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INL team develops sensor to detect multidrug-resistant bacteria

A research team at INL is using ionizing light to “smell” volatile compounds emitted by multidrug-resistant bacteria. Antibiotic resistance is a serious global threat with widespread implications, contributing to an estimated 5 million deaths annually due to drug-resistant infections. This occurs as bacteria evolve to resist the effects of antibiotics, leading to new bacterial strains that are resistant to treatment. As a result, infections become harder to treat, increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness, and death. Recently, this work was featured in ‘90 Segundos de Ciência’, a series of science communication episodes with daily broadcasts on Antena 1 Portuguese public radio. In this episode, Research Engineer Susana Costa explains INL’s contribution towards this exciting project in just 90 seconds (in Portuguese). The novel sensor is being designed to detect multidrug-resistant bacteria in hospital environments and healthcare facilities. Susana Costa explains that “the photo-ionization sensor employs a sophisticated mechanism that emits light, targeting gaseous molecules released by bacteria present in the air. When the light interacts with these molecules, it ionizes them, creating ions and electrons. These electrons, under the influence of an electric field, generate an electric current, which is then measured by the system”. The technology behind […]

European Researchers’ Night 2024: a celebration of science for global challenges this Friday

The European Researchers’ Night (ERN) returns this year on September 27, 2024, uniting science enthusiasts across Europe for an unforgettable evening of discovery, innovation, and community engagement. Promoted by the European Commission since 2005, this annual event aims to bring science closer to citizens and highlight its role in addressing some of the world’s biggest challenges. As part of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, ERN 2024 will take place in over 30 countries and 300 cities, including key locations in Portugal: Braga, Coimbra, Lisbon, and Évora. The event, themed “Science for Global Challenges”, will focus on connecting the general public, particularly students, with important scientific research and knowledge aimed at tackling global issues like environmental protection, economic growth, and social fairness. Connecting Society with Science The European Researchers’ Night is more than just a celebration; it serves as a bridge between society and the scientific community. By reaching out to students and the public, ERN2024 aims to increase awareness of the vital role science plays in everyday life and inspire the next generation of scientists. This year’s theme emphasises how scientific research can be a powerful tool for addressing global challenges—from climate change to social inequality. ERN2024 aims to show why by helping students, educators, and communities understand the relevance of scientific research in tackling real-world problems. At […]

SPMicros2024 Conference: Advancing Microscopy in Materials and Life Sciences

The Portuguese Microscopy Society (SPMicros) hosted its annual conference, SPMicros2024, on September 13th, bringing together experts from across Portugal. The event focused on the latest breakthroughs in microscopy within Materials Science and Life Science, providing a platform for knowledge sharing and networking among researchers, students, and industry professionals. Two notable invited talks highlighted the event: Materials Science Talk with with Daniela Gomes, Assistant Professor at NOVA FCT, Department of Materials Science, CENIMAT/I3N, she explored how advanced microscopy is revolutionizing the study of materials at the nanoscale, revealing new properties and innovations; and the Life Sciences Talk with Antonio Pedro Matos, Egas Moniz Center for Interdisciplinary Research, he discussed the enduring relevance of conventional electron microscopy in modern life science research, showing how past techniques are still vital in solving today’s challenges. SPMicros would like to thank all participants for making SPMicros2024 a success. Your contributions, whether through presentations or participation, were essential in fostering meaningful discussions and advancing microscopy research in Portugal. We look forward to continuing this journey together and seeing you at future events. + Check the full gallery here Text and Photography by Gina Palha, Communication, Conferences & Marketing Officer

Highlights from CMD31 Conference and INL’s Contributions

The European Society of Physics, an organisation dedicated to advancing the understanding of physics across Europe, encompasses various specialised divisions, including the Condensed Matter Division (CMD). This division is renowned for its biennial international conference, which became annual after the COVID pandemic but will return to a two-year schedule, with the next event scheduled for 2026. This year’s CMD31 conference, held from September 2-6, 2024, took place at Forum Braga, Portugal. The event was organised in collaboration with the Portuguese Society of Physics, marking a significant partnership between the two institutions. With over 900 participants, the five-day international conference brought together leading minds in condensed matter physics and materials physics, addressing various topics including quantum physics, superconductivity, magnetism, and biophysics. The CMD-General Conference is structured to accommodate a diverse set of discussions and presentations. The 2024 edition featured four plenary and ten semi-plenary lectures delivered by internationally recognised scientists. The CMD31 program was further enriched by forty-eight “bottom-up” mini-colloquia, which allowed attendees to split into smaller, focused sessions in the afternoons. These parallel sessions covered a wide range of contemporary issues in condensed matter physics, proposed by the participants themselves. Additionally, a special session was dedicated to the Europhysics Prize […]

Nanotechnology as a strategy for plastics in a circular economy

In a world increasingly conscious of environmental impact, industries that rely heavily on plastic materials face significant challenges. Plastics can be found in everything from packaging to consumer electronics. However, the environmental consequences of plastic waste are driving the sector towards a much-needed transformation. The European strategy for plastics in a circular economy embraces an ambitious approach to enhance the recyclability of plastic packaging and provides a strong response to the issue of microplastics, a major contributor to marine pollution. The current design, production, use, and disposal of plastics have harmful effects on our society, economy, and environment. Supported by the EU, projects such as FlexFunction2Sustain and Convert2Green are creating a sustainable open innovation ecosystem. This ecosystem helps small industries bring innovative products to market faster, with a focus on new polymer formulations, such as bio-based and biodegradable plastics. INL researcher Victor Souza explains that their lab is developing “sustainable, smart products that can drastically reduce the environmental footprint of industries that rely on plastics.” The goal is to make these materials both high-performing and eco-friendly. Pastrana’s group is addressing the challenge of plastic waste by developing nano-functionalised flexible plastic and paper materials. Victor explains, “At INL, we are working […]

Inl Global Local Photonics Meetup

On November 13th and 14th, INL joined the global initiative Photonics Online Meetup (POM) as a POM-hub, bringing together 100 photonics enthusiasts from 24 organizations across Northwestern Iberia for two days of insightful discussions and engaging sessions. The conference was broadcast from the auditorium, while the lobby provided a platform for networking and socializing. The event was attended by representatives from various academic institutions, including the University of Minho, University of Porto, University of Aveiro, University of Vigo, University of Santiago de Compostela, University of Coimbra, University of Lisbon, FCT NOVA Lisbon, as well as representatives from local photonics-related industries and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). There were 42 poster submissions, and the best poster prize included student registration for the conference AOP2024 and the opportunity to be featured in the program as an invited speaker, sponsored by the Sociedade Portuguesa de Óptica e Fotónica. This event was sponsored by MT Brandão Lda and Izasa Scientific.

Revolutionising micro optics: INL researchers develop open-source software for advanced design and modelling

INL researchers, in collaboration with Bosch Car Multimedia and Bosch Security Systems, recently published an article on Computer Physics Communications, where they introduce a new open-source Python software that democratises the design and modelling of micro optical elements and flat optics. Micro optics can replace bulky traditional optics with sleek, micro and nanostructured alternatives, enabling more advanced optical functions. These components, produced with semiconductor microfabrication techniques, require precise binary or multilevel lithography masks to translate computed designs into physical components. However, no existing tool offers a complete solution for designing, simulating, and generating these masks – until now. INL researchers developed an open-source software package to fill this gap, by providing an end-to-end solution that allows users to design, simulate, and generate lithography masks for micro optical elements. João Cunha, a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellow at INL, explains “with this new development it is possible to create masks directly from your desired optical functions, and export them as binary or multilevel lithography files (such as GDSII and DXF) compatible with standard microfabrication tools.” “This package addressed the challenge of producing surface relief diffractive optics by discretisation of continuous topographies into mask layers, required for specific micro and nanofabrication approaches, such […]

FUNLAYERS SUMMER SCHOOL

Training on Nanoscale Characterization and Analysis + Workshop on Transferable Skills In September, FUNLAYERS promotes a four-day initiative focused on Nanoscale Characterization and Analysis. The initiative is focused on students and early-stage researchers in nanoscience and materials science, and covers a wide range of subjects – from the basics to in-depth theoretical background and lab visits. The comprehensive programme is complemented by an insightful Workshop on Transferable Skills that will explore relevant competencies in communication, management, business, networking, and others. More information and registration link available at funlayersproject.eu/summer-school-2024

Advanced electron microscopy to investigate magnetic layered materials

In a recent study published in Nature Communications, INL researchers Loukya Boddapati and Francis Leonard Deepak, along with an international team from Korea, Spain, the U.S., and the U.K., used cutting-edge electron microscopy, including low-temperature Cryo-TEM, to explore the structural phase transitions of CrI₃. CrI₃ is a novel magnetic material which has attracted significant attention for its unique ferromagnetic properties and potential applications in spintronics. The stacking configurations in van der Waals crystals significantly influence several material properties. Previous research has shown that stacking engineering is a powerful method for achieving desired properties through layer-by-layer crystal engineering. Controlling the twist angle between artificially stacked two-dimensional (2D) materials has led to the discovery of unconventional phenomena, ranging from superconductivity to strongly correlated magnetism. This study clarifies the complex relationship between these transitions and the material’s magnetic properties. In this study, cross-sectional TEM analysis was used to identify interlayer stacking disorders in CrI3. According to Francis Leonard Deepak, “the study provides evidence of twisted stacking faults in CrI₃ and reveals changes in the relative population of twisted domains, without the anticipated transition to the rhombohedral phase at low temperatures”. “These findings underscore the importance of understanding layer-dependent stacking order and magnetic properties […]