Jul 29 2015
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Portugal is located in Southwestern Europe, to the west of Spain. It encompasses an area of 92,090 km2, and as of 2014, had a population of 10,393,000.
There has been a shift in Portugal’s economy from the traditional industries like textiles to a more diversified and service-based one. Portugal is an EU member and is one of the 20 most visited countries in the world. Its GDP in 2013 was 227.3 billion USD.
Nanotechnology Organizations
Portugal has a few organizations and networks dedicated to supporting nanoscience as well as investigating the challenges and future of nanotechnology. A short introduction to the main nanotechnology-related organizations in Portugal is given below:
International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory
Located in Portugal, the laboratory is the first and, so far, the only, fully global research organization in Europe dedicated to the field of nanoscience and nanotechnology. INL is the outcome of a joint decision of the governments of Spain and Portugal, taken on November 19th, 2005. Both governments have clearly conveyed their dedication to robust cooperation in ambitious science and technology collaborative ventures for the future.
Centre for Nanotechnology and Smart Materials (CeNTI)
It provides, in a business-to-business approach, engineering, applied R&D, and scaling-up production of next-generation smart materials and devices. CeNTI’s role is to drive the development of new materials so as to contribute to product or innovation via all the essential stages of development.
Nanotechnology Companies
Nanotechnology being a multipurpose field finds applications in a range of industries. The key nanotechnology company in Portugal is mentioned below along with a short introduction.
INNOVNANO
The company is headquartered in Lisbon and is part of CUF, the largest chemical company in Portugal and an organization with several years of invaluable know-how in the development and commercialization of innovative, efficient industrial processes.
Based on this technology platform and a wide-ranging R&D collaboration program with top industry and university partners, INNOVNANO’s advanced industrial-scale process produces tailored, high-quality nanostructured powders and products with superior chemical, physical, and mechanical properties.
Nanotechnology Education and Research
Portugal is home to several universities that provide research and educational opportunities in nanotechnology. Mentioned below is a list of academic institutions and universities in Portugal and the academic courses or research opportunities provided by them relating to nanotechnology.
Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (IN)
It is an Associated Laboratory sponsored by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) to work in the forthcoming fields of BioNanotechnology, Nanotechnology, and Nanosciences. IN was officially set up in 2007 with full status of Associated Laboratory granted in January, 2008.
INESC Microsistemas e Nanotecnologias (INESC MN)
INESC MN is a private, non-profit research and development institute set up in January, 2002 from the former Solid State Technology group of INESC. The institute operates a Class 100/10 cleanroom with optical and e-beam lithography capabilities enabling nanoscale device fabrication.
University of Madeira’s Madeira Chemistry Research Centre
It offers a Master level education in Nanochemistry and Nanomaterials.
Instituto Superior Técnico
It offers a Masters level course in Nanosystems and Bioengineering.
Centro de Química-Física Molecular
It offers a wide range of research opportunities including polymers and nanomaterials, and DNA assays with nanoparticles.
Recent Developments
NanoPT is an International Conference that was held in Porto (Portugal) in February 2015. The 3rd edition was held to strengthen international and national collaboration on nanotechnology, and aims to be a reference point in Portugal in the forthcoming years. The conference will motivate universities and industry working in the field of nanotechnology to be aware of each other and present their research, enabling new collaborations between nearby countries like France and Spain.
In February 2013, Portugal hosted an International Conference on nanotechnology—NanoPT. The conference aims to motivate industry and universities to work on the field of nanotechnology, to present their research, and encourage new collaborations between neighboring countries like France and Spain. NanoPT will become a yearly event and will be conducted in Portugal.
In December 2012, scientists were exploring the use of nanoparticles to regulate the differentiation of neural stem cells within the brain. Within the subventricular zone (SVZ) in the mammalian brain, new brain cells such as astrocytes, neurons, and oligodendrocytes are created by self-renewing and multipotent neural stem cells.
Cell biologists and neuroscientists are seeking ways to use nanotechnologies to exploit endogenous stem cell niches like the SVZ. Dr Lino Ferreira, the chief investigator at the Biocant-Center of Innovation and Biotechnology in Portugal, stated that nanotechnologies could help in discovering new perspectives for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.
Likewise, Dr Liliana Bernardino, a chief investigator at the University of Beira Interior in Portugal, explained that the nanoparticle formulation developed by the team can force the neuronal commitment of SVZ neural stem cells both in vitro and in vivo.
In May 2012, scientists from the Center for Mechanical Technology and Automation (TEMA) of the Department of Mechanical Engineering of the University of Aveiro (UA) developed a new material—nanocomposite of graphene—zeolite with nickel. They believe that this material will help in redefining transportation by removing the need for petrol and replacing it with hydrogen.
The International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL) based at Braga, Portugal hosted a workshop on “3D Raman Imaging Meets AFM and Profilometry—Chemical and Structural Material Characterization from the Nano- to the Millimeter Range” at the end of January 2013.
The workshop offered a detailed introduction to the operational principles and instrumental configurations associated with confocal Raman and Scanning Probe Microscopy (SNOM, AFM, Pulsed Force Mode). The speakers covered several facets of Raman and SPM imaging and their fields of applications.
In 2010, Portugal’s gross expenditure on research and investment (GERD) recorded a GDP of 1.59% which had been growing at 15.9% yearly until the international financial crisis which affected private funding and government funding in 2009 and 2010, respectively. The government aims to reach 3% of GDP by 2020 which should provide more capital for the development of nanotechnologies.
A new government came into power in 2011 together with the Portugal 2020 reforms which take into consideration business R&D innovation. In 2011, a strategic plan for Entrepreneurship and Innovation was also implemented which should also motivate R&D and competitiveness.
These, together with the planned increases in government R&D spending, look very positive, but the real test will be whether they can be provided based on recovering from the GFC, and will, as a result, impact the speed at which science and nanotechnology develop in the years to come.