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COVID-19 EVENTS FUNDED PROJECTS GENERAL INL PICKS INL STATEMENTS INNOVATION MOST POPULAR PEOPLE RESEARCH SCALE EXPERIENCES SCALE TRAVELS SEMICONDUCTORS SINFONIA PROJECT SPOTLIGHT WOMEN IN SCIENCE WOMEN IN STEM

Can Earth’s gravitational field monitor climate change?

The measurement of our planet’s gravitational field, known as gravimetry, allows us to extrapolate the rate at which climate changes are occurring by detecting small variations in Earth’s gravitational field, caused, for example, by melting ice. Inês Sofia Garcia, a Research Engineer at INL, is focused on the development of a high-precision MEMS (micro electromechanical system) accelerometer, crucial for detecting the gravity field shifts of our planet. This accelerometer is a system capable of converting a mechanical phenomenon into an electrical one, and vice versa, transforming an electrical signal into a mechanical displacement. “Our group is creating a MEMS accelerometer to measure Earth’s acceleration changes,” explains Inês Garcia. “We handle the system’s modelling, design, fabrication, and characterisation.” With rigorous demands for stability, power management, and satellite orientation accuracy, this research work strengthens Portugal’s position in the global space sector. The team developed the device as part of the uPGRADE project, and at INL, we are already looking ahead to its next phase: uPGRADE-NEXT. In this new project, the device will undergo space qualification and is set to be included in the first uPGRADE microsatellite launch, planned for mid-2026. These flagship projects, led by Rosana Dias and Filipe Alves, will also […]

INL Celebrates Women in Science

Today, February 11, in celebration of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, the International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL) proudly presents its latest video tribute to all the Women working at INL. This powerful visual story highlights the dedication, talent, and achievements of women scientists at INL who are shaping the future of nanotechnology. Despite progress in gender equality, only 41% of scientists and engineers in Europe are women. At INL, we are committed to increasing this representation, with 42% of our researchers being women—a testament to our dedication to inclusivity and scientific excellence. The video showcases the inspiring work of several outstanding women scientists, engineers, and facility managers at INL. Through their groundbreaking research and unwavering commitment, they are paving the way for future generations and proving that there is a place for women in science. 📽 Watch the video and join us in celebrating these incredible women who are transforming the world of science and INL. Thank you to all the women at INL for your resilience, passion, and commitment to pushing scientific boundaries. And to all INLers—thank you for supporting and championing an inclusive and diverse research environment. Let’s continue breaking barriers and building a future where science belongs […]

INL’s Women in Science Shine at PQHack 2025

INL proudly celebrates the remarkable achievement of three of its researchers, Alexandra Ramôa, Ana Neri, and Sara Franco, members of the Galvão Research Group who, along with Bruna Salgado from the University of Minho, secured second place at PQHack 2025 as Team Quantum Shemulation. Their outstanding performance in tackling quantum computing challenges earned them the prestigious Team Quantum Shemulation prize on International Day of Women and Girls in Science. PQHack 2025 proved to be an exciting competition, bringing together 39 participants across 12 teams for a 24-hour quantum computing hackathon. Fueled by determination (and plenty of coffee and pizza), the teams engaged in a series of complex coding challenges designed by experts in the field. The results showcased the incredible talent and innovation within the quantum community. This achievement is not only a testament to the expertise and dedication of our INLers but also an inspiration for greater representation of women in quantum science. As we celebrate International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we recognize their hard work and contributions in shaping the future of quantum technologies. Congratulations to all the participants, and especially to Alexandra, Ana, and Sara for making INL proud! Photo kindly provided by PQHack 2025 Team

INL Welcomes Princeton Alumni for Research Visit

The INL – International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL) welcomed a group of Princeton University alumni residing in Portugal for an exclusive visit to its research facilities. Organized by Princeton Alumni in Portugal and co-sponsored by the Association of Princeton Graduate Alumni (APGA), the visit offered attendees a first-hand look at INL’s cutting-edge Research Core Facilities and laboratories. Throughout the visit, alumni engaged with leading INL researchers across multiple scientific disciplines, including nanofabrication, advanced materials, quantum technologies, and biomedical imaging. They explored INL’s Micro and Nanofabrication Facility (MNF), followed by discussions with expert research groups led by Pedro Salomé (solar energy materials), Pedro Alpuim (2D materials and flexible electronics), Ernesto Galvão (quantum computing), and Paulo Ferreira (nanostructured materials for engineering applications). The group also learned about INL’s Nanobiotechnology and Imaging (NBI) capabilities and engaged with researchers such as Jana Nieder and Sara Abalde, who are advancing biomedical imaging and diagnostics. This visit reinforced INL’s commitment to international collaboration and knowledge exchange, showcasing the value of fostering global scientific connections. As INL continues to expand its outreach and collaboration efforts, we welcome academic institutions, research groups, and industry partners to explore our facilities and engage with our world-class scientists. To learn more about our research and how to collaborate with INL, visit INL Research Core Facilities or contact us […]

INL to Host Seminar on Circular Economy in the Agri-Food Sector

The International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, in collaboration with PortugalFoods and CCDR-Norte, will host the seminar “Circular Economy in the Agri-Food Sector in the Northern Region of Portgual: Challenges in Valorisation for Human and Animal Consumption” on February 27, at INL in Braga. Organised within the framework of the European project FRONTSH1P, this event will bring together industry leaders, researchers, policymakers, and experts to discuss innovative strategies for waste valorisation in the agri-food sector. Key discussion points will include: The seminar will also feature case studies on technological innovation, highlighting successful collaborations in the sector, as well as a roundtable discussion addressing the main challenges and opportunities in by-product valorisation. This initiative provides a unique platform for knowledge exchange, fostering collaboration between stakeholders committed to advancing circular economy solutions in the agri-food industry. Registration is free but mandatory by February 25.The event will be conducted in Portuguese. REGISTER

Maria Relvas Awarded LPCC-NRN Research Grant to Advance Cancer Diagnostics

Maria Relvas, a PhD student and Associate at the International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL) in the Diéguez Research Group, supervised by Sara Abalde-Cela, has been awarded a Research Initiation Grant by the Portuguese Cancer League – North Branch (LPCC-NRN) to advance cancer diagnosis. The project builds upon findings from SENTINEL and 3DSecret, two prior research initiatives that have contributed to the development of novel diagnostic technologies. Her innovative project applies a novel nanosensor for the classification and prediction of cancer patterns, aiming to improve early detection and patient outcomes. As part of the funded project, Maria is leveraging the ex-vivo potential of this nanosensor to analyze two distinct cohorts of plasma samples from prostate and breast cancer patients from Hospital de Braga and CCA-Braga. The research seeks to demonstrate the effectiveness of this nanosensor in cancer monitoring while also exploring its potential to predict cancer outcomes by integrating clinical data from patients. This study aligns with the broader mission of advancing oncology through technology-driven solutions, particularly in developing personalized medicine approaches. By combining nanosensing capabilities with patient-specific data, the project has the potential to contribute significantly to more precise and effective cancer diagnostics and treatment strategies. The recognition of Maria Relvas’ research highlights INL’s commitment to pioneering nanotechnology solutions for healthcare, reinforcing the importance of early […]

INL Joins the Global Celebration of the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ2025)

The year 2025 marks a century since the foundational principles of quantum theory were first formulated, shaping the modern scientific and technological landscape. Recognizing this milestone, the United Nations General Assembly has officially proclaimed 2025 as the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ2025). This global initiative will showcase the vast potential of quantum science and its transformative impact on society in the 21st century. A wide array of scientific and technological organizations are participating in this historic celebration, and INL – International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory – is proud to be one of them. INL is fully committed to the communication and outreach efforts of IYQ2025, ensuring broad dissemination of its significance and impact. Portugal’s Role in IYQ2025 In INL’s host country, Portugal, the Portuguese Physical Society has established a national committee dedicated to planning and promoting activities aligned with IYQ2025. As a key supporter, INL has launched a dedicated website to share information on various events, including talks, conferences, and other initiatives throughout the year. A Global Celebration IYQ2025 will officially commence with an opening ceremony at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris on February 4-5, 2025. This high-profile event will set the stage for a year filled with […]

INL Partners with Startup Braga and 2CA-Braga to Launch the Global Health Accelerator

A new initiative to foster innovation in health, biotechnology, and nanotechnology. The International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL), in collaboration with Startup Braga and the Clinical Academic Center of Braga (2CA-Braga), has announced the launch of the Global Health Accelerator, a programme designed to support early to mid-stage startups developing innovative solutions in health, biotechnology, and nanotechnology. This initiative aims to accelerate groundbreaking projects by providing startups with direct access to industry leaders, expert mentorship, and tailored entrepreneurship training. A Strategic Platform for Innnovation: The Global Health Accelerator offers participating startups the opportunity to: develop pilot projects and proof-of-concepts (POCs) in collaboration with key industry stakeholders; engage in intensive bootcamps focused on entrepreneurship, business development, and market strategy; and receive mentorship from experienced professionals in the health, biotechnology, and nanotechnology sectors. Applications open until 28 February Startups looking to scale their innovations and bring transformative solutions to the market are encouraged to apply before 28 February. More information and application details are available at globalhealthaccelerator.com. The Global Health Accelerator is co-funded by the European Union’s Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP) under the NextGenerationEU programme, reinforcing a commitment to fostering cutting-edge innovation in Europe’s health and technology sectors.

INL Joins the EuroQCS-Spain Consortium to Advance European Quantum Computing

The International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL) is proud to announce its participation in the EuroQCS-Spain consortium, a pivotal initiative in integrating quantum computing into the European High Performance Computing (HPC) ecosystem. The EuroHPC Joint Undertaking (EuroHPC JU) has officially signed the procurement contract for the EuroHPC quantum computer MareNostrum-Ona, which will be hosted at the Barcelona Supercomputing Center – Centro Nacional de Supercomputación (BSC-CNS). This milestone marks a significant step toward enhancing Europe’s quantum computing capabilities. A Quantum Leap for European Supercomputing Quantum computers have the potential to solve problems that are intractable for classical computers, with applications ranging from material simulations to optimization problems and enhanced data security. While current quantum computing systems are still in the early stages, integrating them with well-established HPC infrastructures is crucial for their future impact. The MareNostrum-Ona quantum computer will be Europe’s first quantum annealer, providing researchers, industries, and the public sector access to cutting-edge quantum technologies. The first-generation system will offer at least 10 physical qubits, with further developments planned to enhance both coherence times and qubit numbers. INL’s Contribution to European Quantum Infrastructure As part of the EuroQCS-Spain consortium, INL willcontribute to integrating quantum and classical computingsystems. INL researchers in the groups led by Ernesto Galvão and Joaquín Rossier […]