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Science, Innovation and Society: INL attends the Science 2025 Meeting

Between the 9th and 11th of July, the International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory was represented at Encontro Ciência 2025, Portugal’s largest science and technology meeting. This year, the event took place at the NOVA SBE Campus in Carcavelos, Lisbon, and centred around the theme “Science, Innovation and Society”. Part of the “Science, Technology, Innovation” exhibition, INL was present throughout the three-day event, fostering engagement with policymakers, researchers, students, and the broader public, in a clear celebration of the importance of science in the public sphere. Professor Ado Jório, INL’s Deputy Director-General, participated in the opening session, where several key figures opened the event by addressing priorities in science and innovation. First, Nuno Piteira Lopes, Vice-President of the Cascais City Council, and Dr Isabel Rocha, Vice-Rector of Nova University, welcomed participants, stressing the contemporary nature of societal concerns and how science and innovation contribute to their resolution, while Dr Vera Aldeias, Commissioner of Encontro Ciência 2025, highlighted the increasing need to reduce bureaucracy. Rosalia Vargas reinforced the role of the Ciência Viva network and Professor Madalena Alves, President of the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), emphasised the impact of digital tools, the agency’s support for research careers, gender equality, and its ongoing restructuring. Finally, Dr Helena Canhão, Secretary of State for Science and Innovation, outlined goals to reform the fragmented science system, boost industrial innovation, continue U.S. partnerships, and enhance funding opportunities in Portugal, […]

Innovation in Motion with Duarte Mota

What happens when industry expertise meets cutting-edge research? At INL, Duarte Mota, Engineering Lead in the M. Martins Research Group, brings this fusion to life. With a background in Mechanical Engineering, a track record as Director of R&D at Edaetech, and over four years at INL evolving from Research Engineer to team leader, Duarte now drives innovation through the development of advanced mechanical systems, intelligent manufacturing processes, and industry-ready prototypes. In this conversation, he shares key milestones, emerging technologies, and his vision for the future of engineering. What innovative mechanical systems or production techniques are you currently exploring at INL, and what impact do you hope they will have? The Technology Engineering Group, of which I am a part, has the primary mission of supporting research teams by increasing the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of their projects and facilitating technology transfer to industry. Within this scope, I have been developing projects that integrate innovative mechanical systems across a wide range of application areas. As an example, the integration of power optimized rotary and stackable pinch valves are currently integrated into several projects with several units deployed in various pilot cases.The establishment of our Manufacturing Workshop, with the introduction of new additive and […]

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.

Empowering the Next Generation: INFRACHIP Research Accelerator Kicks Off at INL

The International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL) is proud to host an edition of the INFRACHIP Research Accelerator, a high-impact, short-term training programme designed to introduce early-career researchers to the cutting-edge technologies and facilities available through the INFRACHIP network. Over the course of two and a half days, 6 to 8 selected participants, PhD students and early-stage postdoctoral researchers—will gain hands-on exposure to advanced nanofabrication and nanocharacterization techniques. The immersive programme blends lectures by INL experts with live demonstrations inside two of INL’s state-of-the-art Research Core Facilities: the Micro and Nanofabrication (MNF) and Electron Microscopy and X-Rays (EMX). Participants will explore fundamental processes in micro- and nanofabrication such as deposition, patterning (optical and electron beam lithography), and etching (RIE). The programme also includes a deep dive into structural and chemical analysis techniques, including: + Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM): Imaging, diffraction, and spectroscopy + Focused Ion Beam – Scanning Electron Microscopy (FIB-SEM) + X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) With a strong emphasis on practical training, participants will enter INL’s cleanroom and microscopy labs to directly observe and engage with the equipment and processes discussed in the lectures. This initiative is part of the broader INFRACHIP vision to democratize access to nanoelectronics infrastructure and strengthen the European research ecosystem. By sponsoring these researchers, INFRACHIP aims to accelerate their scientific progress […]

FORTIFy: ERC Project on Tendon Regeneration Led by Rui Domingues

A new video is now available to introduce FORTIFy, a project funded by the European Research Council (ERC) and led by Rui Domingues, Group Leader at INL – International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory. FORTIFy aims to develop wireless nanoswitches to control PIEZO channels—specialised cell force sensors—to restore tendon function. By advancing tools to probe mechanobiology in human tissues, the project opens new possibilities for treating tendinopathy and related disorders. Watch the video to learn more about the scientific approach and goals of the FORTIFy project.

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 and SPIN-LAB Join Forces in Nanotech Research

On 3rd July 2025, the International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL) formalised an ongoing collaboration with the University of Silesia in Katowice, Poland, specifically with the SPIN-LAB Centre for Microscopic Research on Matter (CMBM SPIN-LAB). The SPIN-LAB Centre is an interdepartmental organisational unit within the University of Silesia, equipped with laboratories tailored to the requirements of advanced electron and atomic force microscopy. This partnership marks a significant step towards fostering collaboration in the fields of materials science and nanotechnology, with both INL and SPIN-LAB committed to advancing research, innovation, and scientific exchange. Whilst participating in the 2025 Electron Microscopy Course, Dr Marcin Libera, Director of SPIN-LAB, met with Professor Ado Jório de Vasconcelos, INL Deputy Director-General; Dr Enrique Carbó-Argibay, Head of the Electron Microscopy and X-Rays Facility at INL; and Dr Oleksandr Bondarchuk, Facility Lead at the Electron Microscopy and X-Rays Facility and affiliated researcher at SPIN-LAB. Commenting on the partnership, Dr Enrique Carbó noted: “We are excited to announce a new collaboration agreement between the University of Silesia in Katowice and INL. This partnership will strengthen ties between both institutions by promoting the exchange of scientific and technical knowledge in materials science and nanotechnology. Together, we aim to boost capabilities […]

INL Researchers Contribute to Advancing Tendon Science at the 3rd TENET COST Action General Meeting and Conference

The International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL) proudly participated in the 3rd TENET COST Action General Meeting and Conference, held in Porto and online, under the theme “Innovative Tools and Developments in Tendon Regeneration.” The event brought together leading experts to share progress in tendon biology, regenerative medicine, and emerging medical technologies. INL Research Group Leader Dr. Lorena Diéguez was invited as a plenary speaker, presenting her work on “Using Microfluidics and Nanotechnology to Develop Novel Medical Devices.” Her talk highlighted how microfluidic lab-on-chip platforms are shaping the future of personalised medicine by enabling rapid diagnostics and innovative healthcare solutions. Under the scope of FORTIFy, two additional INL researchers presented pioneering work in bioengineering: + Dr. Rui Domingues, Research Group Leader, delivered a keynote lecture titled “Miniaturised Human Tendons: A Bioengineering Perspective on On-Chip Models.” His talk introduced biofabricated microtendon systems that mimic native tissue properties, offering a valuable platform for disease modeling and therapeutic development. + And Postdoctoral Researcher, in the Domingues Research Group, Simão Teixeira, presented an oral contribution on “Guiding Stem Cell Mechanosensing Responses with PIEZO-Imprinted Nanoswitches.” His research—developed through the ERC FORTIFy and FCT Wi-Pi projects—demonstrates how nanoscale biomaterials can actively steer stem cell responses through mechanical cues. The FORTIFy project, funded by the European Research Council (ERC), […]

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 […]

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