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A new way to detect harmful bacteria in real time

A new way to detect harmful bacteria in real time

Healthcare-associated infections remain a major global challenge, particularly as antimicrobial resistance continues to rise. Rapid and accurate detection of bacteria is essential, not only to treat patients effectively, but also to prevent the spread of infection. INL researchers Susana Costa, Hedieh Mahmoodnia, Fábio Gonçalves, Adelaide Miranda and Pieter De Beule, in collaboration with INESC TEC, have developed a new approach that could transform how bacterial infections are identified. Instead of relying on traditional methods that can take days and require complex laboratory procedures, the team focused on something bacteria naturally produce: volatile organic compounds. These are small molecules released during bacterial metabolism, i.e. as bacteria live and grow, forming a unique chemical “fingerprint” for each species. To capture these fingerprints, INL researchers developed a real-time sensing system based on a photoionization detector. By using multiple light sources, the system captures distinct signal patterns from each bacteria species. Artificial intelligence then learns to recognise these patterns, allowing accurate identification of the bacteria. Susana Costa explains that “by converting the signals into image-like representations, we trained a neural network to recognise and differentiate between bacterial species. This approach enables accurate recognition, while reducing the need for large training datasets, which are often […]

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LEARN: What four years of research revealed about indoor air quality in schools

LEARN: What four years of research revealed about indoor air quality in schools

On 22 April, the International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL) hosted LEARN’s Final Conference on its campus, in Braga, bringing together researchers, policymakers and stakeholders to reflect on four years of research and technological development. The event marked the close of a project built around the question: does the quality of indoor air at schools affect children’s cognition? Coordinated by INL and funded under the Horizon Europe framework, LEARN launched in 2022 with a twelve-partner consortium. Its ambition was to develop novel sensors capable of detecting harmful air pollutants, measure indoor air quality across schools, and assess its impact on children’s cognition. The conference opened with remarks from Ernesto Alfaro-Moreno, scientific project manager and group leader at INL, who outlined how LEARN had evolved into a practical roadmap for improving indoor air quality in schools. Presentations from partners across the consortium followed, and the day also welcomed a visit from a local school, giving pupils the opportunity to explore the project’s findings and engage directly with its tools. Fundamentally, the meeting served as a platform for sharing the project’s principal findings and outputs. Most notably, LEARN established a clear link between indoor air quality and children’s health and cognitive performance, with improved air […]

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Galicia–North Portugal Euroregion Drives Growth Through Biotech and Innovation

Galicia–North Portugal Euroregion Drives Growth Through Biotech and Innovation

On 17 April, the International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL) proudly took part in the “Conectar para Crecer” event held in Vila Nova de Gaia, near Porto, bringing together key stakeholders from across the Galicia–North of Portugal Euroregion to reinforce collaboration in innovation and biotechnology. The initiative, promoted by the Zona Franca de Vigo, ABANCA, and the Business Technology Clusters for Life Sciences, Spain’s BIOGA and Portugal’s P-Bio, highlighted the growing strength of cross-border cooperation and the shared ambition to position the Euroregion as a leading biotech hub in southern Europe. Bringing together representatives from institutions, research centres, and industry, the event provided a platform to exchange perspectives, explore collaboration opportunities, and identify synergies between the Galician and Northern Portuguese innovation ecosystems. INL’s participation reflects its ongoing commitment to fostering cross-border scientific collaboration and supporting the development of a strong, interconnected research and innovation landscape. A key focus of the meeting was the potential to deepen strategic alliances and create a more structured framework for cooperation. Discussions pointed towards the possible establishment of a long-term initiative—an “Atlantic Biotech Alliance”—aimed at aligning priorities, connecting projects with investment opportunities, and reinforcing the region’s global competitiveness. Reflecting on the importance of the initiative, Lorenzo […]

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A new ally against food contamination, developed by INL researchers

A new ally against food contamination, developed by INL researchers

Food packaging does more than hold our food; it protects it from contamination, preserves freshness, and keeps us safe. But some bacteria are relentless, forming biofilms that cling to surfaces, resist cleaning, and spoil products like cheese before they even reach the shelf. At INL, researchers Fernanda Coelho, Lorenzo Pastrana, and Sanna Sillankorva, in collaboration with partners in Brazil, are tackling this challenge in a new way. They developed films and coatings made from natural, biodegradable sodium alginate, loaded with bacteriophages, or in other words, viruses that specifically target harmful bacteria. These “phage-infused” materials act like tiny sentinels, preventing bacteria from attaching to surfaces and forming biofilms. This research was published in the journal Food Research International, and Sanna Sillankorva explains “Phage-loaded alginate can be applied directly to packaging surfaces or made into stand-alone films, offering versatile solutions for the food industry.” Tests on real products, including cheese, show that these coatings effectively limit bacterial growth and maintain food quality. By combining natural materials with biological control, this approach provides an eco-friendly alternative to traditional antimicrobial packaging, which often relies on chemicals or plastics. With this research, INL is demonstrating how cutting-edge science can meet real-world needs: safer food, longer […]

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INL Researcher Among the Minds Behind the EU’s Advanced Materials Report

INL Researcher Among the Minds Behind the EU’s Advanced Materials Report

The International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL) is proud to announce the contribution of its researcher Laura Rodriguez-Lorenzo to the Evidence Review Report (ERR) on advanced materials, delivered on 21 April to the European Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation, Ekaterina Zaharieva. Produced within the framework of the European Commission’s Scientific Advice Mechanism, the ERR was developed by the Science Advice for Policy by European Academies (SAPEA), a consortium of networks responsible for independently reviewing and synthesising scientific evidence to inform EU policy. Following a formal request in March 2025, SAPEA assembled a working group of 22 experts nominated by academies of science and engineering across Europe. The group was tasked with addressing two central questions: 1. What contribution can advanced materials bring to the EU’s strategic autonomy? 2. How can the cross-fertilisation of innovation in advanced materials be enhanced? Between June and December 2025, the group collaborated to produce a comprehensive, evidence-based report containing policy recommendations spanning: The findings serve as a baseline for the Group of Chief Scientific Advisors, whose subsequent Scientific Opinion will inform and support the forthcoming Advanced Materials Act. Among the report’s key recommendations, emphasis is placed on the importance of sustainable innovation, circular economy principles, […]

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Celebrating “Topological Matter: 10 Years after the Nobel Prize”

Celebrating “Topological Matter: 10 Years after the Nobel Prize”

A decade after the theoretical discovery of topological phases of matter earned its place in scientific history with a Nobel Prize, the International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL) brought together leading researchers from across the globe to take stock of the field’s remarkable journey. From 29 March to 2 April, INL proudly hosted the Iberian-German WE-Heraeus Seminar “Topological Matter: 10 Years after the Nobel Prize”. Funded by the Wilhelm and Else Heraeus Foundation, the seminar was awarded to and co-directed by a distinguished scientific committee comprising INL’s Director-General Clivia Sotomayor, Professor Maia Vergniory from the Université de Sherbrooke, and Professor of Physics Niels Schröter from Martin-Luther University. The programme was built around a clear ambition: to evaluate a decade of discoveries in topological materials and to chart the most promising directions for future research and real-world applications. Talks spanned a rich range of topics across a diverse roster of 32 speakers from leading research institutions, with strong representation from Germany, Portugal, and Spain. In addition, a dedicated poster session, featuring 18 presenters, fostered scientific exchange among participants. The session’s standout contribution came from Omid Ranjbar, who took home the best poster award for “Topologically Protected Hypersonic Phonon Flow at 2 GHz”. […]

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Could sodium be the breakthrough behind tomorrow’s batteries?

Could sodium be the breakthrough behind tomorrow’s batteries?

Sodium-metal batteries are emerging as a promising alternative to lithium-ion technology. Sodium is abundant, cost-effective, and widely distributed, making it ideal for large-scale energy storage. However, finding materials that can reliably store sodium ions has been a major challenge. Miguel Muñoz, group leader at INL – International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, and Leonardo Sbrascini, postdoctoral researcher in Muñoz group, worked in collaboration with groups from Spain (Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, University of the Basque Country, CIC energiGUNE, Ikerbasque, Oportunius) and Italy (University of Camerino and GISEL – National Reference Center for Electrochemical Energy Storage) to tackle this challenge. The team studied a two-dimensional organic material called DAAQ-TFP, a covalent organic framework (COF) containing anthraquinone units and a porous structure. This material can store sodium ions efficiently while remaining stable over thousands of charging cycles. Their research sheds new light on how sodium interacts with the material. While this process has been previously interpreted differently, the results show that sodium ions enter tiny channels within the COF and interact with specific chemical groups, enabling controlled energy storage. This involves two complementary mechanisms: ions can attach quickly to the material’s surface, enabling fast charging and discharging (pseudocapacitive storage), while also triggering chemical […]

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Challenge Us: INL launches an open innovation programme for industry

Challenge Us: INL launches an open innovation programme for industry

The International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL) is launching “Challenge Us!”, an open innovation programme designed to bridge the gap between cutting-edge research and real industry needs. Supported by the TECHLINK project and funded by COMPETE 2030, the programme runs on a rolling basis from April 2026 to June 2027, giving companies a sustained window to bring their toughest R&D problems to one of Europe’s leading nanotechnology laboratories. How it works The premise is simple: companies submit their unresolved R&D challenges/ unmet technological needs, and INL takes it from there. Each accepted challenge is matched with an interdisciplinary team at INL, who works alongside the company during a dedicated one-day hackathon to co-develop concept-level solutions. The goal is to deliver a proof-of-concept roadmap that maps out the path to scalability. What kinds of challenges qualify? Challenge Us! is open to companies operating across all sectors. To be considered, a challenge should meet the following criteria: What to expect after applying Companies can expect a response within 10 working days of submission. If successful, an initial meeting with INL is arranged to align expectations and logistics. Challenge presentations take place one month before the hackathon, and at the end, companies receive their […]

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The Portuguese Competence Centre in Semiconductors launches new Start-up Award

The Portuguese Competence Centre in Semiconductors launches new Start-up Award

The Portuguese Competence Centre in Semiconductors (POEMS) is launching the first edition of the POEMS Start-up Award. With applications closing on 30 April, the initiative was designed to celebrate and connect a high-potential Portuguese startup with the national and European semiconductor ecosystem. About POEMS POEMS serves as a central hub for SMEs, startups, and industry players to connect with European networks and build capabilities. Developed under the Chips Joint Undertaking and coordinated by INL, the initiative aims to position Portugal as a strategic force within the European semiconductor landscape. The POEMS consortium brings together 16 expert partners, including leading research institutions and universities. POEMS Start-up Award: Eligibility The award targets legally established Portuguese startups at any stage of development, founded after 1 January 2022, whose activities fall within the semiconductor ecosystem including: chip design, advanced packaging, semiconductor materials and devices, and enabling software or hardware tools. Design-based startups that rely on semiconductor-enabled systems or components are also eligible. To qualify, applicants must present an innovative business idea, product, or service with strong growth potential. POEMS Start-up Award: Benefits The selected winner will receive a €2,500 voucher, redeemable for services offered through the POEMS portfolio, along with an invitation to join […]

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