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2024 Yearly Wrap-up: Events

As 2024 comes to a close, INL – International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory reflects on a year of remarkable milestones, innovative achievements, and global collaborations. Hosting over 8,000 visitors and welcoming more than 5,500 participants across various events, INL reaffirmed its global leadership in fostering innovation, knowledge exchange, and international partnerships. Kicking off 2024 with Leadership and Creativity The year began with a dual celebration: a heartfelt farewell to Deputy Director General Prof. Dr. Paulo Freitas, whose visionary leadership elevated INL’s global standing, and the captivating Nano Circus: The Amazing Experience of Arts & Science. This unique event brought together the worlds of art and nanotechnology, blending creative expression with scientific discovery to inspire audiences of all ages. Spring: Breaking New Ground in Science Spring 2024 saw INL hosting several groundbreaking events that advanced the frontiers of science and technology. The Neuromorphic Computing Event on May 15 brought together leading researchers to explore advancements in mimicking the brain’s architecture and functions, paving the way for revolutionary computing technologies. The CHIPS-JU 2024 Info Session, also held in May, empowered researchers and industry professionals with critical insights into European Union funding opportunities for the semiconductor field. By helping stakeholders navigate the funding landscape, INL […]

INL Attends the Inauguration of CeNTI’s New Facilities

On the 16th of December, the International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL) participated in the inauguration ceremony of the new CeNTI (Centre for Nanotechnology and Smart Materials) facilities — an event representing a significant milestone in research and innovation within the region. INL’s Director-General, Professor Clivia Sotomayor Torres, its Deputy Director-General, Professor Ado Jório de Vasconcelos, as well as Paula Galvão, Chief Officer of the Business and Strategic Relations Department, and Pedro Salomé, INL Research Group Leader, were in attendance. The event was honoured by the presence of several distinguished figures, including the Prime Minister of Portugal, Mr. Luís Montenegro, the Mayor of Vila Nova de Famalicão, Mr. Mário Passos, the Chairman of CeNTI’s Board of Directors, Mr. António Amorim, and CeNTI’s General Director, Mr. António Braz Costa. The guests were introduced to the newly established facilities, which comprise a range of advanced laboratories, state-of-the-art equipment, and expanded work areas designed to strengthen the research and technological capabilities of the institution. CeNTI is a leading Portuguese research and technology organisation specialising in advanced nano, micro, and smart technologies. In response to emerging challenges, it has positioned itself to develop disruptive solutions guided by sustainability and bioeconomy, energy and decarbonisation, and digital transformation of materials and processes. By strengthening […]

Phages – A dual solution to the Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Crisis

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has emerged as one of the most pressing global health threats of our time, directly causing and contributing to millions of deaths worldwide, as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO). Beyond the human toll, the economic impact is staggering. By 2050, AMR could add $1 trillion in healthcare costs annually and slash global gross domestic product (GDP) by up to $3.4 trillion per year by 2030. But amidst these daunting figures, a beacon of hope has appeared – bacteriophages (phages). In an era where AMR poses one of the greatest challenges in modern medicine, phages, viruses that specifically target bacteria, represent a revolutionary alternative to traditional antibiotics. A recent milestone in this field has been Portugal’s approval of customised bacteriophage therapies in hospital settings, setting Portugal to be only the third European country, alongside Belgium and France, to approve until now a guiding regulation for these new therapies (INFARMED, I.P. deliberation No. 112/CD/2024, November 15, 2024) for complex bacterial infections. This decision aligns closely with INL’s cutting-edge research on phages. Dr. Sanna Sillankorva, a tenured staff researcher from the Bañobre Research Group at INL has been instrumental in this progress. Her work focuses on isolating and […]

Strengthening Collaboration in Energy Innovation: INL Delegation Visits CIIAE

The Iberian Energy Storage Research Center (CIIAE) in Extremadura is poised to address the critical technological and scientific challenges surrounding green energy production and manageability, making renewable energy a viable alternative to fossil fuels. This mission aligns closely with the European Union’s Green Deal, which envisions a carbon-neutral Europe by 2050, fostering innovation and responsibility in tackling the ongoing climate emergency. On December 4–5, 2024, a delegation from the International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL) visited CIIAE to explore opportunities for collaboration in advancing sustainable energy solutions. The visit highlighted the growing synergy between the two institutions and their shared commitment to fostering impactful innovations in renewable energy technologies. Strengthening Ties Through Policy and Collaboration This visit falls within the context of a memorandum of understanding signed during the XXXIII Spain-Portugal Summit between Portugal and Spain for the creation and development of the Iberian Centre for Research and Energy Storage (CIIAE) in the Autonomous Community of Extremadura. Both governments emphasized INL’s pivotal role, highlighting its capacity to collaborate with CIIAE to make an essential contribution to the Iberian energy storage strategy. Key Activities During the Visit The INL delegation, led by Prof. Dr. Ado Jório Vasconcelos, Deputy Director-General of INL, included notable […]

INL Becomes an Official Member of the Technology Council for Advanced Materials

The International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL) is proud to announce its participation as an official member of the Technology Council for Advanced Materials, following its inaugural meeting on Friday, 15 November 2024. It is represented by its Director General, Prof. Dr. Clivia M. Sotomayor Torres. The Advanced Materials Initiative is a significant milestone towards a united effort by the European Union, Member States, industry, and research organization to strategically address the present and future industry needs for advanced materials in Europe. The Council’s mission is to position Europe as a global leader in advanced materials research, fast-track innovations to the Single Market, and drive industrial adoption. This aligns with the EU’s strategic priorities, including the Green Deal, sustainability, and enhanced industrial competitiveness. A Unified Vision for Advanced Materials Leadership As an official member, INL joins 52 high-level representatives, including 27 from Member States and 19 from academia, research and technology organisations, industry, and associations. Participants reaffirmed their commitment to building a robust and inclusive advanced materials ecosystem that integrates science and innovation with industrial applications. The meeting, co-chaired by Ms. Maria Cristina Russo (Director of DG RTD), Amaryllis Verhoeven (Acting Director of DG GROW), and László Lengyel (Vice President for […]

Diana Alves’ Journey: Pioneering Superhydrophobic Coatings for Sustainability

We are thrilled to have Diana Alves with us today. Diana joined the Kolen’ko’s Group at INL as a Research Fellow in February 2022, where her groundbreaking work focuses on developing paint functional additives based on nanomaterials with hydrophobic properties. Diana’s journey in science began with a master’s degree in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Minho in 2011. Her international experiences include pivotal research stints at the University Medical Centre of Groningen and Innocore Pharmaceuticals in the Netherlands. She later pursued a PhD in Chemical and Biological Engineering, also at the University of Minho, focusing on functionalizing biomaterials to impart antimicrobial properties. During this time, she collaborated with the prestigious Messersmith Research Group at Northwestern University in the USA. Her postdoctoral and junior research years further showcased her versatility, as she delved into areas such as bacteriophage encapsulation for food safety and antimicrobial coatings for medical devices. Let’s dive into her inspiring journey and groundbreaking research! 1. Your career has taken you from Portugal to the Netherlands and the USA, working with institutions like Innocore Pharmaceuticals and Northwestern University. How have these international experiences shaped your approach to research and innovation?” Both international experiences – first in the Netherlands […]

Nanoscale analysis with DNA-graphene origami

In a recently published study in Advanced Materials Interfaces, INL researchers have developed a new sensor that merges DNA origami with graphene to achieve unique accuracy in detecting molecular motion. Nieder’s group at INL, together with Alpuim’s group (INL) and Thorsten-Lars Schmidt (Kent State University), developed this innovative sensor that could have significant potential for applications in medicine and environmental monitoring. The sensor combines DNA origami structures and a graphene layer functionalised to interact with fluorescent markers. These markers emit light, and their fluorescence behaviour – specifically its duration – changes based on their proximity to the graphene. By applying electrical signals, researchers can control this distance, enabling them to track movements as small as two nanometres. “The novelty here is that we can actually gate the graphene and sense the effects of this electrostatic approach in the fluorescent behaviour of the fluorophores,” explains João Azevedo, first author of the study. The team used Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy (FLIM), a technique that measures the time fluorescence lasts, to achieve this high-resolution sensing. Unlike traditional fluorescence intensity methods, FLIM is less affected by photobleaching, a process where fluorescent markers lose their ability to emit light after prolonged exposure. By focusing on lifetime […]

INL Hosts “Empowering Research Careers: HRS4R & CoARA in Focus”

Last Thursday, November 14th, 2024, INL brought together leading experts in research governance, HR strategy, and leadership for a day-long event entitled “Empowering Research Careers: HRS4R & CoARA in Focus”. The event provided an opportunity for participants to delve into the impact of the Human Resources Strategy for Researchers (HRS4R) and the European Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment (CoARA) on research careers, while fostering meaningful discussions about leadership and professional growth. The morning session opened with a warm welcome and a thought-provoking lineup of guest speakers: with Isabelle Halleux, Head of the Project Management Office at the Luxembourg Institute of Socio-Economic Research (LISER), highlighted the transformative impact of HRS4R on researchers and their careers; Barbora Wahlová, an HR Strategy Consultant, presented insights into employee assessment as a pathway to career advancement, sharing strategies for supporting researchers’ professional development; Miklós Gyorffi provided an overview of CoARA and its potential influence at INL, setting the stage for future engagements with this European initiative; and Bruno Béu, representing the Portuguese National Chapter of CoARA, offered a closer look at the national-level implementation and its relevance to INL. A roundtable discussion moderated by Lorena Diéguez followed, allowing speakers to answer specific questions about the […]

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 […]