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Facts & Numbers
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Presentation

Presentation

At CAP we perform R&D in applied photonics, principally focusing on optical fibre technology.

We are oriented towards applied research and development in optical fibre sources, optical fibre communication, optical fibre sensors and microfabrication (thin films and integrated optics).

Our group is always looking for opportunities for technology transfer to industrial companies using its specific competencies in optoelectronics and systems integration.

Latest News
Photonics

INESC TEC research features in the international scientific journal "Sensors"

The work developed by INESC TEC researchers on optical fibre featured on the cover of the February edition of the international scientific journal Sensors (MDPI). The work presented demonstrated a proof of concept to increase the sensitivity of sensors in fibre optics, using a Graphene Oxide (GO) coating for aqueous glucose solutions in a concentration range of 25 to 200 mg/dL - a common range in blood studies.

22nd February 2024

Photonics

INESC TEC researchers detected long-distance seismic activity in Madeira

The team led by INESC TE researcher Orlando Frazão detected, for the first time, long-distance seismic activity on Madeira Island, using Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) technology.

22nd February 2024

INESC TEC technology on the podium of European Innovation Award

MyNPK​​ is a smart photonics solution that combines spectroscopy and Artificial Intelligence to quantify nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK) in liquid fertilisers - in situ​ and in real time. The technology was developed by the Institute for Systems and Computer Engineering, Technology and Science (INESC TEC) and allows to manage and optimise the use of fertilisers according to the plants' nutritional needs. The goal? To improve production, reduce fertiliser waste and reuse, minimise water consumption and environmental impact. Thanks to this technology, INESC TEC won the third place in the Innovation Prize awarded by the European Association EARTO (European Association of Research and Technology Organisations).

19th October 2023

INESC TEC developed high-power optic fibre laser to power nano satellites

Creating an innovative wireless energy transfer system to recharge the energy storage components used in CubeSat technologies – this was the main objective of the European project WipTherm, with INESC TEC’s participation.  

19th July 2023

INESC TEC researcher awarded at the European Optical Society Meeting

The work developed by Duarte Silva was acknowledged at the EOSAM 2022 – European Optical Society Annual Meeting, one of the largest international scientific conferences on optics and photonics, promoted by INESC TEC. The researcher is studying the implementation of a specific neuronal network architecture on an optical platform.

11th October 2022

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Featured Projects

Glass_ID

Technology assessment for glass recycling

2024-2024

LIBS_1_2023

Análise de composição e distribuição elementar pela técnica LIBS de amostras minerais

2023-2023

INNOAQUA

Innovative Approaches for an Integrated Use of Algae in Sustainable Aquaculture Practices and High-Value Food Applications

2023-2027

SUBMERSE

SUBMarine cablEs for ReSearch and Exploration

2023-2026

MODAS

Monitoring the Oceans with Distributed Acoustic Sensing

2023-2026

ATE

Alliance for Energy Transition

2023-2025

AgendaTransform

Agenda para a transformação digital do setor florestal para uma economia resiliente e hipocarbónica

2022-2025

PhenoBot-LA8.1

PhenoBot Fotónica Inteligente para Fenotipagem de Culturas Agro-Alimentares - LA 8.1 Agricultura de Precisão

2022-2025

PhenoBot-LA8.3

PhenoBot Fotónica Inteligente para Fenotipagem de Culturas Agro-Alimentares - LA 8.3 Tecnologia

2022-2025

PhenoBot-LA8.4

PhenoBot Fotónica Inteligente para Fenotipagem de Culturas Agro-Alimentares - LA 8.4 Dados

2022-2025

PhenoBot-LA8.5

PhenoBot - Fotónica Inteligente para Fenotipagem de Culturas Agro-Alimentares - LA 8.5 Conhecimento

2022-2025

Wine4Cast-LA8.3

Previsão espácio-temporal da produtividade vitivinícola para usabilidade multi-ator: integração de sensores ótico-fotónicos remotos, inteligência artificial e cenários climáticos

2022-2025

Wine4Cast-LA8.4

Previsão espácio-temporal da produtividade vitivinícola para usabilidade multi-ator: integração de sensores ótico-fotónicos remotos, inteligência artificial e cenários climáticos

2022-2025

Wine4Cast-LA8.5

Previsão espácio-temporal da produtividade vitivinícola para usabilidade multi-ator: integração de sensores ótico-fotónicos remotos, inteligência artificial e cenários climáticos

2022-2025

Wine4Cast-LA8.1

Previsão espácio-temporal da produtividade vitivinícola para usabilidade multi-ator: integração de sensores ótico-fotónicos remotos, inteligência artificial e cenários climáticos

2022-2025

SMARTCAP

Light-activated cap for catheters sterilization

2022-2025

OmicBots

High-Throughput Integrative Omic-Robots Platform for a Next Generation Physiology-based Precision Viticulture

2022-2025

MYTAG

Dispositivos de monitorização ambiental universais baseados na análise Inteligente de dispersão ótica amplificada com polímeros de impressão molecular

2022-2025

LIRA

Optical Fiber Micro-Kelvin Temperature Sensor Network For Sensitive Optical Payloads

2021-2024

DFOSREN

DFOS – distributed fibre optic sensing para deteção de colisões nas linhas aéreas de muito alta tensão

2021-2024

HfPT

Health from Portugal

2021-2025

EUSCORES

EUropean - Scalable and Complementary Offshore Renewable Energy Sources

2021-2025

SpecTOM_BIPProof2020

Programa de atribuição de apoios para prova de conceito da Universidade do Porto

2021-2021

GREENPEG

Análise de composição elementar pela técnica LIBS

2020-2020

LightBrain

LightBrain - a light speed neuromorphic chip with quantum fluids of light

2020-2022

SMARTFARM40

Soluções inteligentes para uma agricultura sustentável, preditiva e autónoma

2020-2023

CorkSurf

Analisador de composição e homogeneidade de tratamentos de superfície por espectroscopia de plasma induzido por laser

2020-2023

CaVaLi

Cadeia de valor do lítio

2020-2023

inSITE

inSITE. Insitu ore grading system using LIBS in harsh environments

2020-2022

HotQFL

Quantum Fluids of Light in Hot Atomic Vapors

2020-2023

FOOD4U

Real-time monitoring of fresh food quality with optical sensors

2019-2020

SmartEcotec

Viabilidade de Implementação de Sistema de Inteligência Artificial para o Diagnóstico, Previsão e Controlo Multivariado de Unidades de Tratamento de Lixiviados

2019-2020

WiPTherm

Innovative WIreless Power devices Using micro-Thermoelectric Generators arrays for Nanosatellites

2019-2023

OpTweezers

Consultoria, aconselhamento técnico e acesso a infraestrutura de fabrico e teste de pinças óticas

2019-2022

ESAPlastics

De-risk assessment: spectrometer for marine litter

2019-2021

EFAR

Cabeças sensoras para corrente contínua

2019-2019

FlexOPlan

Planeamento Operacional da Potência Ativa e Reativa na Interface entre TSO e DSO

2019-2021

LED

Consultoria especializada em sistemas óticos

2018-2020

SENVIB

Sensor ótico de vibração para aplicações em transformadores

2018-2018

MetBots

Metabolomic robots with self-learning artificial intelligence for precision agriculture

2018-2021

GreenNanoSensing

Quantum nanoSensing for renewable energy and environmental management

2018-2022

ENDOR

Endoscope based on new optical fibre technology for Raman spectroscopy

2018-2021

SolSensors

Development of advanced fibre optic sensors to monitor the durability of concrete and reinforced concrete structures

2018-2021

SAFEWATER

On chip whispering gallery mode optical microcavities for emerging microcontaminant determination in waters

2018-2021

FLAPSYS

Fiber laser plasma spectroscopy system for real time element analysis

2018-2022

MINDOG

Adaptação de 3 sensores de H2S para incorporação em sistemas de deteção de flatulência canina

2017-2019

TEC4Sea

Modular Platform for Research, Test and Validation of Technologies supporting a Sustainable Blue Economy

2017-2022

INFANTE

Sistema de apresentação da "Maquete do Porto Mediaval", do Museu Casa do Infante

2017-2017

AGRINUPES

Integrated monitoring and control of water, nutrients and plant protection products towards a sustainable agricultural sector

2017-2020

CORAL-SENSORS

CORAL – Sustainable Ocean Exploitation: Tools and Sensors

2016-2018

CORAL-TOOLS

CORAL – Sustainable Ocean Exploitation: Tools and Sensors

2016-2018

Femto3D

Fabricação tridimensional de dispositivos ópticos integrados por escrita directa com laser femtosegundo

2016-2017

TECCON2

Acordo de Cooperação em P&D entre INESC P&D Brasil e INESCTEC para participação no projeto TECCON2

2016-2020

STRONGMAR-CRAS

STRengthening MARritime Technology Research Center

2016-2018

MarineEye

MarinEye - A prototype for multitrophic oceanic monitoring

2015-2017

NanoStima-RL1

NanoSTIMA - Macro-to-Nano Human Sensing Technologies

2015-2019

VAMOS

Viable Alternative Mine Operating System

2015-2019

EYEFRY

Cooking oils degradation assessment system

2014-2015

Re-Learning

Human motor re-learning by sensor information fusion

2014-2015

GOPA

Environmental processes management and optimisation

2013-2014

Spin_Fonao

Magnetic-induced ferroelectricity unravelled through spin-phonon coupling

2013-2015

InCell

Optical fibre tweezers for single cell manipulation and analysis

2013-2014

SNIFFER

Sensor devices network for food supply chain security

2013-2016

ThermaMonitor

System based on optical fibre sensors to monitor temperature in electrical machines

2013-2014

Sensing

Network Sensing for Critical Systems Monitoring

2013-2015

SmartGrids

Smart Grids

2013-2015

Cyclops

Single-Pixel Imaging Lidar based on Compressive Sensing

2013-2014

Cooperation

Cooperation and Perception for Augmented Autonomy

2013-2015

Ecoal-MGT

Ecological Management of Coal Waste Piles

2012-2015

IORT

The effect of shielding on dose distributions in intra-operative electron radiotherapy: a Monte Carlo simulation study

2012-2015

SPR

Plasmonics Based Fibre Optic Sensing with Enhanced Performance

2012-2014

WineBioCode

Biosensor Development for Wine Traceability in the Douro Region

2012-2015

E-Coli

Lab-on-a-chip: E.coli rapid detection

2012-2012

NanoWires

Optical Fibre NanoWires

2012-2012

FLUOROCT

Dose distribution mapping and Monte Carlo simulations in CT-fluoroscopy

2011-2014

Wood

Numerical and experimental study of cohesive laws in bonded wood joints

2011-2014

AQUAMONITOR

Optical fiber sensors for water quality monitoring applied to the determination of dissolved carbon dioxide in aquaculture

2011-2013

Nanovalor

Pole of Competitiveness in Nanotechnology for the enhancement of R&D potential in the Euroregion Galicia-Northern Portugal

2011-2014

MicroNanoCarolina

Expanding activity in optics and optoelectronics: micro and nonofabrication technologies

2010-2012

Multiferroicos

Multiferroic and Magnetoelectric materials for spintronics: obstacles and interfaces

2010-2013

FIBDOSE

Fibre dosimeters for in vitro and in vivo dosimetry in External Radiotherapy and Brachytherapy

2010-2013

SmartCoat

Optical fibre sensors embedded in composite materials to monitor physical parameters

2010-2012

TECCON

Optical fibre sensors to supervise, control and protect electric power systems

2010-2013

SensEFil

Monitoring filament wound vessels using optical sensors embedded in composite reinforcement

2010-2012

MCP

Antibacterial and osteogenic behaviour of Modified Calcium Phosphates (MCP): in vitro and in vivo evaluation

2010-2013

Hybrid

Hybrid electro-optical microfluidic device for single cell analysis

2010-2013

WaveTune

Monitoring systems based on optical fibre technology

2010-2011

SensingVed

Intelligent monitoring system based on sensor networks

2010-2010

Microphyte

Sensors for a new and more competitive bioprocess for the production of hydrogen

2010-2013

SensKanoe

Sensing systems applied to canoes

2009-2012

Mobiles

Sustainable electric mobility - Solutions for the logistics associated with electric vehicle battery charging

2009-2012

TunLas

Optical fibre tunable lasers

2009-2017

SkateMus

Music generation from skater movements

2009-2009

Memimetria

System to measure the thickness of materials using interferometric imaging setups

2008-2010

Biomotion

Perception of biological motion - integrating psychophysics, neurophysiology and computational modeling

2008-2012

Bioswim

Body Interface System based on Wearable Integrated Monitoring

2008-2011

Endurance0

Optical fibre Bragg sensors to monitor structures in Civil Engineering

2008-2010

Nanocrystalline

Glass Ceramics with Non Linear Optical Properties

2008-2011

AmdraphydII

Advanced Monitoring and Diagnosis of the Physical Dynamics of the Estuary of Aveiro

2008-2009

Oreo2

Self-patternable organic/inorganic hybrids for low cost integrated optics devices

2008-2010

SenRONS

Optical fibre sensors to determine reactive oxygen and nitric oxide in biological systems

2008-2011

Motion

Monitoring and compensaTion of Impairments in Optical Networks

2007-2010

Welding

Optical fibre Bragg sensors for friction stir welding (FSW) and laser beam welding (LBW) modeling

2007-2009

Biopelvic

Study of Female Pelvic Floor Disorders

2007-2010

Optic-Algae

Hybrid photobioreactors containing microstructured optical fibres for operations with microalgae

2007-2010

SmartBio

HIP Femoral Prosthesis for in vivo loosening data acqusition

2007-2010

NextGenPCF

Next Generation Photonic Crystal Fibres

2006-2009

Team
002

Laboratories

Laboratory of Microfabrication

Imaging Laboratory

Publications

CAP Publications

View all Publications

2024

Autonomous and intelligent optical tweezers for improving the reliability and throughput of single particle analysis

Authors
Teixeira, J; Moreira, FC; Oliveira, J; Rocha, V; Jorge, PAS; Ferreira, T; Silva, NA;

Publication
MEASUREMENT SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Abstract
Optical tweezers are an interesting tool to enable single cell analysis, especially when coupled with optical sensing and advanced computational methods. Nevertheless, such approaches are still hindered by system operation variability, and reduced amount of data, resulting in performance degradation when addressing new data sets. In this manuscript, we describe the deployment of an automatic and intelligent optical tweezers setup, capable of trapping, manipulating, and analyzing the physical properties of individual microscopic particles in an automatic and autonomous manner, at a rate of 4 particle per min, without user intervention. Reproducibility of particle identification with the help of machine learning algorithms is tested both for manual and automatic operation. The forward scattered signal of the trapped PMMA and PS particles was acquired over two days and used to train and test models based on the random forest classifier. With manual operation the system could initially distinguish between PMMA and PS with 90% accuracy. However, when using test datasets acquired on a different day it suffered a loss of accuracy around 24%. On the other hand, the automatic system could classify four types of particles with 79% accuracy maintaining performance (around 1% variation) even when tested with different datasets. Overall, the automated system shows an increased reproducibility and stability of the acquired signals allowing for the confirmation of the proportionality relationship expected between the particle size and its friction coefficient. These results demonstrate that this approach may support the development of future systems with increased throughput and reliability, for biosciences applications.

2024

Impact of gaseous interferents on palladium expansion for hydrogen optical sensing: A time stability study

Authors
Almeida, MAS; Almeida, JMMMD; Coelho, LCC;

Publication
OPTICS AND LASER TECHNOLOGY

Abstract
Continuous monitoring of hydrogen (H2) concentration is critical for safer use, which can be done using optical sensors. Palladium (Pd) is the most commonly used transducer material for this monitoring. This material absorbs H2 leading to an isotropic expansion. This process is reversible but is affected by the interaction with interferents, and the lifetime of Pd thin films is a recurring issue. Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) sensors are used to follow the strain induced by H2 on Pd thin films. In this work, it is studied the stability of Pd-coated FBGs, protected with a thin Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) layer, 10 years after their deposition to assess their viability to be used as H2 sensors for long periods of time. It was found that Pd coatings that were PTFE-protected after deposition had a longer lifetime than unprotected films, with the same sensitivities that they had immediately after their deposition, namely 23 and 10 pm/vol% for the sensors with 150 and 100 nm of Pd, respectively, and a saturation point around 2 kPa. Furthermore, the Pd expansion was analyzed in the presence of H2, nitrogen (N2), carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and water vapor (H2O), finding that H2O is the main interferent. Finally, an exhaustive test for 90 h is also done to analyze the long-term stability of Pd films in dry and humid environments, with only the protected sensor maintaining the long-term response. As a result, this study emphasizes the importance of using protective polymeric layers in Pd films to achieve the five-year lifetime required for a real H2 monitoring application.

2024

Optical pH Sensor Based on a Long-Period Fiber Grating Coated with a Polymeric Layer-by-Layer Electrostatic Self-Assembled Nanofilm

Authors
Pereira, JM; Mendes, JP; Dias, B; Almeida, JMMMd; Coelho, LCC;

Publication
Sensors

Abstract
An optical fiber pH sensor based on a long-period fiber grating (LPFG) is reported. Two oppositely charged polymers, polyethylenimine (PEI) and polyacrylic acid (PAA), were alternately deposited on the sensing structure through a layer-by-layer (LbL) electrostatic self-assembly technique. Since the polymers are pH sensitive, their refractive index (RI) varies when the pH of the solution changes due to swelling/deswelling phenomena. The fabricated multilayer coating retained a similar property, enabling its use in pH-sensing applications. The pH of the PAA dipping solution was tuned so that a coated LPFG achieved a pH sensitivity of (6.3 ± 0.2) nm/pH in the 5.92–9.23 pH range. Only two bilayers of PEI/PAA were used as an overlay, which reduces the fabrication time and increases the reproducibility of the sensor, and its reversibility and repeatability were demonstrated by tracking the resonance band position throughout multiple cycles between different pH solutions. With simulation work and experimental results from a low-finesse Fabry–Perot (FP) cavity on a fiber tip, the coating properties were estimated. When saturated at low pH, it has a thickness of 200 nm and 1.53 ± 0.01 RI, expanding up to 310 nm with a 1.35 ± 0.01 RI at higher pH values, mostly due to the structural changes in the PAA.

2024

Observation of Surface Plasmon Polaritons and Bloch Surface Waves in a Metal-Dielectric Photonic Crystal

Authors
Dias, BS; De Almeida, JMMM; Coelho, LCC;

Publication
IEEE Sensors Journal

Abstract

2024

Linear Fiber Laser Configurations for Optical Concentration Sensing in Liquid Solutions

Authors
Soares, L; Pérez Herrera, RA; Novais, S; Ferreira, A; Silva, S; Frazão, O;

Publication

Abstract
In this study, different configurations based on linear fiber lasers were proposed and experimentally demonstrated to measure the concentration of paracetamol liquid solutions in a range of 52.61 to 201.33 g/kg. The optical gain was provided by a commercial bidirectional Erbium-Doped Fiber Amplifier (EDFA) and the linear cavity was obtained using two commercial Fiber Bragg Gratings (FBGs). The main difference of each configuration was the coupling ratio of the optical coupler used to extract the system signal. The sensing head corresponded to a Single-Mode Fiber (SMF) tip that worked as an intensity sensor. The results reveal that, despite the optical coupler used (50:50, 60:40, 70:30 or 80:20), all the configurations reached the laser condition, however, the concentration sensing was only possible using a laser drive current near to the threshold value. The configurations using a 70:30 and an 80:20 optical coupler allowed to perform paracetamol concentration measurements with a higher sensitivity of (-3.00±0.24) pW/(g/kg). In terms of resolution, the highest value obtained was 1.75 g/kg, when it was extracted 20% of the output power to the linear cavity fiber laser configuration.

Facts & Figures

8Academic Staff

2020

36Researchers

2016

3R&D Employees

2020

Contacts