On October 15th, Professor Nuno Cruz (DEI/ISEL) took part in the SR Experts Portugal event, where he presented the results of the strategic partnership between ISEL and Nokia, which focuses on practical and advanced training in Network Technologies.During the presentation, the professor highlighted the key benefits of the collaboration, such as the laboratory equipped with Nokia technology and training programs aimed at network automation. These courses cover areas like automated network administration and technical content, following a hands-on training approach that prepares students for the job market.Nuno Cruz also shared examples of final-year projects completed in 2025, emphasizing that several former students who took part in this training are now working at Nokia. Some have even returned to ISEL as guest lecturers, further strengthening the link between education, innovation, and industry.

The most recent update of the World’s Top 2% Scientists Network ranking, compiled by Stanford University (California, USA), has been released. This ranking highlights the most cited scientists worldwide.Among the more than 100,000 researchers listed, three professors from ISEL stand out:- Prof. João Gomes, cited in the fields of Energy - Environmental Sciences - Enabling & Strategic Technologies, affiliated with ISEL- Prof. Luís Evangelista, cited in the fields of Building & Construction - Materials - Built Environment & Design, affiliated with ISEL- Prof. Mário Véstias, cited in the fields of Computer Hardware & Architecture - Artificial Intelligence & Image Processing - Information & Communication Technologies, affiliated with INESC-IDThe publication, released on September 19th, is based on citation data from Scopus, a renowned online research database.

ISEL continues to establish itself as one of the national leaders in the field of quantum technologies. As part of the European project PTQCI – Portuguese Quantum Communication Infrastructure, the ISEL team has successfully completed two of the tasks it was responsible for, culminating in the submission to the European Commission of the reports “PTQCI Ground Station Report” and “PTQCI Training Activities Report”.Since 2023, ISEL has been part of the national PTQCI consortium, which is supported and coordinated by the National Security Office (GNS) along with several scientific and technological partners. The project's goal is to lay the groundwork for a national quantum communication infrastructure — an essential technology to ensure communication security in the future, once quantum computers become a reality and threaten current encryption methods.Recognizing the strategic importance of Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), the European Union has been promoting the development of quantum networks across all Member States. ISEL was invited to join the national consortium due to its long-standing track record in training and research activities in quantum technologies, developed at the Institute since 2008.Under the coordination of Prof. Manfred Niehus (DF/ISEL), ISEL led two key areas in the PTQCI project:Development of the Ground Station – a prototype for optical and quantum communications with low Earth orbit satellites;Academic Training – including the organization of summer schools and capacity-building activities in quantum technologies. A Portuguese Ground Station for Quantum CommunicationsThe most technically challenging component was, without a doubt, the development of the optical ground station — an experimental system that combines hardware and software for tracking, optical communication, and single-photon detection — key elements for future satellite-based quantum networks. The prototype developed at ISEL includes a high-precision telescope mounted on a system capable of fast and extremely stable movements. Instead of observing stars, this telescope is designed to track low Earth orbit satellites (at around 500 km altitude), establishing optical and quantum links with them. Between August 19th and September 1st, 2025, the team carried out a testing campaign at the Alqueva Lake Observatory (OLA), taking advantage of the excellent conditions of the Dark Sky Alqueva, one of the best astronomical observation areas in Europe.The system tested included:A 43 cm CDK17 telescope;A high-precision PlaneWave L-500 mount;Control systems, automatic focusing, and image acquisition. During this phase, the integration of the various subsystems was consolidated. The success of the Alqueva mission marked an important milestone in the validation of ISEL’s optical ground station, confirming the national capability to design, install, and operate a research infrastructure with the potential for integration into future European quantum communication networks. Research, Training, and CollaborationIn addition to its technological aspect, the project strengthened ISEL’s training and collaborative dimension, bringing academia, industry, and national scientific infrastructures closer together. The system developed—a testbed—will continue to be used in applied research, student projects, and future collaborations with companies in the space and telecommunications sectors.ISEL and its partners are already preparing new testing campaigns and the public presentation of the system, scheduled for November 2025, either at ISEL or nearby.Before that, the team will take part in the National Workshop on Quantum Technologies, to be held in Coimbra on October 24th, where they will present the project's main results and further highlight ISEL’s role in the national quantum technology landscape.Portugal Preparing for the Post-Quantum FutureThe European Union and national authorities are recommending that companies and institutions begin adopting post-quantum cryptography (PQC) measures now, in preparation for a secure digital future.More information about the PTQCI project or the adoption of PQC measures can be obtained from Prof. Manfred Niehus, project coordinator at ISEL.

Physical Review Letters (PRL) recently featured, in open access, the article “Unveiling the Hidden Pathway: How Axion-Plasmon Conversion Reshapes Our Search for Dark Matter”, authored by lecturer and researcher Hugo Terças (DF/ISEL), due to the relevance of the topic.In the article, the ISEL professor, in collaboration with Tito Mendonça (GoLP/IPFN) and Robert Bingham (Rutherford Appleton Laboratory), unveils a new mechanism for axion conversion in neutron stars that could significantly reshape the way we search for dark matter. The researchers found that, before converting into detectable radio signals, many axions silently transform into plasma waves (plasmons) within the magnetospheres of these stars, thereby reducing the expected signals.This discovery challenges current approaches and calls for a reassessment of detection strategies, reinforcing the role of theoretical research in advancing Astrophysics and positioning ISEL at the forefront of fundamental Physics.It is worth noting that Physical Review Letters is a highly prestigious, peer-reviewed scientific journal that publishes high-impact research in Physics and related fields. Known for its editorial rigor and fast publication process, PRL is one of the leading platforms for the dissemination of groundbreaking discoveries, making significant contributions to the global advancement of scientific and technological knowledge.Below is the article’s descriptive text:Dark matter constitutes approximately 85% of the matter in our universe, yet its fundamental nature remains one of the most profound mysteries in modern physics. Among the leading candidates are axions—hypothetical particles originally proposed to solve a fundamental symmetry problem in quantum chromodynamics. These elusive particles could simultaneously explain dark matter and resolve a decades-old puzzle in particle physics.Neutron stars, particularly magnetars with their immensely powerful magnetic fields, have emerged as natural laboratories for axion detection. As dark matter axions stream through these extreme environments, they should convert into detectable radio waves through a process known as axion-photon conversion. This mechanism has formed the basis for numerous observational campaigns using the world's most sensitive radio telescopes.In groundbreaking research recently published in Physical Review Letters, Hugo Terças from ISEL's Department of Physics (Instituto Superior de Engenharia de Lisboa), in collaboration with Tito Mendonça from GoLP/IPFN and Robert Bingham from the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, has revealed a previously overlooked phenomenon that substantially alters this picture. The research team discovered that before axions can convert into detectable radio waves, a significant portion instead convert into plasma waves (plasmons) deep within the neutron star's magnetosphere. This "silent" conversion pathway acts as an energy drain, diminishing the expected radio signals that astronomers search for.This discovery, emerging from ISEL's growing research excellence in fundamental physics, forces a major reassessment of dark matter detection strategies. The anticipated radio signals from axion conversion may be substantially fainter than previously predicted, meaning current experimental constraints may be too optimistic, and future searches must account for this damping effect. This interdisciplinary work connects fundamental particle and plasma physics with astrophysical observations, demonstrating how theoretical insights from engineering physics can reshape our understanding of the cosmos.The journey to detect dark matter requires not just powerful telescopes but also deep theoretical insights into how these elusive particles manifest in observable signals. This discovery of axion-plasmon conversion represents exactly this type of insight—one that moves us from looking for what we expect to see to understanding what we might actually find, while positioning ISEL at the forefront of cutting-edge astrophysical research.

José Sobral, a faculty member at ISEL in the Department of Mechanical Engineering (DEM/ISEL), was awarded a Certificate of Merit at the PAMDAS 2025 – International Conference on Physical Asset Management and Data Science. The recognized paper, titled "Optimizing asset management through reliability data analysis", was presented by the professor and researcher at the event, which took place on July 17th and 18th, 2025, at the Instituto Superior de Engenharia of the Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra.In an era where the Digital Transition (DT) is impacting all areas of industry and human life, PAMDAS 2025 brought together researchers who, through plenary talks, thematic sessions, and workshops, shared their work and established connections with peers interested in the challenges and opportunities presented by DT in Physical Asset Management, Data Science, and related fields.

AERIS (Aerospace Engineering and Rocketry at ISEL) is the latest project developed by students at ISEL, within the scope of the Aerospace Engineering Student Group (NEA). Its main goal is the design and construction of experimental rockets, integrating various fields of engineering and promoting the practical application of knowledge acquired in an academic context.Currently, the group includes students from the undergraduate programs in Electronics, Telecommunications and Computer Engineering (LEETC), Electrical Engineering (LEE), Applied Physics Engineering (LEFA), Mechanical Engineering (LEM), and the Master's in Electrical Engineering (MEE). It is open to students from any university who share an interest in engineering and space exploration. The team’s first official meeting took place on October 3, 2025, marking the beginning of an initiative that offers ISEL students the opportunity to make their mark on the European aerospace engineering scene.AERIS will be developed across several missions, each corresponding to a unique rocket designed and built by the students, with support and guidance from ISEL faculty. The ultimate goal is to participate in the European Rocketry Challenge (EuRoC), the largest experimental rocketry competition in Europe, where university teams from across the continent present and launch their projects.Speaking about the spirit behind the project, Miguel Monteiro, AERIS mentor and LEFA student, emphasizes: “At AERIS, we bring together knowledge, innovation, and team spirit to develop experimental rockets and represent ISEL in international competitions. Each member contributes with their talent and dedication, because we believe that alone we go fast, but together we go far.”The project is promoted by the Aerospace Engineering Student Group (NEA), recently created by ISEL students, with the following goals:Involve students from different courses at the institute;Strengthen collaboration between students, faculty, and industry;Showcase ISEL’s capacity for innovation and applied research.