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Exploring two dimensional magnets with quantum tunnelling

A team of scientist from MIT, NIMS in Japan, Iowa State University and INL, have fabricated a new type of magnetic tunnel junctions where the tunnel barrier is made of a newly discovered two-dimensional magnet. This permits them to probe the magnetic properties of this new material and unveil unknown aspects of its magnetic behaviour. In addition, the devices present a very large magnetoresistance, the variation of electrical resistance upon application of magnetic fields, that forms the basis to many applications. J. Fernández-Rossier, from INL, said that “these experiments, take advantage of electron tunnelling across these magnetic materials to explore magnons”. These findings have been reported in the prestigious journal Science, edited by the American Association for the Advancement of Science, on May 3, 2018. Read the full article here.

KET4CleanProduction OPEN CALLS for SMEs

>> OPEN CALLS for SMEs << KET4CleanProduction is the new program tailored to support Manufacturing SMEs to tackle clean production challenges. The program’s Micro Grants aim to integrate Key Enabling Technologies in small businesses to promote the efficient use of resources, minimise environmental impact and increase business profitability and competitiveness. Selected SMEs will have access to technology services and facilities for clean production innovation through a premier Network of Technology Centres. About the MicroGrants: Scope: Micro Grants are offered for cross-border cooperation projects between small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and minimum 2 KET technology centres (KET TCs), which aim to integrate key enabling technologies (KET) to solve clean production challenges. Call Opening: 1st June 2018 Call Closing: 29th April 2020, 17:00 CET Cut-off dates: 8 cut-off days at 17:00 CET on 31st July 2018, 31st October 2018, 31st January 2019, 30th April 2019, 31st July 2019, 31st October 2019, 31st January 2020, 30th April 2020 Expected Duration of a micro-grant project: up to 6 months Maximum amount of financial support for each third party: EUR 50.000 (provided as lump sum). A micro-grant covers 70% of the total project costs. The remaining 30% have to be provided by the applicant SME […]

INL takes part in the EuroNanoLab’s consortium

Portugal, Spain, Italy and the Czech Republic have created the EuroNanoLab consortium, an initiative to establish a large-scale distributed nanofabrication research infrastructure and expertise to increase the quality, efficiency and relevance of European basic research within nanotechnology. In Europe, there are at least seventy European university nanofabrication centres of large or medium size, which develop their know-how without any real coordination. Conscious of this dispersion, several European countries have already created national networks of academic cleanrooms to foster collaboration at the national level. This consortium currently includes 26 academic clean rooms, representing a total value of 1.5 billion euros and will be distributed on a European scale and will be able to develop a common strategy and support major European programs such as the Graphene, Human Brain or Quantum Flagships, as well as major European programs. which will undoubtedly emerge later. For more information on the project visit the EuroNanoLab website. Latest news regarding the EuroNanoLab project.

INL Researcher Marta Prado interview to “Faro de Vigo”

An interview of Marta Prado (Food Quality and Safety Research Group leader) was published by Faro de Vigo, the main newspaper of Vigo (Spain) and one of the most important newspapers in Galicia, last Sunday, May 20th. The article is part of a series of interviews with Galicians working on prominent institutions abroad. Marta talked about her career and the work of her research group with interesting applications for the food industry. She highlighted the impact that research made at INL can have on society, the international nature of INL and the importance of articulating research in nanotechnology for society and industry. Marta Prado also mentioned the different programs running at INL for artistic residences, school visits, the Scientific Social Responsibility initiative “Mission Nerd” and INL as a startup incubator among others. Read the interview here.

Nature Communications: Sodium enhances indium-gallium interdiffusion in copper indium gallium diselenide photovoltaic absorbers

Research led by the University of Luxembourg investigated the manufacturing process of solar cells. The researchers proved that assumptions on chemical processes that were commonplace among researchers and producers for the past 20 years are, in fact, inaccurate. The physicists, among them Diego Colombara from INL, published their findings in the renowned scientific journal Nature Communications. Read the full article here.

FODIAC Kick-Off Meeting April 13

FODIAC – Food for Diabetes and Cognition, a scientific research project funded by the European Union, kicked-off at INL last April 13 with the presence of all the entities that form the consortium. In the next four years, several organisations from Portugal, Spain, Italy, United Kingdom and Sweden will develop an integrative dietary solution to tackle type 2 diabetes and mitigate the cognitive dysfunction among the elderly population. Funded by European Funds under the Marie Curie Actions, the project comprises a total of 15 academic and business partners: – INL; – University of Minho; – Universidade Católica Portuguesa; – Universitá Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (Milan, Italy); – University of Reading (Reading, UK); – Lunds Universitet (Lund, Sweden); – CSIC – Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (Spain); – SONAE, Anfaco, A&R House, Bioinicia, Casa Emma, Decorgel, DomusVi and Evra). Lorenzo Pastrana, Head Department of Life Sciences at INL, describes the project as “a program that aims to help improve the quality of life of people over 60 years of age, who are often affected by various diseases, diabetes and cognitive dysfunctions among the most prevalent.“

INL launches NOURISH program to support SME’s

The INL – International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory announced a new program called NOURISH, to promote scientific-based knowledge transfer to the industry, that will support four projects with up to 60.000,00€ each in prototyping services at INL premises. The announcement was made before an audience of 200 companies’ representatives during the Knowledge Open Day – Industry @ INL, jointly promoted by IAPMEI – Agency for Competitiveness and Innovation, and INL, last 10th of April 2018, in Braga. Essentially, NOURISH is a call for innovative projects, which already demonstrated to be feasible and have the potential for rapid prototyping with nanotechnology playing a relevant role. This initiative is open to small and medium enterprises (SME) or start-ups based in Portugal who wants to deliver projects in Portuguese territory. The applications can be made immediately, and the evaluation dates are the 31st of May, 18th of October and, finally, the 19th of February, 2019. This project is financed by European Union Funds, through Compete2020 and is part of INL strategy to be a worldwide partner for business and innovation.

INL celebrates new partnership with Macau University research institute

INL – International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory signed this Monday, 5th of March, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at Macau University with the internationally top-rated State Key Laboratory of Analog and Mixed-Signal. According to INL General Director, Professor Lars Montelius, “this collaboration will strengthen INL offer since the State Key Lab knowledge and research is complimentary to INL. This collaboration will enable us to introduce a new level of signal processing for sensors, within the Internet of Things, and biomedical devices, to name a few”. The present agreement follows another MoU celebrated in Hong Kong last Friday, 2nd of March, with ASTRI – Applied Science and Technology Research Institute, for the creation of a joint Innovation Laboratory. These initiatives aim to strengthen INL presence in the Asian continent, opening doors to scientific cooperation and new business opportunities to INL clients.

INL creates Research and Technology Development hub in Hong Kong

INL – International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory and ASTRI, a governmentally funded Hong Kong Research and Technology Organization, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) which allows INL to install a research hub dedicated to Nanotechnology in this Chinese territory, and provide INL customers with easier access to the Chinese market. Following the Signature Ceremony, this Friday 2nd. Of March, in Hong Kong, INL General Director, Professor Lars Montelius, underlined the relevance of this agreement for “INL growth strategy which includes the establishment of an INL Network made of hubs and regional memberships” also stressing “the importance of international collaborations and joining forces in order to be able to address the large societal questions of today taking advantage of the possibilities opened by Nanotechnology. This is, in fact, the primary reason for the hubs and networks INL is creating across the globe”. Over the last two years, INL established eight regional representations in Scandinavia, Brussels, Israel, Dubai, Shanghai, Austin, Boston, and now Hong Kong, where it was created the “INL – ASTRI Innovation Laboratory”. The MoU now signed with ASTRI gives INL access to the Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, where several other international companies are located, creating the chance […]