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Ciência Viva has launched a new call for proposals for high school students’ internships in research laboratories. This initiative is a collaboration between the MPP and Ciência Viva with the goal of disseminating science in Portuguese high schools and encouraging students to pursue their studies in science and technology fields. Ongoing since 1997, these activities have involved more than 8000 students who have attended internships at scientific laboratories and institutions around the country. Moreover, this kind of programs offers high school students the chance to get to know and work closely with institutions where they can pursue their undergraduate and postgraduate studies, and also present an opportunity for institutions to recruit the most talented students to develop research and science in Portugal.

The 2011 edition runs from June 27^th until September 2^nd. It is recommended that the placements have a minimum of 1 to 2 weeks, gathering very small groups of students, and be followed closely by professional researchers who can offer a direct contact with the present conditions of scientific research underway in their institutions.

Ciência Viva provides logistical and financial support to these internships, including recruitment and enrollment of students as well as housing for students while away from home.

The internship proposals should be submitted at http://www.cienciaviva.pt/estagios/jovens/ocj2011/ until April 15^th. If your institution has participated in previous editions, please also update the Entity Data form (Dados da Entidade), as well as the Tax/Accounting Data form (Dados Fiscais/Contabilísticos), through the Area Management Officer (Área de Gestão do Responsável).

For additional information, please contact Irina Constantino at the MPP Coordination Office ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it | 210 407 036).

Another project of Ciência Viva in which MPP is a partner is “Engenharia no Verão”. This initiative is targeted at families and groups of people during their holidays. It is an activity for the young at heart of all ages. The aim of these activities is to promote an approach of the public in general to engineers, scientists and technical personnel of companies and to enlighten people about the companies’ structures and operations.

Industrial affiliates of the MPP are welcome to participate in this initiative. These activities may run during the week since they are intended for people on vacations, but they can also occur on weekends as a way to include those who are working. Companies are able to set the date, time and how many people they are willing to receive at each visit, although smaller groups are advised.

Applications should be submitted at http://www.cienciaviva.pt/veraocv/2011/resp/ until the 6^th of May 2011. MPP students, faculty and affiliates are encouraged to distribute this information to their contact network. For further information, please contact Renata Ramalho at the MPP Coordination Office ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it | 210407074).

During the DFA students visit to MIT, João Pedro Santos had the opportunity to present a paper at the Friday Energy Showcase of the MIT Energy Conference. João Pedro was the only Portuguese to be selected to present at the showcase, with the article Small Heat Pumps for Houses with Hot Water Production. After the presentation, João Pedro Santos had the opportunity to network with the numerous public and business representatives in the energy sector.

The MIT Energy Conference frames conversation and informs debate on the most pressing global energy issues and opportunities. Each year, it brings together current and future leaders in energy technology, policy and business to participate in stimulating discussions. The engaging ensemble of events provides a chance to foster the relationships necessary in pursuit of sustainable energy systems.

This article profiles EDAM LTI doctoral student Alexandre Ferreira da Silva.

On the 23^rd of March, Alexandre Ferreira da Silva was awarded the 8th edition of the PVC Iberian Forum prize for the work developed during his PhD: a PVC smart foil. The recognition came in good timing, while he is concluding the Leaders for Technical Industries course at University of Minho, over the MIT Portugal Program in the Engineering Design and Advanced Manufacturing focus area.

Alexandre graduated in 2007 in Biomedical Engineering (Integrated Masters) and specialized in Medical Electronics at the same university where he is now pursuing his PhD – the University of Minho. Between 2006 and 2007 he spent six months at RWTH Aachen University, Germany, studying alternative manufacturing processes in order to evaluate their performance and justify their utilization on electrodes production. In 2009 he performed an industrial internship at TMG Automotive during four months, as a part of his doctoral studies. That same year he was a visiting student for four months at the MIT’s Materials Systems Laboratory.

The Iberian PVC Forum Prize is not his first. In 2010 Alexandre received an award for the best oral communication in the city theme during the Engineering Week, of the School of Engineering of University of Minho, with the work “Skin-Foils with Embedded Optical Fiber Sensors”. Currently he is one of the students engaged in the Forum E3, organized by MIT Portugal Students, which will be held in 30^th of June.