IPC is a Portuguese research Centre of the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), hosted by the Polymer Engineering Department at Minho University. Its stated mission is to contribute to the advancement of the science and technology of polymers and composites, helping to generate added-value in the Portuguese plastics and mould-making industries, and to promote in society the awareness of the role and importance of polymeric materials.

At the end of 2014 there were 28 PhD holding members and 77 researchers and post-graduation students working at the Institute, which in that year were responsible for the publication of 77 articles in peer-reviewed journals (10 other were in press), 10 chapters of internationally edited books (2 other were in press), 12 PhD and 20 MSc theses. Additionally, 103 communications were presented in international scientific conferences by members of IPC and 6 patents were granted to, or applied for, by member of IPC. This output is consistent with the trend of the last years, albeit with some variations from year to year. Concurrently, there was an undeniable consolidation of the international visibility of the members of the Institute, as a result of increasing editorial activities, of the consistent organization of scientific events and invitations for conferences and of the award of international prizes.

IPC has a Scientific Guiding Committee (SGC) comprising distinguished scientists from various institutions around the world. This Committee overviews the scientific and extension activities and steer the strategic development of the Institute.Click here to view the current SGC members.

In 2006 IPC was granted the statute of Associate Laboratory thus entering a new phase of its development.

I3N, the Institute of Nanostructures, Nanomodelling and Nanofabrication received the status of Associated Laboratory

On November 16, 2006, the Portuguese minister of Science, Technology and Higher Education has officially approved I3N (Institute of Nanostructures, Nanomodelling and Nanofabrication) as an Associated Laboratory in the area of nanotechnology.

I3N results from a partnership between IPC, the Institute for Polymers and Composites of Minho University, CENIMAT, the Centre for Materials Research of the New Lisbon University, and FSCOSD, the Semiconductor Physics, Optoelectronics and Disordered Systems Unit of Aveiro University. It involves circa 100 researchers holding a PhD and its activity encompasses:
- multi-scale modelling of materials behaviour;
- nanofabrication and microtechnologies;
- polymer systems with nano and microcontrolled structures;
- physical characterization of nanostructures;

For more information, please visit http://www.i3n.org/ .

¶