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INL Congratulates Carlos Oliveira on His Appointment as President of Portugal’s National Council for Science, Technology, and Innovation

The International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL) proudly congratulates Mr. Carlos Oliveira on his prestigious appointment as President of the National Council for Science, Technology, and Innovation of Portugal. This role recognizes his remarkable contributions to scientific progress and his unwavering commitment to positioning science and technology as catalysts for Portugal’s economic growth. In his new capacity, Mr. Oliveira will lead the development of science and innovation policies that will shape the future of Portugal’s research and technological landscape. His wealth of experience and visionary approach promise to drive impactful collaboration between the scientific community and the economy, fostering innovative policies to advance the nation’s global competitiveness. INL cherishes its strong relationship with Mr. Oliveira, who previously served on the INL International Business Advisory Board. During his tenure, he played a pivotal role in aligning INL’s mission with the broader goals of nanotechnology-driven innovation across the Iberian region, particularly in bridging the gap between science and industry for mutual progress. Reflecting on this significant appointment, Professor Ado Jório de Vasconcelos, INL Deputy Director-General, remarked: “having someone who embodies the spirit of entrepreneurship at the helm of the National Council for Science, Technology, and Innovation is a testament to Portugal’s ambition. INL […]

Nanodiamonds bring new hope for Parkinson’s research with advanced neuronal sensing

Researchers at INL – International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory from Nieder research group, in collaboration with ICVS and iBiMED, are pioneering the use of functionalised nanodiamonds. This innovative approach offers a highly precise method to monitor neuronal activity at the cellular level, advancing our understanding of Parkinson’s disease. This breakthrough, published in ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, could help understand the complex biological shifts occurring in the brains of patients suffering from neurodegenerative diseases, potentially leading to earlier diagnosis and personalised treatment. Parkinson’s disease, which affects over 10 million people worldwide, is characterised by the gradual loss of dopamine-producing neurons in the brain. This leads to motor symptoms such as tremors, difficulty with balance, and slowed movement. Studying these neurons at the single-cell level is crucial to understanding the disease’s progression. However, existing methods for observing neuronal activity, such as microelectrode arrays and patch-clamp techniques, have significant limitations, including poor spatial resolution and invasiveness. A promising alternative comes from the world of nanotechnology. Nanodiamonds are tiny diamond particles, just a few nanometres in size, known for their exceptional stability and biocompatibility. When these nanodiamonds contain special defects called nitrogen-vacancy centres, they gain unique optical and magnetic properties, making them a powerful […]

INL Hosts Seminar on Critical Mineral Resources and the Battery Value Chain: Opportunities and Challenges for Portugal

INL recently hosts the Portugal Battery Value Chain Seminar, bringing together industry leaders and experts to discuss advancements in sustainable battery technology and Portugal's role in the global energy transition.

Revolutionising Water Quality Monitoring: An Interview with Najib Ben Messaoud

We’re excited to introduce Dr. Najib Ben Messaoud, a Research Fellow in the Water Quality Research Group at INL. With a distinguished background in nanotechnology and sensing strategies, Najib’s work focuses on developing advanced methods for detecting water contaminants. His dedication to creating reliable tools for water monitoring spans health, environmental, and agricultural applications. In this interview, Najib shares insights into his journey, recent projects, and the impact of urbanization on water quality monitoring. Could you briefly describe your academic and professional background in water quality research? I hold a PhD in Engineering Physics with a specialization in nanotechnology sciences from the High School of Sciences and Technologies, Hammam Sousse, Tunisia. During my PhD, I focused on designing nanostructured electrodes and electrochemical (bio)sensors to detect carcinogenic substances in water. My journey in water quality research began about a decade ago during my master’s project, which involved detecting perchlorate in water. In 2019, I joined INL as a Research Associate, where I contributed to developing a portable system to quantify Aeromonas salmonicida in water. Since 2021, in my role as a Research Fellow, I have engaged in multiple projects related to water quality, including those focused on detecting nanomaterials, nitrite, and nitrate in […]

INL’s Commitment to Science Outreach: New Board Games Illuminate Nanosafety and Air Quality Awareness for Young Audiences

INL – The International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory continues to champion science outreach and education by introducing two innovative board games: The Life Cycle of Nanomaterials and Clean Air in School! Play & LEARN. These games, developed through INL’s projects—SiNfONiA, LEARN, and SbDToolbox—reflect INL’s enduring commitment to bridging the gap between complex scientific research and accessible learning for younger audiences and by it’s commitment to science outreach by illuminating nano safety and air quality awareness for young audiences. These games embody INL’s goal of making science both engaging and educational, fostering a new generation’s awareness of environmental safety, health, and nanotechnology’s impact on daily life. Through these immersive tools, INL emphasises that scientific understanding is not only the domain of researchers but also a vital area of knowledge for the broader community. “The Life Cycle of Nanomaterials“, Bringing Awareness of Materials’ Lifetime Supported solely by INL through the SiNfONiA and SbDToolbox projects, The Life Cycle of Nanomaterials board game provides players with a comprehensive understanding of nanomaterials’ journey from creation to potential environmental and health impacts. SiNfONiA, spearheaded by the Alfaro-Moreno Group, is dedicated to advancing research in nanosafety and enhancing INL’s capabilities in this field. In parallel, the SbDToolbox project addresses the critical need for […]

INL researchers Marisol Dias and Carlos Honrado selected for Falling Walls Lab Global Finale

Two researchers from INL have been selected to attend the prestigious global finale of the Falling Walls Lab competition in Berlin on November 7. From a total of 2,500 semi-finalists, Carlos Honrado and Marisol Dias are among the 100 finalists selected for the Global Finale. They succeeded from a competitive field of applicants in Europe, emerging as winners in international semi-finals in Berlin, Germany, and Wroclaw, Poland, respectively. After promoting its own 3-Minute Thesis competition at the INL Research Symposium, INL encouraged its early-career researchers to take part in the Falling Walls Lab contest. This initiative provided a trigger for participants to practice delivering impactful, concise presentations and gain recognition for their research efforts on an international scale. Falling Walls Lab is an acclaimed interdisciplinary pitch competition designed for students and early-career professionals, offering them a unique opportunity to showcase breakthrough ideas in just 3 minutes. Participants are challenged to present innovative solutions to some of today’s most pressing global issues, judged by an expert jury based on creativity, potential impact, and presentation quality. Throughout the year, renowned academic institutions worldwide host local Falling Walls Labs, spotlighting regional talent and pioneering ideas. INL saw remarkable success in this year’s Falling […]

Spain Declares Three Days of National Mourning After Devastating Floods

Spain has entered a three-day period of national mourning after devastating floods on October 29 and 30 left multiple casualties and several people unaccounted for. President Pedro Sánchez’s official declaration, effective from midnight on Thursday, October 31, through midnight on Saturday, November 2, honours the victims and expresses deep condolences to their families and loved ones. The severe flooding, triggered by extraordinary rainfall, caused widespread damage, displacing families, damaging infrastructure, and straining emergency response resources. Spanish authorities are actively working to provide relief, locate missing people, and support affected communities in their efforts to rebuild. As one of the member states of the International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL), Spain’s commitment to scientific and technological collaboration is well recognised on an international scale. This spirit of solidarity and resilience reflects not only the nation’s dedication to progress but also the profound compassion that unites INL’s member states, Spain and Portugal, during challenging times. This period of mourning serves as a collective tribute to the victims of this tragedy, with the entire nation standing alongside the families and communities affected by these devastating floods.

Innovative use of nanographenes achieves breakthrough in quantum modelling

A recent breakthrough in quantum materials research, published in Nature Nanotechnology, introduces a powerful platform for exploring and controlling topological phases in quantum systems. This study was performed by scientists at INL, Empa – Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, the Technical University of Dresden and Max Planck Institute of Microstructure Physics. INL researchers played a crucial role by providing the theoretical calculations essential to this advance. The international team developed a unique system of nanographene-based chains, whose building blocks are known as “Clar’s goblets”. Using a technique called ‘on-surface synthesis’, the researchers created alternating-exchange Heisenberg spin chains, allowing for targeted spin manipulation within a controlled structure. The Heisenberg model, a foundational concept in quantum mechanics, describes how spins (intrinsic angular momenta of particles like electrons) interact with one another. In this paper, the Heisenberg spin chains are specially constructed from linked Clar’s goblets, nanographenes where each part of the molecule (a “site” in the chain) hosts a spin. By covalently linking the Clar’s goblets, the researchers could precisely control properties such as chain length and exchange interactions at the atomic level. Scanning tunnelling microscopy further allowed the team to investigate the magnetic properties of these chains, monitoring […]

INL Director-General Participates in Catalonia Event on European Lab-to-Fab Transition

On October 25, 2024, Professor Clivia Sotomayor Torres, Director-General of INL, joined the event ‘Accelerating the Lab-to-Fab Transition of Advanced Manufacturing Technologies’, promoted by the Government of Catalonia, in Barcelona, Spain. Referring to the transfer of breakthrough innovations from research to production, ‘Lab-to-Fab’ initiatives are essential for scaling advanced manufacturing technologies, especially in the microelectronics field. Aligned with that purpose, the event convened leaders and experts in technology, research and innovation, focusing on the microelectronics industry. Aimed at advancing strategic collaborations, it provided a platform for promoting the Lab-to-Fab transition in semiconductor development. Collaboration took centre stage, fostering critical discussions among prominent European players in the semiconductor ecosystem. Part of a productive discussion on the importance of synergies, Professor Clivia participated in a round table on ‘Opportunities and Synergies in Diverse R&D Ecosystems’, moderated by Jose Antonio Garrido, Deputy Director-General of ICN2. The session included insights from Luis Fonseca, Director of the Institute of Microelectronics of Barcelona (CSIC), Miquel Moretá, Associate Senior Researcher at the Barcelona Semiconductor Center, and Daniel Granados, Director of the Semiconductor Innovation Cluster of the Community of Madrid (CITT). Together, the panellists extolled the essential role of collaboration in advancing Lab-to-Fab transitions within the global semiconductor market. The involvement of INL represents a […]

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