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C2TN

C2TN IN THE MEDIA

Radiation for Science and Society - C2TN at Pontos de Vista Magazine

C2TN - Centre for Nuclear Sciences and Technologies of Instituto Superior Técnico is featured in the magazine "Pontos de Vista" with an article describing what is done, who does it and what are the plans for the future in the centre.

"The Centre for Nuclear Sciences and Technologies, C2TN, is a research unit created in 2013, located in the Campus Tecnológico e Nuclear of Instituto Superior Técnico. C2TN has a well-defined strategy focused in basic and applied research, advanced training and dissemination of scientific and technological activities related to nuclear sciences and technologies as well as in the provision of specialized services to the community. It is a Center of Reference at national and international level in its areas of expertise with a strong societal impact in Life and Health Sciences, Radiological Protection, Earth Sciences, Environment, Cultural Heritage and Advanced Materials. The “Pontos de Vista” magazine visited a small part of the laboratories of C2TN. Let’s walk through some of the laboratories in each scientific thematic area, guided by C2TN´s researchers. And we ask a question: what is the direct contribution of C2TN activities for science and society?"  Read full article here.

img pontosvistamagazine     img pontosvistamagazine1     img pontosvistamagazine2     img pontosvistamagazine3

Com bisturi, voluntários põem mosaico romano a descoberto

conimbriga w250C2TN researchers integrate the team involved in a collaboration project that aims at cleaning and preserving a 20 meters panel from the ancient roman city Conimbriga. The joint coordination of the project integrates Dr. Luís M. Ferreira from C2TN, Dr. Virgílio Hipólito from the Museu Monográfico de Conimbriga and Professor João Coroado from Polytechnic Institute of Tomar. The Roman Mosaic in study had already been found in the 50’s, but was kept buried for its preservation. It is now being literally brought to light as a partnership effort in which C2TN plays a part. The mosaic must go through a process of cleaning and our C2TN researchers will contribute with their expertise and access to nuclear and radiation technologies for the characterization of the native materials and the preparation of a new hybrid material with biocide activity which can be used alone or integrated as a component in the consolidation mortars in use. Within C2TN, this work is developed under the framework of an IAEA project, RomanRad (F23032/RC18982), led by the researcher Luís M. Ferreira and as part of the PhD work from the PhD student Alexandra Rodrigues, enrolled in the doctoral program on Conservation and Restoration CORES from FCT-UNL.

More info on this link (In Portuguese).

A new Radiotherapy Unit for the Portuguese SNS (National Health Service)

Following the work of a task force created last year, the Portuguese Government has approved, on February 15, the guidelines for the installation of a new radiotherapy unit making use of high energy proton beams. The Government counts on the collaboration of the IAEA, CERN and the University of Texas. The installation is expected to be concluded in 2022, and the budget for the project is of the order of 100 million EURO. The unit will probably be installed at the Nuclear and Technologic Campus of IST to make use of "the  Portuguese highest concentration of technical staff with expertise in nuclear sciences and technologies".

More info on this link (in Portuguese)

Nuno Canha interview to Reuters (2017)

 

nunoCanha 150x150Nuno Canha, a researcher from the Centre for Nuclear Sciences and Technologies, has been interviewed by Reuters about his scientific studies on the importance of indoor air quality during sleep. In this interview, Nuno shares his knowledge, and explains the findings communicated on a recently published article on the topic, in line with the works he has been involved in.
His work focuses on the impact bedroom ventilation (opening doors and/or windows) has on the air quality breathe during sleep [1]. Severe reduction of bedroom ventilation leads to an accumulation of pollutants - particulate matter (PM 2.5) and total volatile organic compounds - at levels that can easily be well above the limits established by the Portuguese law. Throughout winter, people tend to keep the rooms closed in order to maintain temperature at a comfortable level. However, this typical behavior may contribute to the accumulation of pollutants leadind to possible unwanted health effects that will depend on the particular sources present inside the room.

 
Nuno also participates in the project LIFE Index-Air, financed by the European Union program LIFE. The project aims at evaluating integrated exposition of people to pollutants (for a period of 24 hours) considering all the locations where they go about their lives, including their homes.
To be certain that we keep good indoor air quality in our homes, it is important to assure proper ventilation and to be able to identify possible pollutant emission sources. In this way  unwanted consequences to our health might be prevented. Normally, we do not think about candles, incense, cleaning products or even activities like cooking or vacuum cleaning as pollutants sources. However, they can promote the emission of a large variety of pollutants (particulate matter, volatile organic compounds, formaldehyde and others). To minimize both the exposition and impact in our health it is essential to ventilate rooms frequently in order to dilute the pollutants present inside. Special attention should be given to the rooms where we sleep, inside which we spend a considerable amount of time.

[1] N. Canha, J. Lage, S. Candeias, C. Alves, S.M. Almeida (2017) Indoor air quality during sleep: characterisation and variability under different ventilation patterns. Atmospheric Pollution Research 8(6), 1132-1142. DOI: 10.1016/j.apr.2017.05.004

 

Nuno Canha - IQR (June 2017)

2017 Nuno Canha (Ep465)Nuno Canha, researcher of C2TN, was interviewed for Indoor Air Quality Radio, an online and american based radio, regarding his last published scientific article that focused the subject of indoor air quality during sleep. See Interview and Resume of the interview.
Published scientific article: N. Canha, S. Candeias, C. Alves, S.M. Almeida (2017) Indoor air quality during sleep: characterisation and variability under different ventilation patterns. Atmospheric Pollution Research (in press). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apr.2017.05.004 

Robosampler

2016 INTROBOTSampler

Project ROBOSAMPLER – Development of a ground robotic system for radiological and heavy metals monitoring in estuarine environments. It has the ability to collect mudflat samples for further radiological analysis. Its technology and configuration allow interventions in estuarine environments, giving it large versatility in the tasks and missions spectrum. See video.

Sponsorship: Portuguese technological company Introsys, SA - Integrators for Robotic Systems (INTROSYS), in partnership with the Instituto de Desenvolvimento de Novas Tecnologias (UNINOVA) e o Instituto Tecnológico e Nuclear (IST/ITN). This project is patented.

Catarina Galinha - SIC Mulher (2017)

2017 Catarina Galinha (SIC Mulher)The PhD Work of Catarina Galinha was subject of a television play in the program "Retratos de Saúde".
“Selenium is an essential micronutrient for human health, but its deficiency may affect at least one billion people worldwide. Plants and plant-derived products transfer the soil-uptaken Se to humans through the food chain, which is hardly enough when soils have been always poor or already exhausted in bioavailable Se species. Other than agronomic methods for enhancing Se levels in cereals, such as soil and foliar supplements, seed enrichment may be viewed as an alternative Se-biofortification technique.”

  1. Catarina Galinha (March 2017)
  2. Marta Almeida TSF (Nov 2016)
  3. Jornal Económico (Dec 2016)
  4. João Guilherme Correia (2014)
  5. Carla Ramos (2014)