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European Researchers’ Night 2024: a celebration of science for global challenges this Friday

The European Researchers’ Night (ERN) returns this year on September 27, 2024, uniting science enthusiasts across Europe for an unforgettable evening of discovery, innovation, and community engagement. Promoted by the European Commission since 2005, this annual event aims to bring science closer to citizens and highlight its role in addressing some of the world’s biggest challenges. As part of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, ERN 2024 will take place in over 30 countries and 300 cities, including key locations in Portugal: Braga, Coimbra, Lisbon, and Évora. The event, themed “Science for Global Challenges”, will focus on connecting the general public, particularly students, with important scientific research and knowledge aimed at tackling global issues like environmental protection, economic growth, and social fairness. Connecting Society with Science The European Researchers’ Night is more than just a celebration; it serves as a bridge between society and the scientific community. By reaching out to students and the public, ERN2024 aims to increase awareness of the vital role science plays in everyday life and inspire the next generation of scientists. This year’s theme emphasises how scientific research can be a powerful tool for addressing global challenges—from climate change to social inequality. ERN2024 aims to show why by helping students, educators, and communities understand the relevance of scientific research in tackling real-world problems. At […]

SPMicros2024 Conference: Advancing Microscopy in Materials and Life Sciences

The Portuguese Microscopy Society (SPMicros) hosted its annual conference, SPMicros2024, on September 13th, bringing together experts from across Portugal. The event focused on the latest breakthroughs in microscopy within Materials Science and Life Science, providing a platform for knowledge sharing and networking among researchers, students, and industry professionals. Two notable invited talks highlighted the event: Materials Science Talk with with Daniela Gomes, Assistant Professor at NOVA FCT, Department of Materials Science, CENIMAT/I3N, she explored how advanced microscopy is revolutionizing the study of materials at the nanoscale, revealing new properties and innovations; and the Life Sciences Talk with Antonio Pedro Matos, Egas Moniz Center for Interdisciplinary Research, he discussed the enduring relevance of conventional electron microscopy in modern life science research, showing how past techniques are still vital in solving today’s challenges. SPMicros would like to thank all participants for making SPMicros2024 a success. Your contributions, whether through presentations or participation, were essential in fostering meaningful discussions and advancing microscopy research in Portugal. We look forward to continuing this journey together and seeing you at future events. + Check the full gallery here Text and Photography by Gina Palha, Communication, Conferences & Marketing Officer

Highlights from CMD31 Conference and INL’s Contributions

The European Society of Physics, an organisation dedicated to advancing the understanding of physics across Europe, encompasses various specialised divisions, including the Condensed Matter Division (CMD). This division is renowned for its biennial international conference, which became annual after the COVID pandemic but will return to a two-year schedule, with the next event scheduled for 2026. This year’s CMD31 conference, held from September 2-6, 2024, took place at Forum Braga, Portugal. The event was organised in collaboration with the Portuguese Society of Physics, marking a significant partnership between the two institutions. With over 900 participants, the five-day international conference brought together leading minds in condensed matter physics and materials physics, addressing various topics including quantum physics, superconductivity, magnetism, and biophysics. The CMD-General Conference is structured to accommodate a diverse set of discussions and presentations. The 2024 edition featured four plenary and ten semi-plenary lectures delivered by internationally recognised scientists. The CMD31 program was further enriched by forty-eight “bottom-up” mini-colloquia, which allowed attendees to split into smaller, focused sessions in the afternoons. These parallel sessions covered a wide range of contemporary issues in condensed matter physics, proposed by the participants themselves. Additionally, a special session was dedicated to the Europhysics Prize […]

Inl Global Local Photonics Meetup

On November 13th and 14th, INL joined the global initiative Photonics Online Meetup (POM) as a POM-hub, bringing together 100 photonics enthusiasts from 24 organizations across Northwestern Iberia for two days of insightful discussions and engaging sessions. The conference was broadcast from the auditorium, while the lobby provided a platform for networking and socializing. The event was attended by representatives from various academic institutions, including the University of Minho, University of Porto, University of Aveiro, University of Vigo, University of Santiago de Compostela, University of Coimbra, University of Lisbon, FCT NOVA Lisbon, as well as representatives from local photonics-related industries and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). There were 42 poster submissions, and the best poster prize included student registration for the conference AOP2024 and the opportunity to be featured in the program as an invited speaker, sponsored by the Sociedade Portuguesa de Óptica e Fotónica. This event was sponsored by MT Brandão Lda and Izasa Scientific.

FUNLAYERS SUMMER SCHOOL

Training on Nanoscale Characterization and Analysis + Workshop on Transferable Skills In September, FUNLAYERS promotes a four-day initiative focused on Nanoscale Characterization and Analysis. The initiative is focused on students and early-stage researchers in nanoscience and materials science, and covers a wide range of subjects – from the basics to in-depth theoretical background and lab visits. The comprehensive programme is complemented by an insightful Workshop on Transferable Skills that will explore relevant competencies in communication, management, business, networking, and others. More information and registration link available at funlayersproject.eu/summer-school-2024

Instruct Hands-on Workshop

The Instruct Hands-on Workshop, held from October 7 to 10, 2024, is set to provide in-depth training on sample preparation for single particle analysis (SPA) by cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM). The workshop, hosted by a team of experts from ITQB NOVA, INL, and CNB–CSIC, aims to equip participants with best practices and the latest techniques in cryo-EM imaging. Participants will engage in a comprehensive course featuring a blend of lectures and hands-on tutorials. The lectures will delve into the principles of SPA, covering theoretical and practical aspects of preparing biological samples for negative staining and quality assessment. Practical sessions will offer hands-on experience with vitrification using a plunge-freezing device and optimising grids for sample screening with a cryo-transmission electron microscope (TEM). Attendees are encouraged to bring their samples, providing a unique opportunity to apply newly acquired skills to their specific research needs. The workshop will highlight recent advancements in protein production and stabilisation, as well as the latest technological innovations in grid preparation and sample manipulation. This integrative approach will be crucial for addressing challenging scientific projects. The workshop aims to provide participants with a holistic understanding of the integrated use of biophysics, biochemistry, and cryo-EM for protein structure determination and analysis. […]

Researchers Inspire Young Minds at Schools

As part of the European Researchers’ Night initiative, researchers visited several schools in the summer camp program in Tadim-Braga to promote science and engage young students. These visits are part of the ongoing efforts to celebrate science and bring it closer to citizens, aligning with ERN’s 2024-2025 theme of “Science for Global Challenges.” July 4: Engaging the Young MindsOn July 4, a team of INL researchers, including Catarina Moura, Carlos Honrado, Adriana Carneiro, Bernardo Nogueira, Maria Relvas, and Tiago Moura, prepared different experiences for students of EB1 Tadim, EB2,3 Tadim, and Alfacoop schools. 45 students participated and built on their knowledge and interest in scientific topics. The activities conducted were designed to illustrate how science can address major global and European challenges in environmental, economic, and social sustainability. July 18: Continuing the Journey of DiscoveryOn July 18, researchers João Henriques, João Rodrigues, Lurdes Gonçalves, Diana Oliveira, Mariam Debs, Carlos Rosário, and Catarina Moura prepared different experiences, once again, for students of EB1 Tadim, EB2,3 Tadim, and Alfacoop schools. Students, aged between 4 to 14, participated in interactive sessions that sparked their curiosity and enthusiasm for science. These activities were tailored to suit the varied age groups, ensuring that each student […]

III Summer School Materials for Energy Transition taking place in Aveiro, 22-24 June

The much-anticipated 3rd Edition of the Summer School on Materials for Energy Transition is set to take place in Aveiro from June 22 to 24. This event promises to be a significant milestone in the advancement of research and collaboration in the field of energy materials. Pedro Salomé, a key organizer of the Summer School and Group Leader at the INL – International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, underscored the event’s crucial role in promoting sustainable energy solutions. “The development of new materials is fundamental for the transition to sustainable energy systems,” Salomé stated. “By bringing together researchers, experts, and industry members, we are fostering an environment where innovative ideas can flourish and practical solutions can be developed.” Jennifer Teixeira, a staff researcher at INL and also a member of the organizing committee, highlighted the event’s significance within the European context. “Europe is at the forefront of the global energy transition, and events like this are essential for maintaining our leadership,” Teixeira explained. “By focusing on materials science, we address one of the key challenges in achieving more efficient and sustainable energy solutions. This Summer School is not only about sharing knowledge but also about inspiring the next generation of scientists to […]

INL Highlights Role of Open Innovation Test Beds at INDTech 2024

On June 5, 2024, INL joined the conference INDTech 2024 to participate in the session “Open Innovation Test Bed (OITB): A New Kid on the Block”, focused on the role of OITBs as part of the technology infrastructure ecosystem and their crucial contribution to industrial transformation in Europe. The session – chaired by Antonio Ferrandez from the European Commission – included a diverse group of speakers, among them Dominik Sobczak, Deputy Head of Unit for Industrial Research, Innovation, and Investment Agendas at DG-RTD, and Paula Galvão, Business and Strategic Relations Chief Officer at INL. The discussion covered topics such as the relevance of technology infrastructures, particularly OITBs, in providing industry with advanced materials technology services. Dominik Sobczak highlighted several challenges, including the limited understanding by companies of access conditions, main barriers, and challenges, added by the lack of standardised definitions and a common access framework, making it difficult to access OITBs and its Single Entry Points across regional and national borders.Dominik Sobczak also noted the limited collaboration among OITBs, leading to underexploited synergies, fragmentation of the landscape, and a high risk of duplication creating inefficiencies. Key outcomes from the session included a call for increased visibility and understanding of OITB […]