IPC is a Portuguese research Centre of the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), hosted by the Polymer Engineering Department at Minho University. Its stated mission is to contribute to the advancement of the science and technology of polymers and composites, helping to generate added-value in the Portuguese plastics and mould-making industries, and to promote in society the awareness of the role and importance of polymeric materials.

At the end of 2008 there were 27 PhD holding members and 56 researchers and post-graduation students working at the Institute, which in that year were responsible for the publication of 54 articles in peer-reviewed journals (17 other were in press), 6 chapters of internationally edited books, and 5 PhD and 3 MSc theses. Additionally, 91 communications were presented in international scientific conferences, 4 articles were published in Portuguese journals and 2 patents were granted to, or applied for by, members of IPC. This output is consistent with the trend of the last years, albeit with some variations from year to year. Concurrently, there was an undeniable consolidation of the international visibility of the members of the Institute, as a result of increasing editorial activities, of the consistent organization of scientific events and invitations for conferences and of the award of international prizes.

In 2006 IPC was granted the statute of Associate Laboratory thus entering a new phase of its development.

I3N, the Institute of Nanostructures, Nanomodelling and Nanofabrication received the status of Associated Laboratory 

On November 16, 2006, the Portuguese minister of Science, Technology and Higher Education has officially approved I3N (Institute of Nanostructures, Nanomodelling and Nanofabrication) as an Associated Laboratory in the area of nanotechnology.

I3N results from a partnership between IPC, the Institute for Polymers and Composites of Minho University, CENIMAT, the Centre for Materials Research of the New Lisbon University, and FSCOSD, the Semiconductor Physics, Optoelectronics and Disordered Systems Unit of Aveiro University. It involves circa 100 researchers holding a PhD and its activity encompasses:
- multi-scale modelling of materials behaviour;
- nanofabrication and microtechnologies;
- polymer systems with nano and microcontrolled structures;
- physical characterization of nanostructures;

For more information, please visit www.I3N.org (currently under construction)

Formação Avançada da Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia - BII 2009

2ª Fase do Concurso de Bolsas de Integração na Investigação (BII) para 5000 estudantes do Ensino Superior

Prosseguindo os objectivos iniciados em 2008 para a atribuição de Bolsas de Integração na Investigação, a FCT convidou uma vez mais as Instituições de Investigação do Sistema Científico e Tecnológico Nacional (SCTN) a abrirem concurso a partir de 1 de Abril até final do mês de Junho de 2009 para seleccionarem os candidatos.

Neste sentido o IPC divulga a abertura de concurso para a atribuição de 8 bolsas de Bolsas de Integração na Investigação (BII) (ver anexo listagem dos projectos) a estudantes do 1º e 2º ciclo do ensino superior com bom desempenho escolar, inscritos em instituições nacionais do ensino superior público ou privado.

As candidaturas deverão ser apresentadas até dia 30 de Junho de 2009. 

Por favor clicar aqui para mais informações.

IPC is actively searching for candidates interested in conducting post-doctoral work under the "Compromisso com a Ciência - 2008" program, sponsored by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology. The currently open fellowship is:  

Mixing / Multi-Scale

Candidates must i) hold a doctorate in Polymer Physics, Materials Physics or Materials Engineering; ii) have 3 years research experience in the area of mixing of liquid-liquid or solid-liquid systems with a view to model the processing and resulting properties of polymer-based nanocomposites; or iii) have 3 years research experience in the area of modelling, simulation, and experimental characterization of the behaviour of polymeric materials.

For more details, please contact the IPC secretariat (lucia.soares@dep.uminho.pt)

Application deadline:  June 2009