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July 22, 2025

Science, Innovation and Society: INL attends the Science 2025 Meeting

Empowering the Next Generation: INFRACHIP Research Accelerator Kicks Off at INL

The International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL) is proud to host an edition of the INFRACHIP Research Accelerator, a high-impact, short-term training programme designed to introduce early-career researchers to the cutting-edge technologies and facilities available through the INFRACHIP network. Over the course of two and a half days, 6 to 8 selected participants, PhD students and early-stage postdoctoral researchers—will gain hands-on exposure to advanced nanofabrication and nanocharacterization techniques. The immersive programme blends lectures by INL experts with live demonstrations inside two of INL’s state-of-the-art Research Core Facilities: the Micro and Nanofabrication (MNF) and Electron Microscopy and X-Rays (EMX). Participants will explore fundamental processes in micro- and nanofabrication such as deposition, patterning (optical and electron beam lithography), and etching (RIE). The programme also includes a deep dive into structural and chemical analysis techniques, including: + Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM): Imaging, diffraction, and spectroscopy + Focused Ion Beam – Scanning Electron Microscopy (FIB-SEM) + X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) With a strong emphasis on practical training, participants will enter INL’s cleanroom and microscopy labs to directly observe and engage with the equipment and processes discussed in the lectures. This initiative is part of the broader INFRACHIP vision to democratize access to nanoelectronics infrastructure and strengthen the European research ecosystem. By sponsoring these researchers, INFRACHIP aims to accelerate their scientific progress […]

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 […]

INL Open Day 2025: A Celebration of Science, Innovation, and Community

Last Saturday, INL welcomed more than 800 visitors of diverse nationalities for a day filled with curiosity, discovery, and joy. Families, students, researchers, and science enthusiasts of all ages came together to experience what it’s like to be a scientist for a day and the energy throughout the building was unforgettable. Across the INL campus, guests explored interactive exhibits and live demonstrations that brought science to life, from fluid dynamics and 3D printing to nano-enabled food and health technologies. In the “NanoPlanet: Fixing the Future” area, visitors discovered how nanotechnology is addressing some of the world’s most pressing challenges, boosting sustainability, energy storage, and public health. The Kids Zone provided a space where younger visitors could build molecules, explore science hands-on, and enjoy the new INL kids’ book, designed to spark curiosity through storytelling. Art and science merged in Pepto Playground, a performance by the Foqacia project in collaboration with Arte Total. Inspired by the paradoxes of quantum physics, the dancers moved through shifting pink landscapes and invisible forces, inviting audiences to reflect on uncertainty, presence, and transformation. INL researchers also presented impactful projects, from 3DSecret’s pioneering cancer research using microfluidic platforms to national innovation efforts like NGS Storage and GreenAuto, which aim to shape the future of clean energy and mobility. Guests found […]

FoQaCiA Workshop 2025: Advancing the Foundations of Quantum Computation

Participants at FoQaCiA Workshop 2025 at INL Braga

INL Hosts First Edition of Falling Walls Lab Portugal, Showcasing Bold Ideas with Global Potential

Yesterday afternoon, June 11, the International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL), in Braga, proudly hosted the first edition of Falling Walls Lab Portugal, bringing to the stage five semi-finalists with bold, breakthrough ideas aiming to shape the future of science and society. The event is part of the global Falling Walls initiative, a renowned competition that gives early-career researchers, innovators, and visionaries the opportunity to present their work in just three minutes, in a dynamic and high-impact format. The semi-finalists at the INL edition presented proposals ranging from novel treatments for breast and lung cancer, to strategies addressing neuroinflammation, promoting scientific inclusion in schools, and creating new pathways to connect art, science, and communities. The event was hosted by Marisol Dias, INL researcher and 2024 Falling Walls Lab global finalist, who brought both energy and inspiration to the session. After the pitches, the audience enjoyed a coffee break and networking session, followed by the highly anticipated jury deliberation and announcement of winners. The winner of this first edition of Falling Walls Lab Portugal was Leonor Ribeiro, with her project “Breaking the Wall of Lung Cancer with a Beam of Light” – a promising approach using photonics to improve lung cancer treatment. Leonor will represent Portugal at the Falling Walls Science Summit in Berlin this November, joining an international […]

INL Celebrates International Day of Light 2025 with Focus on Quantum Science and Technology

On May 16, the International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL) held a public event dedicated to quantum science and technology, marking the International Day of Light 2025. This year’s edition aligned with the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ2025), commemorating a century since the foundation of quantum theory. The event featured engaging presentations from INL researchers on key topics in quantum research, including photon-based quantum computing, diamond quantum sensors in neuroscience, and the role of topological materials in light detection. These talks aimed to make cutting-edge quantum technologies more accessible to the general public. Visitors also took part in guided tours of INL’s advanced research facilities, including labs for electron microscopy, nanofabrication, and quantum sensing technologies. Live demonstrations gave attendees a closer look at how INL scientists use light at the quantum level to drive innovation in nanotechnology and materials science. The event was organised in collaboration with UNESCO’s International Day of Light, the MICRODIA node of the Portuguese Platform of Bioimaging (PPBI), and the IYQ2025 global initiative. It concluded with a networking coffee break, an interactive science quiz, and a Q&A session with researchers, encouraging dialogue between the scientific community and the public. Through events like this, INL […]

INL Hosts 2025 International Day of Light Event with a Focus on Quantum Science and Technology

INL will celebrate the International Day of Light 2025 with a focus on quantum science and technology—an afternoon of exploring how light at the quantum level transforms innovation. The event is aligned with the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology, a global initiative highlighting the transformative role of quantum science in shaping the future of technology, innovation, and human understanding.This year’s theme explores the quantum foundations of light and their growing impact across scientific disciplines. From quantum computation and communication to sensing and imaging, light at the quantum level reveals new ways to address some of today’s most complex technological challenges.The International Day of Light 2025 promises an engaging afternoon of knowledge-sharing and discovery. Visitors will have the opportunity to hear from leading researchers in quantum materials and photonics, including talks on quantum computation with photons, diamond-based quantum sensing for neuroscience, and the role of topological materials in light detection. Participants can also take guided tours of INL’s laboratories, including live demonstrations of quantum sensing experiments, and explore facilities dedicated to electron microscopy and micro- and nanofabrication. A coffee break and informal networking session will provide opportunities for dialogue, while a science-themed quiz and interactive Q&A session will conclude […]

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 […]

Registrations Now Open for INL Open Day 2025

Step Inside the Future of Science – May 31, 2025 | Braga, Portugal The International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL) invites the public to a unique and immersive journey into the world of science and innovation at the INL Open Day 2025, taking place on Saturday, May 31, in Braga, Portugal. For one day only, INL opens its doors to curious minds of all ages — offering a rare glimpse inside one of Europe’s leading research centres in nanotechnology. Visitors will have the opportunity to explore cutting-edge laboratories, interact with world-class researchers, and experience how science is shaping a more sustainable and connected future. From interactive experiments and artistic installations to live performances and family-friendly workshops, the event promises to ignite curiosity and celebrate the power of discovery. Highlights include: Participation is free of charge, but registration is required to ensure access to guided tours and hands-on activities. 📍 Join us at INL, Braga | 🗓️ Saturday, 31 May 2025 Reserve your spot now! Let’s explore the future of science — together. + REGISTER + PROGRAMME

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INL in the Media

Nanowerk | Researchers uncover ultrafast energy flow in graphene

September 1, 2025

Nanowerk | Researchers synthesize and image single-walled CrI3 magnetic nanotubes, marking a key advance in quantum materials and low-dimensional magnetism

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