Luísa Rodrigues, who holds a PhD from the Chemistry Department of the University of Minho, decided to work on a research project, supervised by Manuela Silva, looking at the colouring of windows or surfaces. She was selected as one of the eight researchers awarded by the Gulbenkian Foundation. The aim of her work is to “improve comfort and energy efficiency” by preparing conducting membranes from DNA. These membranes control light transmission and solar energy in response to electrical stimulation.

Ricardo Melo based his work on the production of nanowire and was also rewarded for his efforts. His research will aid in the production of microlasers and the manipulation of particles and atoms and in recognition of this he also received 2,500 Euros. The INESC Porto researcher explains that the Gulbenkian grant “will help the project develop further, as this area of research requires the purchase of materials”.

A further six researchers also received grants from the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation. The winners include researchers at the University of Lisbon, the University of Coimbra, the University of Aveiro, the University of Minho and the University of Évora.

Each of the winners received a “Research Promotion” grant worth 2,500 Euros that covers areas as diverse as Differential Geometry and the Earth Sciences. The aim of this grant is to “encourage creativity and the production of high quality science among young scientists”. To provide the conditions for this work to take place, the institutions that host these researchers receive ten thousand Euros.

To be eligible to participate in the Gulbenkian Estímulo à Investigação Programme, researchers can be of any nationality, but must be under 40 years of age and working in Portuguese institutions.

Canalup.tv, 22nd February 2011