25 years of Science and Innovation
LEPABE is a research unit operating in the fields of Chemical, Environmental and Biological Engineering at the Faculty of Engineering of Porto (FEUP). With a large majority of young researchers, LEPABE is focused on generating scientific knowledge through interdisciplinary research, and on establishing successful university–industry collaborations for effective technology transfer. [...]
LEPABE workshop at Maker Faire Porto
Posted on October 20th, 2026
On September 18th, Prof. Maria do Carmo Pereira, Dr. Maria João Ramalho, Dr. Stéphanie Andrade, and Dr. Pedro Carneiro, from LEPABE’s Supramolecular Assembly group, took part in Maker Faire Porto, held at Alfândega do Porto, with the workshop “Invisible Engineering: From Synthesis to Nanoparticle Applications”, aimed at 12th-grade students from Escola Profissional de Matosinhos.
The workshop offered students a hands-on introduction to nanotechnology, exploring nanoparticle synthesis and characterisation, the influence of particle size on material properties, and the applications of nanomaterials, particularly in nanomedicine.
Through an experimental and interdisciplinary approach, the activity aimed to spark scientific curiosity among participants and highlight the potential of nanomaterials to drive innovative technological solutions with a positive impact on society.
Two LEPABE teams awarded in the BIP PROOF Programme
Posted on October 16th, 2026
Two LEPABE projects, BERMICIN Care and iDSSC-Integrate have been recognised in the 9th edition of the Business Ignition Program (BIP) PROOF, promoted by U.Porto Inovação.
Developed by Anabela Borges, Ariana Gonçalves, Lília Teixeira, Manuel Simões, and Miguel Leitão, from the BIO group, BERMICIN Care focuses on an innovative technology for the at-home treatment of chronic wound infections. Meanwhile, iDSSC-Integrate, developed by Fátima Santos, Daniela Rodrigues, Jeffrey Capitão, João Gomes, and Rita Gomes, from the PPE group, aims to develop customised, small-scale dye-sensitised solar cell (DSSC) modules capable of harvesting energy from indoor ambient light.
The BIP PROOF programme supports proof-of-concept projects that promote the valorisation of promising research results and facilitate their transition towards market application.
More information can be found here.
ALiCE Connect 2026 strengthen connections between science, industry and society
Posted on October 12th 2026
ALiCE Connect 2026, held on September 8th, at the Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, brought together researchers, companies, and early-career scientists to discuss some of today's key research and innovation challenges.
Throughout the day, the spotlight was on industrial decarbonisation, resource efficiency, hydrogen, water management, carbon capture, digitalisation, artificial intelligence, automation and process engineering, in a programme combining industry roundtables, presentations of ALiCE's Thematic Research Lines, collaborative research projects and a PhD Innovation Pitch Session.
With 22 sponsors and strong engagement from both the academic and business communities, the event reinforced ALiCE's role as a platform for collaboration and for turning scientific knowledge into solutions with real-world impact.
ALiCE is in the center of Connecting Science, Industry and Society.
Ana Filipa Esteves and Fátima Santos distinguished with L'Oréal Portugal Medals of Honour for Women in Science
Posted on September 16th, 2026
Dr. Ana Filipa Esteves and Dr. Fátima Santos, research fellows at LEPABE/ALiCE, are among the four female scientists distinguished in the 2025 edition of the L'Oréal Portugal Medals of Honour for Women in Science.
Ana Filipa Esteves’ research focuses on microalgae, exploring their growth, biomass composition, and strategies for their valorisation. Fátima Santos’ research centres on the development of monolithic dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) capable of generating energy from available indoor light and powering low-energy devices, such as smart sensors and Internet of Things (IoT) devices.
For 22 years, L’Oréal has promoted the role of women in science through the For Women in Science programme, guided by the belief that “the World needs science and Science needs women”
Congratulations!
Know more about this award here.
PhD Thesis by Melani Reis on C–N-linked electron-donor-substituted porphyrins
September 14th, 2026
LEPABE would like to congratulate Dr. Melani Reis for her PhD thesis of the Doctoral Program in Chemistry, entitled “C–N-linked electron-donor-substituted porphyrins: Design, synthesis, and applications”, co-supervised by Ana Mafalda Pereira, defended on September 14th, 2026 University of Aveiro.
PhD Thesis by Celina Fernandes on N2O electrochemical conversion to NO
September 11th, 2026
LEPABE would like to congratulate Dr. Celina Fernandes for her PhD thesis of the Doctoral Program in Chemical and Biological Engineering, entitled “Electrochemical conversion of N2O from flue gas streams to NO”, supervised by Adélio Mendes, defended on September11th, 2026 FEUP.
PhD Thesis by Filipe Moisés Francisco on Solar Redox Flow Cells
July 24th, 2026
LEPABE would like to congratulate Dr. Filipe Moisés Francisco for his PhD thesis of the Doctoral Program in Environmental Engineering, entitled “Solar Redox Flow Cells: Improving the stability of efficient tantalum nitride photoelectrodes and technology environmental assessment”, supervised by Adélio Mendes, defended on July 24th, 2026 FEUP.
- LEPABE was granted new Ph.D scholarships in the FCT 2025 call
- INNOVAntiBiofilm project present at European Researchers’ Night 2026
- PlasURE brings microplastics research to the public at European Researchers’ Night 2026
- Ana Filipa Esteves and Fátima Santos distinguished with L'Oréal Portugal Medals of Honour for Women in Science
- LEPABE research featured on 90 Seconds of Science
- LEPABE/FEUP organizes seminar on “7 years of Legionella legislation in Portugal”
- LEPABE research published in prestigious scientific journal
- Adélio Mendes receives the Galp – Academy of Engineering Career Award
- PhD Student awarded EES Solar best oral presentation
- LEPABE Researchers Win iUP25k 2026 with Innovative Solution to Decarbonize Industry
- PhD Student Receives Honorable Mention at U.Porto 3MT® 2026 Competition
- Bárbara Nunes receives the Paul Ehrlich MedChem Euro-PhD Network Award of Excellence
PhD Thesis by Ana Rita Marques on low-cost hydrogen production by PEM electrolysis
July 3rd, 2026
LEPABE would like to congratulate Dr. Ana Rita Marques for her PhD thesis of the Doctoral Program in Chemical and Biological Engineering, entitled “112GreenH2 - Low-cost hydrogen production by PEM electrolysis: innovative electrode designs with ultra-low noble metal loadings”, supervised by Adélio Mendes, defended on July 3rd, 2026 FEUP.
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