INESC TEC researcher awarded by the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation

Vítor Amorim, researcher at INESC TEC’s Centre for Applied Photonics (CAP), was one of the researchers to receive the “Prémio Estímulo à Investigação 2015” (award to foster research), awarded in November by the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation. This award distinguishes annually the research proposals with high creative potential in different scientific areas.

The prize worth 12,500 euros, to be divided between the researcher and the hosting institution, will allow the researcher to fabricate and combine waveguides and  machined structures, using a femtosecond laser, in a single device. This device will make it possible to manipulate fluids at a micro scale with interaction between the light that propagates in the waveguide and the fluid in the microfluidics channel.

It will also be possible to fabricate Bragg networks due to the high resolution guaranteed by the material’s non-linear process of absorbing the material. This type of device can be used as a platform to sense biological material. The work will be developed by CAP’s microfabrication group, under the supervision of Paulo Marques, coordinator of CAP.

The goal with this award is to foster innovation and promote creativity and quality research activities in the fields of  Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Earth and Space Sciences. This programme makes it possible for young people to be integrated in Portuguese research centres, where they can develop their projects.

While conduction his research at INESC TEC, Vítor Amorim is also pursuing a master’s degree at the Faculty of Science of the University of Porto (FCUP).

The INESC TEC researchers mentioned in this news piece area associated with UP-FCUP.