Innovation in Motion with Duarte Mota

What happens when industry expertise meets cutting-edge research? At INL, Duarte Mota, Engineering Lead in the M. Martins Research Group, brings this fusion to life. With a background in Mechanical Engineering, a track record as Director of R&D at Edaetech, and over four years at INL evolving from Research Engineer to team leader, Duarte now drives innovation through the development of advanced mechanical systems, intelligent manufacturing processes, and industry-ready prototypes. In this conversation, he shares key milestones, emerging technologies, and his vision for the future of engineering.

What innovative mechanical systems or production techniques are you currently exploring at INL, and what impact do you hope they will have?
 
The Technology Engineering Group, of which I am a part, has the primary mission of supporting research teams by increasing the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of their projects and facilitating technology transfer to industry. Within this scope, I have been developing projects that integrate innovative mechanical systems across a wide range of application areas. As an example, the integration of power optimized rotary and stackable pinch valves are currently integrated into several projects with several units deployed in various pilot cases.
The establishment of our Manufacturing Workshop, with the introduction of new additive and subtractive manufacturing processes, has enabled the materialization of these projects to be carried out predominantly in-house. 

Your career spans from the automotive industry to advanced research at INL. What key moments or challenges defined this transition?

The years I spent in the automotive industry allowed me to take part in challenging projects and gain knowledge across various engineering disciplines. It is a highly competitive sector that demands continuous learning to stay at the forefront.
My transition to INL came at a time when I was seeking new challenges to further develop professionally. The creation of the Technology Engineering Group (TEG) presented an excellent opportunity to join a multidisciplinary and multicultural team while continuing to work in the field of mechanical engineering within an international research environment. The close collaborations with the other engineering competences at TEG Electronics, software and Artificial intelligence is giving me the opportunity to engage with state-of-the-art technologies.

How do you see technologies like high-power fibre lasers and additive manufacturing driving change in engineering and production processes?
 
High-power fibre lasers and additive manufacturing are significantly transforming engineering and production processes by increasing precision, flexibility, and efficiency. Fiber lasers enable faster, cleaner, and more energy-efficient material processing, which is especially valuable in cutting, welding, and surface treatment applications. Their high reliability and low maintenance also contribute to reduced operational costs. Additive manufacturing, on the other hand, is redefining design possibilities by allowing complex geometries and lightweight structures that are difficult or impossible to achieve with traditional methods. It accelerates prototyping, shortens development cycles, and supports on-demand production with less material waste.

From my perspective, the introduction of ultra-short pulsed lasers, such as femtosecond and picosecond lasers, represents a major breakthrough in material processing. Their ability to machine with extreme precision and minimal thermal impact opens new possibilities for working with delicate or advanced materials that were previously challenging to process. I see these lasers as a key enabler for innovation in areas like microfabrication, medical devices, and photonics, where maintaining material integrity and achieving fine features are critical. Their growing role in industry highlights the shift toward more controlled, high-performance manufacturing solutions.  

What are the next big breakthroughs or challenges you anticipate in mechanical engineering and system design, and how is INL positioned to address them?

One of the next major breakthroughs in mechanical engineering and system design will be the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) to support design, optimization, and decision-making processes. The application of AI has the potential to significantly reduce response times and increase process efficiency by enabling real-time analysis, predictive modelling, and data-driven adjustments throughout the design and development cycle. Emerging software tools powered by AI are also transforming how engineers approach complex problems, allowing for faster iterations and more informed decisions.
INL is well positioned to lead in this transformation. Our Engineering Group benefits from a multidisciplinary team that combines mechanical design expertise with strong AI and data science capabilities, fostering innovation at the intersection of physical systems and digital intelligence. This forward-thinking environment enables INL to adapt to future technological changes and challenges in system design and intelligent manufacturing. 

Whether it’s pushing the boundaries of material processing with femtosecond lasers or enabling seamless technology transfer through in-house manufacturing, Duarte Mota exemplifies how engineering leadership can accelerate scientific impact. As INL continues to expand its capabilities in AI-driven design and smart systems integration, Duarte’s cross-sector experience and forward-thinking mindset are paving the way for a more efficient, responsive, and collaborative future in engineering.

Interview and Photography by Gina Palha, Communication, Conferences & Marketing Officer