CENIMAT | i3N

What CENIMAT | i3N does

CENIMAT|i3N (Centro de Investigação de Materiais) is a materials science and nanotechnology research center established in 1996 and operating within NOVA School of Science and Technology (NOVA FCT), part of Universidade NOVA de Lisboa in Caparica, Portugal. The center employs 77 staff and is structured around three research groups: Materials for Electronics, Optoelectronics and Nanotechnologies (MEON), Soft and Biofunctional Materials Group (SBMG), and Structural Materials. Its core technical capabilities span thin film deposition (PECVD, PVD, sol-gel, spray pyrolysis, inkjet), nanocharacterization techniques including a 300 MHz Bruker Avance III NMR spectrometer with Rheo-NMR coupling, and development of oxide semiconductors, cellulose-based materials, shape memory alloys, and glass composites.

The center is internationally recognized as a world pioneer in transparent oxide thin-film transistors processed at room temperature and as the inventor of Paper-e®, the foundational technology for electronic devices on paper substrates using natural cellulosic materials. The Paper_e trademark is registered in 14 jurisdictions and supported by multiple granted patents covering paper-based memory devices, electrochromic TFTs, amorphous multicomponent dielectrics, p-type oxide alloys, and biosensor detection systems. Product portfolio spans transparent CMOS devices, paper-based solar cells, all-solid-state paper batteries, lab-on-paper diagnostics, electro-optical liquid crystal shutters, bio-batteries, cellulose water/oil separation membranes, structural metamaterials, magnetic nanoparticles for cancer theranostics, injectable hydrogels, and shape memory alloys.

CENIMAT|i3N operates a grant-funded research and technology transfer model rather than commercial product sales. Revenue flows from competitive European research grants (12 ERC grants representing 30% of NOVA University's total, Horizon Europe, Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions), national Portuguese funding (FCT), and direct industry collaboration with named partners including Samsung, Suzano, Saint Gobain, Infineon, and Petrobras. Distribution occurs via research collaboration, licensing, technology transfer, peer-reviewed publications in high-impact journals (Science, Nature, Advanced Materials), and patent commercialization. The center serves four primary verticals: healthcare and biomedical (biosensors, theranostics, wound dressings), electronics and optoelectronics (transparent displays, smart windows, flexible electronics), advanced materials for industrial applications (cellulose nanocomposites, smart polymers), and cultural heritage (archaeological materials analysis). Leadership is provided by Professor Rodrigo Martins (i3N Coordinator, President of the European Academy of Sciences) and Professor Elvira Fortunato (Vice-Coordinator, former Portugal Minister of Science, two-time Forbes Portugal recognition, 900+ scientific publications).

Name

CENIMAT | i3N

Legal name

CENIMAT|i3N - Centro de Investigação de Materiais

Website

https://cenimat.fct.unl.pt

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

CENIMAT|i3N is a 77-person materials science and nanotechnology research center at NOVA FCT (Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Portugal) that pioneered paper electronics (Paper_e trademark in 14 countries) and transparent oxide thin-film transistors, serving healthcare, electronics, and industrial materials verticals via grant-funded research, patents, and technology transfer partnerships with Samsung, Suzano, Saint Gobain, and Infineon.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Caparica

HQ country

Portugal

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

CENIMAT|i3N is a university research center that conducts fundamental and applied research on advanced materials (electronics, optoelectronics, nanotechnologies, soft and biofunctional materials, structural materials) and develops demonstrators and patented technologies such as paper-based electronics, transparent oxide thin-film transistors, biosensors, biomaterials, and structural metamaterials. Outputs include intellectual property (the Paper-e® trademark and multiple patents), research collaboration with industry partners, peer-reviewed publications, and trained postgraduate researchers.

Product overview

CENIMAT|i3N is a materials research institute organized into three R&D teams: Materials for Electronics, Optoelectronics and Nanotechnologies (MEON), Soft and Biofunctional Materials Group (SBMG), and Structural Materials (SM). The institute develops advanced materials including Paper-e® (paper electronics trademark), oxide transparent thin film transistors, multifunctional magnetic nanoparticles, injectable hydrogels, shape memory alloys, and bio-batteries. Products span transparent electronics, sustainable energy (solar cells), biomedical applications (cancer theranostics, tissue scaffolds), environmental solutions (water/oil separation membranes), and cultural heritage technologies. The portfolio includes both fundamental research demonstrators and applied products like paper-based diagnostics, electro-optical devices, and structural metamaterials.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Paper_e: Trademark for paper electronics technology developed by CENIMAT|i3N researchers

Products and services

• Paper-e® (Paper Electronics) Trademarked technology platform for paper-based electronic and optoelectronic devices, enabling self-sustainable field effect transistors, memory devices, and circuits on cellulosic substrates for electronics manufacturers, packaging companies, and diagnostics developers.
• Solar Cells on Cardboard Paper Photovoltaic devices fabricated on cardboard paper substrates demonstrating low-cost, disposable solar cell technology for sustainable energy and IoT applications.
• Full Transparent CMOS Device Completely transparent complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor electronic devices for transparent display and sensor applications.
• All Solid State Paper Battery Solid-state electrochemical energy storage device fabricated on paper substrates using eco-friendly materials for disposable and sustainable power applications.
• Lab on Paper Point-of-care diagnostic platforms integrated into paper substrates for medical and environmental testing applications.
• Electro-optical Liquid Crystal Shutters Light control devices using liquid crystal technology for optical modulation and switching applications in displays and smart windows.
• Bio-batteries based on Electrospun Fiber Membranes Electrochemical power sources using electrospun fiber architectures for bio-compatible energy storage.
• All-cellulose Membranes for Water/Oil Separation Cellulose-based filtration membranes designed for selective separation of oil-water mixtures in environmental remediation applications.
• Structural Metamaterials Engineered materials with auxetic properties and negative thermal expansion for advanced structural and biomedical applications.
• Eco Materials Environmentally sustainable composite materials developed through severe plastic deformation and advanced processing techniques for industrial applications.
• MineHeritage Cultural heritage assessment and preservation technologies for mining and mineral-based historical materials.
• Multifunctional Magnetic Nanoparticles Magnetic nanoparticle systems for cancer theranostics combining diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities.
• Injectable Hydrogels Biocompatible injectable hydrogels for tissue regeneration and drug delivery applications.
• Shape Memory Alloys Smart alloys with shape memory effect for biomedical devices, actuators, and structural applications.
• Industry R&D Collaboration and Technology Transfer Services Direct research collaboration, co-development projects, and technology transfer services provided to enterprise partners including Samsung, Suzano, Saint-Gobain, Infineon, PETROBRAS, and RAIZ across electronics, paper, glass, semiconductors, and energy sectors.
• Patent and Trademark Licensing (Paper-e® and Device Patents) Licensing of the Paper-e® trademark (registered in 14 jurisdictions) and multiple device patents covering paper-based memory devices, electrochromic TFTs, amorphous multicomponent dielectrics, p-type oxide alloys, biosensor systems, optical diffusers, electrospun cellulose nanofibers, biocompatible bone cements, and injectable bone substitutes.
• Bachelor's and Master's Programs in Micro and Nanotechnologies Engineering Degree programs at NOVA FCT's Department of Materials Science with scholarships for high-achieving students and research grants for Master's candidates, training the next generation of researchers in materials science and nanotechnology.

Quantifiable outcome

• My Green Lab certification at highest GREEN level with 90% score
• +1 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability11 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Tyndall National InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTyndall National Institute coordinates the FERNS (Future Electronics for Repair, Reuse, and Reconditioning) Doctoral Network, a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions project with 15 PhD positions across Europe. CENIMAT|i3N through NOVA FCT is an associate partner, contributing 2 PhD positions to the initiative on sustainable electronics.
• AlmaSciencecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint initiative with AlmaScience on the CleanNote project, which won 1st prize in Bank of Portugal's 'Giving Banknotes a Second Life' competition. The project focuses on environmentally sustainable alternatives to banknote incineration.
• LEAF Project ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCENIMAT|i3N participates in the LEAF (Self-Powered, Self-Reshaping Autarkic Skin for Wireless Motes) project, a 24-month Horizon Europe Hop-On Facility initiative. The consortium develops sustainable, self-powered electronic skins integrating energy harvesting, storage, and environmental sensing.
• i3N AssociationcoreOthersi3N is a multi-institution research association spanning Caparica and Aveiro campuses, coordinating advanced materials research. CENIMAT is the materials science component of this association.
• RAIZ - Forest and Paper Research InstitutemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on cellulose-based materials research, including industrial applications of paper technology and sustainable materials development.
• Infineon Technologies AGmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustrial collaboration on semiconductor materials and electronic device development, contributing to technology transfer and applied research.
• SamsungmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative research on materials for electronics and optoelectronics industry applications.
• SuzanomajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on paper electronics and cellulose-based materials for industrial applications.
• Saint GobainmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative research on materials for building and construction applications including smart windows and energy-efficient solutions.
• PETROBRASminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch collaboration on materials applications in energy sector.
• European Commission and Government of JapancoreOthersProfessor Rodrigo Martins serves as expert in the EU-Japan Joint Expert Group on Advanced Materials, drafting initiatives related to Materials for Electronics. The group's recommendations were officially published by both parties.
• Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHigh-level delegation visit to strengthen scientific collaboration in advanced functional materials and nanotechnologies. Both institutions explore new opportunities for collaboration, researcher exchange, and joint activities.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• ITRI (Industrial Technology Research Institute): Taiwan's applied research institute bridging academic research and industrial commercialization. Similar in combining semiconductor materials R&D with spin-out and licensing activities, though at much larger scale.
• Fraunhofer Institute for Photonic Microsystems (IPMS): German applied research organization focused on electronic and photonic microsystems. Similar public-funding-plus-industry model, with comparable scope in oxide semiconductors, sensors, and flexible electronics.
• CSIC Materials Science institutes: Spain's largest public research institution, with multiple materials science institutes covering oxide electronics, biomaterials, and structural materials. Comparable publicly-funded Iberian Peninsula research model with industry collaborations.
• CEA-Leti: French micro- and nanoelectronics research institute with strong industry partnerships. Directly comparable to CENIMAT|i3N's semiconductor materials and oxide electronics programs, serving similar end-markets.
• Imec: Belgium-based world-leading R&D center in nanoelectronics and semiconductor technology. Comparable to CENIMAT|i3N in operating a publicly-funded research hub serving industry partners, but with vastly larger scale and broader semiconductor scope.

Direct peers

• Italian Institute of Technology (IIT): Italian research foundation with extensive materials, nanotech, and biomedical engineering programs. Comparable in scope across biofunctional materials, soft electronics, and translational research with industry partners.
• CSEM (Centre Suisse d'Electronique et de Microtechnique): Swiss applied research center covering microelectronics, nanotechnology, and sustainable materials. Comparable publicly-supported R&D operating model with industry transfer focus similar to CENIMAT|i3N.
• VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland: Finnish applied research organization with strong programs in printed electronics, biomaterials, and sustainable materials. Comparable mix of fundamental research, industry contract work, and patent generation.
• Tyndall National Institute: Ireland-based ICT research institute focused on materials, devices, and systems. Already an active collaborator with CENIMAT|i3N via the FERNS Doctoral Network, with closely aligned scope in sustainable electronics and semiconductor materials.
• ICN2 (Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology): Spanish research center focused on nanoscience and nanotechnology, with comparable programs in oxide electronics, nanofabrication, and biofunctional materials. Similar European public-funding operating model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cenimat-i3n

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about CENIMAT | i3N