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 research highlighted on TVI Jornal
Posted on October 29th, 2025
Researcher Artur Pinto and his team from the Processes, Products and Energy group at LEPABE were featured on the TVI Jornal news program on October 26th, broadcast on TVI.
During the interview, the researcher presented the development of a new LED-based cancer therapy, which has shown to be safer, more affordable and portable compared to existing treatments.
This innovative technology was developed within the scope of two projects, funded by FCT, within the UTAustin Portugal Program:
- 2D-Therapy – New 2D nanomaterials for cancer phototherapy and immunotherapy
- LightCure – New implantable device for breast cancer phototherapy
Watch the interview to learn more about this breakthrough technology here.
LEPABE researchers feature in the “World’s Top 2% Scientists” list
Posted on October 15th, 2025
Researchers from LEPABE have once again been recognized among the most influential scientists worldwide, according to the latest “World’s Top 2% Scientists” list released by Stanford University.
This prestigious ranking identifies the world’s most-cited scientists, including those who are among the top 100,000 across all fields or within the top 2% in their main subfield discipline, based on a composite citation index that excludes self-citations.
The LEPABE members included in the list for career-long citation impact up until the end of 2024 are: Adélio Mendes; Conceição A. Ferraz; Fernando G. Martins; F. Xavier Malcata; José Carlos Pires; Luís F. Melo; Luís M. Madeira; Manuel Simões and Nídia Caetano.
The list for citation impact during the single calendar year 2024 includes the following LEPABE members: Adélio Mendes; Anabela Borges; Berta Estevinho; F. Xavier Malcata; Joana A. Loureiro; José Carlos Pires; Lúcia Santos; Luís M. Madeira; Manuel Simões; Maria João Ramalho; Nídia Caetano and Olga C. Nunes.
Congrats to all the researchers for their work as top-level scientists.
Know more about this here.
LEPABE team awarded in the BIP PROOF Programme
Posted on October 10th, 2025
LEPABE researchers Ana Alexandra Pereira, Luís Melo, Marta Redondo, and Ana Rosa Silva, from Biotechnology group, were distinguished in the 8th edition of the Business Ignition Program (BIP) PROOF, promoted by U.Porto Inovação, with their project “HydroClean: Ensure clean and safe water without using harmful chemicals.”
The BIP PROOF programme aims to support proof-of-concept projects that foster the valorisation of promising research results, encouraging their transition towards market application.
The HydroClean project was developed in response to the challenge of controlling microorganisms in water systems without releasing harmful chemicals. It also contributes to mitigating antimicrobial resistance, offering a safe, sustainable, and energy-efficient alternative to conventional disinfection methods, which often introduce hazardous compounds into water.
Congratulations!
More information can be found here.
LEPABE work on Energy highlighted by CNN Inovação program
Posted on August 28th, 2025
Researchers Adélio Mendes, Paula Dias and Tânia Lopes, from the Processes, Products and Energy group of LEPABE, were featured on the CNN Inovação program, broadcast on CNN Portugal. This program highlights Portuguese researchers and their innovative projects.
In this episode, the researchers talk about new solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. On one side, they discuss the production of hydrogen through catalytic methane splitting without CO₂ emissions; on the other, the capture of atmospheric CO₂ to produce renewable methanol using membrane reactors. Watch the episode to learn more about these breakthrough technologies.
PhD Thesis by Roberto Magalhães on prediction of formaldehyde properties
October 3rd 2025
LEPABE would like to congratulate Dr. Roberto Magalhães for his PhD thesis of the Doctoral Program in Refining, Petrochemical and Chemical Engineering, entitled “Prediction of Formaldehyde and Formaldehyde based Resins Properties based on NIR Technology”, supervised by Fernando Martins and co-supervised by Fernão Magalhães, defended on October 3rd, 2025 FEUP.
PhD Thesis by Cláudia Almeida on Liquid and Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Processes
October 2nd 2025
LEPABE would like to congratulate Dr. Cláudia Almeida for her PhD thesis of the Doctoral Program in Chemical and Biological Engineering, entitled “Liquid and Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Processes for the Valorisation of Natural Products”, co-supervised by Fernando Martins, defended on October 2nd, 2025 FEUP.
PhD Thesis by Eva Sousa on advanced electrocatalysts and coating processes
July 25th 2025
LEPABE would like to congratulate Dr. Eva Sousa for her PhD thesis of the Doctoral Program in Chemical and Biological Engineering, entitled “Advanced electrocatalysts and coating processes to tackle insufficient durability of automotive PEMFCs” supervised by Prof. Adélio Mendes, defended on July 25th, 2025 FEUP.
PhD Thesis by Luís Alves on low temperature methane decomposition
July 24th 2025
LEPABE would like to congratulate Dr. Luís Alves for his PhD thesis of the Doctoral Program in Chemical and Biological Engineering, entitled “Development of cyclic regeneration catalytic systems for low temperature methane decomposition” supervised by Prof. Adélio Mendes, defended on July 24th, 2025 FEUP.
- LEPABE meeting 2023
- LEPABE was granted new Ph.D scholarships in FCT 2024 call
- LEPABE was granted new projects in FCT 2023 call
- Ana Esteves awarded Best PhD Thesis Award 2024 by Applied Sciences
- Work by LEPABE team is highlighted as front cover paper
- Ana C. Afonso awarded the Water 2024 Best PhD Thesis Award
- Advanced Cyclone Systems acquired by Sunds Fibertech
- LEPABE member is co-editor-in-chief of Biofouling
- LEPABE work highlighted by Biosfera program (RTP2)
- LEPABE work highlighted by RDP podcast “Isto faz-se por cá”
- LEPABE hired 2 researchers under FCT - TENURE call
- Habilitation title was granted to Prof. Filipe Mergulhão
- Francisco X. Malcata distinguished with the 2025 Biotechnology Achievement Award
- LEPABE work on Legionella highlighted by CNN Inovação program
© 2016 LEPABE - Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy