06-03-2026
Photography: João Lima/NOVA
NOVA FCT, through the CENIMAT | i3N research unit, has secured two of the four projects funded under the European call HORIZON-CL4-2025-03-MATERIALS-47, dedicated to advanced materials for flexible and stretchable electronics. Out of 70 proposals submitted across Europe, the research unit obtained 50% of the available funding, amounting to a total of nearly 1 million euros.
The e-FLOWER project, coordinated by the Tyndall National Institute (Ireland), brings together a consortium of 12 partners from nine countries. The Portuguese participation is led by Elvira Fortunato, researcher at CENIMAT | i3N. The goal is to develop the next generation of sustainable electronic textiles, combining biomaterials and integrated electronics through low environmental impact processes. The target is to reach TRL 6, validating solutions for physiological monitoring in sports, aquatic applications, and health in space environments, with concrete objectives for biomaterial integration and environmental impact reduction.
“This result demonstrates the competitiveness of the research carried out at NOVA FCT at the highest European level. The e-FLOWER project will help accelerate the transition toward a new generation of smart textiles — more sustainable and aligned with the principles of circularity — positioning Portugal at the forefront of flexible electronics,” highlights Elvira Fortunato, researcher and professor at NOVA FCT.
The MORPHEUS project, coordinated by Politecnico di Torino (Italy), involves 13 partners from seven countries. The NOVA FCT team, led by Emanuel Carlos, will play a central role in developing sustainable materials and energy storage systems. The consortium aims to create an ultrathin, flexible, and modular platform for continuous monitoring of vital signs and environmental factors — such as air quality and humidity — based on sustainable printed electronics and biodegradable substrates.
Both projects are aligned with the Safe and Sustainable by Design principles and the goals of the European Green Deal, strengthening the position of CENIMAT | i3N and NOVA FCT as leading European references in advanced materials research and sustainable electronics.
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