| The Project

SiNfONiA is designed to catalyse and maximise the impact of the ERA Chair on the scientific and research excellence of the International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL). 

The SiNfONiA project aims to elevate research and technological development (RTD) in the nanosafety field while enhancing INL’s research and innovation potential. A key objective of the project is to recruit an ERA Chair, along with a highly skilled team, to bring expertise in the emerging field of nanomaterial safety evaluation.

This project addresses a critical gap, as INL and other Portuguese institutions currently lack a recognized European and international presence in this area. Through SiNfONiA, INL seeks to establish itself as a leader in nanosafety, driving innovation and contributing to global standards for safe nanotechnology development.

| Project Coordination

The International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL) was created to foster interdisciplinary research in Nanotechnology and Nanoscience. The concept of INL emerged in 2005 when the governments of Portugal and Spain decided to create a global centre of excellence under an international legal framework to perform interdisciplinary research, deploy, and articulate nanotechnology for the benefit of society, at a regional, Iberian, and international level. It started by putting together a world-class research infrastructure and attracting high-grade talent to develop and rapidly translate new nano-based technologies into the market, create new know-how and intellectual property, collaborate with existing companies as well as stimulate the creation of new spin-off start-ups.

The construction of the INL building started in May 2008 and was concluded at the end of 2010. INL was conceived to assure world-class research excellence in all of its activities and to:

• Develop partnerships with the industry and foster the transfer of knowledge into economic value and jobs;

• Train researchers and contribute to the development of a skilled workforce for the nanotechnology industry, through the implementation of joint training program with universities and RTD centres;

• Attract international companies to the region;

• Develop a regional technology transfer system for the service of local industry;

• Prevent and mitigate nanotechnology risks.

INL follows an interdisciplinary approach that stimulates the cooperation and engagement among stakeholders in the generation of novel ideas and turning them into innovation. This approach includes an effective form of co-operation and co-creation among organisations, which promotes access to the most promising available technologies and fosters the integration of stakeholders in the development process, who jointly co-create mutually valuable results.

By partnering with INL, large enterprises, SMEs and start-ups have access to an ecosystem that represents a complete value chain, from the synthesis of nanoparticles and fabrication of microsystems to final added-value products, technologies, and processes.

| Science and Innovation at INL

Established to be a reference point for cutting-edge, interdisciplinary and collaborative research in nanotechnology and nanoscience, the science and innovation strategy of INL is based on the vision that by 2020, INL will be recognized internationally as a research-intensive institution that is distinguished by its focus on the translation of knowledge into societal and economic benefits. The main pillars of this innovation strategy are:

• A trusted partner in the development of nanotechnology- and nanoscience-based solutions for major societal problems (health and ageing, environment and food-quality control, energy, ICT);

• A new approach to research & training with a focus on innovation;

• Creating value from research, in collaboration with regional, national, and international stakeholders (e.g., universities, RTD centres, industry, and public/social organizations);

• A knowledge-transfer corporate office, positioning INL as a partner of choice for industry and business, supporting access to intellectual property, and providing knowledge-based services to companies.

| Research facilities and infrastructure at INL

One of the unique aspects of INL is its infrastructure, which provides a high-tech research environment formed by state-of-the-art infrastructure equipped with the latest technologies. The INL campus comprises a purpose-built facility (a global investment of over 100 million M€).