News and Events

Ana Paula Tavares, Mara Freire, Márcia Neves, and João C.F. Nunes, researchers from CICECO – Aveiro Institute of Materials and the Department of Chemistry, have developed a simple and cost-effective colorimetric sensor capable of visually detecting the presence and concentration of L-asparagine in aqueous solutions, without the need for sophisticated laboratory equipment. L-asparagine is an amino acid found in the human body and in plant-based foods, particularly those rich in starch, such as potatoes and cereals. Its quantification is essential in both laboratory and clinical settings.

This sensor represents a practical alternative to conventional techniques, which are usually complex, time-consuming, and expensive.

L-asparagine is present in the human body and in starchy plant-based foods. In the healthcare sector, monitoring its levels is associated with the follow-up of patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. In the food industry, controlling its presence is crucial to prevent the formation of acrylamide — a potentially carcinogenic substance formed during the cooking of certain foods at temperatures above 100 °C.

The technology consists of a sensor material that changes color according to the amount of L-asparagine present in the solution. The concentration can be read instantly by simply observing the color change, without the need for laboratory equipment. Due to its simplicity, portability, and low cost, this innovation paves the way for its application in various contexts, from research laboratories to factories and hospital units.

This development emerged from the project “NanoPurAsp – Development of sustainable nanomaterials for the purification of antileukemic drugs,” funded by the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) and the POCI program. It also received support from the UI-TRANSFER project, which aims to promote the valorization and transfer of scientific knowledge. This support allowed the team to conduct proof-of-concept tests and prepare the technology for future market applications.

The invention’s potential has been internationally recognized, with the European Patent Office issuing a notice of intention to grant the patent. The University of Aveiro has already secured validation under the European unitary patent system, ensuring the protection of the technology in several European Union countries.

This innovation stands out as a useful, versatile, and sustainable tool with the potential to have a significant impact across multiple sectors, promoting public health and food safety in a simple, fast, and efficient way.

(Photo: from left to right: Ana Paula Tavares, Mara Freire, João C.F. Nunes, and Márcia Neves)

In the SupraLife EU talk “How to Make Life”, Bert Meijer — renowned Dutch chemist and professor at the Institute for Complex Molecular Systems (ICMS) and Eindhoven University of Technology — explored the secrets of biochemistry.

Professor Meijer shares insights into his pioneering work at the intersection of supramolecular chemistry, polymers, and functional materials, offering a glimpse into the visionary thinking shaping this field.

The project bridges disciplines including chemistry, materials science, biology, and physics, pushing the boundaries of what synthetic systems can do. From smart materials and biosensors to insights into the origins of life, SupraLife is paving the way for future technologies rooted in molecular design.

To achieve this vision, UAVR, TU/e, and UBx — along with its affiliated institutions Bordeaux INP and CNRS — have joined forces to establish a long-lasting collaborative scientific and training network, building a strong foundation for interdisciplinary research and innovation in Europe.

The project also plays a major role in training a new generation of scientists to work across fields, promoting innovation and deepening our understanding of how life works — and how we might re-create its essence in the lab.

Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/dCgmYXCJ

From May 26 to 28, the University of Aveiro (UA) hosted the Green Deal Biotechnology conference, an international event that gathered researchers, experts, and decision-makers in the field of environmental biotechnology. The initiative was organized by Sónia Ventura, researcher at CICECO – Aveiro Institute of Materials, and Joana Pereira, researcher at CESAM – Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, in collaboration with the European Federation of Biotechnology (EFB), through its Environmental Biotechnology Division, of which both researchers are members.

The main goal of the conference was to foster discussion and knowledge exchange on the role of biotechnology in achieving the goals of the European Green Deal, bringing together an international scientific community committed to sustainability, innovation, and the green transition.

Over the course of three days, the event covered topics such as bioremediation, circular economy, sustainable bioprocesses, and innovative technologies for climate change mitigation, featuring contributions from researchers, industry representatives, and policymakers.

In her closing remarks, Sónia Ventura emphasized the importance of this collaboration: “Green Deal Biotechnology has ended. It was a pleasure to organize this conference together with my colleagues of EFB Environmental Biotechnology Division, but especially with Joana Pereira, my esteemed colleague and friend. Here is a very good way to materialize the collaboration between CESAM and CICECO.”

More information about the program and participants is available on the official conference website.

Metatissue, a biotech startup from CICECO - Aveiro Institute of Materials, Portugal, is emerging as one of the standout participants in the most international edition yet of South Summit Madrid 2025, the renowned global startup competition co-organized by IE University. The company, which develops human protein-based biomaterials for 3D cell culture and tissue engineering, is among the 100 finalist startups selected from over 4,500 applications.

Metatissue’s technology promises to revolutionize drug testing and reduce clinical trial failures by accurately replicating human physiological environments — an approach that is drawing attention from investors and health and biotech experts worldwide.

This year's edition of South Summit is marked by its diversity and global reach, with 23 countries represented among the finalists — a significant increase from the 16 nationalities in the previous edition. With 83% of the startups coming from outside Spain, the event reaffirms its role as a premier global platform for innovation and entrepreneurship.

Portugal is represented by four finalist startups, including Metatissue, alongside Manie (automated energy management), WiseWorld (AI-powered soft skills assessment), and Ubbu (a gamified edTech platform for children).

The competition also highlights the maturity of the participating projects: 49% of the startups are already generating revenue or showing market traction, and 70% have raised over half a million dollars in investment — with 9% having secured more than $10 million.

The 100 finalists were selected by an international jury of innovation and entrepreneurship experts, based on criteria such as scalability, innovation, investor appeal, and team strength. In this highly competitive landscape, Metatissue’s inclusion reaffirms the potential of Portuguese biotechnology on the global stage and positions the company as a strong contender to stand out at South Summit 2025.

A team of researchers from Universidade de Aveiro (UAveiro), part of the Associated Laboratory CICECO - Aveiro Institute of Materials, has developed an innovative technology for recycling polyamides, a plastic widely used in industry. The work was carried out at the Águeda School of Technology and Management (ESTGA) and the Department of Chemistry (DQ) of UAveiro, and has already resulted in a national patent application to protect the technology.

Polyamide is used, for example, in the manufacture of carpets, sports shoes, mountaineering ropes, fabrics, seals and car components.

The team that developed the method is made up of Artur Ferreira and Ana Timmons, professors at ESTGA and DQ respectively, as well as researchers Nuno Gama and Bruno Godinho. According to Artur Ferreira, the method offers a more environmentally sustainable and efficient alternative to conventional recycling processes. "The method we have developed makes it possible to recycle polyamides in a simpler way, eliminating the need for extreme conditions, such as high pressures, or the use of reagents that can be aggressive to the environment in high concentrations that are often used in traditional approaches. In addition, the product obtained does not require further purification or separation and can be reused directly in the production of new materials," explains the researcher.

The new approach is based on acidolysis reactions, producing a viscous liquid similar to the original polyamide monomers. This makes it possible to manufacture new materials with properties equivalent to those of products derived from virgin raw materials. The method, which has already been validated on a laboratory scale, is currently in the industrial scale phase, with the aim of producing recycled polyamides for applications similar to the initial ones.

With a focus on circularity and sustainability, the technology presents itself as a solution that contributes significantly to the reduction of plastic waste, minimizing the sending of materials to landfills or incineration. In addition, this innovation positions UAveiro as a benchmark in the development of technological solutions to contemporary environmental challenges.

The national patent application was submitted by UACOOPERA, UAveiro unit responsible for protecting the results of R&D, entrepreneurship and cooperation with the business sector, and it is hoped that the protection of the invention can be extended to other territories in the future.

Luís Carlos, researcher at CICECO – Aveiro Institute of Materials and professor in the Department of Physics (DFis) at the University of Aveiro (UA), is the winner of the 2025 Medinaveitia-Lourenço Prize.

Awarded annually and alternately by the Royal Spanish Society of Chemistry and the Portuguese Chemical Society, the prize—better known as the Luso-Spanish Chemistry Award—aims to recognize internationally significant scientific research conducted in Portugal and Spain in the field of Chemistry, across any of its subdisciplines.

Luís Carlos is recognized for his work in the field of light-emitting materials and their applications, particularly in temperature measurement at the nanoscale.

“This distinction is a recognition of the work developed by the research group in photonic hybrid and nanomaterials (Phantom-g), which I created in 2000. It has counted on the effort and dedication of many of its members and is, therefore, also a testament to their scientific merit,” emphasized the UA researcher. For that reason, Luís Carlos extends his gratitude to all of them, especially the students he has supervised, as well as to UA—particularly the DFis and CICECO—“for creating the conditions that allowed the development of an internationally visible research group at UA, pioneering in the study of luminescent nanothermometers and organic-inorganic light-emitting hybrids.”

“I am truly honored that the Royal Spanish Society of Chemistry has recognized the merit of the work we have developed, and I am grateful for it,” said Luís Carlos. “I hope to continue enjoying the sweet breeze of discovery, contributing to the development of research at UA and helping affirm its international standing.”

Luís Carlos earned his PhD in Physics from the University of Évora in 1995, with a thesis on photoluminescent polymer electrolytes incorporating lanthanide salts. He is currently a Full Professor in the Department of Physics at UA. He is a member of the Brazilian Academy of Sciences and recipient of the FCT Excellence Stimulus Award (2004) and the ICOM 2022 Award (for lifetime achievements in the field of optical materials).

Throughout his career, he has had the privilege of being a visiting professor at institutions such as São Paulo State University (Brazil), the University of Montpellier (France), Nanjing University of Technology (China), and the University of Wroclaw (Poland). In 2000, he founded the research group “Phantom-g” at the University of Aveiro, dedicated to photonic hybrids and nanomaterials. His research interests lie primarily in the field of luminescent materials for sensors, and he is widely recognized as an influential and pioneering figure in this field, especially for his work on luminescence-based (nano)thermometry.

João Rocha, a researcher at CICECO - Aveiro Institute of Materials at Universidade de Aveiro (UAveiro) has been re-elected as a member of the Scientific Committee of the Chemistry Division of the European Academy of Sciences (EurASc). This re-election, which marks his third and final term, is continued recognition of the exceptional contribution of João Rocha's work to the European scientific community.

A full professor at the Department of Chemistry of UAveiro, João Rocha is also the director of the Portuguese Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Center and the Portuguese government's representative on the European Commission's Technology Council for Advanced Materials. Between 2002 and 2021, he headed CICECO, consolidating its reputation as an international reference in the field of materials.

João Rocha's new term on the Scientific Committee of EurASc's Chemistry Division will last three years, from May 2025 to April 2028, in accordance with the Academy's statutes.

Rita Sobreiro-Almeida, CICECO researcher and part of COMPASS and the Department of Chemistry, was highlighted as a brilliant mind making waves in the field of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine!

The researcher was awarded the TERMIS SYIS-EU 2025 Impact Award—an honor recognizing young researchers whose work creates significant scientific and/or societal impact in the field.
Her research, "Leveraging Blood Components for 3D Printing Applications Through Programmable Ink Engineering Approaches," can be read here, and its video pitch is here.

Rita Sobreiro-Almeida shared this experience with us in a special interview:

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What is the TERMIS SYIS-EU 2025 Impact Award?
TERMIS-SYIS stands for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine Society – Student and Young Investigator Section. It is the largest international community for tissue engineering, bringing together some of the best scientists in the field. The aim of the TERMIS-EU Impact Award is to recognize and reward the scientific and/or societal impact of research in TERM by young investigators in Europe. The call was open to both fundamental and applied research, and evaluated impact at the level of individual publications, ensuring each contribution was valued on its own merits—not based on journal metrics. Thus, this is a recognition of true impact, not just an "impact-factor" award.

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What was the experience of creating the content like?
It was, at the very least, challenging! Looking at our scientific content from the perspective of its potential societal impact—and not just incremental science—challenges us to step outside the bubble we live in every day. Also, I had never made a video explaining my science in simpler terms, which turned out to be a fun experience. It forced me to use more appealing phrases and common vocabulary. For the video editing, I had help from one of my students who is quite talented at that and gave me lighting and sound recording tips!

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How meaningful are these kinds of initiatives?
These initiatives are very important for giving visibility to the work of junior scientists in the field. It’s a highly recognized award internationally, providing visibility not only to the research and its authors but also to the research centers where it was developed. Moreover, because it’s measured in terms of real-world impact, and not by the impact factor of the journal, it shifts the focus away from traditional “scientific metrics,” instead highlighting the value of the work itself. In my opinion, these initiatives help reduce our dependence on scientific numbers (number of papers, h-index, impact factor, etc.), which is slowly declining in Europe but still prevalent in Portugal.

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What advice would you give to other researchers applying in future editions?
It’s simple: ask the right questions! Instead of asking, “How many papers can I publish from this idea?” ask, “How might this product/idea reach people one day?”, “Who and how could someone benefit from this idea?”, “How will this help society?” Even if that future seems utopian today, we never know what might happen! So, let your mind explore uncertain futures! Another important piece of advice: apply! If you don’t apply, then you definitely won’t win…

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What are the best takeaways from this experience?
Often in science, we doubt ourselves, and impostor syndrome kicks in. We start questioning whether we are good enough, if our science is good enough, if we’ll ever make an impact, or if our way of doing science can inspire someone. The biggest takeaway from this experience is just that: I must not give up on myself, nor on what I believe in—because at least one group of people looked at my (our) work and thought it was impactful.
There is nothing more rewarding than that.

University of Aveiro CICECO – Aveiro Institute of Materials and the East China University of Science and Technology (ECUST) signed an agreement to establish the Sino-Portuguese Joint Research Center for Sustainable Chemistry and Materials (April 17).

The initiative aims to promote collaborative scientific research and educational cooperation between the two institutions and, by extension, their respective countries. The agreement outlines the collaboration in the field of sustainable chemistry, sustainable materials, and advanced sustainable processes.

Key cooperation activities include the promotion of researchers, joint research initiatives, and the transfer of advanced technologies. The main objectives of the partnership include:

• Exchange of professors, researchers, and postgraduate students for research, training, consultation, and knowledge-sharing;

• Mutual exchange of scientific and technical information to support collaborative research, while respecting the intellectual property rights of both parties;

• Organization of bilateral and multilateral workshops, conferences, and technical training sessions on topics of mutual interest;

• Collaborative research and mutual publications in areas of sustainable chemistry and materials, with agreed-upon authorship and balanced contributions from both institutions;

• Application and dissemination of advanced technologies developed by either party, subject to specific agreements.

The official ceremony featured an institutional presentation of CICECO by its director, Professor João Coutinho, followed by a visit of the Chinese delegation to key research facilities at the University of Aveiro. The delegation toured key facilities and labs of CICECO, including the visit to Portuguese Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Centre (RMN), which was recently inaugurated.

This agreement marks a significant step in the internationalization of research at CICECO and at the University of Aveiro, strengthening the commitment to shape a more sustainable world through science and technology.

CICECO - Aveiro Institute of Materials maintains its “Excellent” rating according to the assessment carried out by the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), whose provisional results were released on April 15th.

The results were received with confidence that the rating would be maintained, but also with great satisfaction, as the unit's director, João Coutinho, says: "We were extremely pleased to receive the results of yet another evaluation round, which we had been looking forward to, but with peace of mind. The results achieved over the last few years left no room for doubt that we would maintain our “Excellent” rating." Expectations centred above all on the score and the amount of funding: "Knowing whether we would get the highest score of 15/15 and how much funding we would be awarded kept us on our toes." "We're very happy with the results and we just have to keep working to maintain a cohesive, motivated and active team so that we can continue to carry on the level of success for which we are recognised," concludes João Coutinho.

Fourteen of the 20 research units (RU) based or located at UAveiro, or 70%, were rated "Excellent". If the number of units considered excellent is added to the number of those that obtained "Very Good’" this brings the total to 18, i.e. 90% of the units with their headquarters or hub at UAveiro. Of the 14 units that scored ‘Excellent’, six achieved the maximum score. CICECO is one of them.

The Vice-rector for Research, Innovation and Training in the 3rd cycle Accreditation emphasised the number of "Excellent" units with maximum scores: "The best rating ever for our RU's is evidence of the quality of the research we have been carrying out. UAveiro's researchers are the creators of these results, with 70% of the RU's rated “Excellent”, six of which with the highest score, and they are the builders of a Research University," said Artur Silva.