Introduction

The Laboratory for Instrumentation, Biomedical Engineering and Radiation Physics (LIBPhys) is formed by researchers from the Universities of NOVA of Lisbon, Coimbra, and Lisbon. LIBPhys’s research activities occur mainly at the campus of Faculty of Sciences and Technology of the NOVA University of Lisbon (FCT-NOVA), Faculty of Sciences and Technology of the University of Coimbra (FCT-UC), and School of Dental Medicine of the University of Lisbon (FMD-UL).

The R&D activities of LIBPhys are developed in the areas of atomic, molecular, nuclear physics and electronic & industrial automation instrumentation with applications to analytical methods, radiation detection, and biomedical engineering.

To efficiently coordinate the scientific research interests of this new unit, four thematic strands (TS) of research have been identified, compromising researchers from the three research groups: Fundamental Parameters and Metrology; Cryogenic, Electronics and Radiation Detection Instrumentation; Analytical Techniques Development and Application; Biomedical Engineering. 

Mission

The Laboratory for Instrumentation, Biomedical Engineering and Radiation Physics (LIBPhys) is devoted to research in the areas of atomic, molecular, nuclear physics, electronic and industrial automation, instrumentation with applications to analytical methods, radiation detection, and biomedical engineering.

LIBPhys is committed to an active and strong knowledge transfer both to the scientific community and to the society. Our activities range from the pure scientific contribution to the general knowledge to the involvement in spinoffs companies and in the development of equipment, techniques and methods. This way, LIBPhys has direct impact in the society, not only in the Biomedical areas in collaboration with hospitals and clinics, but also with industry in the domestic and industrial energy management systems development. In addition, the analytical techniques and methods mastered in LIBPhys have direct intervention in the areas of environmental control and Portuguese cultural artistic and indistrual heritage in association with museums and religious institutions and city councils.

History

The LIBPhys, created in 2013, results from the integration of the researchers from the Instrumentation Centre (Coimbra), the Atomic Physics Centre (Lisbon), the Centro de Física e Investigação Tecnológica (Lisbon), and the Unit of Oral and Biomedical Sciences (Lisbon). Relying on the complementary know-how to strength and to perform more efficiently the future R&D activities, the main motivation for this merging was the optimization of the human and material resources, deepening the already existing synergies.

To coordinate the scientific research interests, four thematic strands (TS) have been identified, compromising researchers from the three research groups, with several R&D programs established in each TS: Fundamental Parameters and Metrology, Cryogenic, Electronics and Radiation Detection Instrumentation, Analytical Techniques Development and Applications, and Biomedical Engineering.

Since March 2021, together with the Comprehensive Health Research Centre (CHRC), from NOVA Medica School, NOVA National School of Public Health and Évora University, as well as the Institute for Global Health and Tropical Medicine, from NOVA University, LIPBPhys is a founding member of the Associated Laboratory in Translation and Innovation Towards Global Health (REAL).

Report from the International Advisory Board

The LIBPhys (Laboratory for Instrumentation, Biomedical Engineering and Radiation Physics) research laboratory is a remarkable research organization, which integrates members from the following extinct research units: the Instrumentation Centre (Coimbra), the Atomic Physics Centre (Lisbon), and the Unit of Oral and Biomedical Sciences (Lisbon).

The research output is excellent, as proven not only by bibliographic analysis, but also by the impressive list of international collaborations, invited talks and conference organizations, which are listed in the report, and the interest of the results presented. The international collaborations are top collaborations that involve some of the best groups in Europe. It gives the project a very strong visibility. The synergy that this association has created, with the associated increase of potential that results, is certainly another very strong point.

The other remarkable achievements are in the field of engineering and multidisciplinary science with the Bio-medical groups.

In conclusion, LIBPhys has demonstrated strong capacities and impact, and the momentum created should be developed even further, particularly in accreting other young talents to an already very dynamic group.