sandra Cruz

INSTITUTO PEDRO NUNES (IPN) is a non-profit private organization which promotes innovation and the transfer of technology, establishing the interface between the scientific and technological environment and the production sector. IPN has currently a team of almost 100 permanent staff to support start-ups and researchers in these activities. With a self-sustained business model that gives us the flexibility and capacity to accompany business sector needs, IPN operates in three complementary areas: \- Incubation and acceleration of technology-based enterprises; \- Research and technological development; \- Highly specialized training. As an industry- oriented R&D service, LED&MAT (LABORATORY FOR WEAR, TESTING & MATERIALS), one of IPN laboratories, offers skills and expertise in the field of materials development and its processing, through the surface modification engineering, development of materials for energy efficiency, micro-manufacturing, development of polymer-based materials and characterization of physical, chemical and tribological properties of bulk materials and thin films. SURFACE ENGINEERING LED&MAT provides R&D specialized services in the fields of thin coatings development and production, coatings application, coatings characterization and surface analysis. The application of thin films to components can bring major improvements in the functionality, quality and performance of products as well as high improvements on manufacturing lines specially in specific environments promoting more energy efficiency processes. In close collaboration with industry, new protective coatings, functional surfaces, materials and processes have been developed for application fields of tooling, mechanical and automotive engineering, energy, decorative industry, medical technology, aerospace, textile and agriculture. Coatings Services: \- Tribology: wear protection and low friction – solutions to decrease or avoid the wear and friction degradation of contact surface in the fields of automotive, moulding, health, pharmaceutical, metal working and robotics; \- Coatings for improve batteries components; \- Low friction coatings developed for energy efficiency and self-lubrication purposes; interaction with liquid lubricants; \- Hard coatings for low and high temperature applications; \- Oxidation and corrosion protection - coatings developed for surface protection in harsh environments; thermal/chemical barriers; \- Coatings for sensors applications; \- Decorative coatings: solutions to produce tailored coloured coatings with improved hardness and anti-scratch, self-cleaning capabilities; \- Antimicrobial coatings for biomedical devices, fibres, yarns and tissues.