CeNTI - Centre of Nanotechnology and Smart Materials

CeNTI - Centre for Nanotechnology and Smart Materials is a private non-profit R&D institute located in the north of Portugal. It is an Institute of New Technologies with multi-sectoral orientation, equipped with cutting-edge technology that promotes activities of Research, Technological Development, Innovation and Engineering in the fields of smart and functional materials and systems.

Founded in 2006, it is the result of a fruitful cooperation of 3 Universities, 2 Technological Centres and 1 Institute of New Technologies, all recognized for their national and international relevance: University of Minho, University of Porto, University of Aveiro, CITEVE - Technological Centre of the Textile and Clothing Industries of Portugal, CTIC - Technological Centre of Leather Industries, and CEIIA - Centre for Excellence and Innovation in the Automotive Industry.

CeNTI explores advanced technologies enabling the developing, testing, prototyping and scaling-up of nanotechnology solutions for the market, surface functionalization and smartization of materials using printed electronic technologies. It distinguishes itself from analogous European R&D providers by mastering functionalisation and smartization of a wide range of substrates with noteworthy relevance for the major materials industries in Portugal such as textiles, polymers, leather, paper, glass, ceramics, natural stone, concrete, cork, wood, etc.

As a research and technology transfer centre, CeNTI presents, in its portfolio of innovation and R&D activities, several projects that demonstrate its commitment and mission to support and promote the national industrial and business technological infrastructures,  with the aim of developing new products with high added value and/or incorporate new technologies into traditional products and markets.

The mission and activity of CeNTI has been highlighted by the dynamism and close support to the industrial sectors, both national and international, in the sense of developing and validating new technologies based on the development of new materials, new coatings, new interactive technologies and lighting systems and new sensor systems, in multi-sector and multi-technology areas, with focus on supporting the fields: "Automotive & Aeronautics", "Construction, Architecture & Smart Buildings" and "Health, Protection & Well-being".