policy advancement: At its second meeting, the High Level Technology Council for Advanced Materials, held in Brussels last week, expanded its industry priorities to include advanced materials for medical devices. This marks a significant recognition of the groundwork of the subgroup tasked with examinign this option discussed at INL in April, where European leaders, policymakers, and innovators gathered to explore the transformative potential of advanced materials in health materials and associated technologies. “The inclusion of materials for health in the form of medical devices is a strategic priority for Europe,” said Dr Clivia Sotomayor Torres, Director-General of INL, who chaired the subgroup with support form Dr Lorena Diéguez, research group leader at INL. She added: “it’s a testament to the power of collaborative dialogue and scientific foresight.” From INL to Brussels: Driving the Agenda Forward Organised under the High Level Technology Council for Advanced Materials, an initiative of the European Commission launched in late 2024, the April 2025 workshop at INL served as a strategic forum under the Council’s Subgroup on Future Priorities. It brought together key European figures including Irene […]

Bridging Theory and Experiment: A Conversation with Luísa Madail

Welcome to our Quantum Spotlight Series, where we explore the stories and insights of researchers contributing to the rapidly evolving world of quantum science. Today, we’re joined by Luísa Madaíl, a Research Assistant in the Theory of Quantum Nanostructures group at the International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL). With a background in theoretical physics and a deep curiosity about the electronic properties of novel materials, Luísa shares how her academic path, current research, and personal reflections all intersect in her journey through the quantum frontier. How did your academic journey and early career experiences shape your role as a Research Assistant at INL? My research in theoretical physics began on understanding the role of topology in condensed matter physics, particularly studying the electronic properties of analytically solvable artificial materials with topological behavior. During this time, I also had the opportunity to collaborate with a research group on open many-body quantum systems, mainly focusing on developing numerical techniques for out-of-equilibrium dynamics and validating quantum devices through experiments with neutral atoms, trapped ions, and solid-state systems. In 2020, I started my PhD and since then, my work has centered on exploring the electronic properties of two-dimensional real materials based on nanographenes. This background has contributed […]

Bridging Art and Science: INL’s Role in Braga 2025 – Portuguese Capital of Culture

In 2025, Braga holds the prestigious title of Portuguese Capital of Culture, with a diverse array of initiatives that highlight the city’s rich cultural heritage and the vast spectrum of artistic expressions it nurtures. This year, INL has actively contributed to the celebration by fostering a connection between the worlds of art and science, emerging as a key partner in promoting the accessibility of science to the wider community. To solidify this partnership, INL joined forces with Faz Cultura – Empresa Municipal de Cultura de Braga, culminating in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at enhancing the Braga 25 artistic programme. This collaboration represents a significant step towards deepening the city’s cultural landscape and creating lasting synergies between artistic and scientific domains. Beyond the institutional partnership, INL is also engaged in two artistic projects: Counter-Kiosk and The Shape of Neighbourhood, both curated by the Space Transcribers collective. These projects offer a platform for collaborative artistic residencies, where selected artists will work closely with INL researchers to create a dialogue that fuses the creative processes of both scientists and artists. The core aim is to build bridges of innovation, creativity, and cultural exchange, benefitting not only the artists and researchers but the wider community as well. In March 2025, visual artist and researcher Miguel Teodoro took part in an artistic residency at INL […]

INL Colloquia Series Explores Living Materials with Leading Researcher Dr. Anna Sandak

INL will host Dr. Anna Sandak as the featured speaker for the May edition of the INL Colloquia Series 2025. A leader in sustainable architecture and advanced materials, Dr. Sandak will share her visionary work on Engineered Living Materials (ELMs) — a new class of bio-integrated materials that bring adaptability, self-regeneration, and environmental responsiveness into the built environment. Her talk will highlight groundbreaking research from two major EU-funded projects: ARCHI-SKIN, which develops living coating systems for buildings using fungal biofilms, and REMEDY, a new initiative exploring bespoke, living layers for architecture — so-called archibiome tattoos — that blend aesthetics with functionality. By merging biotechnology with material science, Dr. Sandak’s work is redefining sustainability in architecture and opening the door to a future where buildings can grow, heal, and evolve with their surroundings. About Dr. Anna Sandak Dr. Sandak is the Deputy Director for Science and Head of the Materials Department at InnoRenew CoE in Slovenia, and an Associate Professor at the University of Primorska. With a strong background in biology and wood science, she has led over a dozen major research projects, including the ERC Consolidator Grant project ARCHI-SKIN and the EIC Pathfinder project REMEDY. Her research focuses on integrating living systems into construction materials to create eco-adaptive and regenerative buildings. About INL Colloquia Series 2025 The INL Colloquia Series 2025 is an inspiring monthly […]

Portuguese Competence Centre for Semiconductors Launched at INL in Braga

The Portuguese Competence Centre for Semiconductors (POEMS) held its inaugural meeting yesterday, marking a significant milestone in the country’s semiconductor industry. Hosted by the International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL), the launch session showcased the consortium’s key areas of expertise and strategic goals. Co-funded by Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) and the Chips Joint Undertaking – European Union, POEMS is set to become one of 27 European semiconductor competence centres. These centres aim to empower companies to advance semiconductor development, a critical component in the global technology landscape. POEMS, as a cutting-edge initiative under the Chips Joint Undertaking initiative, directly addresses the critical needs outlined in Axis 1 of the National Semiconductor Strategy. This strategic alignment aims to catapult Portugal to the forefront of semiconductor innovation and production, specifically focusing on microelectronics and semiconductors. These areas are pivotal for elevating the existing industrial and technological capacities to meet key global challenges. Focusing on the strategic areas of chip design, advanced packaging, and emerging semiconductor technologies, POEMS leverages the diverse expertise of its 16 consortium partners. These partners include leading research and academic institutions that bring specialised training resources and cutting-edge capabilities. In Portugal, the 16 POEMS partners will […]

INL Hosts IDEAL Cluster Annual Meeting in Portugal

The IDEAL Cluster for Indoor Air Quality and Health held its second Annual Meeting on March 25-26, 2025, in Braga, Portugal. The event aimed to enhance synergies and amplify the impact of various Horizon Europe projects focused on indoor air quality and health. This year’s meeting was hosted by the LEARN project at the International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL), which coordinates the IDEAL Cluster from September 2024 to April 2025. The event saw the participation of around 50 researchers and R&I professionals representing seven projects and eight working groups, with additional attendees joining online. Among the on-site participants were 10 members from LEARN project partner organizations, including INL, FI Group, VUB, TU/e, MANN+HUMMEL, and NIA. They presented their advancements in air pollution sensors, in-vitro models, skin-on-a-chip, and multi-sensing approaches, along with preliminary results from cohorts at Belgian schools and notable communication activities. Key discussions and presentations covered policy recommendations on indoor air quality, data exchange practices, communication collaborations, innovative sensor developments, guidelines and standardisation efforts, and the potential creation of a global indoor air quality index. The European Commission was represented by project officer Rita Araújo from the DG for Research and Innovation, Marco Morini from the DG for Energy, […]

Navigating Scientific Frontiers: An Interview with Rajashree Konar

In this insightful interview, Dr. Rajashree Konar, a Postdoctoral Researcher at INL, shares her experiences working in diverse international research environments and how they have shaped her scientific approach. She discusses her contributions to sustainable energy solutions, particularly through her work on nanocatalysts and lithium-ion batteries. Dr. Konar also offers valuable advice for researchers looking to patent their work and translate their research into real-world applications. Additionally, she candidly addresses the challenges she has faced as a woman in a highly technical field and the importance of female support networks in overcoming these obstacles. You have worked in multiple international research environments. How have these experiences shaped your scientific approach?In-depth research always demands consistent hard work. My experiences abroad have instilled in me a profound sense of persistence. Working in science and research can often feel like a slow march forward, demanding unwavering faith. But, through my multicultural journey, I have discovered that all scientists share an intense passion for growth, refusing to be confined by limitations. Each person, lab, culture, and university I’ve engaged with has taught me that collaboration is the key to truly understanding our work and harmonising our outlook. My exposure to a vibrant tapestry of […]

Hazal Gergeroglu: Advancing Science as a Research Engineer and Advocating for Women in STEM

At INL, research engineers are at the forefront of scientific innovation, bridging the gap between research and practical applications. Meet Hazal Gergeroglu, a Research Engineer in the Piteira Research Group, working on cutting-edge sensor technologies for lithium-ion batteries while also advocating for greater inclusivity in STEM. In this interview, Hazal shares how her role has evolved, the impact of her research on energy storage solutions, and the challenges in her field. She also reflects on the barriers women in STEM still face and the importance of fostering a more equitable and inclusive scientific community. How has your role as a Research Engineer evolved over time? When I started at INL as a research engineer, my work focused primarily on experimental research, sensor design, and data analysis. Over time, I took on additional responsibilities in project management, team coordination, and interdisciplinary collaborations. As part of these advancements, I am currently producing various sensor components and assembling these sensors into lithium-ion batteries to improve their safety and performance. In the future, I aim to keep participating in projects integrating scientific research into the industry, focusing on microsensors for batteries, ensuring more efficient and reliable energy storage solutions. Can you describe your work in the […]

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INL in the Media

October 28, 2025

Xunta de Galicia | Román Rodríguez destaca a importancia da colaboración entre Galicia e o norte de Portugal en materia de I+D+i para reforzar os proxectos europeos

Nanowerk | Incorporating graphene into solid-contact electrodes highly improves lithium detection

October 24, 2025

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