News and Events

CICECO and the University of Aveiro were actively involved in the 27th IUPAC International Conference on Chemical Thermodynamics (ICCT 2025), which took place from 20 to 24 July 2025 at the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Porto.

A team of CICECO researchers attended ICCT 2025, contributing with oral and poster presentations across multiple thematic sessions. Their participation covered key areas such as energy and sustainability, phase equilibria, bio and pharmaceutical materials, and ionic fluids and deep eutectic solvents, aligning with CICECO’s core research domains.

According to Dr. Filipe Sosa, ICCT 2025 was a scientifically enriching and stimulating event. Together with PhD and MSc students, he presented work addressing both fundamental properties and practical applications of alternative solvents, from their physicochemical characterisation to their use in extraction and membrane processes. “The event underscored Portugal’s relevance within the international thermodynamics community,” he noted.

Dr. Inês Vaz, participant and member of the organising committee, delivered an oral communication in the Instrumentation and Methods session, focused on the application of isothermal titration calorimetry to study metal extraction using eutectic solvents. She also chaired a session on Phase Equilibria & Fluid Properties. Dr. Vaz highlighted the scientific quality of the conference and the collaborative environment, which promoted open dialogue and knowledge exchange.

Professor João A. P. Coutinho, Director of CICECO, played a leading role in the event, acting as Co-Chair of the Local Organising Committee and member of the Scientific Advisory Board, thus contributing to both the scientific direction and strategic coordination of the conference.

ICCT 2025 reinforced the relevance of chemical thermodynamics as a foundation for emerging applications in sustainable technologies, materials design, and bio-based innovation. The event also provided an important platform for scientific networking, including a poster session and a social programme that promoted collaboration among early-career and senior researchers.

You can see more about the event at: https://icct2025.events.chemistry.pt/ 

The 2nd General Meeting of the European Materials Informatics Network (EuMINe) took place at the University of Aveiro from 16 to 18 July 2025, hosted by CICECO – Aveiro Institute of Materials.

The three-day event brought together researchers and professionals working at the intersection of materials science, modelling, and data-driven approaches to discuss the integration of artificial intelligence, multiscale simulation, and digitalisation in advanced materials research.

Dr. Mariana Oliveira, assistant researcher of CICECO, was the chair of the event and celebrates:

This event successfully fostered dynamic networking among over 60 international participants, bringing together leading experts and early-career researchers in the field of materials informatics. Its true success lies in the tangible outcomes—several concrete ideas and collaborative proposals that will shape our upcoming joint activities and strengthen our research community.

The meeting programme included:

• Keynote presentations, including a talk by Arslan Mazitov (EPFL) on the integration of AI in materials research.
• Working Group sessions covering polymer-based nanoplatforms, AI and collaboration in materials science, machine learning for energy harvesting and storage, automated multiscale modelling, experimental-machine learning frameworks for materials durability, and thermodynamic and structural studies for novel materials.
• Workshops and tutorial sessions on machine learning, and Scikit-learn provided by Dr. Dinis Abranches, from CICECO, who co-chaired the event.
• The special session “EuMINe meets CICECO”, featuring contributions from Dr. Mara Freire, Professor Paula Vilarinho, and Professor Rute Ferreira, who shared CICECO’s research directions and perspectives on collaboration.
• Poster sessions, networking, and an award ceremony recognising the best presentations and contributions.

The meeting concluded with a brokerage workshop, fostering new ideas and concrete proposals for future joint activities across the EuMINe community.

CICECO – Aveiro Institute of Materials actively participated in the Research Summit 2025, organized by the University of Aveiro. The event brought together researchers, PhD students, and professionals to discuss the future of research and scientific careers.

On 15 July,  CAD CICECO organized the AIM Further event that brought talks and practical sessions to improve the navigation of the PhD Journeys, an event dedicated to building academic and non-academic career paths.

CICECO was also present in the panel ERC @ UA: Inspiring Research Journeys. This roundtable, moderated by the Research Support Office (GAI), featured ERC grantees Mara Freire, João Mano, and Nuno Silva (CICECO), as well as ERC candidate Johannes Goessling (CESAM).

During the discussion, Professor João Mano highlighted that “an ERC grant is a stamp of excellence and, even if not awarded, the process enriches research ideas, being rewarding and unique for its focus on scientific excellence and ambitious proposals.”Professor Mara Freire, who holds two ERC grants, emphasized that the ERC offers freedom to conduct the project, but “requires a unique and innovative idea, the ability to capture the panel's attention, and a clear, strategically organized proposal.” These testimonies reinforced CICECO’s position as a leading institute in securing high-level European funding and promoting scientific ambition. Professor Nuno Silva also shared insights on his ERC-funded work, highlighting the importance of perseverance and vision to achieve impactful and ambitious research goals.

On 16 July, Dinis Abranches (CICECO) participated as a panel speaker in Beyond the Algorithm: AI, Society, and the Future of Knowledge, delivering the talk “When Algorithms Dream of Molecules: AI by Material Scientists, for Material Scientists”. He emphasized the transformative power of Artificial Intelligence, stating that “AI, the science of the future, will revolutionize how we create molecules, materials, systems, and how this impacts our lives.” His presentation showcased the potential of AI technologies in accelerating molecular modelling and data-driven materials discovery, highlighting frontier research conducted at CICECO in this domain.

On the 17th and 18th, researchers gave presentations to the public in a seminar or presentation of works. CICECO’s involvement in these sessions underlines its commitment to supporting PhD journeys, fostering advanced training, enabling career development, and integrating digital approaches to tackle current scientific and technological challenges.

The University of Aveiro successfully hosted the Symposium on Hydrometallurgical Innovations and Technologies (HIMET 2025) on July 10, 2025, bringing together international experts to address the pressing challenges of sustainable metal recovery and processing. The event, jointly organized by researchers from CICECO – Aveiro Institute of Materials and LSRE-LCM – Laboratory of Separation and Reaction Engineering from the University of Porto, focused on cutting-edge developments in hydrometallurgy field.

The symposium featured four comprehensive sessions covering electrochemistry, solvents in hydrometallurgy, industrial perspectives, and emerging applications. Distinguished speakers addressed critical topics including lithium recovery from end-of-life batteries, the development of deep eutectic solvents for metal extraction, and innovative approaches to recycling platinum group metals from automotive catalytic converters. 

Notable presentations included Cristina Pozo-Gonzalo's work on electrochemical critical metal recovery, Sylwin Pawlowski's research on flow electrode capacitive deionization for lithium recovery, and Ana Paula Paiva's insights into palladium recovery trends. The industrial perspective session highlighted real-world applications with speakers from VALORCAR, Portugal's producer responsibility organization, and CENTI's pilot-scale critical raw materials recovery projects.

"Science should, and one can argue must, aim to address the great challenges of today and tomorrow. Meaningful change can only occur by including all stakeholders, with industry being an important driver of change. Bringing together academic researchers and industry professionals at HIMET 2025 was crucial for fostering meaningful dialogue between fundamental science and real-world application", points Filipe Sosa, CICECO researcher and co-organizer. 

"This convergence enabled the exchange of research insights and necessities with practical industrial needs, helping to align innovation and future with market realities. It also inspired new partnerships that will hopefully manifest themselves in the development of more sustainable, scalable hydrometallurgical processes. Ultimately, this synergy is essential for driving impactful progress toward a greener and more resource-efficient future", adds Dr. Sosa.

The symposium showcased the latest advances in sustainable hydrometallurgical processes, with particular emphasis on battery recycling technologies and the development of environmentally friendly solvents. Machine learning applications in battery recycling, presented by André Nogueira, and innovative biological approaches using algae for rare earth element recovery, demonstrated by João Pinto, highlighted the interdisciplinary nature of modern hydrometallurgy. The event also featured groundbreaking research on keratin-based adsorbents for platinum group metal recovery and comprehensive studies on metal speciation in deep eutectic solvents.

According to Nicolas Schaeffer, CICECO researcher and co-organizer, "the future of sustainable hydrometallurgy lies in the development of cleaner, circular processes that minimize environmental impact while recovering critical raw materials efficiently. Innovations such as bioleaching, deep eutectic solvents, and closed-loop systems will be central to this evolution. CICECO, with its multidisciplinary expertise in materials science and green chemistry, is uniquely positioned to lead this transformation".

"By bridging fundamental research with industrial application, CICECO will play a key role in designing next-generation hydrometallurgical processes that are both economically viable and environmentally responsible. It was a great privilege hosting the HIMET event, showcasing the Portuguese hydrometallurgical know-how and the necessity of fundamental science to inform and improve current processes in-line with European necessities", concludes Dr. Schaeffer.

Mara G. Freire, Vice-Director and Coordinating Researcher at CICECO – Aveiro Institute of Materials, Department of Chemistry of the University of Aveiro, has been appointed Associate Editor of Molecular Chemistry & Engineering, an Elsevier journal.

“This appointment is both an honour and a responsibility in the field. I look forward to contributing to the advancement of the field and to supporting the publication of high-quality scientific research envisioning  innovation in molecular chemistry and engineering,” acknowledges prof. Freire.

This international journal currently accounts with 4 associate editors, and additional editorial board members from 15 countries. The appointment of Dr. Freire reflects her outstanding contributions to fundamental chemistry and process engineering, particularly dealing with neoteric solvents such as ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents.

The career of Mara G. Freire has been aligned with the design of cost-effective separation processes targeting high value-compounds, and more recently, biopharmaceuticals.

In addition to being member of several international editorial boards and associate editor in Separation and Purification technology, from Elsevier, Dr. Freire is Subject Chair of the Content Selection and Advisory Board (CSAB) of Scopus.

>> See the Editorial Board – Molecular Chemistry & Engineering

CICECO – Aveiro Institute of Materials will participate in Ciência 2025, the largest science and innovation event in Portugal, taking place from 9 to 11 July at NOVA SBE, Carcavelos. This year’s edition, under the theme Science, Innovation and Society, aims to foster reflection on the structural role of science in addressing global challenges and promoting societal development.

On 11 July, CICECO will lead three parallel sessions, highlighting its commitment to excellence in materials research and multidisciplinary partnerships:

P3.08 (11:30–13:00) | Excellence in Materials Science for the Society of the Future
Location: Anfiteatro B137
Session details

Organised by i3N – Institute of Nanostructures, Nanomodelling and Nanofabrication, this session will showcasecutting-edge research in advanced materials with societal impact. It reinforces the strong collaboration between CICECO and i3N.

P3.13 (14:00–15:25) | Intelligent textiles as wearable medical devices: from fundamentals to AI-driven insights
Location: Anfiteatro B004
Session details

Organised by CICECO in partnership with the Instituto de Telecomunicações (IT), this session will cover the development and translational pathways of functional materials towards clinical validation and market integration.

P3.27 (15:35–17:00) | Functional materials for health: from development to clinical and commercial translation
Location: Anfiteatro B011
Session details

Organised by CICECO in collaboration with i3S – Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde and LS4Future (ITQB NOVA),this session will focus on translating materials innovations into healthcare solutions.

Ciência 2025 will bring together over 200 speakers in 60 scientific sessions. The event is organised by the Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) and Ciência Viva, in collaboration with Universidade NOVA de Lisboa and NOVA SBE, with the institutional support of the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation.

For the full programme, visit: https://www.encontrociencia.pt

On July 4, 2025, Fábrica Centro Ciência Viva de Aveiro will celebrate its 21st anniversary with an event open to the public, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., with activities for all ages. As part of the celebrations, CICECO – Instituto de Materiais de Aveiro will open the exhibition “Feito de Ciência: Os Materiais do Nosso Futuro” (Made of Science: The Materials of Our Future) at 6:00 p.m.

Developed by the institute and curated by Prof. Dr. Rute Ferreira, Vice-Director, the exhibition highlights innovative materials and the impact of CICECO's research on technology and society. The event is free and open to the entire community.

The event reflects the shared mission of Fábrica Centro Ciência Viva de Aveiro and the institute in bringing science closer to society. For Prof. João A. P. Coutinho, Director of CICECO, this exhibition aims to showcase the scientific and technological developments of the institute to a wide audience, in accordance with CICECO's mission. It is also a pre-event that announces the upcoming 25th anniversary celebrations. "CICECO, recently recognized by the FCT as one of the leading research institutions in Portugal, could not think of a better way to kick off these celebrations than by opening the Fábrica Centro Ciência Viva in Aveiro to the public, which has been fundamental, over the last two decades, in fostering interest in science among generations of young students and the population of the region", reinforces the director.

The full program includes interactive exhibitions, scientific workshops and a closing session with institutional representatives, culminating in a toast and a birthday cake to celebrate more than two decades of scientific communication and public engagement.

Full program available here: https://www.ua.pt/pt/fabrica/21anos

On 12 June 2025, the international workshop “Materials Processing and Nanofabrication – Innovative Techniques for Sustainable Technologies and Bioinspired Systems” was held at the Vista Alegre Theatre in Ílhavo. The event was organised by CICECO – Aveiro Institute of Materials and i3N – Institute of Nanostructures, Nanomodelling and Nanofabrication.

The workshop brought together 155 participants, including researchers, students, and professionals in the fields of materials and nanotechnology. Its main objective was to present and discuss recent advances in materials processing and nanofabrication techniques, with a focus on sustainable applications and bioinspired systems.

The programme included presentations by seven invited researchers:

• Yogendra Kumar Mishra (University of Southern Denmark, Denmark)
• Manuel Salmeron-Sanchez (University of Glasgow, United Kingdom & IBEC, Spain)
• Paulo Jorge Ferreira (Instituto Superior Técnico, Portugal)
• Rodrigo Martins (NOVA School of Science and Technology, Portugal)
• Clément Hébert (INSERM, France)
• Marc Torrell Faro (Energy Research Institute of Catalonia, Spain)
• Jana Nieder (International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, Portugal)

Topics covered included new materials manufacturing techniques, applications in energy and health, and strategies to make processes more sustainable. The workshop enabled knowledge exchange and identification of opportunities for scientific collaboration between institutions and researchers.

We are pleased to announce that Prof. Gao Mingxia from Zhejiang University, People's Republic of China, has joined CICECO's International Advisory Board. Prof. Mingxia brings exceptional expertise in advanced materials research, which will significantly strengthen our collaborative research efforts and international partnerships.

Prof. Mingxia is affiliated with the School of Materials Science and Engineering, where she leads cutting-edge research in energy storage materials. Her work focuses on developing advanced materials for hydrogen storage systems, lithium-ion batteries, and next-generation energy storage technologies.

Her research group specializes in nanostructured materials design, catalytic systems for hydrogen storage, and high-performance electrode materials for various battery applications. Prof. Gao's innovative approaches have led to breakthrough developments in reversible hydrogen storage systems and advanced cathode materials for high-energy density batteries.

 

Gratitude to Prof. Rosseinsky

This appointment follows the transition of our previous advisor, Prof. Matthew Rosseinsky from the Department of Chemistry, University of Liverpool, United Kingdom, who deeply contributed to the international recognition of CICECO.

Prof. João A. P. Coutinho, Director of CICECO, expresses, at this moment, his heartfelt gratitude to Prof. Rosseinsky for his relevant collaboration and guidance to CICECO along the last two decades , and welcomes Prof. Mingxia to the CICECO advisory board, expecting  a fresh view on CICECO activities and the creation of synergies with the Zhejiang  University, one of the leading institutions in innovation in materials science and engineering.

The International Advisory Board plays a crucial role in providing strategic guidance and expertise to support CICECO's research activities and international collaborations.

CICECO is planning an advisory board meeting for Spring 2026, where strategic directions and future initiatives will be discussed.

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)