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- United for Innovation -
Main Thematic Lines
Main Thematic Lines
Quantum Materials and Quantum Technologies
Quantum Materials and Quantum Technologies
Quantum materials (QM) and quantum technologies (QT) are the inevitable next frontier for science and technology that shall revolutionize electronics, computing, energy, and communication. This is an opportunity that Portugal cannot afford to miss. Having a thriving QM and QT research community essential for the country to:
ensure that no quantum technological gap is imposed on national industries,
promote national technological independence in QT,
sustain and train highly skilled human resources capable to innovate and sustain R&D,
ensure national sovereignty in key areas such as secure communications and computation.
By gathering the vast majority of national experts in the field, our AL is in a unique position to lead the national strategy of R&D in QT and QM, fully aligned with the National Strategic Plan 2020-2030 (by Prof. António Costa Silva, 2020) that points nanotechnology and material science, in particular graphene, as a key direction for technological development. Our team has established partnerships with national (Graphnest - Graphene production, INL - QuantaLab) and international (IBM-Q - Quantum Simulations) companies and research institutions, attracted substantial external funding (Graphene Flagship, ERA-NET, Marie-Curie actions), and recruited to the area two new professor and four contracted researchers within the last 3 years.
Our main research axes are:
Low-dimensional materials. With a leading internationally recognized research team in graphene and other low-dimensional materials, we are tailoring electronic and optical properties for application in sensors, miniaturized electronics, and low-power/high-fidelity optoelectronic devices.
Topological materials. Leveraging on our extensive work on topological materials, we are investigating topologically protected spin structures for implementing next-generation memory and logic devices. Magnonics, expected to be a major recipient of financing in the near future, is a major axis of our research.
Non-equilibrium quantum states. We are researching how to generate and control non-equilibrium states of strongly correlated materials to achieve on-demand properties, multifunctional memories, and control over topology, chirality and magnetism.
Single Photon Sources. We are developing graphene-controlled single-photon emitters for biosensing and quantum communication applications. With our unique integrated expertise, we are in a privileged position to achieve a compact and low-cost technologic solution with the potential to revolutionize quantum communications.
Quantum Simulation. We are harnessing the power of recently available quantum computers (by IBM, Google, D-Wave) by developing novel quantum algorithms for the simulation of complex quantum systems. Algorithms using quantum annealers are currently being developed within a QuantERA European Consortium.
Advanced Materials and Processes for Energy
Advanced Materials and Processes for Energy
The Portuguese Government (PG) has committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. To meet this ambitious goal, the PG has outlined its strategy through three key documents that define its policies for the coming decades:
The Portuguese Roadmap for Carbon Neutrality 2050 (RNC 2050) aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 90% by 2050, targeting 32% renewable energy use and 32.5% energy efficiency.
The National Energy and Climate Plan 2021-2030 (PNEC 2030) defines the critical dimensions needed for decarbonization, including energy efficiency, renewable energy, security of supply, sustainable mobility, and fostering research, innovation, and competitiveness.
The National Hydrogen Strategy (EN-H2) focuses on establishing the role of green hydrogen (H₂) in decarbonizing various sectors of the economy, particularly industry and transport.
These objectives align with the European Commission's 2030 Agenda, particularly Goal 7, which aims to "ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all."
Our thematic line is designed to contribute to these goals through the development of new materials and processes in the energy sector. We have formed strategic partnerships with key industries across sectors such as water, textiles, cement, space, and oil & gas (e.g., EFACEC, Secil, Lipor, Waters of Porto, Repsol), which stand to benefit directly from our scientific strategies.
The team involved brings a diverse set of expertise in Advanced Materials and Processes for Energy, with international recognition for its work, as evidenced by publications in major energy journals and involvement in EU projects. Building on existing expertise, our primary goals for this thematic line are:
Energy Harvesting & Wireless Transfer: This includes developing innovative triboelectric solutions to power Internet of Things (IoT) devices in industries like water, combustion, and oil & gas. Additionally, we are working on a wireless energy transfer system using photo-thermoelectric plasmonic technologies to recharge energy storage components for CubeSat technologies (micro- and nano-satellites) wirelessly.
New Generation Solar Cells (SC): We are developing non-conventional solar cells based on advanced nanostructured semiconductors, particularly focusing on abundant, low-cost, and chemically stable materials found in Portugal, such as ZnO, α-Fe₂O₃, and WO₃. By integrating plasmonic and magneto-plasmonic systems with tunable behaviors into photovoltaic cells, we aim to significantly enhance efficiency. We are also exploring the incorporation of thermoelectric transparent thin films into solar cells to harvest heat produced in the modules and convert it into electrical energy.
Green Hydrogen: We are making significant progress in designing catalysts for water electrolysis (WE) in hydrogen (H₂) and oxygen (O₂) evolution reactions, emphasizing the use of ionic liquids to improve alkaline electrolysis. Additionally, we propose a sustainable method for H₂ production using photoelectrochemical cells for WE. We are also exploring novel photocathodes made from ferroelectric and 2D transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) hybrid structures, leveraging their enhanced catalytic properties for H₂ production due to ferroelectric polarization.
These innovative research areas position us at the forefront of advancing materials and processes that contribute to Portugal’s energy transition and the global shift towards sustainable energy solutions.
Advanced Materials and Technologies for Health and Environment
Advanced Materials and Technologies for Health and Environment
Health is a primary global concern, and the environment, as a major determinant of health, is responsible for more than 20% of all deaths in the EU. Advanced materials are playing a pivotal role in developing new health and environmental technologies, such as efficient biosensors, medical devices for vital organ support, diagnostic tools, therapies, and solutions to mitigate environmental impacts from industries.
Advanced materials and technologies provide a strategic advantage to the Portuguese economy by fostering innovation, creating new companies, and generating jobs. According to the National Strategic Development Plan ("Visão Estratégica para o Plano de Recuperação Económica e Social de Portugal 2020-2030" by António Costa Silva), the future economy must emphasize industrial transformation, focusing on the reorientation of production chains and efficient resource management across all sectors, including urban usage. This thematic line supports these goals by advancing new materials for health and environmental applications, while also promoting the advanced training of human resources. This training is framed within the Biotechnology and Medical Physics programs offered by universities, with which the Advanced Laboratory (AL) maintains strong educational partnerships.
This initiative will also stimulate innovative companies capable of creating advanced medical solutions, such as new medicines, medical devices, and personal protective equipment (PPE). Key industries, such as cement, pulp and paper, food production, water treatment, and healthcare, stand to benefit from this research.
Our main research axes, built on our expertise in advanced materials and devices for health and environmental applications, include:
Advanced Medical Solutions: This research focuses on integrating nanotechnologies and biomaterials with life sciences, aiming to develop:
Membranes with tailored surface and bulk morphologies that optimize flow and mass transfer for supporting vital metabolic functions, such as those of the kidney and lung.
Sustainable manufacturing methods for dental materials.
Advanced biomedical alloys.
Stimulus-responsive drug and gene delivery nanosystems, such as hybrid lipid nanosystems and magnetic/plasmonic liposomes, addressing strategic issues like aging, neurodegenerative diseases, and vision-related diseases.
Molecular Vibrational and Ultrafast Spectroscopies: These advanced techniques are being developed for:
Early cancer detection.
Environmental photoremediation.
Pollutant detection in water.
Virus and biomarker detection for health monitoring.
Molecular Dynamics and Nonlinear Microscopy: Using fast field cycling NMR for studying complex biological fluids, we aim to enhance our understanding of biomolecular behavior. Additionally, nonlinear microscopy techniques are employed to track the spatio-temporal dynamics of biomarkers in cells, aiding in the study of cellular organization and disease progression.
By leveraging advanced materials and technology, this research contributes directly to the development of innovative medical solutions, environmental sustainability, and Portugal's industrial competitiveness.
New Principles and Technologies for Sensing
New Principles and Technologies for Sensing
As humanity's use of planetary resources accelerates alongside a growing global population—expected to surpass 9 billion by 2040—there is an urgent need to create sustainable solutions that improve the quality of life. The development of innovative sensors is key to addressing these challenges, as they play a crucial role in advancing interconnectivity, mobility, transportation, health, security, and medicine, particularly with the rise of the Internet of Things (IoT).
The IoT sensors market was valued at USD 5 billion in 2020, with an expected Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 24.05% between 2020 and 2025. The European Union recognizes the critical role IoT sensors play in supporting technological development, having invested nearly EUR 500 million in IoT-related research, innovation, and deployment under Horizon 2020 (2014-2021). For Portugal, research in sensor technologies aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030 set by the European Commission, especially:
Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being
Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
Goal 13: Climate Action
Goal 14: Life Below Water
Goal 15: Life on Land
LaPMET will contribute to these goals by developing cutting-edge sensors through the following strategies:
New Materials: The use of nanomaterials, smart materials, and hybrid materials will introduce multifunctional capabilities to sensors, expanding their potential applications.
New Technologies: Exploiting the unique physical properties of 2D materials will lead to the creation of sensors with unprecedented accuracy and performance.
Flexible Sensors: Sensors with better adaptability will be developed using deposition techniques and printable materials, facilitated through specially formulated inks.
Portable Detection Devices: We will develop small, portable devices using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) technology to detect contaminants in natural and synthetic products, aiding quality control and counterfeit detection, particularly in the health and food industries.
These sensors will be designed for use in key sectors, including biomedical applications, environmental monitoring, and Industry 4.0, in line with Portugal's 2020-2030 Strategic Vision for Economic Recovery.
Our team comprises experts in physics, chemistry, materials science, and bioengineering. Over the past five years, they have collectively produced over 250 articles, led numerous national and international projects, and secured contracts with both local and global companies. Additionally, their work has resulted in the creation of new spin-off companies, further driving innovation and commercialization in the field of sensor technologies.
This multidisciplinary expertise positions us at the forefront of sensing technology development, contributing to a sustainable and interconnected future.
LaPMET has adopted a Governance model that includes a Thematic Line Council, designed to foster synergies across the various thematic lines and ensure their optimal coordination. This council plays a crucial role in aligning the research activities and strategies of the thematic lines, facilitating collaboration and knowledge exchange between them. It operates under the direct authority of the Executive Board, which has the ability to allocate seed funding for exploratory project pre-development. This funding enables the initiation of high-potential projects, laying the groundwork for securing subsequent funding from external sources, such as the EU, companies, or private foundations.
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