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Revolutionising Water Quality Monitoring: An Interview with Najib Ben Messaoud

We’re excited to introduce Dr. Najib Ben Messaoud, a Research Fellow in the Water Quality Research Group at INL. With a distinguished background in nanotechnology and sensing strategies, Najib’s work focuses on developing advanced methods for detecting water contaminants. His dedication to creating reliable tools for water monitoring spans health, environmental, and agricultural applications. In this interview, Najib shares insights into his journey, recent projects, and the impact of urbanization on water quality monitoring. Could you briefly describe your academic and professional background in water quality research? I hold a PhD in Engineering Physics with a specialization in nanotechnology sciences from the High School of Sciences and Technologies, Hammam Sousse, Tunisia. During my PhD, I focused on designing nanostructured electrodes and electrochemical (bio)sensors to detect carcinogenic substances in water. My journey in water quality research began about a decade ago during my master’s project, which involved detecting perchlorate in water. In 2019, I joined INL as a Research Associate, where I contributed to developing a portable system to quantify Aeromonas salmonicida in water. Since 2021, in my role as a Research Fellow, I have engaged in multiple projects related to water quality, including those focused on detecting nanomaterials, nitrite, and nitrate in […]

Innovative use of nanographenes achieves breakthrough in quantum modelling

A recent breakthrough in quantum materials research, published in Nature Nanotechnology, introduces a powerful platform for exploring and controlling topological phases in quantum systems. This study was performed by scientists at INL, Empa – Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, the Technical University of Dresden and Max Planck Institute of Microstructure Physics. INL researchers played a crucial role by providing the theoretical calculations essential to this advance. The international team developed a unique system of nanographene-based chains, whose building blocks are known as “Clar’s goblets”. Using a technique called ‘on-surface synthesis’, the researchers created alternating-exchange Heisenberg spin chains, allowing for targeted spin manipulation within a controlled structure. The Heisenberg model, a foundational concept in quantum mechanics, describes how spins (intrinsic angular momenta of particles like electrons) interact with one another. In this paper, the Heisenberg spin chains are specially constructed from linked Clar’s goblets, nanographenes where each part of the molecule (a “site” in the chain) hosts a spin. By covalently linking the Clar’s goblets, the researchers could precisely control properties such as chain length and exchange interactions at the atomic level. Scanning tunnelling microscopy further allowed the team to investigate the magnetic properties of these chains, monitoring […]

INL Director-General Participates in Catalonia Event on European Lab-to-Fab Transition

On October 25, 2024, Professor Clivia Sotomayor Torres, Director-General of INL, joined the event ‘Accelerating the Lab-to-Fab Transition of Advanced Manufacturing Technologies’, promoted by the Government of Catalonia, in Barcelona, Spain. Referring to the transfer of breakthrough innovations from research to production, ‘Lab-to-Fab’ initiatives are essential for scaling advanced manufacturing technologies, especially in the microelectronics field. Aligned with that purpose, the event convened leaders and experts in technology, research and innovation, focusing on the microelectronics industry. Aimed at advancing strategic collaborations, it provided a platform for promoting the Lab-to-Fab transition in semiconductor development. Collaboration took centre stage, fostering critical discussions among prominent European players in the semiconductor ecosystem. Part of a productive discussion on the importance of synergies, Professor Clivia participated in a round table on ‘Opportunities and Synergies in Diverse R&D Ecosystems’, moderated by Jose Antonio Garrido, Deputy Director-General of ICN2. The session included insights from Luis Fonseca, Director of the Institute of Microelectronics of Barcelona (CSIC), Miquel Moretá, Associate Senior Researcher at the Barcelona Semiconductor Center, and Daniel Granados, Director of the Semiconductor Innovation Cluster of the Community of Madrid (CITT). Together, the panellists extolled the essential role of collaboration in advancing Lab-to-Fab transitions within the global semiconductor market. The involvement of INL represents a […]

Engineering the Future: Patrícia Sousa on the Challenges and Innovations in Micro and Nanotechnologies

Introducing Patrícia Sousa, a pioneering Research Engineer in Integrated Micro and Nanotechnologies at INL. With a strong foundation in Chemical Engineering and a Ph.D. in Chemical and Biological Engineering from the University of Porto, Patrícia has specialized in microfluidics and advanced fabrication techniques that address critical challenges in micro and nanotechnologies. Patrícia’s dedication extends beyond the lab, as she actively participates in public outreach initiatives, including the European Researcher’s Night and educational programs in local schools. There, she shares her expertise in accessible and inspiring ways, illustrating how nanotechnology can transform fields such as medicine, electronics, and sustainability. In this interview, Patrícia offers insight into her career journey, the challenges and triumphs in her work, and her passion for making science accessible and impactful for all. Could you briefly describe your academic and professional background in micro and nanotechnologies? My academic background includes a first degree in Chemical Engineering, from the Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto followed by a PhD in Chemical and Biological Engineering, also from the Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto. Since my PhD studies focused on microfluidics, at that time I started deepening my knowledge in the field of micro and nanotechnology and in particular, micro […]

INL’s Nanosafety Laboratory Achieves OECD Good Laboratory Practice Certification

The International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL) celebrates a significant milestone as its Nanosafety Laboratory is officially recognized for meeting the demanding standards of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Principles of Good Laboratory Practices (GLP). This certification, granted by the Portuguese Institute for Quality (IPQ), highlights INL’s commitment to responsible innovation, establishing its laboratory as a trusted center for safe and credible nanotechnology research. Following an extensive review in May 2024, the certification assures that INL’s Nanosafety Laboratory complies with the highest international standards for testing and assessing nanomaterials, particularly for industrial and agricultural applications. The laboratory’s commitment to safe technological advancements aligns closely with INL’s mission to promote public health and environmental integrity. Leading the Way in Nanotechnology Safety With GLP certification, INL’s Nanosafety Laboratory is now validated for several essential testing areas in nanotechnology safety: This achievement is a testament to the dedicated efforts across INL’s teams, including the Alfaro-Moreno Research Group, the CQM Unit, and participants in the ERA-Chair Sinfonia and SbDToolbox projects. Contributing team members, including Filipa Lebre, Vânia Vilas-Boas, Andreia Carvalho, Ana Ribeiro, Nivedita Chatterjee, Catarina Gonçalves, Helena Macedo, Begoña Espiña, Marina Brito, Margaret Costa, Ana Teixeira, and Sadaf Almas, have driven essential […]

A Vision for the Future: INL Welcomes New Deputy Director-General

The International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL) hosted an inspiring ceremony this week to introduce Professor Ado Jório de Vasconcelos as its new Deputy Director-General (DDG). This event, held at the INL headquarters, signals a significant step forward in the organisation’s quest for innovative advancement. The ceremony commenced with remarks from INL’s Director-General, Professor Clivia Sotomayor, who emphasised the strategic significance of Professor Jório’s appointment. She outlined key milestones for INL, including the rationalization of research themes, the introduction of a new Career System, and strengthened collaborations with Spanish institutions and local partners. Professor Sotomayor reaffirmed INL’s commitment to European initiatives, particularly the European Chips Act, aimed at boosting Europe’s competitiveness and resilience in the semiconductor sector. These developments set a promising foundation for INL’s future. Inmaculada Figueroa, President of the INL Council and representative of the Spanish Secretary of State for Science, Innovation, and Universities, expressed her support for Professor Jório and enthusiasm for INL’s innovative future under his and Professor Sotomayor’s guidance. Professor Madalena Alves, Head of the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology and Vice-President of the INL Council, highlighted the crucial role of new leadership for INL’s strategic success, underscoring the responsibility of all INL members to foster a robust and competitive organisation. Olga […]

Innovative water repellent material to cut waste in the auto industry

A groundbreaking project is underway to develop hydrophobic sleeves for painting robots, aimed at extending their lifespan and reducing waste in the automotive sector. Diana Alves, a researcher at INL – International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, is working in the GreenAuto Agenda, and is working towards the development of super-hydrophobic coatings, specifically tailored for the automotive industry. These coatings possess unique properties that repel water. Instead of spreading, droplets form into spheres and roll off the surface, preventing the accumulation of moisture. Currently, the sleeves need to be regularly replaced, generating non-reusable waste. However, with the addition of superhydrophobic coatings, paint would be repelled, significantly extending the lifespan of the sleeves. Many current solutions for hydrophobic protection depend on PFAS, a group of fluorinated compounds known for their toxicity and environmental persistence. These chemicals degrade very slowly, remaining in the environment for extended periods. Despite their widespread use, the long-lasting nature of PFAS makes them a growing concern for health and environmental safety. To address this issue, Diana Alves and Kolen’ko’s research group are developing an alternative solution using nanomaterials that provide the same superhydrophobic benefits without the use of fluorine-based chemicals. The morphological properties of nanomaterials are engineered to control […]

New quantum computing protocol demonstrated by international research team

A recent breakthrough in photonics-based randomness manipulation has been achieved by a strong collaboration with Ernesto Galvão from INL and scientists from Milan’s Polytechnic and Sapienza University of Rome. The group’s findings were published in the prestigious journal Nature Photonics, where they presented a new protocol known as a Bernoulli factory,demonstrating advanced capabilities in manipulating probability distributions encoded in photonic quantum bits. Ernesto Galvão, group leader at INL, outlines the importance of this research in the broader context of quantum computing. “Quantum computers promise to offer extreme speed-ups for certain computational problems, but actually building them is very challenging, independently of the physical platform used,” he explains. Galvão elaborated on the unique properties of photonic quantum computers, which encode and process information using photons – i.e. particles of light. This encoding can leverage various aspects of light, such as the paths it follows, polarization, arrival time, or its spectrum (colour), making it a highly versatile approach to quantum information processing. “The core functionality demonstrated involves manipulating a probability distribution encoded within these photonic quantum bits. To achieve this, we used a programmable multimode interferometer, which enables the encoding of information based on the paths photons take within the device.”, adds […]

INL Researcher Recognised by the Portuguese Cancer League for Groundbreaking Research

Alexandra Teixeira, a researcher at the International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL), has been awarded the prestigious Liga Inovação 2024 Prize, a distinction promoted by the North Branch of the Portuguese Cancer League (Núcleo Regional do Norte da Liga Portuguesa Contra o Cancro). The award, valued at 7,500 euros, was presented during the 6th National Meeting of Young Researchers (6º Encontro Nacional de Jovens Investigadores – ENJIO) in Porto, where her innovative cancer research project was recognized among 80 competing proposals. Teixeira’s research focuses on the development of advanced technology to better understand the behaviour and metastatic potential of circulating tumour cells (CTCs), which play a critical role in cancer progression. Her work is particularly focused on breast cancer, a condition that affects millions worldwide and is projected to increase in prevalence. By studying CTCs, the project aims to uncover new insights into how cancer spreads, paving the way for more targeted and personalized treatment strategies. The Liga Inovação Prize aims to promote research with the potential to contribute significantly to oncology, particularly in developing personalized medicine approaches for cancer patients. Teixeira’s project aligns with this mission by addressing metastasis, which is responsible for up to 90% of cancer-related deaths. The […]

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