From Micro-Scale Technologies to Advanced Electronic Systems

From advanced materials and microfabrication to integrated circuits, sensors, photonics and complete electronic systems.

04

Connected disciplines

12

European regions

24/7

Systems intelligence

The research area

Advances at the micro and nano scale are enabling a new generation of intelligent electronic and photonic systems.

Research Challenge

The performance of many digital and connected technologies depends on advances at the level of materials, devices, circuits, sensors and photonic systems. Future technologies must become smaller, more efficient and more highly integrated, while delivering greater sensing, processing and communication capabilities across a wide range of applications.

Our Response

Across the INESC network, research connects fundamental science with device development, circuit design, sensing, photonics, embedded electronics and system integration. These complementary capabilities extend from materials and semiconductor technologies to integrated circuits, microsystems and complete electronic and photonic solutions for communications, health, industry, energy and other strategic fields.

What INESC brings

Integrated Expertise, From Materials to Complete Systems.

INESC combines expertise in advanced materials, microfabrication, integrated circuits, sensors, photonics and embedded systems, connecting fundamental research with prototypes and application-oriented solutions.

Microelectronics & Integrated Circuits

Research covers the design and characterisation of analogue, digital, mixed-signal and RF integrated circuits, together with programmable and reconfigurable hardware, sensor interfaces and advanced electronic systems. These technologies underpin applications in communications, computing, energy, healthcare and cyber-physical systems.

Photonics & Optoelectronics

Expertise includes integrated photonics, optical and biochemical sensing, nonlinear optics, nanophotonics, laser technologies and emerging quantum technologies. Applications range from industrial and environmental monitoring to biomedicine, telecommunications, deep-sea sensing and space communications.

Sensors & Microsystems

INESC develops MEMS and BioMEMS, magnetic and biochemical sensors, microsystem technologies and advanced sensor interfaces. Research spans device fabrication, low-noise electronics, signal processing and embedded systems for applications such as biomedical devices, industrial sensing, environmental monitoring and energy management.

Advanced Materials & Embedded Systems

Research includes spintronics, organic electronics, wide-bandgap semiconductors, advanced functional materials, reprogrammable electronics, FPGA- and ASIC-based systems and intelligent embedded devices. These capabilities support the integration of sensing, processing, communications and control into deployable electronic and cyber-physical systems.

Power systems

Planning and operation of reliable, resilient grids with high shares of renewable energy.

Energy markets

Market design, flexibility strategies and data-driven valuation for fair energy systems.

Sensing & optimisation

Forecasting, state estimation and optimisation under uncertainty for real-time decisions.

Power electronics

Advanced converters, control and integration for storage, e-mobility and distributed resources.

People behind the research

Expertise with impact.

Prof. Paulo Freitas
Prof. Paulo Freitas

(Co-founder and expert in Spintronics and Magnetic Biosensors)

Dr. Virginia Chu
Dr. Virginia Chu

(Expert in thin-film electronics and bio-detection microsystems)

Prof. Jorge Manuel dos Santos Ribeiro Fernandes
Prof. Jorge Manuel dos Santos Ribeiro Fernandes

Scientific Coordinator

Fábio Moreira de Passos
Fábio Moreira de Passos

Vice-Coordinator & Executive Coordinator

Dr. Luís Carlos Costa Coelho
Dr. Luís Carlos Costa Coelho

Centre Coordinator and leading researcher focusing on optical fibre sensors, plasmonics, and optoelectronic detection systems.

Dr. Elias Vermeer

Power Systems

Grid Intelligence Lab

Dr. Elias Vermeer

Power Systems

Grid Intelligence Lab

Dr. Elias Vermeer

Power Systems

Grid Intelligence Lab

Dr. Elias Vermeer

Power Systems

Grid Intelligence Lab

Related infrastructure

Where research becomes real.

INESC-ID
Location: Lisbon
Smart grids, power electronics, EV and energy storage research and testing environment.

Energy dream lab

Location: Lisbon
Smart grids, power electronics, EV and energy storage research and testing environment.

Smart Grid Laboratory

Brussels, Belgium
Real-time simulation, validation and grid control

Energy Data Platform

Leuven, Belgium
Secure data spaces, forecasting and market analytics

Power Electronics Lab

Liège, Belgium
Converters, drives and storage integration

European context

Systems engineering and management capabilities support European research and innovation by addressing complex operational, organisational and socio-technical challenges across technology-intensive environments. The INESC Brussels HUB can connect these capabilities to European collaboration, digital transformation, innovation management and research infrastructure priorities, highlighting how systems thinking and optimisation contribute to more effective and resilient organisations and services.

Latest thinking

Policy output

Publication Date: 04/03/2020
With Commission services sketching portfolios of eighteen, twenty-four or twenty-eight partnerships, down from sixty, and a consultation open until 16 October, the vision must come before the arithmetic.
Publication Date: 10/05/2024
A summary report capturing the key discussions, findings and follow-up actions from the INESC Brussels HUB’s 2026 Summer Meeting on European research infrastructure priorities.
Publication Date: 10/05/2024
A summary report capturing the key discussions, findings and follow-up actions from the INESC Brussels HUB’s 2026 Summer Meeting on European research infrastructure priorities.
Publication Date: 10/05/2024
A summary report capturing the key discussions, findings and follow-up actions from the INESC Brussels HUB’s 2026 Summer Meeting on European research infrastructure priorities.
Publication Date: 10/05/2024
A summary report capturing the key discussions, findings and follow-up actions from the INESC Brussels HUB’s 2026 Summer Meeting on European research infrastructure priorities.
Publication Date: 07/07/2026
A summary report capturing the key discussions, findings and follow-up actions from the INESC Brussels HUB’s 2026 Summer Meeting on European research infrastructure priorities.

Policy brief

12 May 2026

Flexibility markets for a decarbonised energy system

Research insight

03 Apr 2026

Data-driven forecasting for renewable integration

Analysis

18 Mar 2026

Power electronics for a resilient grid transition