News

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 […]

90 segundos de ciência: EP5. Ana Isabel Bourbon

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 […]

Investigação revela detalhes para melhorar a energia fotovoltaica

INL de Braga descobre como fazer conversão mais eficiente de energia fotovoltaica

Nano Circus: the amazing experience of arts & science

On January 26th at 21:30, prepare for an extraordinary event at INL – the Nano Circus! Last summer, the Equilibrium Social Circus team visited INL for an exciting artistic residency, fostering the exchange of knowledge. The 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. During this residency, teenagers explored INL laboratories providing them with a unique opportunity to explore nanotechnology and engage with scientists. In a delightful twist, the researchers, in turn, tested their balance through circus activities, discovering new artistic skills in the process. Drawing inspiration from this transformative experience, the Equilibrium Social Circus created a circus show inspired by nanotechnology and science. Tickets are available here. Don’t miss the chance to learn more about INL and be part of this one-of-a-kind experience that celebrates the fusion of science and artistic spectacle. Join us for an unforgettable evening on January 26th! >> Event tickets in partnership with:

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 […]

Wrapping Up 2023: Research

2023 has been a busy year for the INL Community. This week we take a look at some of this year’s highlights and achievements regarding our projects, and the latest research developments. Even with all the changes, INL persisted in performing interdisciplinary research and deploying and articulating nanotechnology for the benefit of society addressing society’s grand challenges.  Here’s a comprehensive wrap-up of the key moments that defined the past 12 months. INL inaugurates state-of-the-art Cryo-Electron Microscope that helps to study new diseases Analysing biostructures down to the atomic level can help to study diseases such as Alzheimer’s or cancer, as well as to develop new therapies. This new type of investigation is now possible from Braga, thanks to the new electronic cryogenic microscope installed at INL – International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory. The acquisition of this equipment is part of the creation of the CryoEM-PT National Network, “an electron microscopy network for life and health sciences”, explains Paulo Ferreira, scientific coordinator of this initiative that opens doors to researchers and companies in Iberia, allowing easy access to state-of-the-art infrastructure and technologies. Read the full update >> ATLANTICLAM, brings Euro-native clam species from ‘farm to fork’ INL – International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory […]