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INL researchers developed an autonomous monitoring system for grape ripening

INL researchers have published a new study describing a novel prototype of a stand-alone system designed to autonomously collect grape ripening measurements. Climate change and the rapid transformation of economic value chains are driving the need for advanced decision-support systems in viticulture. The traditional method of monitoring grape maturation involves manual sampling and lab assays, but there’s a shift towards using optical techniques in agriculture. The Internet of Things (IoT) plays a key role in agriculture by connecting sensors, networks, and data processing. IoT is also one of the main drivers of precision viticulture, where the combination of multiple data sources can create complex tools for monitoring the vineyard. Hugo Oliveira, the main author of this study, explains “this IoT application involves using simplified spectral sensors to monitor grape ripening in real-time, providing analytical information about the grapes’ status. This work established the technology ground to achieve this objective”. The research work developed by INL researchers of the Systems Engineering and the Nanodevices groups, in collaboration with University of Milano, IMTEK, Sogrape, INESC-MN, and Automation, introduces a novel prototype of a stand-alone system which uses simplified spectral sensing to autonomously collect reflectance measurements directly from grape bunches. The system comprises […]

Nano Circus: the amazing experience of arts & science

Last Friday evening, INL hosted the Nano Circus, an extraordinary event that combined nanotechnology and circus arts, in a dazzling show of creativity and collaboration. Nano Circus showcased the culmination of a transformative artistic residency by the Equilibrium Social Circus team at INL. The Director General of INL Professor Clivia Sotomayor, took the stage to officially inaugurate the celebration, emphasising INL’s commitment to making the wonders of nanotechnology accessible to diverse communities. In July, the Equilibrium Social Circus team was invited to visit INL for an exciting artistic residency, fostering the exchange of knowledge. Sara Leite, project coordinator at Projecto Homem, gave a few words before the show “Equilibrium Social Circus is a social project dedicated to preventing behavioural issues in adolescence through Social Circus, an innovative approach merging circus arts and social intervention to act as a catalyst for psychosocial transformation”. These students weren’t passive observers – they were the architects of the Nano Circus. With guidance from their mentor Rodolfo Correia, they explored INL’s laboratories, delving into the microscopic world of nanotechnology and interacting with scientists. INL researchers Adriana Carneiro, Andrea Gouvêa, José Loché, and Duarte Mota, shared their scientific expertise, and the Equilibrium Social Circus team shared […]

Celebrating 15 Years of Exemplary Leadership: Farewell to INL Deputy Director General, Prof. Paulo Freitas

Yesterday, in a tribute to an extraordinary 15-year journey marked by unwavering dedication, the INL team organised a unique farewell celebration for its esteemed Deputy Director General, Prof. Dr. Paulo Jorge Peixeiro de Freitas. INL DDG, Prof. Dr. Paulo Freitas has been a driving force behind the success and growth of our institution, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of colleagues, collaborators, and the entire community. His visionary leadership, commitment to excellence, and tireless efforts have elevated INL – International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory to new heights. The ceremony commenced with warm reflections and memories from Prof. José Rivas and Prof. Lars Montelius – previous Directors-General, members of the INL council and members of the installation committee, and also team members lauding his transformative leadership, mentorship and the positive impact he had on both professional and personal development. In a surprise announcement, INL DG – Prof. Clivia Sotomayor-Torres, revealed that the institution had decided to rename the auditorium in honor of Prof. Dr. Paulo Freitas. Henceforth, it will be known as the “Auditorium Paulo Freitas.” This gesture serves as a lasting tribute to his remarkable legacy. Prof. Paulo Freitas got his Degree in Physics from the University Porto […]

Exploring nanotechnology for the health of intestinal microbiota

Researchers at INL are using nanotechnology to develop functional foods that can be consumed by people with food intolerances and allergies. Ana Isabel Bourbon, from the Food Processing and Nutrition research group, explains: “Our society is increasingly changing its eating habits and this has several effects on the intestinal microflora. When eating daily, people are subjected to increasing amounts of different compounds. This promotes microbial changes over the years, which causes diseases that previously did not exist, such as intolerances and allergies, to appear. Trying to understand how we can reduce these intolerances in the future is one of our group’s objectives”. In this context, INL researchers are creating foods with added nutritional value using nanotechnology. The team develops nanostructures enabling the encapsulation and incorporation of active compounds, such as vitamins and antioxidants. The goal is to ensure that, after ingestion, these compounds reach the bloodstream in sufficient quantities to have a positive impact on the consumer. However, obtaining information about the behaviour of these nanostructures during digestion and their effects on intestinal health poses a challenge. The Healthy-Gut project aims to address this gap by evaluating the behaviour of encapsulated systems using in vitro cell models. These models mimic […]

Nanotechnology uncovering the hidden secrets of cancer

Metastasis, the spreading of cancer cells to other parts of the body, contributes to 9 out of 10 cancer-related deaths. However, the intricate mechanisms triggering this process remain a mystery. 3DSecret is on a mission to change that. The European consortium 3DSecret, coordinated by INL researchers from the Medical Devices research group, is approaching metastasis in a new way, focusing on single cells and aiming to uncover hidden patterns that can predict and forecast how cancer spreads. “By studying individual circulating tumour cells, or CTCs, 3DSecret hopes to transform how cancer is diagnosed and/or treated, making significant strides in clinical sciences”, says Miguel Xavier, technical coordinator of the 3DSecret project. In response to this challenge, 3DSecret has outlined specific objectives. At the forefront is the development of the ‘3Dsecret-chip,’ a sophisticated tool designed to facilitate the controlled creation of 3D cancer cell models from individual cells. This innovative approach promises reproducibility and precision, enhancing one’s ability to examine the details of cancer cell behaviour. Furthermore, 3DSecret is incorporating ‘SERS metabolomics profiling’, an advanced technology providing continuous insights into the growth kinetics of these 3D cancer cell models. Sara Abalde-Cela, leader of the Medical Devices research group and coordinator of the […]

Looking inside a solar cell

In a ground-breaking study published in Nature Energy, researchers from the Nanostructured Solar Cells group have unveiled critical insights into the optimisation of thin-film solar cells, shedding light on methods to enhance their efficiency and pave the way for more cost-effective electricity generation. Photovoltaic power conversion utilising polycrystalline light-absorbing semiconductors has long been recognised for its potential to revolutionise solar energy. Among these technologies, polycrystalline CIGS (copper indium gallium selenide) stands out as a high-performing option, and recent advances have propelled its efficiency even further through an alkali-fluoride post-deposition treatment, which elevates the charge-carrier concentration. However, the team led by Sascha Sadewasser discovered a previously overlooked challenge in the application of this treatment – inhomogeneities in the conductivity of individual material grains, which they trace back to the charge-carrier concentration. This revelation has significant implications for the efficiency of solar cells and their overall performance. Using an emerging conductive atomic force microscopy tomography technique, the research team at INL literally scratched away material layer by layer, generating three-dimensional conductivity maps. A detailed analysis of these maps provided for a sub-micrometre scale visualisation of the carrier concentration grain by grain, allowing for a detailed look into the inside of the solar […]

INL joins SiNANO, the European Academic and Scientific Association for Nanoelectronics

INL – International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory joins SiNANO Institute. The decision was made official in December 2023 – INL just became the 26th member of the SiNANO Institute, bringing new competencies to the network. According to Clivia Sotomayor-Torres, Director General of INL, “joining SINANO is an important and forward-looking step for the INL towards enhancing our role in the European Research Area. As a researcher, since joining, I have appreciated the role of SINANO in enhancing the activities of the academic and small RTO’s communities in the European landscape. I am a firm believer in the mission of SINANO with emphasis on opportunities for our younger colleagues and students to play their full role in advancing the science in nanoelectronics. The networking and infrastructure projects as well as the internationalisation of the nanoelectronics community are aspects I deeply appreciate. I hope to continue contributing to SINANO working along with my esteemed and respected colleagues and friends towards a better future.” SiNANO Institute, the European Academic and Scientific Association for Nanoelectronics, is a non-profit Association established as a durable EU Network of researchers and brings together renowned European Research Organisations and Universities from 15 European countries and is linked to 20 […]

INL’s Official Mourning day in honour of Jacques Delors

It is with deep respect and profound recognition that we, at the International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL), express our sorrow at the passing of Jacques Delors. His visionary leadership fundamentally shaped the European Union, influencing its research and development landscape. Jaques Delors’ vision and unwavering commitment were instrumental in establishing the robust institutional framework that today underpins scientific policy and industrial collaboration at the European level. This contribution has been instrumental in the genesis of INL, envisioned as part of the European research area and an example of research collaboration among States while fostering international cooperation beyond Europe. French economist and socialist politician, born in 1925 in Paris, died on December 27, 2023. He held the position of Minister of Economy and Finance (1981-1984) in France and was then president of the Commission of the European Economic Community. His long tenure in this position, which lasted from 1985 to 1994, was marked by the extension of the Community to the Iberian countries, the adoption of the Single European Act, and the signing of the Maastricht Treaty. He was also the driving force behind the creation of the European Union. In memory of Jacques Delors, INL will observe an official mourning today, 5 January, honouring a […]

Wrapping Up 2023: People

We appreciate and recognize the contributions of the scientific community and our researchers. All INLers play a crucial role in advancing our understanding of the world, driving innovation, and solving complex problems. Your dedication and hard work contribute to improvements in Advanced Materials and Computing, Clean Energy, Food for the Future, Precise Personalised Health Tech, Smart Digital Nano-systems, and Sustainable Environment. Join us on this ride and remember all the interviews carried out throughout the year. Helena Macedo, a woman with a love for science and a scientist with a love for life Meet Helena Macedo, Research Fellow in the Food Processing and Nutrition research group. She works in the field of in vitro intestinal models, and she focused her research on the development of in vitro models that simulate the gastrointestinal tract to evaluate the safety and efficiency of nanostructures for food applications. Read the full interview >> Meet Marta Prado, the first Postdoctoral Researcher to arrive at our facilities when INL was built Marta Prado is the group leader of the Food Quality and Safety Research Group (FQ&S) at INL – International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory. Her research interests are the development of new, fast and reliable detection methodologies combining molecular biology and nano- and […]