INL Director-General Participates in Catalonia Event on European Lab-to-Fab Transition

INL Director-General Participates in Catalonia Event on European Lab-to-Fab Transition

On October 25, 2024, Professor Clivia Sotomayor Torres, Director-General of INL, joined the event ‘Accelerating the Lab-to-Fab Transition of Advanced Manufacturing Technologies’, promoted by the Government of Catalonia, in Barcelona, Spain. Referring to the transfer of breakthrough innovations from research to production, ‘Lab-to-Fab’ initiatives are essential for scaling advanced manufacturing technologies, especially in the microelectronics field. Aligned with that purpose, the event convened leaders and experts in technology, research and innovation, focusing on the microelectronics industry. Aimed at advancing strategic collaborations, it provided a platform for promoting the Lab-to-Fab transition in semiconductor development. Collaboration took centre stage, fostering critical discussions among prominent European players in the semiconductor ecosystem.  Part of a productive discussion on the importance of synergies, Professor Clivia participated in a round table on ‘Opportunities and Synergies in Diverse R&D Ecosystems’, moderated by Jose Antonio Garrido, Deputy Director-General of ICN2. The session included insights from Luis Fonseca, Director of the Institute of Microelectronics of Barcelona (CSIC), Miquel Moretá, Associate Senior Researcher at the Barcelona Semiconductor Center, and Daniel Granados, Director of the Semiconductor Innovation Cluster of the Community of Madrid (CITT). Together, the panellists extolled the essential role of collaboration in advancing Lab-to-Fab transitions within the global semiconductor market. The involvement of INL represents a […]

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Engineering the Future: Patrícia Sousa on the Challenges and Innovations in Micro and Nanotechnologies

Engineering the Future: Patrícia Sousa on the Challenges and Innovations in Micro and Nanotechnologies

Introducing Patrícia Sousa, a pioneering Research Engineer in Integrated Micro and Nanotechnologies at INL. With a strong foundation in Chemical Engineering and a Ph.D. in Chemical and Biological Engineering from the University of Porto, Patrícia has specialized in microfluidics and advanced fabrication techniques that address critical challenges in micro and nanotechnologies. Patrícia’s dedication extends beyond the lab, as she actively participates in public outreach initiatives, including the European Researcher’s Night and educational programs in local schools. There, she shares her expertise in accessible and inspiring ways, illustrating how nanotechnology can transform fields such as medicine, electronics, and sustainability. In this interview, Patrícia offers insight into her career journey, the challenges and triumphs in her work, and her passion for making science accessible and impactful for all. Could you briefly describe your academic and professional background in micro and nanotechnologies? My academic background includes a first degree in Chemical Engineering, from the Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto followed by a PhD in Chemical and Biological Engineering, also from the Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto. Since my PhD studies focused on microfluidics, at that time I started deepening my knowledge in the field of micro and nanotechnology and in particular, micro […]

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INL’s Nanosafety Laboratory Achieves OECD Good Laboratory Practice Certification

INL’s Nanosafety Laboratory Achieves OECD Good Laboratory Practice Certification

The International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL) celebrates a significant milestone as its Nanosafety Laboratory is officially recognized for meeting the demanding standards of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Principles of Good Laboratory Practices (GLP). This certification, granted by the Portuguese Institute for Quality (IPQ), highlights INL’s commitment to responsible innovation, establishing its laboratory as a trusted center for safe and credible nanotechnology research. Following an extensive review in May 2024, the certification assures that INL’s Nanosafety Laboratory complies with the highest international standards for testing and assessing nanomaterials, particularly for industrial and agricultural applications. The laboratory’s commitment to safe technological advancements aligns closely with INL’s mission to promote public health and environmental integrity. Leading the Way in Nanotechnology Safety With GLP certification, INL’s Nanosafety Laboratory is now validated for several essential testing areas in nanotechnology safety: This achievement is a testament to the dedicated efforts across INL’s teams, including the Alfaro-Moreno Research Group, the CQM Unit, and participants in the ERA-Chair Sinfonia and SbDToolbox projects. Contributing team members, including Filipa Lebre, Vânia Vilas-Boas, Andreia Carvalho, Ana Ribeiro, Nivedita Chatterjee, Catarina Gonçalves, Helena Macedo, Begoña Espiña, Marina Brito, Margaret Costa, Ana Teixeira, and Sadaf Almas, have driven essential […]

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A Vision for the Future: INL Welcomes New Deputy Director-General

A Vision for the Future: INL Welcomes New Deputy Director-General

The International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL) hosted an inspiring ceremony this week to introduce Professor Ado Jório de Vasconcelos as its new Deputy Director-General (DDG). This event, held at the INL headquarters, signals a significant step forward in the organisation’s quest for innovative advancement. The ceremony commenced with remarks from INL’s Director-General, Professor Clivia Sotomayor, who emphasised the strategic significance of Professor Jório’s appointment. She outlined key milestones for INL, including the rationalization of research themes, the introduction of a new Career System, and strengthened collaborations with Spanish institutions and local partners. Professor Sotomayor reaffirmed INL’s commitment to European initiatives, particularly the European Chips Act, aimed at boosting Europe’s competitiveness and resilience in the semiconductor sector. These developments set a promising foundation for INL’s future. Inmaculada Figueroa, President of the INL Council and representative of the Spanish Secretary of State for Science, Innovation, and Universities, expressed her support for Professor Jório and enthusiasm for INL’s innovative future under his and Professor Sotomayor’s guidance. Professor Madalena Alves, Head of the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology and Vice-President of the INL Council, highlighted the crucial role of new leadership for INL’s strategic success, underscoring the responsibility of all INL members to foster a robust and competitive organisation. Olga […]

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Innovative water repellent material to cut waste in the auto industry

Innovative water repellent material to cut waste in the auto industry

A groundbreaking project is underway to develop hydrophobic sleeves for painting robots, aimed at extending their lifespan and reducing waste in the automotive sector. Diana Alves, a researcher at INL – International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, is working in the GreenAuto Agenda, and is working towards the development of super-hydrophobic coatings, specifically tailored for the automotive industry. These coatings possess unique properties that repel water. Instead of spreading, droplets form into spheres and roll off the surface, preventing the accumulation of moisture. Currently, the sleeves need to be regularly replaced, generating non-reusable waste. However, with the addition of superhydrophobic coatings, paint would be repelled, significantly extending the lifespan of the sleeves. Many current solutions for hydrophobic protection depend on PFAS, a group of fluorinated compounds known for their toxicity and environmental persistence. These chemicals degrade very slowly, remaining in the environment for extended periods. Despite their widespread use, the long-lasting nature of PFAS makes them a growing concern for health and environmental safety. To address this issue, Diana Alves and Kolen’ko’s research group are developing an alternative solution using nanomaterials that provide the same superhydrophobic benefits without the use of fluorine-based chemicals. The morphological properties of nanomaterials are engineered to control […]

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Nobel Prize Highlights microRNA Discovery: Insights for INL Nanosafety Work

Nobel Prize Highlights microRNA Discovery: Insights for INL Nanosafety Work

The 2024 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine has been awarded to Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun for their groundbreaking discovery of microRNA and its role in post-transcriptional gene regulation. This pivotal advancement in molecular biology and epigenetics was made through studies on the microscopic worm C. elegans, showing how microRNAs regulate gene expression by binding to messenger RNA (mRNA) and preventing protein production. Their discovery has far-reaching implications across biology, medicine, and toxicology—including key research initiatives at INL. Within the Research Group focused on Nanosafety, INL researchers utilise C. elegans as a model organism to assess the potential health risks of particulate matter and nanomaterials. Just as Ambros and Ruvkun’s findings have transformed our understanding of gene regulation, our work is expanding the boundaries of toxicological research by employing functional genetics, toxicogenomics, and epigenetic biomarker evaluations to study the impacts of nanomaterials. C. elegans: A Nobel-Winning Model for Toxicology Research The 2024 Nobel Prize further validates the use of C. elegans in toxicology research. Its simplicity, genetic transparency, and short life cycle make it an invaluable tool for studying complex biological processes. Importantly, C. elegans shares many genetic pathways with humans, enabling researchers to draw relevant connections between nanomaterial […]

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