empowering the future by applying science

The most relevant research topics and objects of study in the FibEnTech unit are the following:

• plant biomass as a source of chemicals, energy and materials;
• functionalization of paper materials;
• development of biomaterials from nano fibers produced by electrospinning
• intelligent textiles;
• fabric and knitwear engineering;
• functionalization of textile materials for biomedical applications;
• co-design and modular design;
• photo/electrocatalytic materials;
• water and wastewater treatment technologies, including advanced oxidation processes and wetlands;
• solid waste recovery;
• water reuse;
• recyclability, biodegradability and compostability of paper products, particularly brown packaging paper.

The FibEnTech unit’s research projects are aimed at improving and innovating in the textile and clothing, pulp and paper sectors, as well as water and wastewater management. In particular, the unit is focused on:

• the development of synergistic approaches for the use and improvement of different biopolymers, to evaluate the potential of natural bioactive agents for the functionalization of surfaces, as well as for the production of new biomaterials based on nanofibers designed by electrospinning;
• the development of cost-effective processes for the production of chemicals/energy/polymers from lignocellulosic materials, including forestry and agricultural waste and corresponding industrial by-products;
• the production of advanced functional composites based on biopolymers, to enable the replacement of petroleum-based composites;
• the incorporation of specific characteristics into natural polymers (non-food chain) through biochemical and/or physical methods, combining appropriate processing methods and knowledge of surface chemistry, encapsulation and modeling, in order to design materials with advanced functionalities of perceptible value in health, packaging, low-cost paper electronics, etc.;
• optimizing the performance properties of classic materials and/or advanced materials for classic or new applications, particularly in the area of health and well-being, considering the improvement of aesthetic appearance and design with regard to the influence of technology, evaluating the correlation between structural characteristics (including raw materials) and end-use properties and functionalization by finishing and coating processes and plasma treatment;
• developing mass customization strategies for more competitive textile and clothing companies through personalized production, taking into account company-customer co-design, modular product design, virtual products, etc.;
• the development of a state-of-the-art laboratory dedicated to the design of intelligent clothing capable of interacting efficiently and reliably with the user through embedded electronic sensors, actuators and interfaces in various types of contexts;

The unit receives financial support from the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), IP/MCTES, through national funds (PIDDAC). This funding is crucial to the development of research and innovation activities. In addition to this funding, the FibEnTech unit also receives funding from the various scientific and technological research projects in which it is involved.

FibEnTech’s strong links with the business community, in the pulp and paper, textile and environmental technology sectors, allow it to understand and contribute to these partners in solving and mitigating problems that require an analysis and approach at scientific, technological and environmental levels, which cannot always be achieved in companies. This contribution is in fact in line with the ambition of the team of researchers, who feel motivated and determined to collaborate in the search for solutions and innovations that can be applied to the various industrial sectors. The economic agents with whom FibEnTech has partnerships have made good and regular use of the knowledge produced here. The process of transferring knowledge and technology is almost always carried out through projects with innovative ideas that have made it possible to respond to the needs identified in the field.

FibEnTech currently has significant national collaborations and partnerships that have guided its national path. These include collaborations with the Universities of Minho, Porto, Coimbra, Aveiro, Lisbon and the Algarve, and with the Polytechnic Institutes of Bragança, Castelo Branco, Guarda, Viseu, Tomar and Beja. There is a clear intention to extend and strengthen these national collaborations and partnerships with other national higher education institutions. There are also collaborations and partnerships with other institutions outside the National Scientific and Technological System, namely with the Forest and Paper Research Institute (RAIZ) in Aveiro, with the Portuguese Plant Germplasm Bank (INIAV) in Braga, and with the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA) in Lisbon.

However, FibEnTech’s international path is supported by collaborations and partnerships with the Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, the Universidad Autonoma de Madrid and the Universidad Complutense de Madrid (Spain), with the Grenoble INP-Pagora Engineering School and the Universidad de Lorraine (France), with the Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences (Poland), the Aalto University (Finland), the Université Constantine (Algeria), the Université de Gabès(Tunisia), the University of São Paulo, the Federal Universities of Goiás, Espírito Santo and Santa Catarina, and the Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Espírito Santo (Brazil).

Also noteworthy is Universitas Montium (UNITA), which is a partnership between UBI, the Universidad de Zaragoza (Spain), the Université de Pau et Des Pays de L’Adour and the Université Savoie Mont Blanc (France), the Università Degli Studi di Torino (Italy) and the Universitatea de Veste din Timisoara (Romania). The consortium started in November 2020, following approval by the European Commission. The members of the 6 institutions that make up this “European University” have presented and discussed ideas for the common future in the thematic areas of cultural heritage, renewable energies and the circular economy. The public presentation of this project has already taken place and involves the 6 academies mentioned, to deepen cooperation between the institutions, their students and staff, sharing physical resources, courses, expertise, data and infrastructures.

The determining factor in achieving a level of research excellence is fundamentally related to the quality and competence of the human resources installed, the scientific production carried out, and the quality, laboratory conditions and scientific research equipment. Not least, several FibEnTech members have contributed to the registration of international patents and national invention patents. Over the years, it has been possible to adequately equip laboratories and other infrastructures that are dedicated to research, innovation and scientific development. However, it is necessary to find mechanisms to acquire new state-of-the-art equipment in order to provide timely responses. In particular, here in the Beira Interior region, there are some identified shortcomings in the supply of research and technological development infrastructures for the provision of research services.

The creation of master’s and doctoral study cycles at UBI, together with the fact that FibEnTech has a number of scientific research projects funded by various organizations, has facilitated the creation of opportunities for students to take part in and develop research work. However, their integration into the unit is achieved with the status of collaborators, through the award of research grants for bachelors or masters, and also through the award of doctoral and post-doctoral grants.

The interior has been a handicap, but the current situation could be an argument in favor if it makes it possible to hire and retain highly qualified human resources in the Beira Interior region. This can be achieved by investing in more and better highly qualified human resources in the interior.

The fact that there is an official UBI website on the internet, which integrates the FibEnTech website, means that there is an open door to the world, to the country and to the region. Since proximity contact is very important, the unit regularly carries out dissemination and promotion activities, such as promotional articles, the NewsLetter, and the 1st International FibEnTech Congress 2021, broadcast online via YouTube, where the results of the research produced here are presented to citizens and the world.