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December 31, 2025

2025 INL Awards Wrap-Up: Honouring Scientific Excellence

INL Director-General Receives Prestigious Klemens Lifetime Achievement Award

The International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory is proud to announce that the International Condensed Matter Physics Community has bestowed one of its highest honours upon Professor Clivia Sotomayor, the Director-General of INL. Presented during the Phonons 2025 conference in Buenos Aires by Professor Andrea Bragas of the University of Buenos Aires, Professor Clivia was named the recipient of the 2025 Klemens Lifetime Achievement Award. A Distinguished Legacy Established in 1986, the Klemens Lifetime Achievement Award recognises scientists whose work has profoundly shaped the field of phonon physics. Each edition of the Phonons 2025 conference presents this recognition, celebrating exceptional lifetime contributions that advance both fundamental understanding and the cohesion of the global phonon research community. Previous recipients represent the field’s most influential figures, including Paul G. Klemens (1986), A. C. Anderson (1989), R. Berman (1992), Lawrence J. Challis and Wolfgang Eisenmenger (1998), Humphrey Maris (2007), Manuel Cardona (2012), Tsuneyoshi Nakayama (2015), Bernard Perrin (2018), and David Cahill (2023). Therefore, this distinguished lineage underscores the exceptional significance of the honour. The 2025 award citation acknowledges Professor Sotomayor’s remarkable contributions to the field: “We are delighted to share that the recipient of the 2025 Klemens Lifetime Achievement Award is Clivia Sotomayor, for her […]

The ESRA Symposium Returns For a Dynamic 2nd Edition

Following its successful inaugural session last year, the ESRA Symposium made a vibrant return to INL for its second edition on 11 and 12 November. Organised by the Early-Stage Researchers Association, the event is dedicated to championing the professional growth of early-career scientists. Eager to share their innovative work, master’s students, PhD candidates, and junior researchers gathered for two days of knowledge exchange and networking. The symposium opened with an inspiring address by Prof. Ado Jório, who emphasised the importance of the initiative in empowering the careers of early-stage researchers. Participants, then, showcased their work through engaging oral communications and poster presentations, creating a lively atmosphere filled with insightful discussions on innovation. Setting a captivating tone, the programme featured two keynote talks. First to take the stage was Prof. Luís Arnaut, from the University of Coimbra, founder and board member of Luzitin SA, and founder and chairman of Laserleap Technologies, who delivered a compelling presentation on “The Making of an Investigational New Drug – The Case of Redaporfin”. Later, attendees heard from Luís Sarmento, co-founder and CEO of Inductiva AI, who shared his perspective on “Start-ups, Simulations, and Surprises”. The symposium saw an impressive level of participation, with 180 total […]

Joana Araújo Honoured with Best Shotgun Poster Award at International Caparica Conference PTIM

INL is honoured to announce that Joana Araújo, a member of the Kolen’ko research group, has been awarded the prize for Best Poster Presentation at the 6th International Caparica Conference on Pollutant Toxic Ions & Molecules. Held biennially in Costa de Caparica, Portugal, this prestigious event brings together leading experts from the environmental sciences, biology, chemistry, and health research communities. The conference serves as a dynamic platform for showcasing latest technologies, innovative methodologies, and advances in pollution detection, contamination control, and remediation. The sixth edition of the conference took place from 2 to 6 November, featuring an extensive programme of plenary lectures, keynote presentations, oral communications, and poster sessions. Joana Araújo earned her recognition in the Shotgun Poster category, receiving a certificate and a gift from the PROTEOMASS Scientific Society. Her award-winning poster, titled “Covalent Organic Frameworks and Composites for Efficient Adsorption of Pharmaceuticals in Natural Waters”, explored the potential of covalent organic frameworks (COFs) and COF-based composites as efficient adsorbents for monitoring and removing persistent pharmaceutical contaminants from natural water sources. Further contributions from the Espiña Research Group strengthened INL’s presence at the conference. Begoña Espiña, the group leader, delivered a plenary lecture, while Miguel Sousa presented a poster […]

Cristiana Alves: Revealing the Invisible Through Materials Science

Meet Cristiana Alves, Facility Lead at the Electron Microscopy and X-Rays (EMX) Facility at INL. With a lifelong curiosity for how things work and a deep passion for uncovering the unseen, Cristiana’s journey into materials engineering and nanotechnology has been driven by both precision and wonder. From exploring bioactive coatings for dental implants during her PhD to working in one of the most advanced electron microscopy facilities in the Iberian Peninsula, she combines technical excellence with a commitment to discovery. At the heart of her work is a drive to understand materials at their most fundamental level, and to help others do the same. Can you tell us a bit about your path, your main area of work, and the importance of your work?Since I was a child, I have always loved to explore and discover things in nature, get to know how things work, and why they work in such a way. I also loved math because for me, math is simple; there are no doubts or misinterpretations. This combination brought me to an engineering course (materials engineering).While pursuing my master’s, I naturally became passionate about research and science, and I pursued a PhD to study nanomaterials for biomedical applications. When you […]

INL Joins Global Dialogue on Innovation and IP at WIPO General Assemblies

The International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL) is proud to participate as an observer at the 66th session of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) General Assembly, held from 8 to 17 July 2025 at WIPO Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. This participation reaffirms INL’s commitment to international cooperation in science and its active contribution to the global dialogue on innovation, intellectual property, and technology for sustainable development. The 66th session brought together more than 1,600 delegates representing all 194 WIPO member states, including over 40 ministers and deputy ministers, and nearly 100 heads of national patent offices. The assembly served as a vital forum for exchanging expertise, sharing achievements, and shaping global strategies to enhance intellectual property systems in support of innovation-driven growth. During the opening session, WIPO Director General Daren Tang welcomed the Federated States of Micronesia, WIPO’s newest member state. He highlighted the resilience and dynamism of the global innovation ecosystem, noting that more than 40 intellectual property applications are filed every minute worldwide. INL’s presence in Geneva underscores the importance of aligning nanotechnology and advanced science with international policy frameworks, ensuring that emerging technologies contribute meaningfully to global sustainable development goals.

From Nanoparticles to Sustainability: A Conversation with Monica Quarato

Welcome to this inspiring conversation with Monica Quarato, a passionate scientist whose work bridges nanotechnology, environmental sustainability, and cutting-edge research. With a background in Biotechnology and hands-on experience across Europe, from Turin to Dublin, Ispra, and Braga, Monica has dedicated her career to advancing our understanding of nanoparticles, microplastics, and their impact on both health and the environment. Today, she shares insights from her academic journey, her current projects at the International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL), and her vision for the future of water purification and environmental monitoring. How did your academic and professional journey lead you to INL and the Espiña Research Group? During my academic and professional journey, I have been committed to advancing knowledge in the field of nanotechnology and its applications in the medical and environmental sectors, by joining different universities and research institutions. Driven by a growing interest in sustainability and the environmental impact of materials, I became involved in the detection and quantification of emerging contaminants, such as nanoparticles and microplastics, in both consumer products and marine organisms. The hands-on experience in applied environmental research helped shaping my scientific vision and reinforced my dedication in developing practical solutions to address global challenges. Motivated to further […]

INL Workshop on Medical Devices Helps Shape EU Policy Milestone in Advanced Materials

Just months after INL hosted a high-level workshop on Advanced Innovative Materials for Medical Devices, the momentum generated in Braga has culminated in a major policy advancement: At its second meeting, the High Level Technology Council for Advanced Materials, held in Brussels last week, expanded its industry priorities to include advanced materials for medical devices. This marks a significant recognition of the groundwork of the subgroup tasked with examinign this option discussed at INL in April, where European leaders, policymakers, and innovators gathered to explore the transformative potential of advanced materials in health materials and associated technologies. “The inclusion of materials for health in the form of medical devices is a strategic priority for Europe,” said Dr Clivia Sotomayor Torres, Director-General of INL, who chaired the subgroup with support form Dr Lorena Diéguez, research group leader at INL. She added: “it’s a testament to the power of collaborative dialogue and scientific foresight.” From INL to Brussels: Driving the Agenda Forward Organised under the High Level Technology Council for Advanced Materials, an initiative of the European Commission launched in late 2024, the April 2025 workshop at INL served as a strategic forum under the Council’s Subgroup on Future Priorities. It brought together key European figures including Irene […]

INL Embarks on NIS2 Compliance Journey

The International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL) is proud to announce the launch of its comprehensive compliance program aligned with the EU’s NIS2 Directive (Directive (EU) 2022/2555). This initiative reinforces INL’s unwavering commitment to cybersecurity, data protection, and the broader public good. The NIS2 Directive marks a significant milestone in the European Union’s efforts to strengthen the security and resilience of critical and important entities across member states. As a leading research institution at the forefront of nanoscience and innovation, INL acknowledges its responsibility to safeguard not only its scientific assets but also the sensitive data of its partners, collaborators, and the communities it serves. To meet and exceed NIS2 compliance standards, INL is deepening investments in skilled talent, cutting-edge technologies, and strategic partnerships. These efforts are underpinned by the development of a robust and resilient digital infrastructure, one that ensures secure, trustworthy, and transparent scientific collaboration. INL remains committed to continuous improvement and proactive risk management. As it advances through this compliance journey, the organization will regularly assess and adapt its approach, ensuring it remains aligned with best practices and emerging threats in the cybersecurity landscape. By embracing this directive, INL reaffirms its mission to uphold global trust in responsible […]

Bridging Theory and Experiment: A Conversation with Luísa Madail

Welcome to our Quantum Spotlight Series, where we explore the stories and insights of researchers contributing to the rapidly evolving world of quantum science. Today, we’re joined by Luísa Madaíl, a Research Assistant in the Theory of Quantum Nanostructures group at the International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL). With a background in theoretical physics and a deep curiosity about the electronic properties of novel materials, Luísa shares how her academic path, current research, and personal reflections all intersect in her journey through the quantum frontier. How did your academic journey and early career experiences shape your role as a Research Assistant at INL? My research in theoretical physics began on understanding the role of topology in condensed matter physics, particularly studying the electronic properties of analytically solvable artificial materials with topological behavior. During this time, I also had the opportunity to collaborate with a research group on open many-body quantum systems, mainly focusing on developing numerical techniques for out-of-equilibrium dynamics and validating quantum devices through experiments with neutral atoms, trapped ions, and solid-state systems. In 2020, I started my PhD and since then, my work has centered on exploring the electronic properties of two-dimensional real materials based on nanographenes. This background has contributed […]

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