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March 6, 2026

António Lobo Antunes (1942–2026): A Literary Legacy That Transcends Borders

Eco-friendly cotton that repels water and separates oil

Cotton is well-known for its breathability, comfort, and versatility. However, its natural tendency to absorb water (a property known as hydrophilicity), limits its use in specialised applications such as easy-cleaning surfaces or oil–water separation. Traditional methods to make textiles superhydrophobic (i.e., water-repellent) often rely on fluorinated compounds, which, although effective, are harmful to the environment. INL researchers Diana Alves, João Rodrigues, and Juliana Sousa have developed a simple, scalable, and fluorine-free method to give cotton new properties. By combining hydrophobic nanoparticles with hexadecyltrimethoxysilane (HDMTS), a chemical that lowers surface energy to make fabrics water-repellent, the researchers created cotton that resists water and stains while still allowing oil to pass through. This selective behaviour enables the material to efficiently separate oil from water. Their approach also introduces textures at the micro- and nanoscale on the cotton surface, helping liquids slide off easily while keeping the fabric breathable and durable. The research team tested the new material under harsh mechanical and chemical conditions. The modified cotton maintained its water-repellent performance and resisted stains from red wine, coffee, milk, orange juice, and tea, without compromising its natural breathability. This straightforward approach makes the method well-suited for large-scale production and environmentally conscious textile applications. […]

INL Attends Public Framework Presentation of the New Portuguese Agency for Research & Innovation (AI²)

The International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL) marked its presence today, 24 February, at the public framework presentation of the newly founded Agência para a Investigação e Inovação (AI²), hosted at the Técnico Innovation Centre in Lisbon. The event follows last year’s announcement of the creation of AI², a new entity designed to consolidate the functions previously carried out by the Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) and the Agência Nacional de Inovação (ANI). According to the Portuguese Government, the structural reform will enable more strategic and coordinated funding across Portugal’s research and innovation landscape, contributing to the country’s long-term economic growth. In Lisbon, prominent figures from the political, industrial, and scientific spheres convened to present the methodology behind the definition of national R&I priorities. The agenda opened with an address from Portugal’s Minister of Education, Science and Innovation, Fernando Alexandre, before continuing with panel sessions exploring field overviews, global trends, and Iberian challenges, alongside open debates. Representing INL at the event were Deputy Director-General Ado Jório, Carolina Baptista, International Relations and Internal Affairs Communication Officer of the DG Office, Mariana Fernandes, Lead for National Funding Business and Strategic Relations, and Laura Rodriguez-Lorenzo, Research Scientist PI at Espiña’s Research […]

How magnetic interactions shape MRI contrast

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is key in modern medical diagnostics, offering detailed images of the body without exposing patients to ionising radiation. Yet, despite its strengths, MRI still faces an important limitation – it’s sensitivity. Detecting subtle differences between healthy and diseased tissues often requires contrast agents – materials designed to locally modify the magnetic environment and make specific features stand out more clearly. Iron oxide nanoparticles, widely explored as safer and targeted alternatives to traditional gadolinium-based agents, generate contrast by disturbing the local magnetic field around them. These disturbances cause nearby water protons to lose magnetic synchrony faster, darkening the MRI signal. While this principle has been known for years, one key question has remained unanswered: how do magnetic interactions between neighbouring nanoparticles influence MRI contrast? Researchers at INL, led by Manuel Bañobre-López, addressed this challenge by focusing on something deceptively simple: distance. Instead of changing the composition or size of the nanoparticles, they carefully tuned the distance between them. INL group leader Manuel Bañobre explains that “by coating iron oxide nanoparticles with silica shells of different thicknesses, we were able to create a model system in which magnetic interactions could be tuned with nanometre precision.” This controlled approach […]

INL Celebrates the International Day of Women and Girls in Science

Today, 11 February, the world celebrates the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. As gender inequality persists across the scientific landscape, this date serves both to honour the pioneering women who defied the odds and to remind future generations that they, too, belong in science. Recognising the importance of this mission, INL is deeply committed to fostering an equal and balanced workplace, where women represent 44% of the scientific community, including key leadership positions. This year, to raise awareness for the cause, INL highlighted six outstanding women in science, and their impactful contributions to scientific advancement: :: Dr. Patrícia Sousa, from the Hanay Group, develops microfluidic systems with applications in healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and environmental and food safety. :: Dr. Temple Douglas, also a member of the Hanay Group, has built an impressive trajectory since she began researching in high school. Her work aims to advance cancer diagnostics and therapies. :: Dr. Begoña Espiña, leader of the Espiña Group, is dedicated to water quality research. Her team works across two lines: water monitoring, detecting contaminants and pollutants; and econanosafety, studying how nanomaterials behave in aquatic environments. :: Dr. Andrea Gouvêa, specialist at the EMX Facility, provides training, consultancy, and […]

World Cancer Day 2026: Delivering hope through cancer research

Cancer has a ripple effect that extends beyond those who receive a diagnosis, impacting families, friends, and entire communities. In fact, according to the World Health Organization, the global cancer burden is expected to rise sharply, with more than 35 million new cases projected for 2050. However, World Cancer Day, marked today, is not about fear. It is a day to raise awareness, reinforce the importance of prevention, and highlight the scientific progress pushing us towards better treatments and outcomes. At INL, multiple research projects, studies, and technological innovations contribute to better understand cancer and develop new therapeutic solutions. And while the full scope of this work is vast, in this piece we will limit the spotlight to four meaningful initiatives: The 3DSecret project proposes a radical new perspective to deciphering patterns behind metastasis. Its overarching goal is to advance microfluidics to isolate and grow tumour cells into 3D mini-tumours, allowing scientists to study how cancer adapts and spreads, unlocking critical insights for next-generation treatments. The ALADDIN project is creating a groundbreaking platform designed to accelerate the discovery and validation of therapeutic nanobodies for cancer treatment. By integrating biotechnology, AI, microfluidics, and advanced modelling, ALADDIN aims to deliver a fast, efficient, and animal‑free approach […]

Reading neurochemical signals with integrated graphene–CMOS

Understanding how the brain communicates chemically requires tools that can capture fast, subtle changes across many locations at once. Neurotransmitters such as dopamine, serotonin, or glutamate act on very short timescales and in highly localised regions of the brain, making their detection particularly challenging. Graphene-based sensors have emerged as promising candidates for this task. Thanks to their atomic thickness and high sensitivity to ionic changes, graphene field-effect transistors (GFETs) can detect small variations in the chemical environment, making them well suited for neurochemical monitoring. Yet sensing is only half of the challenge. To fully exploit dense arrays of graphene sensors, compact electronic systems are needed to read many signals simultaneously, quickly, and reliably. Researchers from the Piteira and Alpuim research groups at INL have now developed a CMOS-based electronic platform designed precisely for this purpose. Their work, published in IEEE Transactions on Circuits and Systems–I, presents an integrated system capable of reading signals from an array of 32 graphene transistors in real time, enabling detailed spatiotemporal mapping of neurochemical activity. João Piteira, group leader at INL, explains “At the core of the platform is a custom-designed CMOS chip that converts tiny currents from graphene sensors into digital signals. By combining […]

INL Statement on Córdoba Railway Accident

The International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory expresses its profound sorrow to His Majesty King Felipe VI regarding the tragic consequences of the railway collision that occurred on the 18th of January 2026, in the province of Córdoba, Spain, resulting in the loss of numerous lives and leaving many others injured. At this time of mourning, INL also conveys its condolences to the families and friends of the victims and expresses its solidarity with all those who were injured, to whom it extends its sincere wishes for a swift recovery. To the emergency and rescue teams, INL expresses its appreciation for their dedication and professionalism in responding to this incident. As a binational institution, with Spain among its founding Member States, INL and its community share in the national mourning and in the sorrow felt throughout Spain.

Seeing the invisible: How electron microscopy reveals the hidden structure of battery electrodes

Lithium-ion batteries power much of modern technology, yet their performance is still strongly shaped by something that remains difficult to observe: the internal structure of their electrodes. At the nano/microscopic scale, the arrangement of the active solid particles, carbon binders, and pores determines how electrons and ions move, how reactions unfold, and how efficiently a battery can operate. Capturing this internal architecture in three dimensions is challenging. “Focused Ion Beam–Scanning Electron Microscopy (FIB-SEM) has been employed in tomography of battery electrodes, yet poor contrast between key electrode components has long limited reliable 3D reconstruction”, explains João Cunha, who led the study as a Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellow at INL. INL researchers have now demonstrated a practical way to overcome this limitation. In a recent work, published in Energy Storage Materials, the team introduced an in-situ contrast-enhancement strategy that greatly improves the visibility of porous battery electrodes during FIB-SEM tomography. By enabling 3D observations into electrode microstructures, this work supports the development of better-informed models and design strategies for next-generation batteries. Developed by INL researchers João Cunha, Ihsan Çaha, Francis Leonard Deepak, and Paulo Ferreira, the study reflects INL’s focus on practical advances in energy storage characterisation. “The approach enhances contrast directly […]

2025 INL Awards Wrap-Up: Honouring Scientific Excellence

The pursuit of scientific excellence is a shared ambition among all INLers. Every day, our researchers step into the laboratory with unwavering dedication and laser-focused expertise, determined to advance the frontiers of science—and, ultimately, improve the future of society. In 2025, their efforts earned widespread recognition within both national and international scientific communities. The following overview celebrates the achievements, grants, and awards that marked an exceptional year for INL. Triumph season began in February when Maria Relvas, a research associate from the Dieguez group, received a Research Initiation Grant by the Portuguese Cancer League to advance cancer diagnosis. Soon after, Begoña Espiña was appointed as a Water Europe expert, acknowledging INL group leader’s exceptional contributions to water quality research, particularly in developing portable and automated devices for the selective detection and quantification of chemical and biological contaminants in water. In April, the laboratory welcomed an ERC Consolidator Grant recipient. Rui Domingues, now group leader at INL, serves as the scientific project manager of the EU-funded FORTIFy project, which aims to develop wireless nanoswitches to control PIEZO channels—specialised cell force sensors—to restore tendon function. Summer brought further acclaim as Clivia Sotomayor won the Bloch Prize 2025. As a pioneer in the field of phononics, Sotomayor was […]

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