The European Ceramic Society
Laboratory sheet

Portugal
Materials Science Research Development Center
The three basic objectives of the Research Group; 1) Materials and energy 2) Materials and environment 3) Material Development and Design
Director : João Carlos Castro Abrantes
Email : jabrantes@estg.ipvc.pt
Phone : +351 258 809 610
Address : Polytechnic Institute of Viana do Castelo (IPVC), Rua Escola Industrial e Comercial de Nun’Álvares, 4900-347 Viana do Castelo, Portugal
Website : http://uidm.ipvc.pt/
Research topics :
- Name: Materials and energy - Currently, energy issues are a major concern of mankind and therefore are a relevant research area. Fuel cells, through the electrochemical properties of materials can convert the chemical energy of fuel (hydrogen, for example) into electrical energy. These cells have a high electrical efficiency and cogeneration systems can get more than 80% efficiency without any polluting emissions.
Contact information:
Contact name: João Carlos Castro Abrantes
Tel: +351 258 819 700
Email: jabrantes@estg.ipvc.pt
- Name: Materials and environment – The incorporation of industrial wastes into new or traditional products can become one of the most interesting solutions both from an environmental point of view (non-use of landfill, reducing the use of natural resources, etc.) or from an economic viewpoint (reduction of overall costs of raw materials, transport costs and landfill, etc.). This research line studies the incorporation and blanketing of different wastes with heavy metals and transition elements, in different kinds of ceramic matrices (high-temperature pigments, traditional ceramics, new products, etc.).
Contact information:
Contact name: Manuel Joaquim Ribeiro
Tel: +351 258 819 700
Email: ribeiro@estg.ipvc.pt
- Name: Material Development and Design - Difficulties can be seen on materials processing due to changing in raw materials, optimization of processes, use of new processes for prototyping and rapid manufacture and the development of new products. For these reasons, the study and optimization of manufacture of materials and tools different processes is an objective of this line of investigation. The adaptation of techniques and materials to products as a result of innovative design projects is one of Materials Science challenges, and this line of research is particularly committed to this function.
Contact information:
Contact name: Ermanno Aparo
Tel: +351 258 819 700
Email: aparo@estg.ipvc.pt
Exceptional facilities :
The scientific activity and the provision of external services is distributed by different laboratories with specific objectives:
- Laboratory of Structural and Microstructural Analysis
- Laboratory of Thermal Analysis
- Mechanical Engineering and Advanced Manufacturing Processes Laboratory
- Laboratory of Mechanical Characterization
- Laboratory of Metallography
- Laboratory of Thermal Processes
- Laboratory of Electrical Properties
- Laboratory of Industrial Technology
Financial support programmes :
- Regional funding: yes
- National funding: yes
Latest news
Next Deadline to apply to the JECS Trust is 31st May 2025
Please note that the decisions of the JECS Trust board will not be known before end of July 2025. Activities submitted for the deadline of 31st May 2025 for support from the JECS Trust should then not begin before August 2025.
12th March - International Day of Ceramics!
Dear Ceramic Community,
We are pleased to announce that March 12, 2025, marks the first-ever International Day of Ceramics!
Information
Contact us for any information: info@ecers.org - We will respond to your inquiry as soon as possible.