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INL researchers develop a new model to predict toxicity of nanomaterials

Engineered nanomaterials based on metal oxide nanoparticles offer many promising applications – from cosmetics and sunscreens to diagnostic devices and textiles. These nanomaterials offer exciting technological properties. However, it is crucial to understand their interaction with the biological environment, such as marine, atmospheric and terrestrial ecosystems. Alarmingly, emerging studies suggest that engineered nanomaterials might present toxic effects on human lungs, and there is still no international consensus on the metrics and exposure limits of these nanomaterials, as toxicity studies are usually conducted in non-human laboratory models. Researchers from the Nanosafety research group at INL are innovating and using in silico experiments to predict the toxicity of engineered nanomaterials – i.e., these toxicity studies can be performed using an artificial intelligence-assisted and data-driven framework. João Meneses, the leading author of this study, explains “We developed a machine learning model to predict the potential human lung cell toxicity induced by metal oxide nanoparticles exposure”. The group has successfully shown that it is possible to build a simple, easy-to-interpret, and robust model aligning with the principle of Safe-by-Design. João adds that the recently published study “could pave the way for efficient decision-making, prediction, and mitigation of the potential occupational and environmental risks associated with engineered nanomaterials”. This […]

INL develops new mechanisms to improve sensitivity and noise reduction in accelerometers

The demand for low-cost and low-power consumption solutions for high-resolution seismic and gravity measurements is on the rise. This is largely due to the increasing need for accurate and reliable data for various applications such as geotechnical surveying, navigation systems, or natural hazards monitoring, for example, earthquakes. This information is usually obtained using very sensitive instruments such as accelerometers. Accelerometers, as the name suggests, measure acceleration, i.e. velocity over time, and are commonly used in various applications from smartphones and cars to navigation systems and aeroplanes. INL researchers have developed a new mechanism to improve sensitivity and noise reduction in accelerometers. More specifically, the electronic readout is typically the bottleneck that limits sensitivity/resolution in accelerometers using capacitive transduction (the commonly used mechanism). With the prototype developed at INL, researchers are using their expertise in Micro Electronic Mechanical Systems, known as MEMS structures, to increase the accuracy of accelerometers. Rosana Dias, the researcher at the Integrated Micro and Nanotechnologies research group, explains that “the duration of pull-in non-linear transitions is very sensitive to external forces, under specific actuation and damping conditions. We are using know-how on the electrostatic pull-in dynamic behaviour of MEMS structures and the interaction of the several force contributions to […]

INL Colloquium with Hongjie Dai, Professor of Chemistry at Stanford University

Yesterday, Hongjie Dai, a Professor of Chemistry at Stanford University, presented an inspiring talk at INL – International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory. During his talk, professor Hongjie Dai showcased the enormous potential of carbon nanostructures for nanoscience and nanotechnology in three different areas. Examples include nanotube-based quantum transport devices, based on nanotubes, graphite and porous carbon nanoballs-based batteries and various carbon-based systems for biological imaging in the infrared, with applications for accurate cancer imaging and study of vaccine effects on living tissue. In his own words: “I had a great visit and enjoyed meeting you all and other researchers at INL. I appreciate everyone spending the time talking about science and life in Braga.“ Hongjie Dai is the Jackson-Wood Professor of Chemistry at Stanford University. He has made fundamental contributions to nanosciences, especially to novel carbon-based nanomaterials including carbon nanotubes and graphene nanoribbons. He pioneered nano-carbon biological and nanomedicine applications including imaging in the NIR-II/SWIR window. In the renewable energy area, he advanced new electrocatalysts for splitting fresh water and seawater and developed rechargeable aluminium-ion batteries and Na/Cl2 and Li/Cl2 batteries. Professor Hongjie Dai is a member of the US National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Medicine, a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and […]