S5 - A. Barroso, The 2022 Nobel Prize in Physics

9 Novembro 2022, 14:00 • Maria Margarida Cruz

Abstract: The work that the Nobel Prize awarded focuses on subtle aspects of Quantum Mechanics, for a long time the subject of a very deep controversy, as it relates to the nature of the quantum universe and the difficulties of its conceptualization. However, over time, and as with most areas of science, it gave rise to applications, now already real, in terms of cryptography and quantum communications.

S4 - Carl Sagan, The age of exploration (on line seminar)

2 Novembro 2022, 14:00 • Maria Margarida Cruz

S3 - Asal Kiazadeh, Flexible AI hardware towards energy-efficient edge device for medical wearables

19 Outubro 2022, 14:00 • Maria Margarida Cruz

Abstract: Exponential increase of data volume due to smart devices in the concept of internet-of-things (IoT) give rise to an ultra-high energy demand. It is notable that the dominating factor of power consumption is in fact related to data transfer between processing unit and memory rather than computation itself. Therefore, solutions to reduce power consumption to a large extent must rely on memory-centric computation and brain-inspired neuromorphic architectures.

In this seminar, flexible IC design for medical applications is targeted. We showcase different synapse devices using amorphous oxide semiconductors (AOS) technology, besides a proof-of-concept of on-chip matrix vector multiplication, applying memristor technology.

S2 - S. Goswami, Dust lines in host galaxy spectroscopy

12 Outubro 2022, 14:00 • Maria Margarida Cruz

Abstract: Extinction in the line of sight towards supernovae affects the determination of its explosion properties and progenitor characteristics, as well as its distance estimation when used in cosmology. The host galaxies where supernova occurs contain a wealth of information largely unexplored at resolved scales in the context of supernovae. With the integral field spectroscopy of nearby galaxies that have hosted supernovae from The All-weather MUse Supernova Integral field Nearby Galaxies (AMUSING) survey, we are in a unique position to investigate in detail the dust properties near and far from the explosion site for a variety of galaxies and supernova types. Resonant lines from ions like sodium (Na I D), potassium (K I), magnesium (Mg II) etc. are abundant in the interstellar medium(ISM) and can be observed in the optical spectra of galaxies to obtain valuable information about dust and gas. We compare the characteristics of the observed spectra to the ISM absorption features and make maps of various galaxy properties which allows a detailed study of the origin and nature of narrow absorption lines, leading to strong constraints on progenitor systems and host galaxy extinction.

S1 - V.Silvério, Lab-on-a-Chip: where Magnetism meets Microfluidics

28 Setembro 2022, 14:00 • Maria Margarida Cruz

Abstract: In this talk,  we will explore the ability to manipulate and detect magnetic nanoparticles (MNP) at chip level, and  how  it  is  revolutionizing  integrated  miniaturized  laboratories.  The  choice  of  magnetoresistive  (MR)  sensors  results  from  their  outstanding  achievements  in  many  areas,  from  reading  magnetic  bits  for  information  storage  (magnetic  hard  disk  recording)  to nanoparticle  detection  in  biomedical  platforms  or  neuronal synaptic activity measurements in neurosciences. Irrespective of the application, the integration of MR sensors and MNP offers quantitative and qualitative functionality to biosensing (e.g. comparing to optical or chemical methods). Moreover, magnetic and electromagnetic actuation are becoming extremely attractive components to precisely transport, mix, manipulate, and concentrate (sort, separate, purify, and detect  biomolecules)  MNP  for  binding  and  analysis.  The  ability  to  match  these  distinct  technologies  is  a  growing  and  not  much  explored  route  to  provide  ultra-compact  heterogeneous  integration  of  hybrid  systems  within  multifunctional  chips.  However,  the  challenges  of  handling  liquids  and  MNP  over  a  chip  combine  with  those  for  miniaturization  of  microelectronics.  When  these  are  overcome,  the  result  is  an  integrated  microfluidic  system  with  added  capabilities,  able  to  answer  to demands  in  biomedicine  and drug delivery.