University of Porto SPIE Student Chapter
ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT
2014
Advisor: José Luís Santos, Full Professor at Faculty of Sciences of University of Porto
Content
1. List and contact information of elected Officers for the year 2015 ....................................................................... 1
2. List of current Student Chapter Members ........................................................................................................................ 1
3. Details of Chapter activities in the 2014 year ................................................................................................................. 1
3.1 Organization of regular meetings during school year ....................................................................................... 1
3.2 Scientific meetings ............................................................................................................................................................ 2
3.2.1 Dr. Mario Silveirinha, Instituto de Telecomunicações, University of Coimbra, Coimbra,
“Unconventional Light Wave Oscillations in Plasmonic Nanostructures” .................................................... 2
3.2.2 Hugo Martins, FCUP and INESC Porto, Portugal, “New Paths in Optical Sensing” ................. 2
3.2.3 Professor Thereza Rocco Giraldi, Photonics Laboratory – Electrical Engineering
Department – Instituto de Engenharia, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, “ Optical Devices for Sensors and
Communications”.................................................................................................................................................................. 3
3.2.4 Dr. Raquel Queirós, INESC Porto, “Biosensors - the value of convenience” .............................. 4
3.2.5 Dr. Carlos de Jesus, INESC Porto, “Refractometric Platforms for Label-Free Biochemical
Sensing” 5
3.2.6 Dr. Ambra Giannetti, Institute of Applied Physics-CNR, Florence, Italy, “Chemical and
Biochemical Optical Sensor Group” .............................................................................................................................. 6
3.2.7 Professor Joaquim Gabriel, FEUP, Porto, Portugal, “R&D&I in the health and engineering
fields, the personal experience” ...................................................................................................................................... 7
3.2.8 Dr. Irineu Dias, INESC Porto, Porto, Portugal. R&D&I financing: how to apply to the
different programs and the evaluation processes” ................................................................................................. 8
3.2.9 Dr. Marcelino Pousa, Instituto de Telecomunicações, Aveiro, Portugal.
“Telecommunications, what challenges?” .................................................................................................................. 9
3.2.10 Professor Manuel Marques, FCUP and INESC Porto, Porto, Portugal, “Limits of spectral
resolution in optical measurements” ........................................................................................................................ 10
3.2.11 Professor Lars Montelius, General Director of the International Iberian Nanotechnology
Laboratory (INL) in Braga, Portugal. , “Bringing Radical Innovations to the Market place” .............. 11
4. Let’s Talk About Science – 1st Edition ............................................................................................................................. 12
5. Student Officer Travel Grants .............................................................................................................................................. 15
5.1.1 Photonics West 2014 .................................................................................................................................... 15
5.1.2 Optics and Photonics 2014 ......................................................................................................................... 16
5.2 Organization of activities for undergraduate students ................................................................................... 16
5.2.1 Participation on “Open Days 2014” to schools ................................................................................... 16
5.2.2 Participation on “Mostra de Ciência da U. Porto” .............................................................................. 18
5.2.3 Participation in the Symposium on Enabling Optical Networks and Sensors SEONS
inserted in the II International Conference on Applications of Optics and Photonics AOP 2014 .... 20
5.2.4 Photonics Day .................................................................................................................................................. 21
5.3 Web page and Facebook account development of University of Porto SPIE Student Chapter and its
promotion ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 23
5.4 Web page development of University of Porto SPIE Student Chapter and its promotion ................ 24
6. Details of planned activities for the future ..................................................................................................................... 24
Projection Apparatus ........................................................................................................................................................................ 26
Magic lantern and slides .................................................................................................................................................................. 27
Parabolic Reflectors .......................................................................................................................................................................... 28
7. Financial information .............................................................................................................................................................. 30
7.1 Annual budget .................................................................................................................................................................. 30
Annual Activity Report 2014
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1. List and contact information of elected Officers for the year 2015
The new officers were elected on October 29th of 2014.
President – Ana Rita da Silva Rodrigues Ribeiro, [email protected], SPIE number: 3468226
Vice-President – Ricardo Melo André, [email protected], SPIE number: 3361605
Secretariat – Marta Sofia dos Anjos Ferreira, [email protected], SPIE number: 3380993
Tresour – Ivo Maciel Nascimento, [email protected], SPIE number: 3481892
2. List of current Student Chapter Members
Luís Carlos Costa Coelho - 3363190
Marta Sofia dos Anjos Ferreira - 3380993
Ana Rita da Silva Rodrigues Ribeiro - 3468226
Manuel Jorge Monteiro Marques - 3481367
Ivo Maciel Nascimento - 3481892
Ricardo Melo André - 3361605
Hugo Fidalgo Martins – 3381593
Hamed Moayyed - 3531994
João Moura - 3523562
Alexandre M. Correia – 1237814
Daniel Passos
Nuno Alão
Narsireddy Anugu
3. Details of Chapter activities in the 2014 year
3.1 Organization of regular meetings during school year
These meetings aimed the interaction between student chapter members and discussion of the activities
that the chapter proposed to organize along the year. The Chapter organized several meetings along the
year, more or less once per month. The average of student members present in the meetings was around
80%. The students abroad participated through skype calls.
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3.2 Scientific meetings
3.2.1 Dr. Mario Silveirinha, Instituto de Telecomunicações, University of Coimbra,
Coimbra, “Unconventional Light Wave Oscillations in Plasmonic Nanostructures”
Summary of the talk: In open systems the energy associated with a photonic mode may continuously leak
away in the form of a radiated wave, and hence the lifetimes of all natural oscillations are finite. This
property is closely related to the problem of instability of the Rutherford atom in classical physics. In this
talk, I will theoretically show that in the limit of vanishing material loss plasmonic materials offer the
opportunity to have light localization in open bounded systems with infinitely long oscillation lifetimes
and no radiation loss. In the second part of the talk, I will show that when an (uncharged) plasmonic
material is set in relative motion with respect to another (uncharged) polarizable body the combined
system may be electromagnetically unstable such that if the relative velocity is enforced to remain
constant the system may support natural oscillations that grow exponentially with time. This new
phenomenon is analogous to the Cherenkov effect, but for uncharged polarizable bodies.
Place of event: INESC Porto at FCUP.
Date: 17th January of 2014.
3.2.2 Hugo Martins, FCUP and INESC Porto, Portugal, “New Paths in Optical Sensing”
Short CV: Hugo Martins received the B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees in physics from the University of Porto,
Porto, Portugal, in 2009 and 2011, respectively. He is currently working toward the
Ph.D. degree under jointly-awarded program in the University of Porto, Porto, Portugal and the
University of Alcalá, Madrid, Spain. During his M.Sc. dissertation work, he worked with INESC Porto in
the development of fiber sensing applications using cooperative Rayleigh-Raman scattering. His current
research interest are studying the possibility of using ultra-long fiber lasers based on distributed
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Rayleigh mirrors to obtain a new all-fiber secure key distribution system (while working in Porto, with
INESC TEC) and distributed fiber sensors, mainly the use of phase-sensitive optical
time domain reflectometry for distributed vibration detection (while working in the University of
Alcalá).
Summary of the talk: Phase-sensitive optical time domain reflectometry (ϕOTDR) is a simple and effective
tool which allows the distributed monitoring of vibrations along conventional single-mode fibers and can
be used to monitor intrusions over large perimeters. Unlike traditional OTDRs which can only measure
intensity variations along the fiber, a ϕ-OTDR works by injecting a pulse of highly coherent light into a
single-mode fiber and is therefore sensitive to the relative phases among the reflected fields coming from
the different scattering centers. In this presentation the pump pulse evolution in a typical ϕOTDR setup
is described. The ideal conditions of operation as well as physical and practical limitations are described.
A field prototype is also presented..
Place of event: INESC Porto at FCUP.
Date: 29th January of 2014.
3.2.3 Professor Thereza Rocco Giraldi, Photonics Laboratory – Electrical Engineering
Department – Instituto de Engenharia, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, “ Optical Devices for
Sensors and Communications”
Short CV: Prof. Maria Giraldi graduated in Communications Engineering in 1986 at Federal Fluminense
University, Niteroi, Brazil. She took her Master and PhD in Electrical Engineering in 1989 and 1995 at
Pontifical Catholic University, Rio de Janeiro, and UNICAMP, Campinas, Brazil, respectively. She is an
Associate Professor at the Military Institute of Engineering from the Brazilian Army. She has been
working with Optical Communication and Sensors, more specifically with optical devices and systems,
WDM systems, free-space optics communications, optical amplifiers and fiber sensors. Prof Giraldi is the
Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Microwaves, Optoelectronics and Electromagnetic Applications, a journal
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published by the Brazilian Microwave and Optoelectronics Society and the Brazilian
Electromagnetics Society.
Summary of the talk: In this work it will be presented the results concerning the research developed at
the Photonics Laboratory of the Military Institute of Engineering in Brazil. Optical devices and systems
were investigated to be applied in optical sensors and communications systems. The research was
developed through numerical simulations and experimental measurements. Broadband Raman
amplifiers, optical isolators, fiber gratings based sensors are among the devices studied. In addition, the
impact of nonlinearities such as four wave mixing in the performance of amplified optical
communications systems is also verified. Finally a free space optics system is developed and its
performance is examined.
Place of event: INESC Porto at FCUP.
Date: 12th February of 2014.
3.2.4 Dr. Raquel Queirós, INESC Porto, “Biosensors - the value of convenience”
Short CV: Raquel Queirós graduated in 2007 in Chemical Engineering and achieved, in 2008, a
Master degree in Technologies for Environmental Protection from Instituto Superior de Engenharia
do Instituto Politécnico do Porto. She concluded her PhD in Physics at University of Porto in
collaboration with Associated Laboratory INESC TEC and BioMark-Sensor Research/ISEP on the
development of biosensors for detection of aquatic bacterial contamination. Her interests included the
synthesis and characterization of new biomimetics materials, development of fiber optic evanescent
platforms for sensing purposes for application in agri-food traceability and safety, environmental
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monitoring and bioprocess control. She is a member of International Society for Optical Engineers (SPIE)
and former President of the University of Porto SPIE Student Chapter.
Summary of the talk: A biosensor is an analytical device that responds to an analyte present in a sample
and interprets its presence or concentration as an appropriate signal via a suitable combination of a
biological recognition system and a transducer. These devices are playing an increasingly important role
in providing analytical information in all sectors of human interest, from medicine to environmental
monitoring, food safety, military, defence and security. Particularly, biosensors constitute the basis of
cheap, simple devices for acquiring chemical or biological information, bringing sophisticated analytical
capabilities to the non-specialist and general public. Despite the market opportunities for the rapid
exploitation of novel developments are significant, there are only a few successful commercial biosensor
products available. The main limitations on the commercialization of biosensors relate to the technical
and manufacturing feasibility, market value and investment strategies. The commercialization of
biosensors requires the optimum use of emerging technology, nature-inspired, and cutting-edge
engineering to design and produce functional systems at the lowest cost.
Place of event: INESC Porto at FCUP.
Date: 14th March of 2014.
3.2.5 Dr. Carlos de Jesus, INESC Porto, “Refractometric Platforms for Label-Free Biochemical Sensing”
Short CV: Carlos Gouveia received the PhD in Electrical Engineering (2014) from University of Madeira
(Portugal). Additionally, has BSc. and MSc in Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications from the
University of Madeira. He has more than 6 years’ experience in research in the field of optical fiber
sensors for diverse applications at the Optoelectronics Unit of INESC Porto (Portugal). His main areas of
interest are: Fiber Optics, Fiber Optic Sensors, Interrogation Systems, Instrumentation, Signal Processing.
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Summary of the talk: In this talk it will be presented the more relevant results concerning the research
developed during the PhD project in the field of refractometric configurations suitable for label-free
chemical and biological sensing. Refractometric label-free systems, allow the direct detection of
biological or chemical analytes, without using any colorimetric marker. It requires, instead, the design of
sensitive layers that experience a refractive index change in presence of the target. It is achieved using
biomolecules with a natural affinity to the target, or chemical species having analyte specific ligands. Few
configurations using different photonic structures ranging from coated long period gratings, multimode
interference devices and white light differential systems will be addressed.
Place of event: INESC Porto at FCUP.
Date: 14th March of 2014.
3.2.6 Dr. Ambra Giannetti, Institute of Applied Physics-CNR, Florence, Italy, “Chemical
and Biochemical Optical Sensor Group”
Short CV: Ambra Giannetti is currently a researcher at the Institute of Applied Physics-CNR, Florence,
Italy. She graduated in pharmaceutical chemistry and technology in 2001 and received her PhD in Medical
physio-pathology and pharmacology in 2005, at the University of Pisa, Italy. Her research activity is
focused on the study and development of optical biosensors and biosurfaces including protein and DNA
treatment for preparation of active surfaces.
Summary of the talk: The Chemical and Biochemical Optical Sensor Group, placed in Florence, within the
Institute of Applied Physics “Nello Carrara” of the National Research Council of Italy, plays a key role for
the development of chemical and biochemical sensors, since many years.Optical sensing has played an
important role in medicine since the 1990 s mainly thanks to the invasive capabilities and unique
performance of the optical fibers that have allowed measurements inside the human body that would
otherwise be impracticable.The sensors for medical diagnostics can be classified in three main classes: i)
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invasive sensors, where the sensor enter the human body using suitable catheters/tubing; ii) minimally
invasive sensors, which limit their contact with the human body, for example to the tissue, and iii) not
invasive sensors, where the device has no contact with the human body and the measurement is
performed on biological samples drawn from the patient. In recent years, the importance of optics in the
biomedical area has been increasing owing to the advent of nanophotonics, which is opening completely
new perspectives. Thanks to the reduction of the probe size to nanoparticles, optical nanosensors have
been developed, which penetrate the cell membrane and measure chemical and biochemical analytes
directly inside the cell.
Place of event: INESC Porto at FCUP.
Date: 20th March of 2014.
3.2.7 Professor Joaquim Gabriel, FEUP, Porto, Portugal, “R&D&I in the health and
engineering fields, the personal experience”
Short CV: Joaquim Gabriel is with the Automation, Instrumentation and Control group, Department of
Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto. He is also researcher at IDMEC
(Institute of Mechanical Engineering), INEGI (Institute of Mechanical Engineering and Industrial
Management) which belongs to the Associated Laboratory LAETA (Associate Laboratory for Energy,
Transport and Aeronautics). He received the degree in Mechanical Engineering, specialization on
Machine Design and a post-graduation in Automation and Management of Industrial Processes from
University of Porto; he holds a PhD from the University of Minho in Industrial Electronics and a Master
from University of Porto in Industrial Computing.
He was fellow of JNICT (Junta Nacional de Investigação Cientifica) at University of Porto (1989), and
researcher from the Japanese Ministry of Industry at Science Park in Kanagawa, Japan (1995/97).
Currently he is member of the National Engineering Association (Ordem dos Engenheiros), IEEE
(Instrumentation and Measurement Society), the International Association of Science and Technology for
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Development , International Federation of Automatic Control and last the EAT - European Association of
Thermology.
Joaquim Gabriel is author/co - author of 3 books, 6 book chapters, and editor 5 of books, 40 articles in
international journals, 9 in national journals, 165 papers in proceedings of conferences, 10 patents and
30 awards.
He is currently responsible for a research group at FEUP in healthcare and is advisor / co-advisor of 16
PhD students in the areas of physiotherapy, dentistry, medicine, biomedical engineering, electrical
engineering, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering and computer science.
Summary of the talk: In this communication it will be presented some of the research projects in which
the author was/is involved, particularly in the areas of health and engineering (thermography,
photovoltaic panels, very high precision positioning, development of medical devices, biomechanical
evaluation, etc.).
Place of event: INESC Porto at FCUP.
Date: 9th April of 2014
3.2.8 Dr. Irineu Dias, INESC Porto, Porto, Portugal. R&D&I financing: how to apply to the
different programs and the evaluation processes”
This was an internal meeting organized by the chapter and given by de co-director of our research unit
to clarify the researchers in the framework of national and European projects applications.
Place of event: INESC Porto at FCUP.
Date: 20th May of 2014.
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3.2.9 Dr. Marcelino Pousa, Instituto de Telecomunicações, Aveiro, Portugal.
“Telecommunications, what challenges?”
Short CV: José Pousa has a degree in Applied Physics to Optics and Electronics by the Faculty of Sciences
of the University of Porto (1984) and a MSc in Organization and Information Systems by the University
of Évora (2001) and a post-graduation in Intellectual Property Economy (2009).
He has worked at PT Inovação until February 2014, where he had several positions, from researcher in
the optical communications field to director in fields of management of innovation. Currently is a
collaborator of the Telecommunications Institute of Aveiro from its starting-point, where he is a board
and management commission member. His main interest areas are in Innovation Management and
Knowledge in the organizations, telecommunications in general and optical communications in
particular, where he acts as an independent consultant.
Summary of the talk: Telecommunications market trends; Main trends in the networks evolution;
Challenges to the optical communications.
Place of event: INESC Porto at FCUP.
Date: 18th June of 2014.
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3.2.10 Professor Manuel Marques, FCUP and INESC Porto, Porto, Portugal, “Limits of
spectral resolution in optical measurements”
Short CV: Manuel Marques received a degree in physics from Porto University in 1983, and a PhD degree
in physics from the same university in 1991. His thesis work was on nonlinear coupling to optical
waveguides. From 1993 to 2001 he was a member of Centro de Física do Porto, where he worked on fiber
lasers and integrated optics. He joined INESC Porto, Portugal, in January 2002, where he has worked on
fiber lasers and sensors. He has been an assistant professor in the Physics Department of Porto University
since 1991. Dr. Marques is a member of the Portuguese Physics Society.
Summary of the talk: Nowadays a growing number of scientists relies on optical spectral measurements
for their research. The market is full of new plug-and-play equipment for spectral analysis that take the
fuss out of the measurements. As with other instruments (computers, lasers, etc.) the researcher doesn´t
need any longer to work with someone with a post-graduate formation on the technology to be able to
do excellent research. But, as in every instrument, there are limitations on the instrument use that affect
its precision and resolution. Currently there is in the market a large variety of equipment for spectral
measurements. They range from the huge long focal length double pass monochromators to the small
pocket size USB connected array spectrometers. The different configurations have different sensitivities
on the light input system, light intensity, coherence, polarization, etc. In this talk we will discuss a few of
the limitations in spectral measurements that can be found in experimental setups.
Place of event: INESC Porto at FCUP.
Date: 2nd July of 2014.
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3.2.11 Professor Lars Montelius, General Director of the International Iberian
Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL) in Braga, Portugal. , “Bringing Radical
Innovations to the Market place”
Short CV: Lars Montelius defended his thesis in 1987 at Lund University and during 1988-89 he spent a
Post-doc year at IBM, Yorktown Heights working with Scanning Probe Microscopy. In 1989 he was
appointed as Head of the Nanometer Laboratory at Lund University. His 25+ years of work in
nanotechnology has centered around scanning probe microscopy & spectroscopy & luminescence &
imaging & manipulation of low-D structures, electron & ion beam and nanoimprint lithography &
processing applied to single electron tunneling, quantized conductance and various bio and NEMS-
devices. His H-index is 32 and he has given more than 70 personally invited talks, filed 22 patent
applications and published more than 170 publications giving rise to 3.639 citations, with ≈250 citations
per year over last 5 years. (Data from ISI Web of Knowledge 2014-03-29). Currently he is the President
Elect for IUVSTA: The International Union for Vacuum Science, Technique and Applications iuvsta-
us.org/ and he is Working Group Chair of the two European Technology Platforms NANOFutures: The
European initiative for sustainable development by Nanotechnologieswww.nanofutures.eu and EuMat:
The European Technology Platform for Advanced Engineering Materials and Technologies: eumat.eu.
Summary of the talk: Nanotechnology is a Key Enabling Technology with promises for making solid
contributions to the grand challenges of today, such as sufficient sustainable energy supply, supply of
clean water, taking care of the elderly population and making cities ready for the globalization. At INL,
the Internatioal Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, we are implementing a full ecosystem for
nanotechnology innovation and science. I will discuss about our offers and describe the possibilities that
exist for collaboration with university students. Then I will discuss about how nanotechnology could be
of importance to bring added value to products and services. I will also review some areas of
nanotechnology that recently has been deployed giving rise to radical innovation and business
development. In particular, I will address the accelerated development of LEDs and the consequences on
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lighting. Lighting is increasingly becoming an integral part of the Digital Age. The lighting of the future
will be more attractive, individually tailored and integrated into Smart Buildings and Smart Cities. Even
today, you can access the Internet via LED luminaries. By creating working and living environments with
situation-specific forms and levels of sensory stimulation, we can improve the conditions for
productivity, learning, health, comfort and well-being.Ever more people talk about Smart Lighting, i.e. a
lighting that is adaptive (on demand), interactive (by control) and dynamic (color & intensity). The main
basis for Smart Lighting is that the LED and ICT of today creates a more or less unlimited flexibility to
deliver a dynamic user adapted light - the right light, at the right place, at the right time, for each and
everyone. In the end I will discuss about the need for articulation and give some advice for personal
development.
Place of event: INESC Porto at FCUP.
Date: 3rd December of 2014.
4. Let’s Talk About Science – 1st Edition
The first edition of Let’s Talk About Science took place on 26th November 2014. This initiative, fully
organized by the student chapter gave the attendants the opportunity to spend an afternoon discussing
different topics of Science, physics to neurosciences. The first lecturer was the SPIE invited speaker, Dr.
Lorenzo Pavesi from Trento, Italy. The second lecturer was Dr. Nuno Peres from the University of Minho,
Portugal and the last talk was given by Dr. João Relvas from the Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology
in Porto, Portugal.
Author: Dr. Lorenzo Pavesi from Nanoscience laboratory at the University of Trento in Italy
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Title: Silicon photonics: a new technology platform to enable low cost and high performance photonics
Abstract: Photonic devices which can be fabricated using the same advantages of microelectronics: smaller,
cheaper and faster. This is what silicon photonics allows. Thousands of photonic devices integrated in a few
square cm which are able to transmit signal over long distances at high speed. Optical networks which handle
tens of channels and route them all across an electronic chip. An entire bio-lab with the size of a nail. Solar cells
with conversion efficiency beyond the thermodynamic limit of silicon cells. These are all examples where the
silicon photonics paradigm has shown all its potential. In this talk the basic and state of the art of silicon
photonics were discussed together with the relevance of silicon nanophotonics to widen its application.
Short CV: Dr. Lorenzo Pavesi is Professor of Experimental Physics and head of the Department of Physics at
at the University of Trento (Italy). Born the 21st of November 1961, he received his PhD in Physics in 1990 at
the Ecole Polytechnique Federale of Lausanne (Switzerland). In 1990 he became Assistant Professor, an
Associate Professor in 1999 and Full Professor in 2002 at the University of Trento. He leads the Nanoscience
Laboratory (25 people), teaches several classes at the Science Faculty of the University of Trento. He founded
the research activity in semiconductor optoelectronics at the University of Trento and started several laboratories
of photonics, growth and advanced treatment of materials. He was the first president and founder of the IEEE
italian chapter on Nanotechnology. He has directed more than 25 PhD students and more than 25 Master thesis
students. His research activity concerned the optical properties of semiconductors. During the last years, he
concentrated on Silicon based photonics where he looks for the convergence between photonics and electronics
by using silicon nanostructures. He is interested in active photonics devices which can be integrated in silicon
by using classical waveguides or novel waveguides such as those based on dynamical photonic crystals. His
interests encompass also optical sensors or biosensors and solar cells. In silicon photonics, he is one of the
worldwide recognized experts, he organized several international conferences, workshops and schools and is a
frequently invited speaker. He manages several research projects, both national and international. He advises
EC on photonics and is a frequently invited reviewer, monitor or referee for photonics projects by several grant
agencies. He is an author or co-author of more than 280 papers, author of several reviews, editor of more than
10 books, author of 2 books and holds six patents. He is chief speciality editor of the section Optics and
Photonics of Frontiers in Materials, in the editorial board of Research Letters in Physics and he was in the
editorial board of Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnologies, in the directive council of the LENS
(Florence), in the Board of Delegates of E-MRS. In 2001 he was awarded the title of Cavaliere by the Italian
President for scientific merit. In 2010 and 2011 he was elected distinguished speaker of the IEEE- Photonics
society. He is a senior member of SPIE and IEEE. He holds an H-number of 48 according to the web of science.
Author: Dr. Nuno Peres
Title: Controlling terahertz radiation with graphene
Abstract: In this communication the way terahertz radiation interacts with graphene micro-structures was
described. After motivating this problem, the conductivity of graphene was discussed and two types of optical
transitions were identified: inter- and intra-band ones. Then, the solution of Maxwell's equations for surface
waves coupled to the charge density of graphene (surface plasmon polaritons) was introduced. The calculation
was generalized for the double layer problem, and both the acoustic and optical modes were identified. The
excitations of surface plasmon polaritons by a diffraction grating and by a metal contact were discussed, and a
connection was made to recent experiments. Finally, a semi-analytical method for the solution of problem with
a periodic conductivity was introduced and an application was presented in connection with graphene micro-
ribbons.
Short CV: Dr. Nuno Peres develops his research in the field of condensed matter theory. In particular, during
the last 10 years he has worked intensively in the optical properties of graphene and related materials. His recent
interests have been on how terahertz radiation interacts with graphene micro-structures. At present Nuno Peres
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is Full Professor at the Physics Department of the University of Minho. He is also a member of the Academy
of Sciences of Lisbon.
Author: Dr. João Relvas
Title: Future: Next exit. A personal perspective
Abstract: Scientific discovery is a process for gaining knowledge and this knowledge is likely to shape the future
of Humankind. From the point of view of Medicine and of the Neurosciences in particular such knowledge not
only will help us to fight aging and disease, but also to better understand and ultimately master the works of the
brain and the nature of thought, consciousness and selfhood. Scientific and technological progress put us in a
unique position in the history of the world, as we are the first living organism to be able to (re)define its own
biological future. What are the options? How are we going to build this future?
Short CV: Prof. João Bettencourt Relvas (IBMC) obtained his PhD in Molecular Genetics (1997), and did his
post-doc at the University of Cambridge before moving to Switzerland to establish his own research group at
the ETH in Zurich in 2002. He moved to the IBMC in 2009, where he heads the glial Cell Biology lab, focusing
in myelination and demyelinating diseases. He is also the coordinator of the Neurosciences Division at the
IBMC and an invited Professor at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto. He is a member several
national and international neuroscience societies, and is in the editorial board of specialist neuroscience.
Place of event: INESC Porto at FCUP.
Date: 26th November of 2014.
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5. Student Officer Travel Grants
5.1.1 Photonics West 2014
Luis Coelho was at the Photonics West 2014 conference in the Moscone Center in San Francisco with a
grant from SPIE. He presented an oral paper at BIOS conference. After the conference he gave a small talk
to the UP SPIE Student Chapter members about what was learned during his journey to San Francisco.
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5.1.2 Optics and Photonics 2014
Ana Rita Ribeiro, as officer (secretariat), went to San Diego conference Optics and Photonics 2014. She
participated in the leadership workshop given by Dr. Jean Luc Doumont. She also participated in the
scientific part of the conference concerning optical trapping and manipulation.
5.2 Organization of activities for undergraduate students
5.2.1 Participation on “Open Days 2014” to schools
Summary: The Faculty of Science of University of Porto (FCUP) hosts the “Open Days” to schools. This
initiative is aimed at secondary school students, especially those who are in the process of vocational
guidance. These students had the opportunity to take a close look at a group of activities divided into
FCUP's several knowledge areas, participating in guided tours to the facilities of the different
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departments and research centers. The goal is to provide students with a direct contact with the FCUP
training opportunities and information on the professional outputs given by graduations and master
degrees. The “Open Days” are performed during two days, organized by tours to the various laboratories
of the Faculty.
The visits are organized by area and require prior registration in each area who are interested in visiting
[Biology, Physics and Astronomy, Geosciences, Environment and Spatial Planning (Geology,
Environment, Geographic Engineering, Food Engineering, Agricultural Engineering, Landscape
Architecture); Computing, Mathematics, Chemistry and Biochemistry]. All students and teachers have
informational materials about the courses available at FCUP. This activity aims to set up an informal table
in the department stand with SPIE promotional materials, handouts, and membership applications
during the event.
The FCUP Open Days took place in February 13th and 14th. The UP SPIE Student Chapter was represented
by its members through a series of outreach activities closely related to the research areas of INESC Porto.
Place of event: Department of Physics and Astronomy, Faculty of Sciences of University of Porto.
Date: February 13th and 14th of 2014.
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5.2.2 Participation on “Mostra de Ciência da U. Porto”
Summary: The Science, Teaching and Innovation Display at the UP (Mostra de Ciência, Ensino e Inovação
da U. Porto) is the ideal space to realize the diversity of degrees of University of Porto, but also to explore
several aspects of the scientific knowledge. Thought as a space for informal exchange of views, where is
necessary to interrogate, experiment and participate. The Science, Teaching and Innovation Display at
the U.Porto is directed to high school students that are considering their future but also for all that are
interested in knowledge (scientific, technological, humanistic and artistic), this fair is also an ideal
opportunity to understand the impact that the University of Porto has in society and in the country's
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development. This activity aimed to set up an informal table in the department stand of “Mostra de
Ciência” with SPIE promotional materials, handouts, and membership applications during the event.
Throughout the duration of the event approximately 14000 people visited the Display, between school
visits and families.
The Exhibition of the University of Porto is the annual exhibition of the courses offered by the largest
university in the country.
But it's much more than that: it is an open forum for communication among students of primary and
secondary schools and their colleagues in higher education, an opportunity for visitors to question the
teachers and researchers of the University of Porto on its scientific activity, its projects, the impact of
their work.
Shows in the University of Porto, all colleges are present in the entrance area, concentrating and
distributing all information to the courses they offer, while its departments disperse the immense flag,
organizing interactive activities that illustrate the charm for knowledge in their areas of specialty. In this
are accompanied by the most prominent University of Porto research centers, experts to develop the
knowledge and explore their applications.
The UP SPIE Student Chapter was present in this edition of the 4-day long Science, Technology and
Innovation Display, which aims to showcase the best of both research and teaching taking place in the
University. This event took place in Pavilhão Rosa Mota from March 27th to the 30th.
Place of event: Pavilhão Rosa Mota - Porto.
Date: 27th to 30th March of 2014.
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5.2.3 Participation in the Symposium on Enabling Optical Networks and Sensors SEONS
inserted in the II International Conference on Applications of Optics and Photonics AOP
2014
SEONS is a joint event organized by INESC Porto and IT-Aveiro (Telecommunications Institute of Aveiro).
This meeting aims to provide young researchers with the opportunity to take part in a technical meeting
and to experience the process of submitting and presenting a conference paper. It also provides and
encourages the exchange of ideas between colleagues in academia and in industry, in the rapidly evolving
field of Photonics.
This year, SEONS took place during the main conference II International Conference on Applications in Optics and Photonics, AOP2014. It is is a triennial conference organized by the Portuguese Society for Research and Development of Optics and Photonics, SPOF in its aim of promotion of the development of Optics and Photonics, in general and particularly in Portugal.
In an open friendly environment, this forum was an excellent opportunity to foster the establishment of the widest range of cooperation projects and relationships with colleagues and institutions from all around the world while promoting Optics and Photonics and its impact in the development of our societies.
The University of Porto SPIE Student Chapter attributed prize for Best Student Paper Award on Optical
Communications and Sensors.
Place of event: Aveiro.
Date: May 26th to 30th
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5.2.4 Photonics Day
The “Photonics day 2014” was cause for celebration by SPIE Student Chapter of the University of Oporto
with the organization of a round table with distinguished professors of physics and chemistry
department. The discussion was based on the future of photonics with 4 participants, the Chapter was
the mediator. It was a very interesting discussion with an audience from different age groups that had
interacted with the table for more than 2 hours.
Place of event: Department of Physics and Astronomy, Faculty of Sciencies of the University of Porto..
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5.3 Web page and Facebook account development of University of Porto SPIE Student Chapter and its promotion
The official website was maintained (http://upspiechapter.inescporto.pt/) and it has been regularly
updated about the activities that the University of Porto SPIE Student Chapter has developing during the
year.
The official Facebook page was created and it has been updated almost daily and since then our activities
have reach people from all over the world.
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Meantime we decide to create our own business card and stamp to be an easy and professional way to
identification of our Chapter.
5.4 Web page development of University of Porto SPIE Student Chapter and its promotion
The website was constructed (http://upspiechapter.inescporto.pt/) and it has been regularly updated
about the activities that the University of Porto SPIE Student Chapter has developing during the year.
6. Details of planned activities for the future
Activities proposed by the University of Porto SPIE Student Chapter for the 2015 year:
• Organization of the Second Edition of ‘Let’s talk about science’
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With this initiative the Chapter aims to promote a special scientific meeting with the SPIE invited speaker
and other lectures invited by the Chapter.
Venue: Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto
Date: To be announced
• Organization of regular meetings during the school year
The main goal of these meetings are the interaction among the student chapter members, as well as the
discussion of activities that the chapter purposes to organize along the year.
Venue: Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto
Date: One every month
• Scientific meetings
The objective of these activities is to promote scientific meetings between students (from undergraduate
to graduate students) and research scientists, with researchers from industry or academia, enabling an
open debate and the assessment of new concepts, technologies and applications in the domain of optical
technology, as well as the establishment of new collaborations and networks.
Venue: Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto
Date: During the year 20145(if possible at least one per month)
• (3rd) Participation in “Open Days” to schools
The Faculty of Science of University of Porto (FCUP) hosts the “Open Days” to schools. This initiative is
aimed for secondary school students, especially those who are in the process of vocational guidance. The
goal is to provide students with a direct contact with the FCUP training opportunities and information on
the professional outputs given by graduations and master degrees.
The “Open Days” last for two days, organized by tours to the various laboratories of the Faculty. The visits
are organized by area and require prior registration in each area who are interested in visiting [Biology,
Physics and Astronomy, Geosciences, Environment and Spatial Planning (Geology, Environment,
Geographic Engineering, Food Engineering, Agricultural Engineering, Landscape Architecture);
Computing, Mathematics, Chemistry and Biochemistry]. All students and teachers have informational
materials about the courses available at FCUP. This activity aims to set up an informal table in the
department stand with SPIE promotional materials, handouts, and membership applications during the
event.
Venue: Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto
Date: February, 2015
• (3rd) Participation in “Mostra de Ciência da U. Porto”
The Science, Teaching and Innovation Display at the UP (Mostra de Ciência, Ensino e Inovação da U. Porto)
is the ideal space to realize the diversity of degrees of University of Porto, but also to explore several
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aspects of the scientific knowledge. Thought as a space for informal exchange of views, where is necessary
to interrogate, experiment and participate. The Science, Teaching and Innovation Display at the U.Porto
is directed to high school students that are considering their future but also for all that are interested in
knowledge (scientific, technological, humanistic and artistic), this fair is also an ideal opportunity to
understand the impact that the University of Porto has in society and in the country's development. This
activity aims to set up an informal table in the department stand of “Mostra de Ciência” with SPIE
promotional materials, handouts, and membership applications during the event.
Venue: Pavilhão Rosa Mota - Porto.
Date: March, 2015
• International Year of Light
The UP SPIE student chapter has already submitted an application for the second phase of the IYL
activities grant.
The Chapter aims to develop the activity with the Museum of Science of the University of Porto to
demonstrate the use of scientific instruments from 19th century.
In our event we pretend to produce a play mimicking a class from the 19th century using materials and
experiments related to optics and photonics, acquired by that time by the Polytechnic Academy of Porto
and Industrial Institute of Porto. In this file we present some of the instruments that will be used.
Projection Apparatus
Universal Projection Apparatus, on stand, with many accessories for projecting experiments in
geometrical optics, spectrum analysis, interferometry, diffraction, polarization and double refraction
"
Manufactor: E. Leybolds Nachfolger, Köln a. Rh. (Germany)
Acquisition: In 1909 by the Physics Cabinet of the Polytechnic Academy of Porto (1837-1911)
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Hartl's Optical Disk
Hartl's Optical Disk, to illustrate the fundamental laws of Geometrical Optics, as first designed by Prof.
Hans Hartl, Reichenberg, Austria in 1896: vertical disk on tripod, with graduated limbo. Works with
sunlight from a partly shaded window. The paths of the light rays as well as the lenses, mirrors, etc., fixed
upon the disk, are easily observed by the audience.
Manufactor: E. Leybolds Nachfolger, Köln a. Rh. (Germany).
Acquisition: In 1911 by the Physics Cabinet of the Polytechnic Academy of Porto (1837-1911).
Magic lantern and slides
Two sets of painted glass slides on Astronomy, from the collection of the Museum of the Faculty of
Engineering, to be used with a magic lantern or the universal projection apparatus; one set comprises
mechanical slides.
Manufactor: J. Duboscq, Paris (France)
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Acquisition Sets purchased by the Mathematics Cabinet of the Polytechnic Academy of Porto in 1865
(see entries 217 and 218 of Duboscq's 1870 catalogue); Duboscq's magic lantern was purchased by the
Industrial Institute of Porto at about the same time.
Parabolic Reflectors
Parabolic reflectors of heat: spectacular demonstration showing that radiant heat reflects just like light
(an experiment conceived by Marc-Auguste Pictet (1752-1825) and Horace de Saussure (1740-1799) in
the early 19th century)
Manufactor: Unknown manufacturer
Acquisition: During the 2nd half of the 19th century by the Physics Cabinet of the Polytechnic Academy
of Porto in date unknown.
COST Meeting - Advances in Optofluidics: Integration of Optical Control and Photonics with
Microfluidics
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The aim of this Action is to establish active interlinks between laboratories working in the fields of micro
and optofluidics, optical tweezers, nanoscience and photonics, bio and soft materials, focusing their work
towards lab-on-a-chip systems and at promoting long-term development of these fields in Europe. The
goal is to increase the knowledge in basic physics and biology from the micro- down to the nano-scale,
and to develop the future generation of lab-on-a-chip devices for portable and inexpensive, but accurate
and reliable equipment’s for: (i) diagnostics; (ii) detection, identification and manipulation of
biomolecules and nanomaterials, (iii) biomedical and environmental microsensing, (iv) advanced
imaging, (v) energy generation.
The scientific innovation concerns advanced concepts of optofluidics and new generation of optofluidic
devices integrating photonics as well as optical control. Indeed, their technologically relevant research
threads are of significant interest for the academic community and the industrial R&D. In order to
capitalize on recent achievements and go one step forward, a platform as a COST Action, promoting
interdisciplinary activities, is a relevant tool to exchange expertises and to explore new opportunities
coming from each specific insights and knowledge.
The Action is focus on selected scientific challenges and is organized in three Working Groups:
1-Integrated microfluidic photonics (new concepts of optofluidics);
2-Optical control in microfluidics;
3-Materials (soft, bio and nano) and technologies for optofluidic devices.
Some Portuguese members of this action belong to INESC Porto, and in 2015 will organize a general
meeting in INESC TEC. The UP Chapter will be giving support in the organization of the meeting and will
be present in this event.
Date: May 2015
ASCOS – 9Th Advanced Study Course on Optical Chemical Sensors
The 9Th ASCOS Summer School is being organized by Dr. Pedro Jorge. It will be located in INESC Porto and
University of Porto and will occur in July 2015.
The main topic of the school will be Nanotechnology for Optical (Bio) Chemical Sensors. It will have
tutorials and group work will focus on this topic.
For more information please visit: http://www.ascos.org/
The UP SPIE Chapter is already working in the organization of this event, and will be present during the
activities.
Date: July 2015
• Web page management and Facebook
As in the previous year, the website/Facebook will be used to inform the students of the activities
developed by the University of Porto SPIE Student Chapter.
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7. Financial information
7.1 Annual budget
All figures are presented in Euros, at the conversion rate considered at the time of the
transaction.
Date Description Value (€)
05/03/14 Activity grant received from SPIE 639.11 €
13/03/14 Business card and stamp -44.16 €
14/03/14 12th Scientific Meeting snack -9.50 €
14/03/14 12th Scientific Meeting lunch -17.80 €
17/03/14 SPIE chapter posters -47.31 €
20/03/14 13th Scientific Meeting snack -11.90 €
20/03/14 13th Scientific Meeting lunch -24.00 €
09/04/14 14th Scientific Meeting snack -9.99 €
28/05/14 SEON 2014 best paper prize (Port Taylor 20 wine
bottle) -43.78 €
20/05/14 15th Scientific Meeting snack -6.81 €
01/06/14 SEON 2014 best paper prize (money) -50.00 €
20/06/14 16th Scientific Meeting lunch -26.00 €
18/06/14 16th Scientific Meeting snack -5.23 €
18/06/14 Meeting lunch -45.20 €
11/11/14 Let's Talk About Science snack -60.03 €
13/11/14 Let's Talk About Science lunch -84.80 €
13/11/14 Let's Talk About Science dinner -132.05 €
28/11/14 Transport to a meeting in University of Porto Rectory -10.80 €
Balance in December 1st 9.75 €