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Graphene enhances lithium detection in new INL research

Accurate and stable lithium measurement is essential in many areas, from monitoring lithium levels in patients to improving battery performance in energy storage systems. However, designing sensors that are both precise and robust has remained a challenge. INL researchers, Olesia Dudik, Renato Gil, and Raquel Queirós, have now shown that incorporating graphene into solid-contact electrodes highly improves lithium detection, paving the way for more reliable, next-generation sensors. Their study was published in Microchemical Journal as part of the NGS–New Generation Storage project. Solid-contact ion-selective electrodes are advanced sensors that convert the chemical signal of an ion into an electrical signal. A key component is the ion-to-electron transducer, which sits between the ion-selective membrane and the electronic conductor. This layer ensures stable voltage readings, prevents water layer formation, and improves the robustness of the sensor. Finding the right material for this layer has been challenging because each option behaves differently in terms of electrical performance, surface properties, and stability. The INL team compared several transducers, including conducting polymer, multi-walled carbon nanotubes, graphene, graphene oxide, and reduced graphene oxide. Their analysis showed that graphene-modified electrodes provided the most electroactive and hydrophobic surfaces, resulting in the highest capacitance and lowest potential drift. In […]

INL expresses condolences on the passing of Francisco Pinto Balsemão

INL expresses its condolences on the passing of Francisco Pinto Balsemão, former Prime Minister of Portugal and a sounding voice in press freedom and media development in the country. Mr Balsemão played a significant role in Portuguese public life as a former Prime Minister, from 1981 to 1983, during which he steered significant reforms that aimed to consolidate the democratic institutions of Portugal. Beyond politics, he was a leading figure in the media sector, having founded the influential weekly newspaper Expresso and the media group Impresa. Steering the ground for a modernised country, Francisco Pinto Balsemão also launched the first private television channel, SIC. His contributions left a lasting mark on Portugal’s democratic, cultural and social landscape. With Portugal as one of its member states, INL highlights the significance of Mr Pinto Balsemão’s legacy, whose impact is reflected in the widespread fostering of critical thinking. The INL community conveys its deepest sympathy to his family and all who mourn his loss. Photography Credits: Croes, Rob C. / Anefo

INL hosts intensive hands-on course on Micro-/Nanofabrication for Integrated Photonics

Earlier this year, INL welcomed industry professionals, researchers and students for two intensive one-week workshops on Micro-/Nanofabrication for Integrated Photonics, a training initiative supported by the NextChip programme, coordinated by the University of Vigo. The workshops brought together 20 participants from leading institutions and companies across Spain, including the University of Vigo, AIMEN, Gradiant, and QuantaLux, for advanced training in nanofabrication processes for integrated photonic technologies. Participants praised the program for its relevance and depth, highlighting the value of hands-on experience in INL’s state-of-the-art cleanroom facilities. Designed by Jana Nieder and Bruno Romeira, the course combined theory with practical modules on design, simulation, fabrication, and characterisation of photonic integrated circuits (PICs). Training was structured around three main demonstrator processes: The course received contributions from several INLers, including Carlos Calaza and José Rodrigues on clean room processes and clean room general access, Diogo Aguiam and Patrícia Sousa on diffractive optical elements for PICs, from design to nanofabrication via nanoimprint technology, Tiago Magalhães and Artur Andrishak on 2D and 3D polymer PICs from finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) simulation to their fabrication and characterisation, Bruno Romeira and João Azevedo on active PICs, such as MicroLEDs, related design, simulation and nanofabrication and characterisation techniques, and […]

INL Celebrates Diwali: A Festival of Lights and Cultural Exchange

INL recently came alive with vibrant colours, music, and flavours as the Indian community hosted a memorable Diwali celebration. Diwali, known as the Festival of Lights, symbolises the triumph of light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance—values that resonate deeply within the world of science and innovation. The colourful festivities reflected this spirit, creating an atmosphere of joy and cultural exchange. The event was warmly received by INLers, offering an opportunity to learn more about Indian traditions while allowing the community to showcase its talents, heritage, and culinary delicacies, enriching INL’s cultural fabric. The celebration began with welcome notes by Prof. Clivia M. Sotomayor Torres, INL Director-General, and His Excellency Mr. Puneet R. Kundal, Ambassador of India to Portugal, who highlighted the importance of cultural diversity and collaboration. The program featured inspiring performances by members of the Indian INL community, including Indian poetry by Dr. Subhajit Roy, reciting the famous poem “Where the mind is without fear” by Rabindranath Tagore who encourages a nation towards an awakening state of true freedom, where knowledge is free, people are united, and reason prevails. The programme continued with storytelling of the origins of this festival, by Dr. Sushmitha Veeralingam, followed by a Bollywood […]

Strategic Dialogue on Semiconductors in Portugal: A Collaborative Step Forward

An initiative led by POEMS, connecting research, industry, and policy The International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, INL was honoured to co-host, together with Ciência Viva, the public event “Strategic Dialogue on Semiconductors in Portugal”, held on 14 October 2025 at the Pavilion of Knowledge – Ciência Viva Science Centre, in Lisbon. Organised within the framework of POEMS – the Portuguese Competence Centre in Semiconductors, with the support of the Chips Joint Undertaking (Chips JU) and the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), the event brought together key figures from research, industry, and public policy to discuss the opportunities and priorities shaping Portugal’s growing role in the European semiconductor ecosystem. Through a series of thematic sessions and roundtable discussions, participants addressed some of the most relevant dimensions of the semiconductor landscape — from workforce development and skills retention to European strategies and investment attraction. The morning sessions focused on the vision and strategic role of POEMS, followed by a discussion on talent development, where experts explored the importance of training, retaining, and inspiring future generations to ensure Europe’s competitiveness in advanced electronics. In the afternoon, the spotlight turned to the Chips JU ecosystem, with EuroCDP, NanoIC, PIXEurope, and APECS presenting ongoing […]

Quantum control of atomic scale magnetism using electric fields

We are pleased to highlight a new collaborative work between the Rossier group (Theory of Quantum Nanostructures) and the experimental group of Kai Yang (Chinese Academy of Sciences), just published in Nature Communications (2025). In this study, the authors demonstrate how to electrically control quantum interference effects in individual atomic spins on a surface. The system studied consists of a single atom or a pair of coupled atoms resting on an insulating film, probed by a scanning tunnelling microscope. By applying carefully modulated electrical bias across the junction, the team can drive the spin system through avoided energy-level crossings and observe interference patterns in the spin response, a phenomenon known as Landau–Zener–Stückelberg–Majorana interference. Because the interference arises from coherent quantum dynamics of the spins, being able to turn it on or off electrically is a key step toward more versatile control of quantum magnetic systems at the atomic scale. The results open new paths toward spin-based quantum devices where electric fields, rather than magnetic fields, mediate fast, local, and low-power operations. The theoretical modelling underpinning this work was carried out with significant contributions by PhD student Yelko del Castillo, supported by a Quantum Portugal Initiative doctoral fellowship. As the authors […]

INL Highlights Battery Innovation at Tokyo Seminar on Portugal-Japan Strategic Partnerships

Tokyo, Japan – On October 10th, the Embassy of Portugal in Tokyo hosted the final seminar in a series organised with AICEP – the Portuguese Agency for Trade and Investment, aimed at promoting sectors where Portugal and Japan share common interests and opportunities for collaboration. The seminar, titled “Portugal as a Strategic Partner in the European Battery Value Chain,” brought together government representatives, industry leaders, and research experts to explore how Portugal can contribute to building sustainable and resilient supply chains in the fast-growing battery sector. The program opened with remarks from His Excellency Gilberto Jerónimo, Ambassador of Portugal to Japan, who reminded attendees of the historic ties between the two nations, dating back to Portugal being the first European country to set foot in Japan. He described the seminar’s theme as “timely and essential,” emphasising that partnerships are key to achieving sustainability and resilience in global supply chains. As the world accelerates, Portugal is committed to strengthening these ties, “looking forward to prosperity and shared growth,” the Ambassador stated. Following the opening, Philomène Dias, Administrator Board Member of AICEP, presented compelling reasons for Japanese investors to consider Portugal as a strategic partner. She highlighted Portugal’s geographic advantage, bilateral agreements […]

Bruno Romeira Joins World’s Top 100 Photonics Innovators

Bruno Romeira, INL Research Scientist, recognised in The Photonics100 2026 for neuromorphic photonics research

Monitoring Committee of Portugal’s Interface Mission Visits INL

On 1 October 2025, the International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory welcomed a delegation from the Monitoring Committee of Portugal’s Interface Mission. The visit aimed to provide the Committee with a closer look at Portugal’s research and innovation ecosystem. Crucial for Portugal’s advancement in the cross-fertilisation between science and innovation, the Interface Mission is a government programme designed to strengthen connections between research and industry, with a focus on initiatives such as the Technology and Innovation Centres (CTI), which support companies in adopting new technologies, and the Collaborative Laboratories (CoLABs), which bring together universities, companies and other partners to develop solutions with market impact. The delegation comprised international and Portuguese experts from academia, research, industry and public administration, such as Prof. Dr Vito Di Noto (University of Padua, Italy), Prof. Dr Ralf Wehrspohn (Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Germany), Dr Martin Zadrazil (South Moravian Innovation Centre, Czech Republic), Prof. Dr Isabel Salavisa (ISCTE, Portugal), Prof. Dr José Ferreira Machado (Nova SBE, Portugal) and Prof. Dr Bernardete Ribeiro (University of Coimbra, Portugal). Intending to present an overview of the Laboratory, the programme opened with welcoming remarks by INL’s Director-General, Prof. Dr Clivia Sotomayor Torres. Then, Dr Ricardo Ferreira presented INL’s research activities and its involvement in […]

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