Title: Cat4GtL – Continuous Catalytic reactor for the Gas-to-Liquid process using NETmix technology

Project Description: The valorization of natural gas through Gas-to-Liquids technology plays an essential role in the transport industry. This project combines catalyst development and reactor design to efficiently produce synthetic fuels of superior quality using a continuous Fischer-Tropsch process.Gas-to-Liquids (GtL) processes that convert natural gas or other gaseous hydrocarbons (HC) into longer-chain liquid hydrocarbons (LHC) (e.g., jet fuel, gasoline or diesel), will be in the near future a decisive alternative to oil refining. These synthetic fuels can be processed into fuels of superior quality compared to those obtained by oil refining, leading to a significant reduction in emission of particles, NOx, SOx, and aromatics to levels lower than those found in oil-based fuels. These synthetic fuels are considered environmentally friendlier than fossil alternatives, and their production contributes to the carbon circular economy.

Start Date: 01 September 2020
End Date: 30 June 2023
Type: PROJETOS DE I&DT EMPRESAS EM COPROMOÇÃO
Contract Number: POCI-01-0247-FEDER-069953
Funding Agency: COMPETE
Funding Programme: PT2020
INL Role: Partner (Participant Contact: Cristiana Alves; Patrícia Sousa)
Budget Total: € 2.150.308,72
Budget INL: € 440.247,13

Partners:

• Associação NET4CO2 – Network for a Sustainable CO2 Economy (CoLAB)
• Galp Exploração e Produção Petrolífera, S.A.
• Universidade Nova de Lisboa
• Universidade do Porto

Title: SERS4COVID19 – Developing a portable SERS chip for point-of-care analysis of virus-specific nucleic acid

Project Description: Current qPCR technique for analyzing virus-specific nucleic acid usually takes 1.5-2 hours and requires trained personnel to operate. The project is aiming to reduce the detection time to 30-40 min by using the ultrasensitive SERS technique, while simplifying the operation by leaving out the process of target amplification. Integrated into a microfluidic platform, the SERS chip is expected to provide a new tool for POC COVID-19 disease diagnosis.

Start Date: 01 June 2020
End Date: 31 August 2020
Type: APOIO ESPECIAL RESEARCH4COVID1-9
Contract Number: 172_596849991
Funding Agency: FCT Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia
INL Role: Coordinator (Participant Contact: Lei Wu)
Budget Total: € 30.000,00
Budget INL: € 24.400,00

Partners:

• INSTITUTO PORTUGUES DE ONCOLOGIA DO PORTO FRANCISCO GENTIL, EPE

Title: LAMP – LAMP-Light in the diagnosis of COVID-19

Project Description: SARS‐CoV‐2 virus is rapidly spreading. The standard to detect it is RT‐qPCR, but the method is lengthy and needs expensive equipment. In this project we will develop a SARS‐CoV‐2 detection methodology based on RT‐LAMP. The technique has a fast turnaround time, does not need specialized equipment, and detection can be performed by naked‐eye. Thus the proposed method has great potential to enhance diagnostics throughput, reduce time of analysis, and improve implementation of appropriate measures.

Start Date: 01 June 2020
End Date: 31 August 2020
Type: APOIO ESPECIAL RESEARCH4COVID1-9
Contract Number: 165_596847607
Funding Agency: FCT Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia
INL Role: Coordinator (Participant Contact: Alejandro Garrido)
Budget Total: € 29.268,11
Budget INL: € 23.886,11

Partners:

• INSTITUTO PORTUGUES DE ONCOLOGIA DO PORTO FRANCISCO GENTIL, EPE

Title: Charm – Supported Covalent Organic Frameworks for the Monitoring of Pharmaceutical Pollutants

Project Description: Hazardous compounds are found in water with increasing frequency, raising concerns about their negative effects on both aquatic ecosystems and human health. Waste from different sources, e.g. urban areas, agriculture, industry, and other human activities, affects the quality of water resources on a global scale. Some organic pollutants are highly persistent to conventional wastewater treatment and end up in water bodies worldwide. In Portugal, pharmaceutical pollutants have been found at high levels in both Tagus estuary and the Guadiana river basin at even μg/L concentrations. Recently, development of antibiotic resistance was correlated to the presence of antibiotics in the groundwater. In this regard, efficient, selective, and recyclable materials for the monitoring and treatment of pharmaceutical pollutants are urgently needed.

To address this need, we recently demonstrated for the first time that covalent organic frameworks (COFs), crystalline purely organic nanoporous networks, can be used for the extraction of pharmaceutical pollutants from natural water samples. Compared with state-of-the-art solid-phase extraction (SPE) method, the COF was able to adsorb most of the pharmaceuticals recovered by the SPE without sample pre-treatment by acidification, highlighting the suitability of COFs for in situ monitoring of these pollutants. More importantly, our study revealed that nearly half of the pharmaceuticals recovered by the SPE standard method were underestimated, stressing the need to develop materials that can target specific groups of pharmaceutical compounds with high efficiency.

Therefore, the main goal of Charm is to design and prepare high-performance COF nanomaterials for the extraction of pharmaceutical pollutants and to demonstrate their efficiency in the natural environment. Our interdisciplinary team comprises International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL), with expertise in the preparation and application of COFs for the capture of hazardous compounds from water as well as preparation of composite nanomaterials; the Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre at the University of Lisbon (MARE), with extensive experience in the monitoring of pharmaceuticals in water; and the University of Aveiro (UA), experts in computations of COF structures and properties and ssNMR to understand interactions between sorbents and adsorbed molecules.

Start Date: 01 January 2022
End Date: 31 December 2024
Type: Projetos de IC&DT em Todos os Domínios Científicos – 2021
Contract Number: PTDC/QUI-OUT/2095/2021
Funding Agency: FCT Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia
Funding Programme: Projetos de Investigação Científica e Desenvolvimento Tecnológico (IC&DT)
INL Role: Coordinator (Participant Contact: Laura Salonen)
Budget Total: € 249.783,15
Budget INL: € 173.286,85

Partners:

• FCIÊNCIAS.ID – ASSOCIAÇÃO PARA A INVESTIGAÇÃO E DESENVOLVIMENTO DE CIÊNCIAS
• UNIVERSIDADE DE AVEIRO

Title: Add2MechBio – Development of a Diamond Photonic Platform to assess connectivity in neuronal cell models

Project Description: Add2MechBio project intends to design and fabricate innovative implants for orthopedic applications. Gathering an additive manufacturing technology for the necessary fabrication freedom with a true understanding of the effect of mechanical loading on bone cells mechanisms (mechanobiology), this project intends to fill an existing gap on commercial implants – the need to foresee the necessary stress/strain to effectively stimulate the host bone and elicit a biological response close to that found in natural bones.

This project aims to study the influence of mechanical loading on bone cells around endosseous implants, in order to avoid bone loss and implants loosening. Different stress/strain conditions, namely shear, tensile and compression will be applied on mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) cultured on metallic substrates. Different stress/strain conditions will be tested, from replicating current implantation scenarios to novel approaches, to closer-to-physiological (natural bone) ones. For all these cases, MSC proliferation, differentiation into bone cell types and finally these bone cells long term maintenance will be evaluated. After a fundamental study on the preferred stress/strain conditions (type of tension, strain magnitude and frequency), hip and knee implants that convert physiological loading into osteogenic-stimulating stress/strain conditions will be designed. Different architectures (including novel auxetic structures) will be explored for the cross-section of the implant and for the surface of the implant. Additive manufacturing (AM) will be used to manufacture the designed components (for characterization, testing and validation), namely Selective Laser Melting (SLM) due to this technology versatility, allowing a high design freedom once it allows obtaining intricate geometries and small features, joining UN Goal 9 – Industry, innovation and infrastructure, by betting on a cutting-edge technology with the ability to revolutionize the implants industry.

After a comprehensive characterization, testing and validation, it is this team aim that Add2MechBio main outcome is fulfilled by having developed effective engineering solutions for hip and knee implants, aiming to reduce their failure and thus contributing to UN Goal 3 – Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. Covering from mechanobiology to implants design, manufacturing and characterization, Add2MechBio brings together four teams with extremely complementary backgrounds: CMEMS-UMinho with expertise on additive manufacturing fabrication and titanium alloys processing; Aalto University, with large know-how on numerical simulation of materials and structures and their interaction with biological systems; INL (International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory), an international key player acting on the development of novel solutions for health, here with particular intervention of the Cell Mechanics Laboratory, dedicated to understand the mechanical forces driving cell proliferation and differentiation and CICECO/UAVEIRO, the largest national Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) institute in Portugal, experts in materials in-depth characterization.

Start Date: 29 March 2021
End Date: 28 March 2024
Type: Projetos de IC&DT em Todos os Domínios Científicos – 2020
Contract Number: PTDC/EME-EME/1442/2020
Funding Agency: FCT Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia
Funding Programme: Projetos de Investigação Científica e Desenvolvimento Tecnológico (IC&DT)
INL Role: Coordinator (Participant Contact: Paulo Freitas)
Budget Total: € 250.000,00
Budget INL: € 61.250,00

Partners:

• UNIVERSIDADE DO MINHO
• UNIVERSIDADE DE AVEIRO

Title: QUEST2D – Excitations in Quantum 2D Materials

Project Description: Materials whose electronic properties are governed by emergent quantum electronic phenomena, such as topological insulators, Mott insulators, unconventional superconductors and2D magnets fall into the broad label of Quantum Materials. In this project we will study collective excitations, such as magnons, paramagnons, excitons, plasmons in two dimensional(2D) quantum materials of two types: 2D crystals with either magnetic order, such as CrI3, oxychlorides, and Fe2GeTe3, or superconducting order, such as NbSe2, and Van der Waals heterostructures combining them both with each other and with other 2D crystals such as graphene and transition metal dichalcogenides.

The study of collective excitations is of paramount importance for two reasons. First, collective excitations govern the response of these materials to experimental probes, and arethus essential to turn experimental data into physical insight about the materials. Second, collective excitations behave as quasiparticles that can be used to store and carryinformation, both classical and quantum, providing a platform for advanced technologies, and can also be the glue for superconducting pairing.

In this project we address, from the theory standpoint, several open questions in the field of 2D crystals that feature either magnetic or superconducting order, as well their Van- der-Waals heterostructures. In all cases, hybridization between different classes the collective modes plays a crucial role and requires to go beyond the state of the art methods. We consider two types of hybridization. In 2D crystals with strong spin-orbit coupling or strong magneto-dichroism, the spin response function is coupled to the charge and optical response functions. The second type of hybridization studied here occurs in Van der Waals heterostructures that bring different 2D crystals. In both cases, the standard approximation of treating the spin, charge and optical response functions as decoupled objects fails.

Start Date: 01 January 2022
End Date: 31 December 2024
Type: Projetos de IC&DT em Todos os Domínios Científicos – 2021
Contract Number: PTDC/FIS-MAC/2045/2021
Funding Agency: FCT Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia
Funding Programme: Projetos de Investigação Científica e Desenvolvimento Tecnológico (IC&DT)
INL Role: Coordinator (Participant Contact: Joaquín Rossier)
Budget Total: € 249.133,40
Budget INL: € 181.219,45

Partners:

– UNIVERSIDADE DO MINHO

Title: Design-Solar – Designing superior CIGSe solar cells through understanding and controlling growth

Project Description: Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGSe) solar cells are the best performing stable alternative to mainstream Si photovoltaics, with the best performing CIGSe solar cells grown using complex multi-stage processes. To further increase their power conversion efficiency, a detailed understanding of the materials properties during deposition and operation is required. To improve this understanding we will be performing in-situ experiments following several key areas in the chain to form ideal CIGSe solar cells. First we will focus on the microstructural processes that occur during the multi-stage deposition, studying the phase transformations, defect formation and annihilation, and elemental segregation. The second key part of the process we will study is the structural and diffusion processes at grain boundaries during their electronic passivation (including the role of heavy alkali elements). Finally we will study the effects of electromigration during solar cell operation in typical operational conditions in solar cells. These studies will be carried out via electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Raman, and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy. The knowledge gained within the project will build the basis to further optimize deposition processes, ultimately leading to improved performance of CIGSe solar cells.

Start Date: 01 January 2022
End Date: 31 December 2024
Type: Projetos de IC&DT em Todos os Domínios Científicos – 2021
Contract Number: PTDC/CTM-CTM/2241/2021
Funding Agency: FCT Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia
Funding Programme: Projetos de Investigação Científica e Desenvolvimento Tecnológico (IC&DT)
INL Role: Coordinator (Participant Contact: Alec LaGrow)
Budget Total: € 249.649,47
Budget INL: € 180.222,42

Title: TARGET – TerAheRtz Graphene fET

Project Description: Infrared (IR) and particularly terahertz (THz) technologies has seen a significantly increase recently. Main applications of this technology include imaging in astronomy, spectroscopic techniques, detection of explosives, security screening, larger broadband wireless data communication, dry food inspection, biosensors devices, new cancer treatments, etc. THz region of electromagnetic spectrum was often described as the final unexplored area of the electromagnetic wave spectrum. The main reason for this is the lack of compact and room-temperature THz sources powerful enough to obtain practical realization of the applications of these submilimeter waves. Our objective is to develop next-generation THz emitters that can operate at room conditions, miniaturized, easy-to-operate, and capable of integration with other devices. We propose a new on-chip THz emitter based on graphene field effect transistor using two geometries. Our partner team at IPFN proposes a pioneering scheme for the generation of coherent THz emission in a graphene FET (GFET), arising from the Dyakonov-Shur plasmonic instability. This opens the possibility for the development of an all-electric, low-consumption stimulated THz laser (THL), capable of operating at room temperature. Particularly, graphene is widely recognized as an ideal platform for strong light-matter interactions due to its excellent plasmonic response in the mid to THz spectral range. Our team at INL holds a large experience in growth, characterization and fabrication of GFET using revolutionizing 2D materials. For further and extremely sensitive optical characterization of the fabricated devices we count with our partner from University of Texas Mid-IR Photonics group, led by Prof. Dan Wasserman. The group has established extensive characterization capabilities for measuring long wavelength light, using state-of-the-art detectors. This will ensure ultrasensitive characterization of the GFET devices, extraordinary signal-to-noise ratio and high-spectral-resolution data over a wide spectral range. The synergy from present institutions – INL, IPFN and UT Austin – can engage in developing cutting-edge research for prototype deployment and transfer to address society’s demands. We believe this technology would change the state-of-art of current THz emitters and broaden applications in many fields.

Start Date: 18 August 2020
End Date: 15 November 2021
Type: Projetos Exploratórios no âmbito do Programa UTAustin Portugal – 2019
Contract Number: UTA-EXPL/NPN/0038/2019
Funding Agency: FCT Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia
Funding Programme: Projetos de Investigação Científica e Desenvolvimento Tecnológico (IC&DT)
INL Role: Coordinator (Participant Contact: Alexandre Chícharo)
Budget Total: € 49.941,7
Budget INL: € 45.441,61

Partners:

• INSTITUTO SUPERIOR TÉCNICO

Title: COFforH2 – Covalent organic frameworks as artificial metalloenzymes for hydrogen activation

Project Description: Hydrogen, H2, is an attractive energy source due to its high enthalpy of combustion and innocuous side products. Nature’s hydrogen economy solution is already taking advantage of this molecule as energy source in the form of hydrogenase enzymes, which are involved in complex chemical pathways, such as conversion of CO2 to methane and nitrate to nitrogen. To realize these transformations, the enzymes rely on biologically available metal ions, iron and nickel. However, the industry often depends on platinum to catalyse hydrogenation reactions. Therefore, learning from the hydrogenase enzymes could provide alternatives for critical metals in catalysis as well as result in catalysts with enhanced activity functioning at ambient temperature and pressure.

In this project we will draw inspiration from nature’s low-carbon solution by developing artificial enzymes from nanomaterials, nanozymes, for H2 activation. The materials will be based on covalent organic frameworks (COFs), which are crystalline nanoporous networks formed by self-assembly of purely organic building blocks. These materials offer an exceptional opportunity of design with atomic precision combined with high thermal and chemical stability, making them excellent candidates for nanozymatic conversions. Whereas the use of natural enzymes for large-scale production of chemicals is hindered by their high cost, narrow range of conditions in which they can be used, and low recyclability, our biomimetic nanozymes could function as stable and recyclable heterogeneous catalysts.

Start Date: 1 November 2020
End Date: 31 October 2021
Type: Projetos Exploratórios no âmbito do Programa UTAustin Portugal – 2019
Contract Number: UTA-EXPL/NPN/0055/2019
Funding Agency: FCT Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia
Funding Programme: Projetos de Investigação Científica e Desenvolvimento Tecnológico (IC&DT)
INL Role: Coordinator (Participant Contact: Laura Salonen)
Budget Total: € 49.760,85
Budget INL: € 49.760,85

Title: MSenOoC – Multiplexed micro(bio)sensors array integrated into an organ-on-a-chip device for assessing cancer NANOtherapy

Project Description: Imagine a new technology that has the ability to precisely monitor and predict the therapeutic effect of chemotherapy drugs in the human body. MSenOoC aims to provide this
breakthrough vison, defining a revolutionary microtechnology-based strategy for a targeted and personalized cancer treatment. MSenOoC focuses in the development of a microfluidic multiOoC system with integrated sensing arrays that enable a precise monitoring of the transient and long-term response of the cellular microenvironment, resulting in the prediction of the therapeutic effect of the novel drugs delivered.
This project benefits from the synergies between University of Minho (UMinho), the International Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL) and International Biodevices Eng. Lab. From Tohoku University, Japan.

Start Date: 17/01/2022
End Date: 16/01/2025
Type: Projetos de IC&DT em Todos os Domínios Científicos – 2021
Contract Number: PTDC/EEI-EEE/2846/2021
Funding Agency: FCT Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia
Funding Programme: Projetos de Investigação Científica e Desenvolvimento Tecnológico (IC&DT)
INL Role: Partner (Participant Contact: Patrícia Sousa)
Budget Total: € 249.948,08
Budget INL: € 62.539,96

Title: JumpIN – HiJacking the peripheral neurons retrograde trafficking machinery to deliver neuroprotective Molecules to sPinalcord InterNeurons

Project Description: With 500k new cases worldwide/year spinal cord injury (SCI) carries substantial individual and societal costs. The number of surviving neurons surrounding the injury site can contribute to functional gains as a result of a neuroplastic response. Spinal interneurons (IN) have been identified as key players in neuroplasticity and are defined as important therapeutic targets aiming to promote spinal repair and regeneration. Neuronal growth factors, particularly brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), have shown the capacity to rescue neurons following an injury. This project aims to develop efficient multi-tactical nanosystems to deliver messenger BDNF RNA and promote repair and regeneration following an SCI. The tetanus toxin (TeTx) enters the peripheral nervous system (PNS) and migrates by retrograde axonal transport to the CNS reaching IN. In JumpIN we will take advantage of the features of TeTx, to be able to deliver neurotherapeutics to the CNS via minimally invasive peripheral administration. It is expected that iTeTx will confer to the nanosystem the capacity to 1) be specifically internalized by peripheral neurons following intramuscular injection, 2) ‘hijack’ the retrograde trafficking machinery of axons and 3) reach IN (CNS) in a cell-specific manner. Micro/Nanotechnology and bioimaging tools will be explored to optimize and assess the performance of the NS. These will include the use of a) atomic force microscopy in the screening of targeting strategies to specific cells and tissues; b) light-sheet microscopy for in vivo tracking of the nanosystem mode of action and nerve regeneration monitorization in an animal model; and c) microfluidics, including the design of “smart” human organ-on-chip models of the PNS/CNS interface that will allow to assess neuronal targeting and repair.

Start Date: 1/1/2022
End Date: 31/12/2024
Type: Projetos de IC&DT em Todos os Domínios Científicos – 2021
Contract Number: PTDC/BTM-MAT/4156/2021
Funding Agency: FCT Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia
INL Role: Partner (Participant Contact: Miguel Xavier)
Budget Total: € 250,000
Budget INL: € 35,000

Partners:

• INSTITUTO PORTUGUES DE ONCOLOGIA DO PORTO FRANCISCO GENTIL, EPE

Title: CryoEM-PT Node – National Network of Advanced Electronic Microscopy for Health and Life Sciences – Implementation of the Central Node through the acquisition of a Cryo-Electron Microscope

Project Description

Electronic Microscopy is assuming an increasingly crucial role in research in the areas of Health and Life Sciences, especially after the development of the Transmission Electron Microscope. However, in Portugal, there is, to date, no Electronic Cryo-microscope accessible to the scientific and business community with R&D activity in the areas of Life Health Sciences.
To fill this gap, the “National Network of Advanced Electronic Microscopy for Health and Life Sciences (CryoEM-PT)” was created. It is now proposed to acquire a state-of-the-art Electronic Cryo-Microscope, to be installed at the Central Node of CryoEM-PT, the International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL) in Braga, to start the network’s activities. With this project, we propose to: a) acquire and install a 200 kV Cryo-Electron Microscope for single particle analysis, cryo-tomography and microcrystal diffraction, accompanied by equipment for sample preparation and data processing; b) hire human resources to manage the instrument and support users in the use of the equipment; c) implement a CryoEM-PT sustainability plan; d) establish the CryoEM-PT management structure; e) organise training sessions for users; f) establish the conditions for access to microscope to users in companies and academic institutions and support their experiments; and g) expand the universe of users through dissemination activities of CryoEM-PT.

Start Date: 01 May 2021
End Date: 30 April 2023
Type: SISTEMA DE APOIO À INVESTIGAÇÃO CIENTÍFICA E TECNOLÓGICA
Contract Number: NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-081197
Funding Agency: NORTE2020
Funding Programme: PT2020
INL Role: Partner (Participant Contact: Paulo Ferreira)

Project Total (eligible) Budget: € 2.443.310,90
FEDER Funding: € 2.076.814,27
INL Total Budget: € 2.443.310,90
Funding: € 2.076.814,27

Title: hOLIVEcream – Healthy olive oil based creams enriched with berries for application in bakery and pastry

Project Description

hOLIVEcream project aims to create new creams that use vegetable fat (structured) and incorporate red fruits for pastry and bakery products. It will develop products that are guaranteed by lipids, lower saturated fat content and higher antioxidant content. In particular, it will use oil as its main matrix, using a national endogenous product with high nutritional value, a totally innovative approach in the pastry sector. For this purpose, the members of the consortium will work together, where INL will be responsible for the development and characterization of new formulations (oleogels and emblems) for whom the promoter, Decorgel, incorporates in creams for use in pastry and bakery.

Start Date: 01 September 2021
End Date: 30 June 2023
Type: PROJETOS DE I&DT EMPRESAS EM COPROMOÇÃO
Contract Number: NORTE-01-0247-FEDER-046947
Funding Agency: NORTE2020
Funding Programme: PT2020
INL Role: Partner (Participant Contact: Miguel Cerqueira)
Partners:

• DECORGEL – PRODUTOS ALIMENTARES, S.A.
• INTERNATIONAL IBERIAN NANOTECHNOLOGY LABORATORY (INL)

Project Total (eligible) Budget: € 500.077,24
FEDER Funding: € 367.664,03
INL Total Budget: € 272.703,98
Funding: € 199.746,74

Title: AINanoTEC – Artificial Intelligence & Nanotechnology based Startups Entrepreneurial Programme

Project Description

AINanoTEC Entrepreneurial Program is an innovative program for researchers and/or entrepreneurs with business ideas in areas related to Artificial Intelligence (AI), Nanotechnology, and Information and Communication Technology (ICT).
AINanoTEC has as main objectives the following:
– Find and select ideas, technologies, and pre-startups in the fields of AI, Nanotech, and ICT;
– Support the creation of 15 born global startups
– Give access to an international stakeholder and multidisciplinary mentor network
– Develop an open set of tools to support ideas and pre-startups’ needs
– Promote the financing of startups by investors
– Create multidisciplinary teams for co-creation, and co-competition environment and sharing of experiences

Start Date: 01 November 2020
End Date: 01 May 2023
Type: SISTEMA DE APOIO A AÇÕES COLETIVAS – PROMOÇÃO DO ESPÍRITO EMPRESARIAL
Contract Number: POCI-03-33B5-FSE-071977
Funding Agency: COMPETE
Funding Programme: PT2020
INL Role: Partner (Participant Contact: Ana Vila)
Partners:

• ASSOCIAÇÃO FRAUNHOFER PORTUGAL RESEARCH
• INTERNATIONAL IBERIAN NANOTECHNOLOGY LABORATORY (INL)
• INOVA-RIA: ASSOCIAÇÃO DE EMPRESAS PARA UMA REDE DE INOVAÇÃO EM AVEIRO

Project Total (eligible) Budget: € 668.623,30
FEDER Funding: € 568.329,80
INL Total Budget: € 185.899,44
Funding: € 140.770,00

Title: NeWest – New generation of cyberphysical Weighing Systems / Nova geração de Sistemas de Pesagem ciber-físicos

Project Description

The Newest Project aims to promote a paradigm shift in the weighing systems ecosystem, both in terms of concept, technologies used and business models. Its main objectives include the development of:

– a cloud platform for aggregating data and services, with the acquisition of IoT data and programming interfaces (APIs) with different levels of access to create new business applications within the Cachapuz ecosystem;

– smart devices, which incorporate: (i) digital load cells with innovative sensors, IoT devices and firmware; (ii) Smart Boxes, open source operating systems and smart weighing and communication features and (iii) Smart Devices with smart aggregation, data processing and communication features;

– a secure and reliable data communication system that uses secure Firmware Update Over the Air and supports various types of communications: BLE and Wi-Fi for industrial environments (short range), LoRa and NB-IoT for cell solutions individual loads with secure and scalable connection through the network infrastructure of telecommunications operators;

– new sensors, nanofabricated magnetoresistive sensors in INL laboratories, as well as other piezoelectric sensors.

Start Date: 30 December 2020
End Date: 26 June 2023
Type: PROJETOS DE I&DT EMPRESAS EM COPROMOÇÃO
Contract Number: POCI-01-0247-FEDER-069716
Funding Agency: COMPETE
Funding Programme: PT2020
INL Role: Partner (Participant Contact: Ricardo Ferreira)
Partners:

• CACHAPUZ – WEIGHING & LOGISTICS SYSTEMS, LDA
• INTERNATIONAL IBERIAN NANOTECHNOLOGY LABORATORY (INL)
• UNIVERSIDADE DO MINHO
• ASSOCIAÇÃO LABORATÓRIO COLABORATIVO EM TRANSFORMAÇÃO DIGITAL – DTX

Project Total (eligible) Budget: € 1.314.170,87
FEDER Funding: € 892.537,41
INL Total Budget: € 395.329,96
Funding: € 291.575,59

Title: Smart-PV – Development of an integrated software tool for PV plant fault prediction using AI

Project Description

The production of photovoltaic solar energy (PV) has grown significantly and both the associated technology and the configuration of the plants are changing disruptively. Instead of easily accessible megawatt (MW) plants, with only one type of technology available, the new configurations are hundreds of MW installed in various locations, and with various technologies involved. Thus, PV plant operators are not prepared to optimize and maximize the profitability of these new types of assets.
In this context of paradigm shift and the lack of efficient solutions for the management of these new
PV assets, the main target of SMART-PV is to develop a cloud computing platform that will integrate predictive algorithms based on machine learning and Artificial Intelligence, allowing to optimize the
Operation, Preventive Maintenance and Technical Assistance processes in large PV plants. The platform will combine the acquisition and management of information through intrinsic data generated by PV production plants, to generate a preventive maintenance predictive procedure aimed, primarily, at large PV plants located in any location.
SMART-PV results from the partnership and co-promotion between DST SOLAR, a company with extensive experience in planning, managing and commissioning of PV assets, and the project’s leading promoter, and three SCTN entities with relevant skills in monitoring the performance of solar assets through tests and fields measurements (IEP), identifying and characterizing of degradation mechanisms of solar cells and in advanced image recognition techniques (INL) and in intelligent algorithms using machine learning and Artificial Intelligence, applied to energy asset management (INESC TEC).

Start Date: 01 January 2021
End Date: 30 June 2023
Type: PROJETOS DE I&DT EMPRESAS EM COPROMOÇÃO
Contract Number: POCI-01-0247-FEDER-068919
Funding Agency: COMPETE
Funding Programme: PT2020
INL Role: Partner (Participant Contact: Pedro Salomé)
Partners:

• DST SOLAR, S.A.
• INTERNATIONAL IBERIAN NANOTECHNOLOGY LABORATORY (INL)
• INSTITUTO ELECTROTÉCNICO PORTUGUÊS
• INESC TEC – INSTITUTO DE ENGENHARIA DE SISTEMAS E COMPUTADORES, TECNOLOGIA E CIÊNCIA

Project Total (eligible) Budget: € 1.197.437,56
FEDER Funding: € 792.383,89
INL Total Budget: € 333.399,20
Funding: € 249.549,40

Title: PROFITEX – Development of Efficient and Prophylactic Electro Fabrics for the Automotive Industry

Project Description

PROFITEX is focused in two specific strategic lines, aiming at obtaining different outputs, as follows:

A. Sensor management System for Conductive Fabrics: New functionalities for technical fabrics in seats, such as occupancy detection, position and postural relaxation, and adapting actual connectivity to the vehicle. Develop conductive fabrics to be used in the coating of car seats, which could detect various parameters associated with the shape and posture of the passenger and thus monitor, relate and identify body type (adult, child, etc.), pressure, position and movements and, manage the information / data to enable an increase in the safety of the occupants, in motor vehicles.
With the sensor system built in the form of conducting fabrics, the project will enable the integration of new technical features in seats, (such as occupancy detection, positional relaxation, posture) and adaptation to the vehicle’s digital connectivity. The sensing context offered by this development further enhances the definition of new features in future In-Vehichle-Infotainment (IVI) systems associated with occupant safety.

B. Health care fabrics for car’s interior: Integration of health and comfort functions: Antiviral, thermoregulation, anti-odour and easy-cleaning functionalities to improve health, safety and comfort to the new car concept. At the same time, it is intended to develop and incorporate prophylactic features in these same fabrics, associated with the ‘well-being’ inside the vehicle, which can be used not only in the seats, but also in other textile coverings in the automobile interior such as pillars, door panels, armrests, headrests, ceilings, etc. It seeks to meet the safety, health and comfort needs of the new car interior concept, where it is intended to guarantee anti-odour, antiviral, antibacterial, thermoregulatory characteristics, and with ease of cleaning.

Start Date: 04 January 2021
End Date: 03 June 2023
Type: PROJETOS DE I&DT COPROMOÇÃO – Clube Fornecedores | PEUGEOT CITROEN PORTUGAL
Contract Number: POCI-01-0247-FEDER-072572
Funding Agency: COMPETE
Funding Programme: PT2020
INL Role: Partner (Participant Contact: João Piteira)
Partners:

• Copo Têxtil Portugal S.A.
• International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL)

Project Total (eligible) Budget: € 953.430,13
FEDER Funding: € 560.431,94
INL Total Budget: € 305.070,06
Funding: € 228.802,54

Title: NASCADIA – Natural Photonic Nanostructures: From Implications in Diatoms towards Next Generation Nanobiodevices

Project Description

The project concerns recently described photonic crystal properties arising from biosilicification in diatom algae. The highly ordered silicon dioxide nanostructures are produced by the living organism with highly reproducible photonic properties. The study centres on the identification of routines to control the structural parameters, leading to innovative, cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternatives to current photonic nanostructure fabrication. The interdisciplinary approach will also investigate the biological implications of the structures, from which we will learn about efficient light energy harvesting strategies in nature. The proposed project will demonstrate that diatoms are high-quality, cost-effective and eco-friendly alternatives to artificial nanofabrication, available for anyone worldwide. These photonic materials can be produced in economically weak regions and in developing regions, where cleanrooms and state-of-the-art nanofabrication technologies are not available. This project may open new economic fields, ensuring controlled and reproducible fabrication of these natural photonic structures by up-scaled production. Besides these aspects, funding offers an opportunity of investment in a project demonstrating an innovative and environmentally-friendly alternative to the modern fabrication of nanotechnology, opening the door for economic but sustainable utilization of natural resources. By this, the project contributes to the UN Sustainable Development Goal 9 “Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation”, as well as to Goal 14 “Conserve and sustainably use of the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development”. In line with target 14.a (“Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology (…)”), the project will yield fundamental scientific knowledge on the processes underlying natural photonic crystal formation and the implications of environmental pollution upon diatoms, allowing for better understanding of the factors that underpin aquatic primary productivity; promote the building of research capacity by conducting innovative, transdisciplinary, and collaborative research between European and non-European partners; and ultimately help forecast the impacts of marine pollution of terrestrial origin (target 14.1 “By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution”) but also of ocean acidification due to climate change (target 14.3 “Minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification, including through enhanced scientific cooperation at all levels”).
Start Date: 17 January 2022
End Date: 17 January 2025
Type: Projetos de IC&DT em Todos os Domínios Científicos – 2021
Contract Number: PTDC/BTA-BTA/2061/2021
Funding Agency: FCT Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia
Funding Programme: Projetos de Investigação Científica e Desenvolvimento Tecnológico (IC&DT)
INL Role: Partner (Participant Contact: Martin Lopez Garcia, martin.lopez@inl.int)

Budget Total: € 249.455
Budget INL: € 123.900

Title: NGQC IoRT – Next-Gen Quality Control IoRT System

Project Description

Industrial modernization has been driving the intensification of R&D efforts towards the creation of new Industrial Internet of Things/Internet of Robotic Things (IIoT/IoRT) sensor concepts for distributed and robotic applications, in particular with advantages in terms of efficiency, production rate and quality. Nevertheless, existent solutions have some technical limitations regarding flexibility, transparency and adaptability to the real conditions. Hence, NGQC IoRT aims to develop a new IIoT / IoRT ecosystem applicable in a transversal and flexible way to the process of visual inspection and quality control in complex production lines of the automotive industry, including environmental and energy monitoring, wastewater and gas treatment. Collaborative robotic systems (with the integration of robotic manipulators and controllers) and artificial vision mechanisms integrated into an IIoT / IoRT sensing ecosystem will be investigated and developed, namely: (i) collaborative robotic system for visual inspection and quality control in dynamic regimes and ( ii) robotic system in a mobile and portable unit for identification and analysis of non-conformities, embedded with artificial vision algorithms, in order to achieve properties of versatility, flexibility and transparency in the identification of non-conformities including the ability to self-reprogram / self-reconfiguration through intelligent self-learning. The proposed solution will foster the pilot sensing systems in an industrial environment at PSA in Mangualde, within the new concepts of Industry 4.0.
Start Date: 01 March 2021
End Date: 31 May 2023
Type: PROJETOS DE I&DT COPROMOÇÃO – Clube Fornecedores | PEUGEOT CITROEN PORTUGAL
Contract Number: POCI-01-0247-FEDER-072616
Funding Agency: Compete
Funding Programme: PT2020
INL Role: Partner (Participant Contact: Raquel Queirós)
Partners:

• Controlar – Electrónica Industrial e Sistemas, S.A.
• Peugeut Citroen Automóveis Portugal, S.A.
• International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL)
• Universidade do Porto

Project Total (eligible) Budget: € 1,532,223.77
FEDER Funding: € 1,047,376.34
INL Total Budget: € 308,383.34
Funding: € 231,287.5

Title: Biopaint – Tinta de base natural, energeticamente eficiente e com propriedades funcionais distintivas direcionada ao setor automóvel

Project Description

Biopaint intends to respond directly to a gap in the market, more specifically, in the automotive painting segment, through the R&D of a polyurethane-based paint formulation, with high incorporation of natural or renewable monomers, energy-efficient and with differentiating functional properties that can be used in the demanding automotive industry.
In fact, conventional solutions available on the market, as well as the technological paradigm/methodology for applying paint to motor vehicles, have a great impact on the environment, whether resulting from the type of compounds used and the high number of resulting residues, or in terms of energy efficiency, since it requires a large consumption of energy in the end-to-end processes.
Hence, the project foresees a set of R&D activities, which will focus on three essential factors, namely, (i) the synthesis of renewable polyurethanes, as well as surfactants from industrial waste, (ii) the development of nanomaterials (additives) that configure differentiating functional properties, namely “self-cleaning”, “anti-dust”, absorption of ultraviolet radiation, and even, the reflection of infrared radiation, and finally, (iii) the development of a biopaint formulation having in its composition the molecules previously developed, guaranteeing a final product with distinguished functional characteristics with high added value.
Start Date: 01 March 2021
End Date: 30 June 2023
Type: PROJETOS DE I&DT COPROMOÇÃO – Clube Fornecedores | PEUGEOT CITROEN PORTUGAL
Contract Number: POCI-01-0247-FEDER-072629
Funding Agency: Compete
Funding Programme: PT2020
INL Role: Partner (Participant Contact: Juliana Sousa)
Partners:

• 4ITEC Lusitânia, S.A.
• Universidade de Coimbra
• International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL)

Project Total (eligible) Budget: € 1,603,410.18
FEDER Funding: € 1,187,503.52
INL Total Budget: € 330,974.31
Funding: € 248,230.73

Title: DIAMOND-CONNECT – Development of a Diamond Photonic Platform to assess connectivity in neuronal cell models

Project Description

The DIAMOND-CONNECT project led by INL builds on the advances in quantum metrology based on diamond photonics for magnetic field sensing. The project aims to advance the understanding of neuronal signalling and connectivity by the development and application of a novel and optimized diamond photonics platform. The planned experiments aim at an increased understanding of core processes in the functioning of the brain.

A femtosecond laser shall be used to create optically active atom scale sensors at specific locations in a diamond crystal. The implantation depths and sensor pattern shall be optimized for the sensing of magnetic signals caused by stimulated neural networks.

In partnership with neuroscientists from IBIMED – Institute for Biomedicine at the University of Aveiro, the diamond technology shall be benchmarked with state-of-the-art assays in neurosciences.
Besides the scientific advances in the area of neuro sensing, DIAMOND-CONNECT fosters the establishment of a quantum photonics pilot line in Portugal based on femtosecond laser writing combined with nanoscale material processing of diamond.
This project is synergistic with current international, national and institutional efforts to foster Quantum technologies and support their fast market uptake, counting on the continuous support by the INL’s Industrial and Business Advisory Board.

Start Date: 01 March 2021
End Date: 29 February 2024

Type: Projetos de IC&DT em Todos os Domínios Científicos – 2020

Contract Number: PTDC/NAN-OPT/7989/2020

Funding Agency: FCT Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia
Funding Programme: Projetos de Investigação Científica e Desenvolvimento Tecnológico (IC&DT)

INL Role: Coordinator (Participant Contact: Jana Nieder)

Budget Total: € 248.728,25
INL Funded Budget: € 182.618,75

Title: (Link4S)ustainability – A new generation connectivity system for creation and integration of networks of objects for new sustainability paradigms

Project Description

The consortium Link4S, led by NOS-C in co-promotion with Wedo, Exatronic, REN, Portgás, Wyze, EVA, CEIIA, DTx, INL and Universidade do Minho, and with support of several associated partners (EDP, Matosinhos and Cascais Municipalities, Galp, IP, EMEL and UN Global Compact) is committed to working together in the generation of new scientific knowledge to design, develop, construct and test a novel generation of Smart Embedded Connected Devices and associated software platforms (communication network infrastructure and cyber applications), aiming at the integration of networks of objects and social networks in the context of mobility and energy ecosystems. The project will also foster and validate innovative business models and concepts, targeting robust and sustainable digital solutions. Accordingly, the main scientific objectives of the Project are:
To develop, demonstrate and validate a connectivity system of new generation with a high degree of customization for different business cases, built upon an integrated framework of cyber-physical systems;
To conceive, develop, produce and test a novel customizable system-in-package platform, integrating M/NEMS-sensors and a custom-processor in a single smart package, providing the low-level physical abstraction layer for the new generation of CPS-ready NB-IoT Devices;
To develop a new Smart Embedded Connected Device and software platforms responsible for the communication network infrastructure (NB-IoT/5G-ready), addressing ubiquitous connectivity;
To implement different horizontal Use Cases to validate and demonstrate the technologies and solutions to be developed within the project in two different sectors, namely Mobility and Energy.
Organically, the project will be structured in 6 PPS (i.e. subprojects): 3 for technological development, 2 for application and 1 for management, dissemination and intellectual property issues. LINK4S is expected to have a high impact in the industrial partners once it will build up highly technological and innovative solutions with significant multisector and regional importance, leveraged through a clustering strategy and effective science-industry partnerships. Moreover, the project will also contribute to positioning Portugal in the European and global contexts, as a key location to develop and demonstrate novel digital solutions, with the potential to improve the urban living standards and to reduce environmental impacts.
Start Date: 01 July 2020
End Date: 30 June 2023
Type: PT2020 – 14/SI/2019 – Programas Mobilizadores
Contract Number: POCI-01-0247-FEDER-046122 | LISBOA-01-0247-FEDER-046122
Funding Agency: Compete 2020 / Lisboa 2020
Funding Programme: PT2020
INL Role: Partner (Participant Contact: Filipe Alves)
Partners:

• NOS Comunicações
• CEiiA – Centro de Engenharia e Desenvolvimento
• WeDo Consulting
• International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL)
• Exatronic
• Universidade do Minho
• Laboratório Colaborativo em Transformação Digital (DTx)
• Rede Elétrica Nacional (REN)
• REN Portgás Distribuição
• NOS Technology
• WyzeOps
• Electric Visionary Aircrafts

Project Total (eligible) Budget: € 8,878,661.55
FEDER Funding: € 4,732,738.47
INL Total Budget: € 1,631,220.00
Funding: € 1,223,415.00

Title: Soft4Sense – Smart Surfaces for Reliable Tooling Integration

Project Description

The measuring devices available in the market for manufacturing processes are many times not able to accurately evaluate important process parameters due to positioning problems or deficient signal acquisition and transfer. The Soft4Sense project will create software able to supply the necessary information for depositing thin film device without mechanical/electrical integrity problems
There is a bottleneck that has impeded the commercial application of thin-film devices, not just in Portugal but worldwide: their mechanical integrity. The construction of these films is based on the stacking of layers, each one with a specific role, requiring a suitable matching between them. The mechanical/electrical integrity of the thin film device has to be improved and optimized to allow their reliable and reproducible production in order to be offered to the industrial market. Sputtering is an excellent technique to develop/optimize/adapt new materials, being the perfect solution for optimizing layers matching in stacking.
The software will guide the deposition of the multilayer stacking with the appropriate conditions to achieve a reliable/reproducible product. Although this is only a simple program which, from the information about the required characteristics of the stacking layers (e.g. residual stress level, defects density, electrical characteristics, hardness, Young’s modulus), supplies the deposition conditions for the stacks fabrication, each input information results from a complex task where simulation and experimental work is required in a closed-loop approach.

Start Date: 01 April 2020

End Date: 31 March 2023

Type: PROJETOS DE I&DT COPROMOÇÃO – INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS

Contract Number: POCI-01-0247-FEDER-045921

Funding Agency: COMPETE; FCT

Funding Programme: POFC; FCT

INL Role: Partner (Participant Contact: Enrique Carbó)

Partners:

• TEandM – Tecnologia, Engenharia e Materiais S.A (Lead Beneficiary)
• Instituto Pedro Nunes – Associação para a Inovação e Desenvolvimento em Ciência e Tecnologia
• INL – International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory
• University of Texas at Austin (UTA)

Budget Total: € 971,167.64

INL Funded Budget: € 310,546.57

Title: HighSense2Covid – Highly sensitive immunoassay for SARS-CoV2 detection using new amplification technology

Project Description

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus strain 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), an illness that may be mild/asymptomatic or also cause fever, pneumonia, and death. Fighting COVID-19 requires understanding SARS-CoV-2 spread in the population. Accurate and sensitive point of care antibody tests are needed, to identify those who are (or have been) infected from those that are not, follow immune responses, and increase testing capacity. Lateral flow tests (LFT), such as the well-known “pregnancy pen urine test”, are in high demand. Having such capacity to detect SARS-COV-2 infection within minutes, with minimum preparation, is the goal. LFT can be rapidly manufactured to detect infection-specific antibodies (and/or the virus) in the blood. However, current LFT reveals low sensitivity when compared with other classical immunoassays. A technological boost is required to overcome that issue. DART technology consists of a polymer that serves as an anchor point with multiple hooks, to which, on one side, classical immunoassays (including lateral flow test) can be connected to, in a simple plug-and-play manner, while on the other side, multiple copies of desired reporter molecules are plugged to. Thus, allowing diagnostics at lower concentrations, and, so, lower viral amounts than via other methods.

Start Date: 01 December 2020

End Date: 28 August 2021

Type: PT2020 – 15/SI/2020 – I&D COVID – SI – Projetos em Copromoção”

Contract Number: NORTE-01-02B7-FEDER-069951

Funding Agency: Norte2020

Funding Programme: PT2020

INL Role: Partner (Participant Contact: Lorena Diéguez)

Consortium:

• ABDART DIAGNOSTICS LDA
• Instituto de Medicina Molecular – iMM Lisboa
• Inovamais, S.A.
• International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory – INL

Budget Total: € 477.702,42

INL Funded Budget: € 172.899,15

Title: R&W Clean – New solutions for sensing environmental and biological parameters to aid in the demedicalization of the agricultural and livestock sector

Project Description

The R&W Clean project consists on the research, development and validation of an integrated solution for monitoring critical biological and environmental parameters in support of demedicalization of agricultural holdings. To this end, it will be necessary to study and develop two stand-alone monitoring components, namely one related to the pH monitoring of the rumen and other related to the monitoring of drinking / washing water on farms, which later they will be integrated into a complex and multi-component monitoring solution that will serve to support decision-making processes when necessary. Thus, it is intended on the one hand, to increase the degree of awareness from producers for the reduction of medication in animals (taking into account that the continuous collection of data will allow to obtain the real situation of environmental and biological conditions of the farm) and, on the other hand, to collect extremely important data for the animal feed supplier, which, based on that data, could develop formulations specially targeted to certain conditions.

Start Date: 31 December 2020

End Date: 30 June 2023

Type: PT2020 – SI I&DT Empresarial – COPROMOÇÃO

Contract Number: POCI-01-0247-FEDER-070109

Funding Agency: COMPETE2020

Funding Programme: PT2020

INL Role: Partner (Participant Contact: João Piteira)

Partners:

• D.I.N. – Desenvolvimento e Inovação Nutricional
• EXATRONIC, Lda.
• Universidade do Porto – ICBAS-UP
• INL – INTERNATIONAL IBERIAN NANOTECHNOLOGY LABORATORY

Total Budget: € 1.588.620,07

FEDER Co-Funding: € 995.451,44

INL Budget: € 427.319,00

Title: SafeChrome – Novos revestimentos PVD sobre polímeros, latão e alumínio para substituição de processos de galvanização de Cr (VI)

Project Description

The industrial activities that currently use chrome plating are currently at a crossroads. Indeed, due to public health and European standards, the use of chromium hexavalent (Cr (VI)), will be restricted, affecting the commercial activities of producers of these coatings and end users. The alternative, the chrome plating using Cr (III), presents coatings with aesthetic, mechanical performance and durability much lower than those achieved with Cr (VI).

Thus, the main objective of the SafeChrome project is to obtain products without these limitations, through an innovative hybrid solution which apply physical vapor deposition coatings (PVD- Physical vapor deposition) on polymeric parts, and brass and anodized aluminum, previously chromed with Cr (III). The coatings developed should have high performance, equal to or exceeding the performance of Cr (VI) chrome plating in regards aesthetics, chemical and mechanical resistance, thus responding to demanding conditions of the identified target sectors: automotive industry and industry consumer optoelectronics.

Start Date: 01 October 2020

End Date: 30 June 2023

Type: PT2020 – SI I&DT Empresarial – COPROMOÇÃO

Contract Number: POCI-01-0247-FEDER-047092

Funding Agency: COMPETE

Funding Programme: PT2020

INL Role: Partner (Participant Contact: Pedro Salomé)

Partners:

• PRIREV
• Leica – Aparelhos opticos de Precisao, S. A.;
• DOURECA – PRODUTOS PLÁSTICOS, LDA
• Universidade de Aveiro
• INL – INTERNATIONAL IBERIAN NANOTECHNOLOGY LABORATORY

Total Budget: € 1.376.091,78

INL Budget: € 268.055,13

Title: cLabel+

Project Description

cLabel + project aims to respond to the challenges that the consumer poses to the food industry. With this project, it is intended to develop processes and products that are understood by the consumer as consistent with products with natural ingredients, with limited use of additives, and that allow, due to their physical, chemical and nutritional properties, to provide the experience expected, maintaining food security.

In order for the consumer to perceive and decode the “clean label”, processes and products will be developed that will result in concrete mentions on the product labels that customers and consumers will recognize as associated with a product consistent with the “clean label” concept.

In this sense, the cLabel + project will consist of 5 PPS aimed at:

• Nutritional valorisation of products through macronutrients and processing conditions;
• Innovative solutions and “clean label” for reducing sugar and modeling the sweetening power in foods;
• Stabilization and “clean label” conservation of sauces, meat products and confectionery;
• New methodologies for the integration and optimization of the consumer response;
• Project management, dissemination and enhancement of results.

Being aligned with the Portuguese Agrofood Cluster Action Plan, this project intends to develop products and processes in a logic of transversal mobilization of human resources, with a vast curriculum and experience in the development and implementation of R&D projects in the thematic areas of cLabel+.

Start Date: 01 June 2020

End Date: 30 June 2023

Type: PT2020 – Programas Mobilizadores

Contract Number: POCI-01-0247-FEDER-046080 / LISBOA-01-0247-FEDER-046080

Funding Agency: COMPETE

Funding Programme: PT2020 / LISBOA2020

INL Role: Partner (Participant Contact: Miguel Cerqueira)

Partners:

• Compal+Sumol
• UMinho
• UAveiro
• UCoimbra
• UPorto
• ULisboa
• UCP
• UNL
• INL – INTERNATIONAL IBERIAN NANOTECHNOLOGY LABORATORY
• INIAV
• Sensetest
• Mendes Gonçalves
• WeDoTech
• Vieira de Castro
• Primor Charcutaria-Prima, S.A.
• FRULACT
• Portugal Foods

Total Budget: € 4.641.020,43

INL Budget: € 259.569,74

Title: Better Plastics: Plastics in a Circular Economy

Project Description

BETTER PLASTICS aims to be the Mobilizing Project for the Plastics Sector in Portugal, capable of leveraging the sector’s transition to a circular economy. It is the result of an initiative by APIP – Portuguese Association of the Plastics Industry, which aims to mobilize the private sector together with national authorities, universities and citizens, through this application to the SI I&DT – Programas Mobilizadores, thus contributing to the objectives of the Circular Economy – Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, greater resource efficiency and job creation.

Given the complexity of the Plastics Industry value chain, which involves a very large number of Stakeholders (e.g. plastics materials and raw materials producers, processors, brand-owners, retailers and distributors, waste management agents, among many others), it has become essential to promote the creation of a true innovation ecosystem capable of involving all these economic agents and civil society, in order to address the challenges that the Circular Economy presents.

BETTER PLASTICS aims to ensure the sustainability of the new value chain in the plastics sector in Portugal, through the creation of an Innovation and R&D strategy in order to develop new materials, products, processes, systems, technologies and services, which respond to current and future challenges and ensure the circularity of Plastics in Portugal.

The consortium is formed by 25 entities that effectively represent the entire Plastics sector in Portugal, involving companies from different plastics and ENESIIs with complementary scientific competences, which allow a complete approach of the different areas of knowledge for the sustainable development of the industry.

The project is structured in 5 main PPS:

• PPS 1: Circularity for Material Design
• PPS 2: Circularity for Product Design
• PPS 3: Circularity for Recycling
• PPS 4: Circularity for Alternative Raw Materials
• PPS 5: Project Coordination, Promotion, Dissemination and Valuation of Results

Start Date: 01 July 2020

End Date: 30 June 2023

Type: PT2020 – Programas Mobilizadores

Contract Number:POCI-01-0247-FEDER-046091/ LISBOA-01-0247-FEDER-046091

Funding Agency: COMPETE

Funding Programme: PT2020 / LISBOA2020

INL Role: Partner (Participant Contact: Miguel Cerqueira)

Partners:

• VIZELPAS FLEXIBLE FILMS, S.A.
• DANIPACK – INDÚSTRIA DE PLÁSTICOS, S.A.
• ECOIBERIA – RECICLADOS IBÉRICOS, S.A.
• INTRAPLÁS – INDUSTRIA TRANSFORMADORA DE PLÁSTICOS S.A.
• ISOLAGO – INDÚSTRIA DE PLÁSTICOS, S.A.
• KLC – INDUSTRIA DE TRANSFORMAÇÃO DE MATERIAS PLASTICAS LDA
• LOGOPLASTE INNOVATION LAB, LDA
• NEUTROPLAST – INDÚSTRIA DE EMBALAGENS PLÁSTICAS S.A.
• PLASFIL – PLÁSTICOS DA FIGUEIRA S.A.
• PLASMAQ – MAQUINAS E EQUIPAMENTOS PARA A INDUSTRIA DE PLASTICOS LDA
• PLASOESTE – SOCIEDADE TRANSFORMADORA DE PLÁSTICOS LDA
• REPSOL POLÍMEROS, UNIPESSOAL LDA
• SACOS 88-SOCIEDADE DE PLASTICOS LDA
• S.I.E. – SOCIEDADE INTERNACIONAL DE EMBALAGENS, S.A.
• SIRPLASTE – SOCIEDADE INDUSTRIAL DE RECUPERADOS DE PLÁSTICO S.A.
• SONAE MC – SERVIÇOS PARTILHADOS, S.A.
• PIEP ASSOCIAÇÃO – PÓLO DE INOVAÇÃO EM ENGENHARIA DE POLIMEROS
• UNIVERSIDADE DO MINHO
• LABORATÓRIO IBÉRICO INTERNACIONAL DE NANOTECNOLOGIA
• UNIVERSIDADE NOVA DE LISBOA
• INSTITUTO SUPERIOR TÉCNICO
• INSTITUTO POLITÉCNICO DE LEIRIA
• UNIVERSIDADE DE AVEIRO
• UNIVERSIDADE DE COIMBRA
• ASSOCIAÇÃO PORTUGUESA DA INDUSTRIA DE PLASTICOS-APIP

Total Budget: € 6.329.064,51

INL Budget: € 160.415,97

Title: SbDToolBox – Nanotechnology-based tools and tests for Safe-by-Design nanomaterials

Project Description

Industrial production of engineered nanomaterials worldwide is estimated to be more than 1,000,000 tons/year and according to the European Union, the expected median annual growth in production is of 5%. However, nanomaterials are also produced in nature, for example, in dusts or volcanic ash. They can also result unintentionally from human activity (e.g. car exhaust, burning candles), or as products of degradation of human engineered materials such as secondary nanoplastics. Due to uncertainties regarding the safety of nanomaterials, it is necessary to develop best practices and facilitate harmonization of assessment practices. However, more research with specific relevance for regulatory questions is still needed, in particular regarding the development of methods for safety testing and risk assessment, and a better availability of quality data on nanomaterials for regulatory purposes.

SdDToolBox will address the current general scarcity of methods and tools to obtain the relevant data encompassing the specific properties that differentiate nanomaterials from chemicals and paying special attention to the differential needs of the diverse impact and application areas, namely health, food or environment. Three types of tools will be developed during the project:

• analytical methodologies and devices for the identification and quantification of nanomaterials (including nanoplastics) in complex environmental matrix;
• fit-for-purpose adapted methods for nanotoxicology assessment making use of advanced micro/nanofabrication and microfluidics for lab-on-a-chip devices;
• in silico models for safe-by-design and life cycle assessment of nanomaterials fed by reliable de novo (eco)toxicology data obtained using the most recently accepted guidelines for the test of nanomaterials. The produced methods, guidelines and devices will help to support the development of new standard operation procedures for the harmonization of the test of nanomaterials safety and provide reliable data for adequate risk assessment and regulatory purposes.

Start Date: 01 October 2020

End Date: 30 September 2023

Type: SISTEMA DE APOIO À INVESTIGAÇÃO CIENTÍFICA E TECNOLÓGICA – “PROJETOS ESTRUTURADOS DE I&D&I”

Contract Number: NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000047

Funding Agency: CCDR-N

Funding Programme: PT2020

INL Role: Coordinator (Participant Contact: Begoña Espiña)

Budget Total: € 2.329.021,39

INL Funded Budget: € 1.979.668,18

Title: FDPanel – Future Door Panel

Project Description

The FDPanel is an R&D project whose purpose is to develop concepts of auto door panels that are attractive, comfortable, interactive, practical and futuristic for drivers/users, capable of guaranteeing them distinctive experiences in the automotive interior. The development of these new door panels, which are intended to be highly innovative, aims to replace the panels currently in production at Simoldes Plásticos for several OEMs (namely for PSA), with a view to their adoption for investment decisions in 3 years and their respective serial production within 5 years.

In particular, the projects aims to develop a distinctive and differentiating concept for the automotive interior Door Panel, integrating strong innovative solutions in terms of intrinsic architecture (UX/UI design) decoration (IMD or IMI), comfort (coating with thermal management properties), lighting (LED integrated in only one end of the panel and materials that transmit uniform light), visual information / alert interfaces and connectivity (V2X) and sound (MEMS speakers).

Start Date: 01 October 2020

End Date: 30 June 2023

Type: PT2020 – PROJETOS DE I&DT Empresarial – COPROMOÇÃO

Contract Number: POCI-01-0247-FEDER-070118

Funding Agency: COMPETE

Funding Programme: PT2020

INL Role: Partner (Participant Contact: Diogo Aguiam)

Partners:

• SIMOLDES-PLASTICOS, S.A.
• DOURECA PRODUTOS PLASTICOS LDA
• Universidade do Minho
• PEUGEOT CITRÖEN AUTOMÓVEIS PORTUGAL, S.A.
• CEIIA – CENTRO DE ENGENHARIA E DESENVOLVIMENTO
• CENTITVC – CENTRO DE NANOTECNOLOGIA E MATERIAIS TÉCNICOS, FUNCIONAIS E INTELIGENTES
• INL – INTERNATIONAL IBERIAN NANOTECHNOLOGY LABORATORY
• CITEVE – CENTRO TECNOLOGICO DAS INDUSTRIAS TEXTIL E DO VESTUÁRIO DE PORTUGAL

Total Budget: € 5.402.836,10

INL Budget: € 571.381,22

Title: BATERIAS 2030 – Batteries as a central element for urban sustainability

Project Description

The decarbonisation of cities, based on the continuous replacement of fossil fuels and the progressive integration of renewable energy sources, emerges as fundamental to combat climate change.

The energy model of the future is based on the production of renewable energy and, being an intermittent source, there is a need for storage solutions. The storage solutions, for reasons of savings in distribution, will have to be done locally in the buildings themselves and integrated in smart micro grids. For all of this to happen, the role of batteries is central and poses numerous challenges.

It is in this context that the Baterias 2030 project arises, which aims contributing to the development of disruptive technologies that can be integrated into the entire value chain of the production, storage and sustainable energy management, with the aim of responding to challenges related to the decarbonization and dissemination of sustainable energy communities, in what is expected to be the cities of the future.

The project comprises 6 PPS (Process, Product, Service), 4 of which focus on technical scientific domains (PPS1 to PPS4), and the technologies that will result from them will be integrated and demonstrated in an urban space (PPS5), looking to establish an energy community, based on a low-carbon micro-network, promoting the substitution of fossil fuel consumption, and, thus, the reduction of CO2 in the urban space.

The project will be developed by a consortium of 14 companies, led by DST Solar, capable of enhancing the results expected in each PPS, but also by 9 research entities that hold scientific knowledge with high added value in the energy field, able to achieve the project objectives.

The Batteries 2030 project aims to contribute to the development of disruptive technologies, which can be integrated throughout the value chain, with state-of-art solutions. Indeed, Batteries 2030 leverages science and technology around the theme of production, storage and sustainable energy management.

Start Date: 01 July 2020

End Date: 30 June 2023

Type: PT2020 – 14/SI/2019 – Programas Mobilizadores

Contract Number: POCI-01-0247-FEDER-046109 / LISBOA-01-0247-FEDER-046109

Funding Agency: Compete 2020 / Lisboa 2020

Funding Programme: PT2020

INL Role: Partner (Participant Contact: Pedro Salomé)

Consortium:

• DST SOLAR, S.A.
• DOMINGOS DA SILVA TEIXEIRA S.A.
• BYSTEEL FS, S.A.
• WATT-IS, S.A.
• INNOVATION POINT – INVESTIGAÇÃO E DESENVOLVIMENTO S.A.
• EFACEC ENERGIA – MÁQUINAS E EQUIPAMENTOS ELÉCTRICOS S.A.
• ADDVOLT, S.A.
• CMP-CIMENTOS MACEIRA E PATAIAS S.A.
• CHARGE2C – NEWCAP LDA
• VISBLUE PORTUGAL UNIPESSOAL LDA
• International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory – INL
• UNIVERSIDADE DO PORTO | Faculdade de Engenharia da Universidade do Porto
• INSTITUTO SUPERIOR TÉCNICO – IST
• CENTITVC – CENTRO DE NANOTECNOLOGIA E MATERIAIS TÉCNICOS, FUNCIONAIS E INTELIGENTES
• LNEG – LABORATÓRIO NACIONAL DE ENERGIA E GEOLOGIA I.P.
• CEIIA – CENTRO DE ENGENHARIA E DESENVOLVIMENTO
• INESC TEC – INSTITUTO DE ENGENHARIA DE SISTEMAS E COMPUTADORES, TECNOLOGIA E CIÊNCIA
• INESC MICROSISTEMAS E NANOTECNOLOGIAS – INSTITUTO DE ENGENHARIA DE SISTEMAS E COMPUTADORES PARA OS MICROSISTEMAS E AS NANOTECNOLOGIAS
• UNIVERSIDADE DO MINHO
• OMNIFLOW, S.A.
• 3 DRIVERS – ENGENHARIA, INOVAÇÃO E AMBIENTE, LDA
• ZEEV, LDA
• AMNIS PURA, LDA

Budget Total: € 8.145.027,00

INL Funded Budget: € 948.389,39

Title: SVINCI 7D – Functional Print

Project Description:

In order to respond to the increasing demands of the industry, this consortium intends to innovate the industrial process of printing in three-dimensional parts, adopting more automatic and robotic mechanisms, and less dependent on manual processes and mechanical setups. In addition, it is intended to promote the implementation of a technology that allows the innovation of multi-ink printing parts, allowing the creation of sensors and actuators on its surface. Thus, concepts will be developed for a robotization system on 3D surfaces. This will be achieved by integrating decorative and functional printheads with a robotic arm, coupled with 3D mapping technology, and a communication protocol between robot and print heads.

Besides that, it is intended to promote the implementation, in the automotive sector, of a technology that allows product innovation, increasing the complexity of design without increasing the complexity of construction and production. On the other hand, it promotes the competitiveness of the sector and, in parallel, supports process efficiency by reducing time and procedures whose guarantees economic benefits for the printing industry in plastics for automotive applications, among others.

Start Date: 02 August 2020

End Date: 02 August 2023

Type: PROJETOS DE I&DT COPROMOÇÃO – Clube Fornecedores Bosch

Contract Number: POCI-01-0247-FEDER-045102

Funding Agency: PO Norte

Funding Programme: PT2020

INL Role: Partner (Participant Contact: João Gaspar)

Partners:

• Rui Azevedo S.A
• University of Minho
• CENTITVC – Centro de nanotecnologia e Materiais Técnicos, Funcionais e Inteligentes
• International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL)

Total Budget: € 1,896,342.65

INL Budget: € 365,966.41

Title: ITEC Smart Automation I4.0

Project Description

The ITEC Smart Automation I4.0 project aims at developing technological solutions that will translate into the creation of value in ITEC products, responding to the challenges of Industry 4.0 and the growing demand of the automotive sector, with knowledge and skills generated in Portugal.

In particular, the ITEC Smart Automation I4.0 project has the main objectives of developing R&D solutions for transverse incorporation into the ITEC products available to the market in the fields of Robotics, Industrial Automation and Quality Control Systems, namely:

• Automatic visual inspection:

New system for vision, optics and automatic inspection, equipped with computer vision algorithms and Artificial Intelligence (IA), which solves the limitations found in current systems related to human visual inspection. The system should characterize and solve several tasks, critical to ITEC, and contain features such as the traceability of the process inspected by the vision system, the collection of statistics in the inspection system, and the ability to debug the operation of the system in the line to determine which method failed to detect the defect in a product.

• Smart Machines:

Smart Machine Systems, enabling ITEC equipment to be equipped with monitoring, self-diagnosis and self-tuning mechanisms, in particular for defects related to dispensing systems and screwdrivers (wiring).

• Systematic software development processes:

New life cycle management and quality process for software products – provide the company with a systematized software development process with standardization of software development activities (system specification, implementation, testing, version control, etc.) and ensure the robustness of software developed through software quality verification and validation features.

Start Date: 01 June 2020

End Date: 01 June 2023

Type: PROJETOS DE I&DT COPROMOÇÃO – Clube Fornecedores Bosch

Contract Number: POCI-01-0247-FEDER-045073

Funding Agency: PO Norte

Funding Programme: PT2020

INL Role: Co-Promoter (Participant Contact: André Cardoso)

Partners:

• IBERIANA TECHNICAL, LDA
• University of Minho
• Centro de Computação Gráfica

Budget Total: € 2.513.091,89

INL Budget: € 436.721,69

Title:EngineerIT – Creation of an Application Engineering Unit to reinforce the activities of valuing and transferring knowledge from INL to companies | Criação de uma Unidade de Engenharia de Aplicação para o reforço das atividades de valorização e transferência de conhecimento do INL para empresas

Project Goals:

To reinforce the activities of valorization and transfer of knowledge to the industry through the hiring of highly updated human resources;

Create and manage the human, scientific and administrative capital necessary to develop processes to respond to market needs and companies;

Raise business skills in R & D & I and intensify as interactions between companies and as regional entities of SCT;

Promote a regional and national specialization agenda through cooperation with companies, with special emphasis on SMEs, and with other associations of society;

Hiring highly qualified human resources to implement the beneficiary entity’s strategy and business plan;

Hiring highly qualified human resources for the development of knowledge transfer and valorisation activities for companies aiming at responding to concrete problems in the scope of innovation;

Promotion and support for applied research, technological development and business innovation activities;

Provision of specialized services to companies;

Promotion of specialized technical and technological training in human resources for companies or for companies;

Aproval Date: 20 December 2019

Start Date: 01 October 2020

End Date: 30 September 2023

Contract Number: NORTE-06-3559-FSE-000102

Funding Agency: PO Norte

Funding Programme: PT2020

INL Role: Coordinator (Participant Contact: Paulo Freitas)

Budget Total: € 1.049.118,33

EU Funding: € 891.750,58

National/Regional Funding: € 157.367,75

Title: 4NoPRESSURE

Project Description

4NoPressure project proposes the development of a new type of intelligent clothing for patients who are bedridden or seriously impaired in a hospital and at home environment, capable of: 1) Reducing the occurrence of the clinical condition of the PU in its prevention and therapeutic action; 2) Prevent the occurrence of infections, which result from the condition of the UP; 3) to monitor the status of patients at high risk of developing PU in a hospital environment; and 4) Improve the patient’s quality of life.

The proposed solution will add a new concept of structural and design system, for greater ergonomic comfort, to correspond to the condition of reduced mobility and type of movements of the patients, as well as, the provision of clinical care. In parallel, new materials and architectures will be investigated at the level of the interface fibrous system that will be developed, providing greater relief of the pressure exerted, and thermophysiological control of the microclimate of the skin. At the level of infection control, technology based on photocatalytic nanomaterials will be investigated to generate a long-term antimicrobial protection. This technology will also be investigated, in conjunction with the fibrous system, in the release of emollient substances to the patient’s hydration condition.

To control the patient’s condition, namely in a critical state (intensive care), the project aims the research and development of an integrated clothing solution, incorporating a unified matrix of sensors, for the monitoring and detection of critical areas of PU development.

The project brings together a consortium with experience and complementary skills, namely the leading company IMPETUS, the University of Minho (UMinho), the Iberian Institute of Nanotechnology (INL) and the Coimbra Nursing School (ESEnfC).

Start Date: 01 April 2020

End Date: 01 April 2023

Type: PT2020 – PROJETOS DE I&DT COPROMOÇÃO

Contract Number: POCI-01-0247-FEDER-039869

Funding Agency: COMPETE – POFC

Funding Programme: PT2020

INL Role: Partner (Participant Contact: Rosana Dias)

Partners:

• Impetus Portugal – Têxteis S.A
• Escola Superior de Enfermagem de Coimbra
• Universidade do Minho

Total Budget: € 1.365.857,00

INL Budget: € 329.800,37

Title: Progressive Dies 4.0

Project Description

The Progressive Dies 4.0 consists in the development of two joint actions. On the one hand, it intends to study, design, develop and deploy a progressive tool, instrumented with different types of sensors which are to allow for carrying out the monitorization of the technological process of progressive stamping, with a view to its integration in an autonomous quality control system of the manufactured parts (which is to be extended to the assembling area, with the project of mechanical and vision systems dedicated to defect detection). On the other hand, the project is to focus on the study, definition, building, validation orchestration and verification of an integrated information management integrated system that should promote product/tool traceability, support assist the assessment of manufacture products’ conformity, and provide decision pave the way to future support to decision systems.

Start Date: 01 June 2020

End Date: 01 June 2023

Type: PROJETOS DE I&DT COPROMOÇÃO – Clube Fornecedores Bosch

Contract Number: POCI-01-0247-FEDER-042760

Funding Agency: POFC – COMPETE

Funding Programme: PT2020

INL Role: Partner (Participant Contact: Rosana Dias)

Partners:

• Mário Costa Martins S.A.
• University of Minho
• Centro de Computação Gráfica

Total Budget: € 2.461.217,46

INL Budget: € 354.595,73

Title: ExtreMED – Extreme Ultrashort Pulses for Advanced Medical Applications and Diagnostics

Project Description:

Over the past several years, in vivo imaging of brain and tumours using multiphoton microscopy has emerged as a powerful research as well as pre-clinical tool for revealing detailed cellular and functional behaviours. Multiphoton microscopy allows for deep tissue penetration with relatively minor phototoxicity, rendering it an effective tool for the long-term observations of live tissue.

ExtreMed is a partnership between Sphere Photonics, INL, UPorto and two faculty members UT Austin (Adela Ben-Yakar and Andrew Dunn). This partnership will focus on the development and application of ultrashort laser pulses for biomedical imaging
and diagnostics, with a goal to eventually guide therapeutics by bringing together an innovative laser company together with two Portuguese institutions and two UT Austin faculty who are established leaders in the field of biomedical optics and imaging.

The research performed at UT Austin, INL and UPorto will use technology developed by Sphere Ultrafast Photonics and the other partners to push the speed and imaging depth of several new imaging techniques to new limits.

Approval Date: 09 December 2019

Start Date: 01 April 2020

End Date: 01 April 2023

Type: PROJETOS DE I&DT COPROMOÇÃO – INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS

Contract Number: NORTE-01-0247-FEDER-045932

Funding Agency: PO NORTE; FCT

Funding Programme: PO NORTE; FCT

INL Role: Partner (Participant Contact: Jana Nieder)

Partners:

• SPHERE ULTRAFAST PHOTONICS, S.A.
• International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL)
• University of Porto
• University of Texas at Austin (UTA)

Total Eligible Cost: € 1.281.911,16

ERDF Funding: € 945.843,69

National (PT) Funding: € 221.640,40

Title: NanoCatRed – Novel metallic NANOparticles on NANOstructured supports for oxyanion CATalytic REDuction in water

Project Description:

Several health risks have been associated with the occurrence of inorganic contaminants at concentrations larger than the background levels in surface and ground waters. The sourcing of these waters for human consumption entails several risks that require mitigation in the form of water treatment processes. However, conventional water treatment technologies are not efficient in the removal of these pollutants.

Catalytic hydrogenation is a promising technology for the removal of oxygen-containing anionic contaminants (oxyanions) from water without generation of concentrated secondary waste streams.

Nevertheless, their activity, selectivity, and durability in water treatment have not been sufficiently advanced to ensure clear cost and safety advantages to offset the risks of a disruptive technology change.

We are proposing the development of nanostructured catalysts that can achieve a step-change in the performance of catalysts for hydrogenation in water. This will be achieved by combining the synthesis of novel high-activity metallic nanoparticles (MNPs) with the preparation of nanostructured supports that enhance the catalytic activity of the metallic phases. The synthesis of the nanoparticles will take advantage of recent advances in their fabrication that allow for improved activity. The preparation of the nanostructured supports will rely on recent developments in methods to tune the textural properties and surface chemistry of carbon nanomaterials to improve on the performance of the active supported metal phases. A new equipment will be developed under this project to perform long-term experiments where the efficiency and the activity of this new nanomaterials will be assessed.

Start Date: 01 June 2020

End Date: 31 May 2023

Type: PROJETOS DE I&DT COPROMOÇÃO – INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS

Contract Number: NORTE-01-0247-FEDER-045925

Funding Agency: CCDR-N; FCT

Funding Programme: PO Norte ; FCT

INL Role: Partner (Participant Contact: Juliana Sousa)

Partners:

• ADVENTECH – ADVANCED ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGIES LDA.
• International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL)
• University of Porto – FEUP
• University of Texas at Austin (UTA)

Total Budget: € 858.499,56

INL Budget: € 289.049,88

Title: uPGRADE -miniaturized Prototype for GRavity field Assessment using Distributed Earth-orbiting assets

Project Description:

The project aims at the development, integration and preparation for the operation of a prototype demonstrator of a general purpose CubeSat platform for commercial and scientific purposes, such as Earth observation, communications, land monitoring, support of distributed and/or fractionated constellations of nano-satellites and execution of missions in the cislunar and interplanetary space. The demonstration of the capabilities of this platform will be performed using the concept of observing Earth’s gravitational field variations and measuring the neutral thermosphere – along the line of past missions such as CHAMP (DLR), GRACE (DLR / NASA) and GOCE (ESA). These capabilities will be evaluated on the ground, through careful and substantiated validation of the ready-for-launch prototype, with the launch into Low Earth Orbit (LEO) outside of the context of this project. Nevertheless, a plan will be developed for the launch in the Atlantic International Research (AIR) centre.

With this application, which has demanding requirements in terms of structural and thermal stability, power management, high volume data communication and tight requirements in terms of the accuracy of satellite orientation and position measurement, we intend to demonstrate the highest applicability in the context of the most promising niche markets in the current space sector, mentioned above, and to immediately capacitate the Portuguese industry to compete in the international space market, through efficiently acquiring the required experience and know-how, as well as the expanding the employment of highly-specialized engineers.

Start Date: 01 July 2020

End Date: 29 June 2023

Type: PROJETOS DE I&DT COPROMOÇÃO – INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS

Contract Number: POCI-01-0247-FEDER-045927

Funding Agency: CCDR-N; FCT

Funding Programme: PO Norte ; FCT

INL Role: Partner (Participant Contact: Rosana Dias)

Partners:

• SPIN.WORKS S.A.
• International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL)
• ISQ – Instituto Soldadura e Qualidade
• University of Minho (UM)
• University of Texas at Austin (UTA)

Total Budget: € 1.943.732,13

INL Budget: € 362.789,47

Title: GEMIS – Graphene-enhanced Electro-Magnetic interference Shielding

Project Description:

Electromagnetic interference (EMI) is an interesting phenomenon that affects all electronic devices working in an environment surrounded by external sources of radiated signals and electromagnetic radiation, such as antennas and other electronic devices. Within the context of electromagnetic compatibility, EMI is considered a potential and major source of operating problems to electronic devices, as well as a cause of the performance and lifetime reduction, especially in a world where electronic devices are increasingly ubiquitous.

In this context, current shielding materials used to protect electronic devices from EMI, are based on heavy, brittle and expensive metals, while the major EMI applications have a huge demand for flexible, additive, light, and inexpensive materials. This is of crucial importance, for instance, for several vehicles. industries, from hybrid and electrical cars to airplanes, where weight reduction is imperative to increase autonomy and reduce carbon footprint. Graphene and related materials are considered the most promising and effective candidates for effective EMI shielding because of their excellent electrical properties, extremely high specific surface area, and unprecedented strength to weight ratio.

The GEMIS project aims to develop versatile EMI shielding solutions based on graphene materials and technology, as well as to make a significant impact in several applications and sectors that require highly versatile shielding solutions able to comply with various production processes. To achieve this, the project proposes the development of a universal formulation for a liquid dispersion of graphene materials with highly effective EMI shielding, and the consequent production of two EMI shielding composites based on polymers and epoxies. Finally, a custom-made equipment will be designed and fabricated to specifically apply the developed EMI shielding solutions on electric wires to be used in the automotive industry.

Start Date: 1 June 2020

End Date: 31 May 2023

Type: PROJETOS DE I&DT COPROMOÇÃO – INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS

Contract Number: POCI-01-0247-FEDER-045939

Funding Agency:COMPETE; FCT

Funding Programme: POFC; FCT

INL Role: Partner(Participant Contact: Andrea Capasso)

Partners:

• GRAPHENEST S.A.
• International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL)
• University of Minho (UM)
• University of Texas at Austin (UTA)

Total Budget: € 1,171,622.84

INL Budget: € 507,999.06

Title: SENTINEL – New injectable biosensor for continuous remote monitoring of cancer patients at high risk of recurrence | Novo biosensor injectável para monitorização contínua remota de pacientes oncológicos com elevado risco de recidiva

Project Description:

Cancer, when identified early, is likely to respond more effectively to treatment, resulting in greater probability of survival, generating less morbidity and reducing cost of treatment. Early diagnosis focusses on identification of symptomatic cancer cases at the earliest possible stage as compared to screening that seeks asymptomatic cancer or pre-cancerous lesions. Due to limitations, it is not yet possible to use extensively screening to prevent cancer (primary prevention). Screening can over-diagnose cancer conditions, implying that premalignant lesions for which medical intervention is not advisable neither desirable receive treatment generating co-morbidities that would be otherwise avoidable. This situation has resulted in the recent past in an epidemic of cancers such as prostate cancer and ductal carcinoma in situ.

Remote patient monitoring (RPM) of cancer diseases can be potentially used to increase current predictive rates, while contributing for a more cost-effective and accessible diagnosis and treatment. Patients at high risk of cancer recurrence would constitute an ideal population for such improved cancer monitoring tools. These novel tools should have the ability to remotely generate personalized patient data, which should be used to detect disease onset or progression. While RPM has been predominantly applied for monitorization of vital signs, the extension of such concept to monitorization of high-risk profile patients would constitute a significant jump forward in the prevention and early diagnosis of cancer patients.

SENTINEL project proposes the innovative development of remote monitoring tools for high-risk profile cancer patients. Such technology aims to increase the positive predictive value (PPV) of cancer screening, while facilitating the remote and ubiquitous monitoring of patients in large scale. The main objective of the SENTINEL project is to develop a minimally invasive and biocompatible implantable biosensor to be used in the early tumor surveillance in post-operative prostate cancer patients, supported by the following accomplishments:

• To develop novel biocompatible and injectable formulations able to assure low foreign body reaction after implantation;
• To establish encapsulation protocols for novel plasmonic particles using hydrogel-based formulations;
• To develop simple, affordable and low risk implantation procedures able to be implemented in a clinical setting;
• To acquire transdermal Raman signals based on implanted biosensor using a handheld Raman device;
• To test the system’s signaling using in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo protocols that model physiologically disease relevant conditions;
• To process and classify acquired data using machine learning algorithms;
• To develop computational predictive diagnostic protocols using acquired biosensor spectra.

Start Date: 01 April 2020

End Date: 01 April 2023

Type: PROJETOS DE I&DT COPROMOÇÃO – INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS

Contract Number: NORTE-01-0247-FEDER-045914

Funding Agency: POFC – COMPETE; FCT

Funding Programme: PT2020; NORTE2020

INL Role: Partner (Participant Contact: Lorena Diéguez)

Partners:

• Stemmatters, Biotecnologia e Medicina Regenerativa S.A.
• International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL)
• ICVS – Life and Health Sciences Research Institute
• 2CA – Clinic Academic Center, Association
• University of Texas at Austin (UTA)

Total Budget: € 1,372,554.92

INL Budget: € 547,263.77

Title: COUNTED: Coronavirus Transmission: Count and Detect

Project Description

We propose to develop and validate a novel platform for identifying the potential of individuals to transmit the SARS-CoV-2 virus via the most common aerosol route. Specifically, the platform will collect samples of the exhaled breath condensate (EBC) and analyze those samples for the presence of the virus using methods that are sufficiently simple and inexpensive for daily use in widely distributed contexts, e.g., point-of-care (PoC) and field/work sites, ultimately targeting approval for home use. The initial screening will rely on an innovative adaptation of a nanopore-based technique for sizing and counting nanoparticles to the detection of potential SARS-CoV-2 viral particles based on their monodisperse nature in a known size range of ca. 130 nm. The sensitivity of this method will enable detection of as few as 1000 viral particles per EBC sample, conversely, a count in the viral size range statistically equivalent to background noise will indicate an insignificant risk of aerosol transmission from the tested individual. A positive nanopore-based screening result will be followed up by a rapid RNA amplification and detection test, to verify whether the detected virus is SARS-CoV-2 or not. Prototypes of the platform will be produced and validated, targeting the estimated costs in mass production at ca. 100 EUR for the reader-terminal hardware and 1–5 EUR range for disposable components of the EBC collector, nanopore, and RNA analysis modules.

Start Date: 01 June 2020

End Date: 30 November 2020

Type: PROJETOS DE I&DT EMPRESAS: COVID-19 – I&D Empresas e Infraestruturas de Ensaio e Otimização – Call 15/SI/2020

Contract Number: POCI-01-02B7-FEDER-050226

Funding Agency: POFC – COMPETE

Funding Programme: PT2020

INL Role: Coordinator (Participant Contact: Dmitri Petrovykh)

Partners:

• Celoplás, Plásticos para a Indústria S.A.
• Associação Laboratório Colaborativo em Transformação Digital – DTx
• Centro Clínico Académico Braga, Associação (2CA-Braga)

Total Budget: € 492, 688.55

INL Budget: € 210, 468.75

Title: nanoLAB: Strengthening of the Technological Infrastructure associated with Micro and Nanofabrication

Project Description

The main objective of the nanoLab project is to enable the reinforcement of the technological infrastructure of INL with a set of equipment that will support the responsiveness of INL capabilities a more efficiently and skilled way, promoting transfer of competitiveness at national and international level and contributing to the specialization strategy territory.

In particular the project is intended to act at two levels, namely:

a) Reinforcement of the technical conditions for the functioning of the technological infrastructure, especially with regard to the clean room, through the acquisition and installation of stabilization equipment, which will minimize the interruption of clean room operations; and,

b) Reinforcement of the Clean Room Scientific Equipment to guarantee the existence of state-of-art technology capable of responding to market demands.

Thus, it is expected that the investments associated to this project can contribute to a significant increase in the technical and scientific capacity of INL and improve the efficiency of wafers manufacturing processes.

Start Date: 01 June 2020

End Date: 31 May 2022

Type: Call Infraestruturas de Investigação (NORTE-46-2019-18)

Contract Number: NORTE-01-0246-FEDER-000058

Funding Agency: CCDR-N

Funding Programme: NORTE2020

INL Role: Coordinator (Participant Contact: Paulo Freitas)

Budget Total: € 1.112.116,16

INL Budget: € 1.112.116,16

Title: ICECARE: Gelados Funcionais Cardio-Saudáveis | Functional Cardio-Healthy Ice Cream

Project Description

The ICECARE – Functional Cardio-Healthy Ice Cream project aims at a set of research and experimental development activities within the scope of new formulations, which will allow the incorporation of functional compounds (with health and nutritional properties) and reducing fat (total, saturated and trans type) in ice creams, maintaining their organoleptic properties.

The project aims to develop a new, functional, unique and innovative ice cream, in a concept previously created and tested by the project team.

In practical terms, and with a demonstrative character of the performance evaluation of the formulations developed and the sensory evaluation of the new ice creams, the project will first be evaluated and tested in a laboratory environment, with a scale-up for the industrial environment.

For the success of the project, a complete and multidisciplinary consortium was created, with complementary knowledge to support the development of the project, consisting of GELADO COLORIDO (leading company, whose main activity is the manufacture of ice cream), two entities of the R&D&i system with competencies to explore the lines of research envisaged, the INL – International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, and the University of Minho, through the Center for Biological Engineering (within the scope of techniques for incorporating formulations and functional compounds into ice cream, selecting materials, defining ice cream specifications, developing formulations, evaluating performance and monitoring quality characteristics and parameters), and SENSE TEST (a company dedicated to providing services in the area of sensory analysis with the aim of applying a dynamic sensory profile technique, unique in ice cream: Temporal Dominance of Sensations – TDS)

Start Date: 01 March 2020

End Date: 30 March 2023

Type: Co-Promorion Project (Call 03/SI/2017)

Contract Number: 039927

Funding Agency: PO Norte

Funding Programme: PT2020

INL Role: Co-Promoter (Participant Contact: Miguel Cerqueira)

Partner:

• ICECARE
• INL – International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory
• Centre of Biological Engineering of the University of Minho
• SENSETEST

Budget Total: € 558, 573.62

INL Budget: € 134, 988.13

Title: i4REV – Development of Nanostructured Coatings for Functionalization of Auto Parts Surfaces | Desenvolvimento de Revestimentos Nanoestruturados para Funcionalização de Superfícies de Peças Automóveis

Project Description

Oriented to the automotive industry, the i4REV project aims to develop new coatings nanostructures that can give advanced features to polymeric and glass parts.

The following goals can be identified within the scope of i4REV:
– Study and development of a new process, by combining materials in a multilayer structure, for the development of multifunctional coatings on polymeric and glass substrates;
– Improve the durability, characterized by the good adhesion and performance, of the coatings currently applied, namely when applied on plastics and on the surface of the entire volume of the piece (coating on the entire 3D surface)
– Study and characterization of the morphological, physical-chemical and optical properties of the functional and nanostructured films developed and what is their effect on the desired surface properties.

Start Date: 19 February 2020

End Date: 18 February 2023

Type: PROJETOS DE I&DT COPROMOÇÃO – Clube Fornecedores Bosch

Contract Number: POCI-01-0247-FEDER-042783

Funding Agency: POFC – COMPETE

Funding Programme: PT2020

INL Role: Partner (Participant Contact: Patrícia Sousa)

Partners:

• PRIREV – SURFACE TECHNOLOGY, S.A.
• University of Minho
• CENTITVC – CENTRO DE NANOTECNOLOGIA E MATERIAIS TÉCNICOS, FUNCIONAIS E INTELIGENTES

Total Budget: € 1.567.315,03

INL Budget: € 299.505,73

Title: CELINOV – New Solutions for the car of the future | Novas soluções para o automóvel do futuro

Project Description

The CELINOV Project aims to develop and research technological solutions for the manufacture of components relevant to the automobile of the future. The challenges to which the CELINOV project responds are the development of new mold design and molding methodologies, as well as advanced technological solutions for injection molding and quality control that enable the production of plastic components with specific optical and magnetic properties.

In order to guarantee the success of the project, a consortium with complementarities of values was created, consisting of Celoplás, a corporation specialized in high precision technical components for the automotive, electronic, electrical, optical, construction, medical and other industries and holder a deep knowledge of the markets where these products are marketed and by CeNTI and INL as entities of the I&I system, possessing the know-how and the most modern technologies in the area of new and intelligent materials, development of magnetic raw material and electronic systems control, ensuring the transfer of developments to the industrial environment.

Approval Date: 11 March 2020

Start Date: 01 February 2020

End Date: 31 January 2023

Type: PROJETOS DE I&DT COPROMOÇÃO – Clube Fornecedores Bosch

Contract Number: POCI-01-0247-FEDER-042747

Funding Agency: POFC – COMPETE

Funding Programme: PT2020

INL Role: Partner (Participant Contact: Diogo Aguiam)

Partners:

• Celoplás, Plásticos para a Indústria S.A.
• CENTITVC – Centro de nanotecnologia e Materiais Técnicos, Funcionais e Inteligentes

Total Budget: € 2.078.407,93

INL Budget: € 809.865,92

Total Funding European Union: € 1.429.985,35

Title: RE-EAT ROCHA PEAR

Project Description

RE-EAT ROCHA PEAR – Ripening recovery strategies in the post-storage of Rocha pear treated with 1-MCP, aimed at different markets. The main goal of this project is to strengthen research, technological development and innovation.

Start Date: 01 October 2019

End Date: 03 September 2022

Type: PT2020- Program Operacional Competitividade e Internacionalização

Contract Number:

Funding Agency: PT2020

Funding Programme: COMPETE2020

INL Role: Partner (Participant Contact: João Piteira)

Partners:

• FRUTUS – Estação Fruteira do Montejunto CRL
• ROCHACENTER – Centro de Pós-Colheira e Tecnologia
• ACE Universidade Católica Portuguesa
• InovePlastika – Inovação e Tecnologia em Plásticos, S.A.

INL Total Budget: € 129, 256.13

Funding: € 921, 368.60

FEDER Funding: € 611, 344.29

Title: SMART4CAR: Smart Surfaces for Automotive Components

Project Description

Nowadays, in the automotive industry, consumers demand ever more for customized cars, that are suited to the aesthetic of their preferences. This growing trend has leveraged R&D around the design and production of polymeric parts with high decorative requirements.

Another major challenge in the automotive industry is the already established tendency in the market towards autonomous driving; this will undoubtedly impact the automotive sector. In order to turn this tendency into a reality, the car must be equipped with several sensor systems, which include high precision optical lenses with very strict requirements.

The SMART4CAR project foresees to respond to these challenging opportunities by developing new technological solutions for the use of the IMD technique in the overmolding of bi-material components and for the development of high-precision optical lenses. As so, these solutions are mainly focused on the following areas of research:

• IMD films with decorative and functional features in the overmolding process of bi-material components;
• High precision polymer optical lenses with different surface finishes.

Start Date: 01 October 2019

End Date: 30 September 2022

Type: PT2020- Projetos IDT em Co-promoção

Contract Number: 045096

Funding Agency: PT2020

Funding Programme: COMPETE2020

INL Role: Partner (Participant Contact: Patricia Sousa)

Partners:

• InovePlastika – Inovação e Tecnologia em Plásticos, S.A.
• CeNTI – Centro de Nanotecnologia e Materiais Técnicos, Funcionais e Inteligentes
• INL – International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory
• PIEP – Polo de Inovação em Engenharia de Polímeros
• Universidade do Minho

INL Total Budget: € 305, 604.74

Funding: € 229, 205.55

Title: JigSense: Sensorização inovadora de gabaritos para linhas de produção / Innovative sensing solutions of jigs for production lines

Project Description

The JigSense project aims to reduce the high cabling volume when integrating sensors in an assembly line jig, and to contribute to its increased reliability, increased sensor lifetime, decrease maintenance requirements while adding significant added value to its product. The JigSense project also aims to reinforce and consolidate AOF’s competencies in the development of sensed devices and anticipate the market evolution in this field, through the synergies with the involved entities, namely CeNTI and INL. From the technical-scientific point of view, the JigSense project has the following specific objectives:

• Development of a sensor interface module capable of measuring the different sensor topologies and provide a low-power bus communication, reducing, thereby, the number of required cables for communicating with the PLC and their respective weight;
• Development of a low-power wireless communication module that allows the interface between the sensor bus in the movable jig structures and the control system attached to the workstation, in order to eliminate the connection cables between the movable and fixed structures;
• Development of a module for wireless charging, or pulse charging, with a temporary internal storage unit, which can eliminate the required power cables to the communication and sensor modules.

Start Date: 01 October 2019

End Date: 30 September 2022

Type: PT2020- Projetos IDT em Co-promoção

Contract Number: 045087

Funding Agency: PT2020

Funding Programme: COMPETE2020

INL Role: Partner (Participant Contact: Stephen Mundy)

Partners:

• ANTÓNIO OLIVEIRA FERREIRA LDA
• CeNTI – Centro de Nanotecnologia e Materiais Técnicos, Funcionais e Inteligentes
• INL – International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory

Project Total (eligible) Budget: € 945,136.10

FEDER Funding: € 708,099.82

INL Total Budget: € 228,456.73

Funding: € 171,342.55

Title: FoodSense: Desenvolvimento de sistema integrado em linha de enchimento para deteção de contaminantes em produtos alimentares // Development of integrated inline filling system for contaminant detection in food products

Project Description

The main goal of the FoodSense project is to develop, test and validate an innovative filling system for the food industry, for application in the production process of mayonnaise and ice cream, allowing the rapid online detection of different microorganisms.

The FoodSense Project intends to provide a solution (filling equipment line) that will allow in-process microbiological parameters monitor and control, upstream of the production line, still in the reactor prior to the actual filling of the product. The solution will integrate 4 components in an industrial prototype – the FoodSense system: 1) Biosensor for microbiological parameters analysis consisting of two modules – a microfluidic sample preparation module and a microbiological detection module; 2) a reactor tank, where food products remain before proceeding to the 3) 4-station automatic filler; and a 4) FoodSense interface, consisting of a management system with an intuitive user interface and an alert system for non-conforming samples.

The FoodSense project will take advantage of new emergent technologies – such as nanotechnologies, microsystems, biosensors and TICE – and the technical knowledge developed in the field of microbiology and molecular biology, promoting technological transfer to filling equipment industry and food sector, seeking to provide an integrated response to food safety and quality.

Start Date: 16 September 2019

End Date: 14 March 2022

Type:PT2020- Projetos IDT em Co-promoção

Contract Number: POCI-01-0247-FEDER-039989 • LISBOA-01-0247-FEDER-039989

Funding Agency: PT2020

Funding Programme: COMPETE2020

INL Role: Partner (Participant Contact: Paulo Freitas)

Partners:

• AFINOMAQ
• Fazenda & Silva
• WSBP Electronics
• INL – International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory
• INESC-MN – Instituto de Engenharia de Sistemas e Computadores para os Microsistemas e as Nanotecnologias

INL Total Budget: € 308, 608.03
Funding: € 231, 456.02
Total Budget of the project: € 1,026.541.80
Total Funding European Union: € 692,107.22

Title: BetterFat4Meat: Desenvolvimento de gordura estruturada para utilização em produtos cárneos por substituição de gordura animal // Development of Structured fat to use in meat products in substitutiuon of animal fat

Project Description

The competitiveness of the food industry makes necessary for companies to develop strategies to differentiate their products in a proactive way in order to respond to market trends without neglecting food safety rules and, at the same time, reaching increasingly longer consumption periods, preserving the organoleptic characteristics of the products, and contributing to the improvement of their nutritional profile and thereby helping to improve the health of its consumers.

BetterFat4Meat will allow the creation of new meat products with structured vegetable oil, thus developing new meat products with: 1) healthy lipid profiles and 2) lower saturated fat content. INL and UM will develop and characterize new formulations so that the coordinator, Porminho, incorporates them into two products, namely a salami, whose target audience is traditional sausage consumers, and a new snack product for young public in the age group from 6 to 14 years.

Start Date: 01 September 2019

End Date: 31 August 2022

Type:PT2020- Projetos IDT em Co-promoção

Contract Number:POCI 31/SI/2017 – 039718

Funding Agency: PT2020

Funding Programme: COMPETE2020

INL Role: Partner (Participant Contact: Miguel Cerqueira)

Partners:

• PORMINHO
• INL – International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory
• Universidade do Minho

INL Total Budget: € 406, 255.36

Funding: € 304, 691.52

Title: TOP4ICT – Tooling OPtimization for ICT Systems

Project Description

Project TOP4ICT has the objective of developing solutions that ensure value creation to PARSEC’s ICT test systems and their adaptation to the challenges of Industry 4.0 and to the demands of the automotive sector, with knowledge and expertise generated in Portugal, retaining PARSEC’s position as a competitive supplier for BOSCH as well.

Therefore, project TOP4ICT aims at qualifying the company with last generation technologies for the improvement of its products (ICT test systems for PCBA’s) and tools by designing and developing R&D solutions for optimizing the structure of the test adapters, increasing the reliability of the contacts on the interfaces of the bed of nails and protecting the PCBA from electrical stress prompted during the test (ICT), thus endowing PARSEC’s test systems with better quality (greater efficiency and accuracy), less weight and volume and a smaller production cost.

Besides, with this project, PARSEC will shorten the response time in supplying its customers by reducing project, manufacturing and end product delivery time. All this will cause PARSEC to increase its notoriety and visibility before the market and will promote the supply of these significantly improved and innovative products to new customers, be it in the automotive electronics sector or other sectors within consumer electronics, both in the national or international markets.

Start Date: 01 August 2019

End Date: 31 July 20222

Type: PT2020- Projetos IDT em Co-promoção

Contract Number: POCI-01-0247-FEDER-040418

Funding Agency: PT2020

Funding Programme: COMPETE2020

INL Role: Partner (Participant Contact: Filipe Alves)

Partners:

• CONTROLAR
• Universidade do Minho
• INL – International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory

INL Total Budget: € 311, 862.76

Funding: € 233, 897.07

Title: INL@H2020: Aumento da Produção Científica Nacional através da participação e cooperação internacional no H2020 // Increasing National Scientific Production through International Participation and Cooperation in H2020

Project Description

This project aims to implement an integrated and sustained strategy to increase INL participation in Horizon 2020, ensuring the scientific recognition of the national research organizations in the international landscape. The participation in H2020 will benefit national scientific excellence, cooperation in international networks and enhancing a technology-based economy by transferring knowledge to the national and international economic ecosystem.
This project foresees INL effort to link with scientific institutions at the European level, to form consortiums, to exchange scientific concepts and to shape competitive projects capable of increasing INL participation in H2020, aiming to support the valorization and transfer of technology to the market, ensuring access to knowledge in an accessible and globalized way at European scale.

Start Date: 18 May 2019

End Date: 17 May 2021

Type:PT2020- Projetos Internacionalização IDT

Contract Number:POCI – 03/SAICT/2017 – 40743

Funding Agency: PT2020

Funding Programme: COMPETE2020

INL Role: Coordinator (Participant Contact: Marina Dias)

INL Total Budget: € 609, 813.46

Funding: € 518, 341.44

Project Description:

In cancer surveillance, the concept of liquid biopsy has gained increasing interest. The presence of Circulating Tumour Cells (CTCs) in liquid biopsies endows clinicians with critical information for the prediction of cancer prognosis and therapeutic response. However, the isolation of live CTCs using available methods is far from being well established.

Indeed, in epithelial tumours with cancer cells in transdifferentiation states, the ability to capture, enrich, and propagate live CTCs for downstream analyses has become a major challenge. In this project, we propose a new method to capture live CTCs, even those that lack epithelial markers, based on their adhesive features to specific ECM components and coupled with cancer specific glycomarkers.

CTCs will be characterized for protein expression profiles using bioimaging in situ analysis and for mutation profiling through NGS, and will be functionally studied using short-term cultures, as well as in vivo tumour formation approaches. This experimental strategy could be used for drug-sensitivity testing and, in the near future, be considered for true personalized and precise treatments of cancer patients.

Main Goal: The main goal of CAPTURE Project is to develop a new strategy to CAPTURE CTCs based on the functional properties of live CTCs, namely the adhesion of cancer cells to specific matrix components coupled with immunodetection using cancer specific glycomarkers.

Approval Date: 30 May 2018

Start Date: 22 November 2018

End Date: 21 November 2021

Contract Number: 030383

Funding Programme: Sistema de Apoio à Investigação Científica e Tecnológica (SAICT)- Projetos de Investigação Científica e Desenvolvimento Tecnológico (IC&DT)

Region: Norte and Lisboa

INL Role: Partner (Participant Contact: Paulo Freitas)

Partners:

• IPATIMUP – Instituto de Patologia e Imunologia Molecular da Universidade do Porto (Coordinator)
• INL – International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory
• IST – Instituto Superior Técnico

Total Eligible Cost: € 239, 871.55

ERDF Funding: € 197, 984.57

National (PT) Funding: € 41, 886.98

Title: OPTIMA – Optical monitoring of environmental emissions of ammonia by an integrated and autonomous membrane-based fluorescence platform

Project Description:

The research plan under the scope of this project aims the development of a new sensor for monitoring ammonia. The sensor will be based on the combination of optical transduction mediated by a selective recognition element. The new sensor aims to break the current barrier cost for environmental applications, being also simultaneously able to be integrated into networks of sensors for remote monitoring.

Main Goal: This project intends to develop a new low-cost and integrated sensor for the environmental monitoring of ammonia in an autonomous fashion.

Approval Date: 04 June 2018

Start Date: 15 October 2018

End Date: 14 October 2021

Contract Number: 031559

Funding Programme: Sistema de Apoio à Investigação Científica e Tecnológica (SAICT)- Projetos de Investigação Científica e Desenvolvimento Tecnológico (IC&DT)

Region: Norte and Lisboa

INL Role: Coordinator (Participant Contact: Hugo Oliveira)

Partners:

• INL – International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory
• NOVA.ID.FCT – Associação para a Inovação e Desenvolvimento da FCT

Total Eligible Cost: € 235, 486.95

ERDF Funding: € 146, 322.78

National (PT) Funding: € 89, 164.17

Title: FIM4STROKE – A Fully Integrated Magnetoresistive Biochip Platform for Stroke Patient Stratification

Project Description:

Ischemic stroke is a huge public health problem causing disability and deaths worldwide. The only drug approved by FDA as treatment of acute thrombotic strokes is the tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA), which is efficient but with reduced therapeutic window (< 4.5 hours). This treatment when administered to ineligible patients, may has severe side effects, which may lead even to death. Currently the identification of patients that are likely to benefit from tPA relies on neuroimaging techniques. Computed tomography assists the neurologist and emergency physician in treatment decision but with limitations for early ischemic injuries in the acute setting and restrictions in the ability to visualize posterior pathologies. Biomarkers in blood have revealed the potential to accurately identify the right candidates for rtPA treatment. Combining this information with a point-of-care (PoC) diagnostic/prognostic tool will facilitate patient stratification enabling a more efficient therapy. The present project takes advantage of an existent PoC bioanalytical device with already proved superior performance in biomolecular detection, including the analysis of biomarkers (MMP9 and Fibronectin) for rtPA management. This platform based on magnetic sensors will be integrated with a microfluidic serum/blood sample preparation unit for automation purposes. A significant number of real samples will be collected from patients treated or not with rtPA at a stroke unit, and the results compared with the conventional techniques. In the end, an integrated device with high-level of accuracy, specificity and sensitivity, validated for the ischemic stroke patient stratification, will be delivered. According to the World Health Organization, 15 million people suffer stroke worldwide each year. Of these, 5 million die and another 5 million are permanently disabled. Therefore, we aim to contribute to significantly reduce these figures. The proposal also presents a transdisciplinary approach that cross the boundaries between the different fields of research (clinical, biotech, nanotech, microfluidics,…) resulting in an innovative solution for an existent health problem.

Main Goal:

Develop a portable and fully integrated detection system, i.e, a microfluidic unit for sample preparation and purification, integrated to a magnetoresistive (MR) biochip platform for stroke patient stratification.

Approval Date Date: 27 June 2018

Start Date: 04 October 2018

End Date: 03 October 2021

Contract Number: PTDC/MEC-URG/29561/2017

Funding Programme: Sistema de Apoio à Investigação Científica e Tecnológica (SAICT) – Projetos de Investigação Científica e Desenvolvimento Tecnológico (IC&DT)

Region: NORTE and LISBOA

INL Role: Coordinator (Participant Contact: Elisabete Fernandes)

Partners:

• INL (Coordinator)
• INESC-MN

Total Budget – National (PT) Funding: € 239, 719.48

Title: SAM – Simultaneous Advanced Microscopies

Project Description:

The project will focus on the study of AFM cantilver bending upon excitation with fluorescence light; generating recommendations for designing optimal AFM cantilevers for combined fluorescence – AFM microscopy, and determining heating induced by AFM cantilevers excited by excitation light. The project aims to develop a system combining Structured Illumination Microscopy with Atomic Force Microscopy and apply it to cellular biology questions.

Main Goal:

The main goal of the SAM Project is to develop new technology that combines Atomic Force Microscopy in liquid and superresolution fluorescence microscopy and enable simultaneous data acquisition. This new technology will be applied to the investigation of cellular nutrient and metal transporters.

Approval Date Date: 30 May 2018

Start Date: 01 October 2018

End Date: 30 September 2021

Contract Number: PTDC/NAN-OPT/31596/2017

Funding Programme: Sistema de Apoio à Investigação Científica e Tecnológica (SAICT) – Projetos de Investigação Científica e Desenvolvimento Tecnológico (IC&DT)

Region: NORTE

INL Role: Coordinator (Participant Contact: Pieter De Beule)

Total Budget – National (PT) Funding: € 239, 173.32

Title: TACIT – Tandem Solar Cells Improved Optically

Project Description:

The project TACIt main concern is to identify the most effective light trapping (LT) strategies to improve the efficiency of a 3-terminal tandem solar cell, based on a crystalline Si (c-Si) silicon cell. Besides the c-Si solar cell, the tandem solar cell includes a SiGe sub-cell and a high band gap (Eg>1.7 eV) solar cell. The ideal material and geometry of the top-cell will be determined by computer simulations. Computer simulations will also help to identify the best LT strategies to be used in each tandem cell region. The tandem cell architecture used doesn’t require current matching, hence the sub-cells currents can be independently optimized. Two different types of LT strategies will be used: one based on metal-assisted chemical etching (MACE), and the other based on nanofabrication of LT structures and deposition of high index dielectric materials. Advanced passivation schemes will be applied to the MACE LT structures to reduce surface recombination.

Main Goal:

The main goal of TACIt is to identify the most effective light trapping (LT) strategies to improve the efficiency of a 3-terminal tandem solar cell, based on a
crystalline Si (c-Si) silicon cell.

Approval Date Date: 27 June 2018

Start Date: 01 October 2018

End Date: 30 September 2020

Contract Number: PTDC/NAN-OPT/28837/2017

Funding Programme: Sistema de Apoio à Investigação Científica e Tecnológica (SAICT) – Projetos de Investigação Científica e Desenvolvimento Tecnológico (IC&DT)

Region: NORTE and LISBOA

INL Role: Partner (Participant Contact: Lifeng Liu)

Partners:

• FCIENCIAS.ID – Associação para a Investigação e Desenvolvimento de Ciências (Coordinator)
• UNINOVA – Instituto de Desenvolvimento de Novas Tecnologias
• INL

Total Budget – National (PT) Funding: € 225, 161.09

Title: NanoLACCA: Development of nano-polymeric opaque and translucent top coats to increase material protection and paint performance

Project Description

The NanoLacca project has as its main objective the development of coatings with differentiated and innovative characteristics to be applied in wood substrates. To achieve the project’s ambitioned objectives, there are R&D activities planned on nanomaterials’ functionalization and their incorporation into different types of polymer coatings, and the increased adhesion between the developed coatings and wood substrates. The R&D activities on the nanomaterials’ functionalization and coating processes will focus on the following approaches: ultraviolet and infrared radiation protection, increasing the degree of brightness, resistance to scratches, chemical resistance and isolation from wood tannins.

To guarantee the project’s success, a consortium was set up consisting of a company and an entity from the scientific and technological system (STS) and with complementary capacities. The promoter company is Tintas Lacca, specialized in the production of coatings and with a deep knowledge of the corresponding industrial processes as well as the markets. The International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL), an RTD entity, will be the main contributor of the R&D tasks, ensuring the know-how and the most modern technologies in this field, and supporting the transfer of technological developments to the industrial environment.

Therefore, the NanoLacca project will be developed by an R&D team covering the required skills and knowhow to ensure an adequate execution of the project, and that will potentiate its results in view of enriching the final products with increased value and innovation.

Start Date: 01 September 2018

End Date: 30 August 2020

Type: Co-Promorion Project (Call 03/SI/2017)

Contract Number: 33441

Funding Agency: PO Norte

Funding Programme: PT2020

INL Role: Co-Promoter (Participant Contact: Juliana Sousa)

Partner:

• Tintas Lacca
• INL

Budget Total: € 558, 604.02

Budget INL: € 264, 081.26

Title: USECoIN – Understanding the Structure Evolution of Seedless Copper Interconnects for
Nanoelectronics

Project Description:

The ongoing miniaturization of integrated circuits (IC) and the small dimensions of IC components present significant challenges in terms of performance and reliability. In more advanced IC, such as the 14 nm node technology, the nanoscale of interconnects raises problems that are scale dependent, such as dewetting of thin films during production or electromigration during normal use. In addition, the current processing methodologies employed by the semiconductor industry face considerable challenges during the annealing stage, due to the detachment of the deposited copper layers. Miniaturization also requires that the thickness of the diffusion barrier be scaled down accordingly. This thinning imposes the substitution of the Ta/TaN barrier commonly used to inhibit copper diffusion into the dielectric. In this project, we propose to study the factors involved in dewetting and electromigration phenomena of thin copper films deposited over different substrates (which simulate the diffusion barrier layers), and evaluate the mechanisms which trigger the formation of defects by varying the processing parameters. The deposition conditions, the substrate composition and the copper film thickness are three factors that will be considered in this study. These factors have a strong influence on grain size, twin density and texture, thus conditioning the response of the copper film. Copper films will be deposited in substrate materials simulating the most common diffusion barrier, Ta/TaN films, and also in advanced diffusion barriers, namely, CoW, RuW and RuMn. Structural characterization of the films will be performed by transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, electron energy-loss spectroscopy and electron back-scattered diffraction. In situ observations will also be carried out in both scanning and transmission electron microscopies. Developing interconnects with great electrical conductivity remains the main objective of the microelectronic industry. Thus, electrical tests will be conducted on the materials that mitigate dewetting and electromigration after the annealing treatments. The development of this project will produce advances in understanding how thin copper films behave under different thermal and electrical responses, and how the substrate-film interfaces react to the various dewetting stages.

Main Goal:

The main goal of this project is the study of dewetting and electromigration phenomena in thin copper films deposited into different substrates (which simulate the diffusion barrier layers). To accomplish this objective, knowledge of the mechanisms that trigger these phenomena in the nanocrystalline films is required. In order to attain the objectives of the project under proposal, the research work is divided into six tasks:

• Production of barrier/seed thin films;
• Nanocrystalline copper deposition;
• Thermal and electrical testing of samples;
• Electrical and microscale characterization;
• Nanoscale characterization;
• Project management and dissemination of results.

To perform the work required in these tasks, a research team was bring together, with researchers of FEUP and INL, that have previously worked together previously and have experience on the production of thin films, nanomaterials and advanced materials, as well as its structural and mechanical characterization.

Approval Date Date: 06 July 2018

Start Date: 01 September 2018

End Date: 31 August 2020

Contract Number: PTDC/CTM-CTM/31953/2017

Funding Programme: Sistema de Apoio à Investigação Científica e Tecnológica (SAICT) – Projetos de Investigação Científica e Desenvolvimento Tecnológico (IC&DT)

Region: NORTE

INL Role: Partner (Participant Contact: Paulo Ferreira)

Partners:

• FEUP – Faculdade de Engenharia da Universidade do Porto (Coordinator)
• INL

Total Budget – National (PT) Funding: € 183, 855.33

Title: FLASH – Sintering of lead free functional oxides towards sustainable processing of materials for energy and related applications.

Project Description:

Piezoelectrics as Potassium-Sodium-Niobate (KNN) have currently an emerging importance due to its lead-free nature and wide range of high-tech applications as sensors, actuators, energy harvesters, biosensors, etc. However, monophasic dense KNN products are yet difficult to obtain. This project proposes a new method to densify materials abruptly above a threshold condition using FLASH sintering, where the transition occurs by a combination of furnace temperature and electrical field directly applied to the specimen. There are several proposed mechanisms for FLASH: Joule heating is the most reported one, but a defect avalanche in the form of precipitated Frenkel pairs which ionize into charge neutral defects and electron-hole pairs, is being defended as well. Defects enhance diffusion while electron-hole pairs induce high conductivity and photoemission. A clear understanding of the phenomena does not exist yet. The present work aims to exploit FLASH for sintering KNN in different dimensionalities (bulk, films, nanoparticles) and study the science behind FLASH sintering with the following objectives: (i) To investigate the dependence of FLASH on the KNN dimensionality; (ii) To identify the densification mechanisms involved in FLASH sintering of KNN and to overcome possible deleterious effects of the presence of electrical fields; (iii) To contribute to the development of alternative sintering techniques for functional oxides aiming to decrease the thermal budget, ultimately towards room temperature processing (iv) To prove the concept for low temperature sintering of bidimensional KNN (thin films on flexible substrates), not yet explored by FLASH, and extend it to other lead free oxides. To fulfil the ambitious objectives of the present work, scientific and technical complementariness between teams of the University of Aveiro (UA)/CICECO, University Nova de Lisboa (UNL)/CENIMAT and International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL), will be of paramount importance. The team of UA has expertise on ceramics, films fabrication, understanding sintering mechanisms and dielectric, ferroic characterization; The team of UNL has expertise on development of flexible electronics on low-thermal budget substrates and facilities to characterize dielectric and semiconductor behaviour at different scales, as SEM in-situ electrical measurements, non existing at UA; The team from INL has large experience and unique facilities on advanced microscopic characterization which would be essential to properly address the microstructural features, in particular in-situ TEM and FIB. This combination of groups/institutions is ideal and grants optimum setting for development of this ambitious program and to prove FLASH as an alternative low-temperature sintering tool.

Main Goal:

Potassium-Sodium-Niobate (KNN) is getting increasing importance as lead-free piezoelectric functional material. However, monophasic dense KNN products are yet difficult to obtain and this project proposes a new method to densify materials abruptly above a threshold condition, FLASH sintering (FS), using a combination of temperature and electrical field directly applied to the specimen. A clear understanding of the phenomena does not exist yet. The present work aims to exploit FS and study the science behind it with the following objectives: (i) To investigate the dependence of FS on KNN dimensionality (bulk, films, nanoparticles) (ii) To identify the densification mechanisms in KNN FS and effects of electrical field (iii) To develop alternative sintering techniques for functional oxides aiming to decrease the thermal budget (iv) To prove the concept for low temperature sintering of KNN thin films on flexible substrates, never explored by FS, and extend it to other lead free oxides.

Approval Date: 30 May 2018

Start Date: 15 August 2018

End Date: 14 August 2021

Contract Number: 029078

Funding Agency: Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia

Funding Programme: Sistema de Apoio à Investigação Científica e Tecnológica (SAICT)- Projetos de Investigação Científica e Desenvolvimento Tecnológico (IC&DT)

Region: Norte and Lisboa

INL Role: Partner (Participant Contact: Leonard Francis and Paulo Ferreira)

Partners:

• Universidade de Aveiro (Coordinator)
• NOVA.ID.FCT – Associação para a Inovação e Desenvolvimento da FCT
• INL

Total Eligible Cost: € 238, 713.39

ERDF Funding: € 175, 790.19

National (PT) Funding: € 62, 923.20

Title: Phages-on-chip – An integrated phage-based microdevice for multiplex detection of bloodstream infections.

Project Description:

Bloodstream infections (BSIs) remain a life-threatening occurrence. The detection of these bacteria in clinical samples typically relies on conventional culture techniques which are time-consuming and laborious. In addition, most diagnostic tests require intricate instrumentation and cannot be used on-site. Particularly for BSIs, these methods must also hinge on sample concentration in order to bypass time-consuming cultural enrichment steps needed for increasing bacterial concentration in blood, which is normally very low (1-100 CFU/ml).
The present project aims to develop a fast, specific, accurate and sensitive LoC for the multiplex detection of pathogens causing BSIs, namely E.coli, S. aureus and P. aeruginosa in blood samples. This will be achieved by combining state of-the-art molecular biology tools, microfluidics, magnetic approaches and optical techniques into the development of a fully integrated microdevice.
The LoC will be capable of accepting whole blood as a crude biological sample, separate and concentrate pathogens from blood components with the endpoint generation of a fluorescent signal, detectable by integrated photodiodes. This signal results from a phage-based assay in which phages carrying a reporter fluorescent gene, specifically infect target bacteria when present in samples, and express the reporter genes. Since phages only infect viable cells and replicate inside their hosts, an amplification of the fluorescent signal will be obtained, allowing a sensitive and rapid detection of bacteria, while avoiding false positives.
We anticipate that such detection tool will enable a significant improvement over existing detection approaches and will be suitable for point-of-care (POC) diagnosis, having thus an important impact on healthcare settings.

Main Goal:

The project´s main goal is the development of an integrated phage-based microdevice for multiplex detection of bloodstream infections

Approval Date: 10 May 2018

Start Date: 10 August 2018

End Date: 09 August 2021

Contract Number: 030442

Funding Agency: Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia

Funding Programme: Sistema de Apoio à Investigação Científica e Tecnológica (SAICT)- Projetos de Investigação Científica e Desenvolvimento Tecnológico (IC&DT)

Region: Norte and Lisboa

INL Role: Partner (Participant Contact: Carla Carvalho)

Partners:

• Universidade do Minho (Coordinator)
• INESC-MN – Microsistemas e Nanotecnologias
• INL

Total Eligible Cost: € 236, 413.95

ERDF Funding: € 180, 364.36

National (PT) Funding: € 56, 049.59

Title: InNPeC – Nano tools for rare giants: an innovative blood-based screening for prostate cancer

Project Description:

In prostate cancer (CaP), about 90 000 European mean die each year from metastatic disease, highlighting the unmet need for new tools and therapies. Blood-based testing offers unique opportunities for low invasive diagnosis, real-time patient monitoring and treatment selection. Still, circulating tumor cell (CTC) analysis has been hampered by their scarcity and heterogeneity. Giant cancer-associated macrophage-like cells (CAMLs) have recently been reported to also circulate in the blood of CaP patients, and to interact with CTCs, hinting a role for CAMLs in cancer cell dissemination. However, their true biological function and prognostic value remain largely undetermined.

In this context, InNPeC proposes to develop optimized nanotechnology-based tools to isolate and characterize these rare cancer associated cells, to determine their relevance as biomarkers of detection, aggressiveness and response to therapies. This is expected to significantly impact clinical reasoning and therapeutic decisions.

Main Goal: Develop innovative nanotechnology-based tools for a better characterization of prostate cancer, improved screening and personalized clinical reasoning, using rare cancer-associated cells from blood as biomarkers.

Approval Date: 16 May 2018

Start Date: 10 August 2018

End Date: 09 August 2021

Contract Number: 031442

Funding Programme: Sistema de Apoio à Investigação Científica e Tecnológica (SAICT)- Projetos de Investigação Científica e Desenvolvimento Tecnológico (IC&DT)

Region: Norte e Lisboa

INL Role: Coordinator (Participant Contact: Marta Oliveira)

Partners:

• INL – International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory
• INESC-MN – Institute for Systems Engineering and Computers – Microsystems and Nanotechnologies

Total Eligible Cost: € 239, 956.93

ERDF Funding: € 187, 088.39

National (PT) Funding: € 52, 868.54

Title: GNESIS – Graphenest’s New Engineered System and its Implementation Solutions

Project Description

The market awareness to graphene and related materials has been growing steeply, as a result of promising results obtained in an experimental context. However, the application of these materials at an industrial scale has not yet been attained yet due to a number of constraints of the available production technologies, which can be generally resumed as an inability to simultaneously produce graphene in quantity, quality, and price, according to the needs of the industrial sector. Acknowledging this gap between the existing technologies and the industry needs, Graphenest has designed and developed an innovative technology, supported by a graphite exfoliation method in liquid phase using ultrasonic cavitation. Duly tested/validated at a laboratory scale, through the development of a prototype, Graphenest’s technology now needs further demonstration at a pre-industrial scale (and full industrial, at a later stage).

The GNESIS project emerges in this context, aiming at (i) assuring the scale-up of Graphenest’s technology into a pre-industrial scale and (ii) demonstrating the application of the graphene-based materials obtained from the referred technology in three different application areas, namely: anti-corrosion paints; polymers with electromagnetic shielding; and tactile screen electrodes. The GNESIS project will be promoted by a full consortium consisting of two companies with strong R&D skills – i.e., Graphenest (project leader) and Displax – as well as three entities from the Portuguese Research and Innovation System – i.e., the International Laboratory of Iberian Nanotechnology, University of Aveiro and University of Minho. In addition, the project will be attended by three national associated business partners – i.e., Bosch, CIN and Galp Energia – and an international one – the Chinese company Zhejiang Light-Tough Composite Materials.

Start Date: 01 August 2018

End Date: 27 January 2020

Type: R&D Demonstrator Projects (Call 04/SI/2017)

Contract Number:POCI-01-0247-FEDER-033566

Funding Agency: COMPETE2020

Funding Programme:PT2020

INL Role: Co-Promoter (Participant Contact: Paulo Ferreira and Pedro Alpuim)

Partners:

• GRAPHENEST S.A (Leader)
• DISPLAX S.A.
• Universidade de Aveiro
• Universidade do Minho
• INL – International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory

Budget Total: € 1, 633, 967.09

Budget INL: € 371, 866.17

Title: NOVAMAG – Novel magnetic textures in heavy metal/ferromagnet multilayers

Project Description:

When magnetic materials are confined at the nanoscale, exciting and diverse spin textures are possible, and many distinct magnetic ground states can be achieved, the most common of which are magnetic domain walls, vortices and bubbles. The introduction of a heavy metal at an interface can give rise to a new spin-orbit related effect, referred to as the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya (DM) interaction. This anitsymmetric exchange can give rise to a spin canting which leads to the generation of new exotic magnetic textures, such as chiral domain walls, spin spirals and skyrmions. The study of the new and emerging field of magnetism caused by 3d transition magnet/heavy metal interfaces is still relatively in its infancy, and the scope and potential for new and exciting magnetic configurations and associated applications is vast. Confined magnetic textures, such as those proposed in this project, have already been envisaged as candidates for memories, probabilistic computing, neuromorphic architectures, frequency sources/detectors, and energy harvesters.

In this project we will explore these novel magnetic textures integrated as the free layer of a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ). In order to achieve the nanometric features necessary for the generation of an MTJ nanopillar, the state of the art cleanroom facilities at INL will be integral for the development and optimisation of the process. Once patterned, the dynamic properties of the system will be investigated in two stages: the first, to be carried out at Faculdade de Ciencias, Universidade do Porto, is via a magnetic field driven excitation of large arrays of nano-patterned structures. This will allow us to statistically probe a large number of junctions whilst varying the material properties (i.e. thickness of the ferromagnetic layer, radius of pillar, etc.) in order to optimize the conditions for finding specific spin textures (i.e. magnetic skyrmions). The second stage, carried out at INL, will be the static and dynamical electrical characterisation of single pillars, in order to further understand the magnetic configuration of the free layer. This characterisation will be performed in concert with micromagnetic simulations, which will allow a higher order of understanding to be achieved about the behaviour of the magnetic textures present in the system.

Main Goal: The exploration of novel magnetic textures integrated as the free layer of a magnetic tunnel junctions as candidates for emerging information and communication technologies.

Approval Date: 26 April 2018

Start Date: 26 July 2018

End Date: 25 July 2021

Contract Number: 0289172

Funding Programme: Sistema de Apoio à Investigação Científica e Tecnológica (SAICT)- Projetos de Investigação Científica e Desenvolvimento Tecnológico (IC&DT)

Region: Norte

INL Role: Coordinator (Participant Contact: Alex Jenkins)

Partners:

• INL – International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory
• FCUP – Faculty of Sciences of University of Porto

Total Eligible Cost: € 237, 481.93

ERDF Funding: € 201, 859.64

National (PT) Funding: € 35, 622.29

Title:CASOLEM – Correlated Analysis of Inorganic Solar Cells in and outside an Electron Microscope

Project Description:

For decades, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) has enabled highly localized real-space imaging of materials. The development of aberration-correction (AC) technology has expanded this capability further. In addition, advanced TEM techniques such as electron holography, tomography, and spectroscopic tomography provide a wealth of complementary information. Observing alloy nanoparticles, ultra-small clusters, segregated atoms at a grain boundary, discriminating adsorbed atoms in a one-atom thick layered material or even monitor the diffusion of those atoms in real-time, these are all feasible experiments nowadays. It is therefore not surprising the current interest of the community in studying the behaviour of functional materials under near-operational conditions, this while still maintaining the (sub-) angstrom spatial resolution of TEMs. An increasing number of laboratories is applying in-situ TEM techniques to study catalysts, light-emitting quantum dots and other nanomaterials. Copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) material is the most promising thin film photovoltaic technology available today. Compared to multi-junction or Si-based cells, CIGS present several key advantages. Compared to the recent perovskite-based solar cells, they present an excellent long-term stability. In the present project, two main issues confronting in-situ TEM will be addressed (i) overcoming the limitations of existing commercial in-situ TEM cartridges for electrical studies by developing a multipurpose and multifunctional platform and (ii) developing biasing, imaging and spectroscopical methods in TEM to evaluate the behaviour and degradation of inorganic solar cells at near-atom scale. The fabrication of sample supports for TEM which can act as all-round platforms for correlated analysis, inside and outside the microscope, is one of the most important aspects to gain quantitative information at different scales for photo-active materials such as selenide-based thin films. To undertake the project, three teams belonging to three internationally-renowned institutions, located in Portugal and Saudi Arabia, will combine their complementary expertise. The leading team is at the forefront of electron microscopy in Portugal and, along with the growers of the photovoltaic materials, will create critical know-how to advance the field of TEM and inorganic PV. The international collaborator is a pioneer in the development of in-situ TEM characterization of inorganic materials. Together, these teams possess a unique combination of skills that could unlock an entirely new way of processing and characterizing active materials for solar cells.

Main Goal:

The project “Correlated Analysis of Inorganic Solar Cells in and outside an electron microscope” aims to fabricate in-situ TEM cartridges for carrying out electrical measurements of CIGS solar cells. These chips will be universally adaptable, provide flexibility and significant advantages to the existing ones and will enable simultaneous experimentation both inside and outside the TEM. Subsequent to their fabrication they will be employed to the study of a solar cell device (CIGS) under near-operating conditions, providing unprecedented insight into relevant processes at grain boundaries and interfaces by using correlated multi-scale analysis with resolutions ranging from the atom to the entire device.

Approval Date: 26 April 2018

Start Date: 26 July 2018

End Date: 25 July 2021

Contract Number: 0289172

Funding Agency: Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia e Programa Operacional Competitividade e Internacionalização

Funding Programme: Sistema de Apoio à Investigação Científica e Tecnológica (SAICT)- Projetos de Investigação Científica e Desenvolvimento Tecnológico (IC&DT)

Region: Norte

INL Role: Coordinator (Participant Contact: Leonard Francis)

Partners:

• INL – International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory
• KAUST – King Abdullah University of Science and Technology
• University of Aveiro

Total Eligible Cost: € 239, 474.83

ERDF Funding: € 203, 553.60

National (PT) Funding: € 35, 921.22

Title: InovSolarCells – Development of innovative nanostructured dielectric materials for interface passivation in thin film solar cells

Project Description:

Photovoltaics is a technology with the potential to shift the worldwide energy industry from fossil fuels-based production to renewable energy. Furthermore, photovoltaics has seen an exceptional reduction of its production costs. In fact, installation costs are now on par with most conventional technologies, being cheaper than wind energy or coal energy in some locations. Such cost reduction has occurred mostly due to market gains and implementation of surface-passivation technology in silicon solar cells. This reduction has shown that only high performing and stable technologies will survive since the costs of the whole system are now more expensive than the module itself. In this project, our final goal is to introduce surface-passivation technology in thin film solar cells which will allow for the cost of thin film solar cells to become lower than the current silicon costs.
Thin film solar cells based in Cu(In,Ga)Se2, already have an electrical performance higher than those based on multicrystalline silicon with power conversion efficiency numbers of 22.6 % versus 20. 8%. Moreover, this technology has many advantages: i) it can be produced in flexible substrates; ii) it is low-light sensing: iii) it has a significantly lower energy payback for the fabrication of its modules; iv) it is superior and more stable than silicon when working in hot environments due to its positive coefficient of thermal behavior (silicon is negative); and v) since it is produced using a monolithically integration, a single factory is capable of transforming a glass substrate into a solar module in less than two hours. All these factors allow for thin film solar modules to be produced already at a lower cost than silicon solar modules. However, there is a significant room for improvement as the solar cell structure of thin film solar cells has been the same since 1985 and comprises no interface passivation strategies. The introduction of such technology has the capability to increase the solar cell power conversion efficiency by 3.4 % (absolute).
This development has been hindered mostly by the fact that up to now there are no capable techniques to evaluate and quantify surface recombination velocity. In this project we will develop an innovative technique based in muon spectroscopy with an unmatched capability of analysing interface defects. Despite the enormous competences that muon spectroscopy has shown in bulk semiconductors, it is still an unstudied technique in thin films. Hence, in the project we will deploy muon spectroscopy allowing us to identify the best passivation material and passivation strategies for thin film solar cells. This increased know-how will permit us to fabricate a prototype of a thin film solar cell with passivated interfaces with a superior electrical performance. The increase of the electrical performance leads to a significant reduction of production costs per watt opening the way to advance the photovoltaics market.

Main Goal:

The project main goal is to increase the electrical performance of thin film solar cells by expanding the knowledge in passivation of interfaces by introducing novel nanostructured materials that passivate, i.e. reduce the number of defects, at its interfaces.

Approval Date: 26 April 2018

Start Date: 26 July 2018

End Date: 25 July 2021

Contract Number: 029696

Funding Agency: Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia e Programa Operacional Competitividade e Internacionalização

Funding Programme: Sistema de Apoio à Investigação Científica e Tecnológica (SAICT)- Projetos de Investigação Científica e Desenvolvimento Tecnológico (IC&DT)

Region: NORTE and CENTRO

INL Role: Partner (Participant Contact: Pedro Salomé)

Partners:

• Associação para o Desenvolvimento do Departamento de Física – Universidade de Coimbra (Coordinator)
• INL – International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory

Total Eligible Cost: € 239, 995.85

ERDF Funding: € 203, 996.47

National (PT) Funding: € 35, 999.38

Title: NovaCell – Development of novel Ultrathin Solar Cell Architectures for low-light, low-cost, and flexible opto-electronic devices

Project Description:

There are several reasons for what new energy conversion devices are required, from tackling climate change, to fight poverty, to powering the internet-of-things. These, and more reasons, require power conversion devices based on low-cost technologies that can be deployed at a much faster pace that traditional technology. The faster pace demands inexpensive and fast manufacturing solar technologies. Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS) based solar cells are already competitive in the photovoltaics market, but they have yet not suffered a significant cost reduction in their production. Such reduction has not occurred because CIGS technology is still on the path to become mature. Furthermore, all solar cells are extremely complex devices where any small change has unknown and profound impacts on device performance. This proposal aims to develop solar cell architectures that allow ultrathin absorber layers reducing the most expensive layer of solar cell devices, i.e. the CIGS layer, from the current state-of-the-art 2000 nm to a thickness between 100 to 500 nm. Such reduction will vastly reduce the fabrication costs by achieving material savings and by increasing machine throughput, revolutionizing the photovoltaics market. Such thickness reduction also allows for flexible and more efficient devices. Current attempts to slightly lower the CIGS thickness have been hindered by substantial electrical and optical losses. These losses are mostly connected with the fact that the active layer is dramatically thinner than the carriers diffusion length and the optical absorption length. So far, there is no optimum way to solve these losses. In NovaCell project, the electrical losses will be overcome by the introduction of interface passivation layers based on nanosized point contact structures. Optical losses will be tackled by establishing an innovative light trapping architecture based on cutting edge photonic structures that expand internal reflection and on texturing that increases the optical path length. Such modifications have not yet been successful due to the lack of specialization and lack of know-how on CIGS solar cells. The combination of several characterization techniques will disruptively allow the expansion of the knowhow on the electrical and optical losses of solar cells and it will pioneer new solar cell architectures. These Advanced architectures will allow for devices that are produced at a much lower costs, be flexible, operate under adverse low light conditions with the additional advantage that they can fabricated easily in custom-made areas varying from large meters to a few millimetres

Main Goal:

The main goal of this project is the development of a new highly efficient solar cell architecture based on ultrathin CIGS absorber layers: with very high electrical performance; with small to large customizable areas using industrial friendly deposition techniques; fully flexible; and highly efficient on low-light conditions. A successful outcome of this project will revolutionize the photovoltaics and the Internet of Things market by introducing a novel opto-electronic device with the potential to have a production cost of 0.35 €/W.

Approval Date: 26 April 2018

Start Date: 26 July 2018

End Date: 25 July 2021

Contract Number: 028078

Funding Agency: Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia e Programa Operacional Competitividade e Internacionalização

Funding Programme: Sistema de Apoio à Investigação Científica e Tecnológica (SAICT)- Projetos de Investigação Científica e Desenvolvimento Tecnológico (IC&DT)

Region: Norte

INL Role: Coordinator (Participant Contact: Pedro Salomé)

Total Eligible Cost: € 239, 422.61

ERDF Funding: € 203, 509.22

National (PT) Funding: € 35, 913.39

Title: CaTCh – Pre-clinical evaluation of novel chemical compounds for cancer treatment: tackling unmet clinical needs

Project Description:

Standard cancer treatment involves chemotherapy combined with surgery or radiation. Still, current FDA-approved chemotherapeutic agents have limited effectiveness and undesired side-effects. Conversely, most targeted therapies act on molecules downstream of the mutant proteins. As such, the problem persists and resistance occurs via alternative signalling pathways activation. Thus, more effective therapies are urgently required. CaTCh comprises an exhaustive, well-structured broad analysis of the biological activity of innovative chemical compounds, integrating data from in vitro and in vivo models for drug screening. Data gathered so far suggests an enormous potential for these family of compounds as novel anti-cancer therapeutic drugs, by affecting key oncogenes frequently mutated in several types of cancer and associated to therapy resistance. This hints a tremendous anticancer potential with wide application, i.e, to all tumor models in which progression relies on these gene-related pathways.

Main Goal:

Evaluate the potential of novel chemical compounds as innovative and more effective targeted therapies for the treatment of cancer, a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, particularly for patients that currently lack effective therapeutic options.

Approval Date: 30 May 2018

Start Date: 26 July 2018

End Date: 25 July 2021

Contract Number: 031354

Funding Agency: Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia e Programa Operacional Competitividade e Internacionalização

Funding Programme: Sistema de Apoio à Investigação Científica e Tecnológica (SAICT)- Projetos de Investigação Científica e Desenvolvimento Tecnológico (IC&DT)

Region: Norte

INL Role: Partner (Participant Contact: Marta Oliveira)

Partners:

• IPATIMUP – Instituto de Patologia e Imunologia Molecular da Universidade do Porto (Coordinator)
• Universidade do Minho
• INL

Total Eligible Cost: € 239, 879.80

ERDF Funding: € 203, 897.83

National (PT) Funding: € 35, 981.97

Title: CritMag – REEs-free high-performance permanent magnets based on exchange-spring and high anisotropy phases

Project Description:

Permanent magnets (PMs) have critical applications in wind power generation, widely employed in Portugal. The performance of PM materials relies heavily on the presence of rare-earth elements (REEs), however, their status as critical raw materials (CRMs) calls for new approaches in developing alternative PMs that present minimal content/absence of CRMs.

The targeted breakthrough of the CritMag is to establish a new synthesis methodology for the fabrication of REE-free high-performance PMs. This objective is mainly achieved through the engineering of nanostructures with strong magnetic and shape anisotropy. The fabrication is based on our know-how in large-scale synthesis of colloidal magnetic nanoparticles with excellent magnetic properties. The method is well suited for the implementation of up-scalable and cost-efficient fabrication of REE-free PMs. Our targeted application is an electric energy generation device and we will manufacture a prototype generator using the CritMag PMs.

URL: http://nanochemgroup.org/projects.html

Approval Date: 26 April 2018

Start Date: 26 July 2018

End Date: 25 July 2021

Contract Number: 028745

Funding Agency: Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia e Programa Operacional Competitividade e Internacionalização

Funding Programme: Sistema de Apoio à Investigação Científica e Tecnológica (SAICT)- Projetos de Investigação Científica e Desenvolvimento Tecnológico (IC&DT)

Region: Norte

INL Role: Coordinator (Participant Contact: Yury Kolen’ko)

Total Eligible Cost: € 217, 356.38

ERDF Funding: € 184, 752.92

National (PT) Funding: € 32, 603.46

Title:MICRODIGEST – Micro-device for human gastrointestinal tract simulation

Project Description:

Orally administered bioactive compounds (nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals etc.) show their effects only after gastrointestinal (GI) digestion and intestinal absorption. GI digestion by gastric acid and/or enzymatic degradation may deactivate oral administered active compounds. Encapsulation is often required, using nanoparticles, nanocapsules, micelles, etc., to protect the bioactive compound. Thus, the stability must be tested during food/drug development using simulated body fluids or artificial digestive juices. After that, the intestinal absorption should be evaluated to predict the oral bioavailability in humans. In addition, an increased interest on the gut microbiota has been evolved, within the scientific community, such as the influence of different functional diets in gut microbiota dynamics.
The general objective of this project is to fabricate a modular micro-device to mimic the complete GI tract intended to predict the digestibility and bioavailability of bioactive compounds (in encapsulated or free form). The micro-device will recreate the physiologic conditions in separated modules, to mimic a different step of the digestion process, allowing the study of isolated steps or alternatively, the whole process. Microsensors will be coupled at different stages for pH, fluorescence and transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) measurement to control the pH, assess the permeability of fluorescent compounds and evaluate the cellular monolayer integrity indicating any adverse effect, respectively. The microfluidic system will be fabricated in a biocompatible polymer (polydimethylsiloxane – PDMS). Different coatings of the PDMS will be tested to reduce the absorption of small molecules, since hydrophobic and fluorescent molecules tend to diffuse into the PDMS reducing their concentration in solution and consequently affecting the accuracy and reliability of the assay. Modules containing cell cultures will integrate pneumatic microelectronicmechanical systems (MEMS)-based actuators, a new strategy to simulate physiological peristalsis motions, using a key enabling technology. The mechanical deformations are crucial to induce epithelial cells differentiation. The proposed micro-device will constitute a gastrointestinal tract (GIT)-on-a-chip to be used as an alternative to simple/poor in vitro cell cultures (static cultures) and animal experimentation. This will become an essential tool in the food and pharmaceutical industry and research fields to understand the efficacy and safety of food additives, bioactive ingredients or compounds. Improving the effectiveness of preclinical predictions about drug response and safety in humans is critical to reducing costly failures in clinical trials. The accomplishment of the proposed objective is ensured by combining and strengthening the knowledge of different research teams at INL: cell culture, microfluidics, microfabrication, MEMS and microbiology.

Main Goal:

The general objective of this project is to fabricate a modular micro-device to mimic the complete GI tract intended to predict the digestibility and bioavailability of bioactive compounds.

Approval Date: 24 April 2018

Start Date: 16 July 2018

End Date: 15 July 2021

Contract Number: 037716

Funding Agency: Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia e Programa Operacional Competitividade e Internacionalização

Funding Programme: Sistema de Apoio à Investigação Científica e Tecnológica (SAICT)- Projetos de Investigação Científica e Desenvolvimento Tecnológico (IC&DT)

Region: Norte

INL Role: Coordinator (Participant Contact: Catarina Gonçalves)

Total Eligible Cost: € 239, 798.32

ERDF Funding: € 203, 828.57

National (PT) Funding: € 35, 969.75

Title:MicrofluidicGeneTherapy – Microfluidic Layer-by-layer Assembly of Cationic Liposome – Nucleic Acid Nanoparticles for Gene Delivery

Project Description:

This project aims at the development of a colloid-microfluidic approach to assemble Cationic Liposome – DNA Nanoparticles (also known as lipoplexes) in a layer-by-layer (LbL) fashion. To achieve this, we will combine knowledge of colloidal interactions between liposomes and DNA with the use of the unique capabilities of microfluidic devices for manipulation of fluids and materials to favor assembly of lipoplexes in a controlled LbL manner. The relevance of this approach rests in the fact that once the LbL method is developed, then lipoplexes will be able to incorporate several special functions to address gene delivery barriers in patients. The combination of several of these functions is expected to lead to a great synergism between them, and ensure lipoplexes with efficacies close to viruses, and lead indeed to efficient delivery of genes in gene therapy.

Main Goal: