iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

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MINDlab @mindlabpt.bsky.social · 21/12/2025

Seeing Science Art Everywhere. Xmas Spectra: Shining Like Diffraction Lights! The lights from Lisbon’s Xmas Tree (2025) resemble a diffraction pattern. Happy Holidays! #sciart #scicomm

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MINDlab @mindlabpt.bsky.social · 31/12/2025

MINDlab: Chemistry for Inspiring Minds. Our 2025 Highlights: 24 Research Papers & 5 Journal Covers. Thank you to all collaborators and supporters. Happy New Year 2026! MINDlab.pt @cqelisboa.bsky.social #scicomm #chemistry

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ScienceArtHub @sciencearthub.bsky.social · 06/12/2025

Iconic Science Art Covers: The Tree of Life. by Edward Steed. #sciart #scicomm #science #bioart

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ScienceArtHub @sciencearthub.bsky.social · 04/08/2025

Science & Art of Climate Change: "Politicians Discussing Climate Change". Street Art by Isaac Cordal, Berlin. #sciart #scicomm #science #climatechange #globalwarming streetartutopia.com/2024/06/10/p...

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ScienceArtHub @sciencearthub.bsky.social · 06/12/2025

Iconic Science Art Covers: The Tree of Life. by Edward Steed. #sciart #scicomm #science #bioart

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MINDlab @mindlabpt.bsky.social · 11/11/2025

Trapping CO2: a New 3D MOF Based on Unique Cu20/Cu6 Clusters. Recent collaborative research by MINDlab.pt & UNIWROC Chemistry. Inorg. Chem. 2025, doi.org/10.1021/acs.... #scicomm #chemistry #MOF

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MINDlab @mindlabpt.bsky.social · 09/11/2025

MINDlab Experiments: Hydrothermal Synthesis of New MOFs & Coordination Polymers. For our recent research, see: mindlab.pt/science #scicomm #sciart #chemistry #MOF

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MINDlab @mindlabpt.bsky.social · 09/11/2025

Sweet Chemistry: Why Does Honey Crystallize? #scicomm #sciart #chemistry

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ScienceArtHub @sciencearthub.bsky.social · 01/11/2025

Pumpkin’s Power Time: Happy Halloween! #sciart #scicomm #chemistry #fluorescencefriday What gives pumpkins their bright orange color and makes them so healthy? (Check out ALT text)

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MINDlab @mindlabpt.bsky.social · 13/09/2025

MINDlab Experiments: 1) Nanoparticle Formation, 2) Bacterial Contamination, 3) Mold Growth, or 4) Compound Recrystallization? Guess what? #sciart #scicomm #chemistry #chemsky #bioart #fluorescencefriday

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MINDlab @mindlabpt.bsky.social · 22/09/2025

Moving to Sustainability - Upgrading Biodiesel with Novel Antioxidant Additives. Research by UEG (Brazil) in collaboration with @MINDlabpt.bsky.social featured on a Cover of ACS Omega, 2025, 10, 40843. @pubs.acs.org doi.org/10.1021/acso... #scicomm #chemistry #biodiesel #sustainability #chemsky

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ScienceArtHub @sciencearthub.bsky.social · 22/07/2025

Nerve Jewelry: From Nerves to Necklaces. What is the Difference between Nerves and Neurons? #sciart #scicomm #scienceart #nerves #neurons #cells #education #bioart (Check out ALT text)

Both nerves and neurons are the fundamental components of the nervous system. While neurons refer to individual cells, nerves are considered as a group of neurons interlinked by cord-like nerve fibers (axons) that transmit electric and chemical signals between the brain, spinal cord, and other parts of the body.

Nerves can be categorized as cranial (connected to the brain) or spinal (connected to the spinal cord). In terms of signal transmission, nerves serve as the communication channels for transmitting sensory information from the body to the brain (sensory nerves) and carrying motor signals from the brain to muscles and glands (motor nerves).

The human nervous system is composed of billions of interconnected neurons forming a sort of “body’s electrical wiring”. It is divided into the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS). The latter plays a crucial role in connecting CNS to various body parts. The signals can be transmitted by the nervous system at a speed of up to 100 meters per second.

The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve that runs from the spinal cord to the toes on each side of the human body. As neurons do not divide or replace themselves, the damage of nervous system can be permanent.

Nerve Jewelry: Where Nerves Meet Art. Neurons and nerves are often represented in various art objects including jewelry. An arrangement of nerves into necklaces is shown herein. Image by @ScienceArtHub

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MINDlab @mindlabpt.bsky.social · 22/09/2025

Bioinspiring Copper: Recent Research by @MINDlabpt.bsky.social Embedding Copper Centers into Corroles and Porphyrins for Mild Catalytic Functionalization of Hydrocarbons. Molecular Catalysis, 2025, 587, 115470. doi.org/10.1016/j.mc... #scicomm #chemistry #chemsky #catalysis

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MINDlab @mindlabpt.bsky.social · 22/09/2025

MINDlab Experiments: Toward New Antimicrobial Materials. Water Drops on a Hydrophobic Acrylic Fiber. #sciart #scicomm #chemistry #chemsky

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ScienceArtHub @sciencearthub.bsky.social · 24/08/2025

Black Rubies: The Science & Art Behind these Timeless Gems. Why do Rubies have Various Colors? What’s the Difference between Rubies and Sapphires? (Check out ALT text) #sciart #scicomm #chemistry #chemsky #science

Rubies are fascinating gemstones that have captivated humans for centuries. Rubies are a variety of the mineral corundum. This is an aluminum oxide (Al2O3) that is colorless or white in its pure form.

The most prized color for rubies is a vivid, deep red with a hint of blue. However, rubies can range in color from pinkish-red to purplish-red, and their intensity and hue can vary. The red color of rubies is caused by trace amounts of chromium ions (up to 1%) that replace aluminum ions in the crystal lattice of corundum. And the amount of chromium in rubies is directly associated with the intensity of red color.

Rubies are closely related to sapphires, which are a different variety of corundum that contains a mix of metal ions (e.g., iron, titanium, chromium, vanadium, magnesium) in trace amounts. These metal ion inclusions are responsible for distinct blue, yellow, purple, or green colors of sapphires. In other words, all non-red varieties of corundum are classified as sapphires.

Due to popularity and rarity, rubies are often synthesized in laboratories. Synthetic rubies have the same physical and chemical properties as natural rubies and are indistinguishable without special analytical equipment. However, natural rubies are generally more valuable than synthetic ones.

Rubies are also the hardest gemstones after diamonds. Apart from the use in jewelry, rubies have various industrial applications, including in lasers, medical instruments, and cutting tools. An X-pattern of “black rubies” is shown herein. Image by @ScienceArtHub

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ScienceArtHub @sciencearthub.bsky.social · 26/08/2025

Terpene Tales: Pathways to Value-Added Products. Our research featured on a Cover @inorgchemfront.rsc.org doi.org/10.1039/D5QI... Inorg. Chem. Front. (rsc.li/frontiers-inorganic) is an interdisciplinary journal of @RSC.org that is dedicated to inorganic chemistry and related fields. #scicomm #sciart

Terpenes are abundant & renewable biomass-derived hydrocarbons that can be used for generating added-value products with relevance in pharmaceutical and fragrance industries. In this work, we developed new copper-based catalysts and reaction protocols for the mild oxidation of terpenes with molecular oxygen into various value-added products.

Research by the MINDlab: Molecular Design & Innovation Laboratory at CQE-IST, University of Lisbon (@MINDlabpt.bsky.social). Funded by the EU ITN project CHAIR: C-H Activation for Industrial Renewal.

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ScienceArtHub @sciencearthub.bsky.social · 14/08/2025

Shells: The Art Born of Ocean Motion. Historical Science Art from 1904. Prosobranch Gastropods. Ernst Haeckel, Art Forms in Nature. #sciart #scicomm #bioart

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ScienceArtHub @sciencearthub.bsky.social · 26/08/2025

Bacterial Communication: The Microbial Conversation. What is the Secret Language of Bacteria? #sciart #scicomm #bioart “It is not the strongest of the species that survives, not the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is most adaptable to change.” - Charles Darwin (check out ALT text)

Bacterial communication, also known as quorum sensing, is an important communication mechanism used by bacteria to coordinate group behavior. Bacteria release into their environment the signaling molecules called autoinducers.

As the bacterial population grows, the concentration of these signaling molecules increases. When a threshold concentration is reached, bacteria detect the signal and initiate synchronized actions. These can include the formation of biofilms, production of toxins, or regulation of gene expression. Quorum sensing helps bacteria to adapt to changing conditions and enhances their survival and pathogenicity.

In particular, quorum sensing is essential for the formation of biofilms – the communities of bacteria embedded in a self-produced extracellular matrix. This matrix helps bacteria to adhere to surfaces and provides protection from the immune system and antibiotics. Bacterial communication can also contribute to antibiotic resistance. The research on bacterial communication is thus important for understanding the bacterial ecosystems and combating antimicrobial resistance.

Bacteria can communicate not only within their own species but also with other species. Besides, quorum sensing has evolutionary significance as it allows bacteria to constantly adapt to changing environments.
An abstract representation of two communicating rod-shaped bacteria is shown herein. Image by @ScienceArtHub

For our resent research on sustainable antibacterial materials, see:
T. A. Fernandes et al. RSC Appl. Interfaces 2024, 1, 98. https://doi.org/10.1039/D3LF00123G
S. W. Jaros et al. ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 2024, 16, 13411. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.3c15606

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ScienceArtHub @sciencearthub.bsky.social · 26/08/2025

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ScienceArtHub @sciencearthub.bsky.social · 26/08/2025

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MINDlab @mindlabpt.bsky.social · 14/08/2025

Green Chemistry in Micellar Water: From Pines to Fragrances. Recent research by @MINDlabpt.bsky.social in collaboration with Novartis Pharma featured on a Cover of Green Chemistry (@greenchemistry.rsc.org). doi.org/10.1039/D4GC... #chemistry #scicomm #science #sciart #sustainability #chemsky

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ScienceArtHub @sciencearthub.bsky.social · 24/08/2025

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ScienceArtHub @sciencearthub.bsky.social · 22/07/2025

Salty Ice: A Magic Cooling Mixture. What is a Simple Way to Decrease the Ice Temperature up to -20 °C? Just add salt. #salt #ice #chemistry #sciart #scicomm #education (Check out ALT text)

This phenomenon is known as freezing point depression. When salt (sodium chloride) is added to ice, it dissolves in a thin layer of liquid water on the surface of ice. The presence of salt in liquid water decreases the freezing point of the solution. As more salt dissolves, the freezing point decreases further. This means that the ice becomes even colder to maintain a solid state in the presence of saltwater.

Freezing point depression depends on the concentration of solute (salt) in a solvent (water). Ice absorbs heat from the environment when melting. In contrast, water releases energy when solidifying into ice. At the freezing point, these two processes are at equilibrium. When salt is added to water, it also disrupts the formation of the crystal structure of water. This interference makes it more difficult for the water molecules to turn into the solid phase, so they need to be cooled to a lower temperature to solidify.

Apart from laboratory and culinary uses (ice cream preparation), this phenomenon of freezing point depression is crucial for winter road maintenance when roads are salted to melt ice and/or prevent its formation. Image shows a color change of salty ice from orange to cyan corresponding to a temperature decrease upon cooling. Image by @ScienceArtHub

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ScienceArtHub @sciencearthub.bsky.social · 14/08/2025

Shells: The Art Born of Ocean Motion. Historical Science Art from 1904. Prosobranch Gastropods. Ernst Haeckel, Art Forms in Nature. #sciart #scicomm #bioart

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MINDlab @mindlabpt.bsky.social · 08/08/2025

ChemLab Glassware from Ancient Times! Guess what Reaction was Brewing in this 2,000-Year-Old Roman Glass Flask? Murano Glass Museum, Venice, Italy. Image by @mindlabpt.bsky.social #fluorescencefriday #sciart #chemistry #chemsky #scicomm

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ScienceArtHub @sciencearthub.bsky.social · 02/08/2025

Biomass & Sustainability: From Pines to Fragrances. Our recent research was featured on a Cover @rscsustainability.rsc.org doi.org/10.1039/D5SU... RSC Sustainability (rsc.li/rscsus) is dedicated to sustainable chemistry & technologies for a greener future. #sciart #scicomm #chemistry #sustainability

Pinene is one of the most abundant and low-cost biomass components that can be used as an attractive and renewable feedstock for generating added-value products with relevance in pharmaceutical, fragrance, and cosmetics industries. In this study, we developed new recyclable catalysts and sustainable protocols for the oxidation of pinene into verbenone and other products. This work is aligned with the goals of reducing waste and using biomass-based raw materials.

RSC Sustainability (rsc.li/rscsus) is an interdisciplinary journal published by the Royal Society of Chemistry (@RoySocChem) that is dedicated to sustainable chemistry & technologies for a greener future.

Research by the MINDlab: Molecular Design & Innovation Laboratory at CQE-IST, University of Lisbon (MINDlab.pt), in collaboration with Sorbonne Université (France) & Novartis Pharma (Switzerland). Funded by the EU ITN project CHAIR: C-H Activation for Industrial Renewal.

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ScienceArtHub @sciencearthub.bsky.social · 27/07/2025

Red Algae: A Blend of Science, Art & Sustainability. #sciart #scicomm #bioart #science #education (check out ALT text to know more) Image shows Red Algae (Florideae) - Historical Science Art from 1899-1904. Ernst Haeckel, Art Forms in Nature.

Algae is an informal definition of a large and diverse group of photosynthetic eukaryotic organisms, which include unicellular microalgae, diatoms, and multicellular species. Algae produce nearly half of the oxygen we breathe, thanks to photosynthesis, the same process used by plants. Besides, algae combat climate change as they absorb large amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Algae are also highly promising in the area of renewable energy. Scientists are studying them to create biofuels as a more sustainable alternative to fossil fuels. For example, a lipid part of algae (algal oil) can be converted to biodiesel, while the carbohydrate content of algae can be fermented into bioethanol fuel. Despite various benefits, the cost efficiency of microalgae-to-fuel technologies should still be improved.

In the art world, a variety of shapes and vivid colors of algae make them perfect natural subjects for artworks. Artists are exploring algae in innovative ways, from creating visual pieces to using them as sustainable art materials such as algae-based paints and dyes. In sustainable fashion, designers are using algae-based fabrics and dyes, blending style with environmental consciousness.

Finally, algae-based components are commonly used in cosmetics and as food supplements. The next time you see a green (or, more rarely, pink) patch in the water, remember, it's a tiny world of wonder.

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MINDlab @mindlabpt.bsky.social · 04/08/2025

3D Printing of Adaptable Racks for Microtubes. In @MINDlabpt.bsky.social we Print our Labware! #chemistry #scicomm #chemsky #science

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Artologica aka Michele Banks @artologica.net · 04/08/2025

New little mitosis watercolor #sciart artologica.etsy.com/listing/4346...

watercolor of mitosis images in blue and white

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ScienceArtHub @sciencearthub.bsky.social · 04/08/2025

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ScienceArtHub @sciencearthub.bsky.social · 10/07/2025

The Art of Plant Pitching. Historical Science Art from 1899-1904. #sciart #scicomm #bioart #plants Nepenthaceae (Nepenthes), tropical pitcher plants. Ernst Haeckel, Art Forms in Nature.

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RSC Sustainability @rscsustainability.rsc.org · 31/07/2025

The latest issue of RSC Sustainability is out now! 👀💚 pubs.rsc.org/en/jour... Check out the science behind the two front covers: 🔗doi.org/10.1039/D5SU... by Alexander M. Kirillov and colleagues 🔗 doi.org/10.1039/D4SU... by Rodrigo O. M. A. de Souza and colleagues #SustainableChemistry

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ScienceArtHub @sciencearthub.bsky.social · 17/07/2025

Historical Science Art from 1679: The Moon Art Before Photography. Map of the Moon engraved on a large copper plate (Jean Dominique Cassini I, 1679). #SciArt #SciComm #Moon

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ScienceArtHub @sciencearthub.bsky.social · 02/08/2025

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ScienceArtHub @sciencearthub.bsky.social · 27/07/2025

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ScienceArtHub @sciencearthub.bsky.social · 25/07/2025

Cold Fluorescent Plasma: Very Touchable. Starting #fluorescencefriday with #sciart, #scicomm & #chemistry

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ScienceArtHub @sciencearthub.bsky.social · 22/07/2025

The Science Art of Extreme Environments! #sciart #scicomm #bioart #science

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ScienceArtHub @sciencearthub.bsky.social · 22/07/2025

Salty Ice: A Magic Cooling Mixture. What is a Simple Way to Decrease the Ice Temperature up to -20 °C? Just add salt. #salt #ice #chemistry #sciart #scicomm #education (Check out ALT text)

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ScienceArtHub @sciencearthub.bsky.social · 22/07/2025

Nerve Jewelry: From Nerves to Necklaces. What is the Difference between Nerves and Neurons? #sciart #scicomm #scienceart #nerves #neurons #cells #education #bioart (Check out ALT text)

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ScienceArtHub @sciencearthub.bsky.social · 16/07/2025

Polyhedral Flowers: From Invisible to Visible NanoArt. #sciart #scicomm #science NanoArt is an emerging field at the intersection of art and science where artistic beauty of different objects is revealed at the nanoscale.

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ScienceArtHub @sciencearthub.bsky.social · 17/07/2025

Historical Science Art from 1679: The Moon Art Before Photography. Map of the Moon engraved on a large copper plate (Jean Dominique Cassini I, 1679). #SciArt #SciComm #Moon

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ScienceArtHub @sciencearthub.bsky.social · 11/07/2025

Art and Science in a Grain of Sand. #sciart #Scicomm #Science #outreach nautil.us/art-and-scie...

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ScienceArtHub @sciencearthub.bsky.social · 10/07/2025

The Art of Jellyfish. Historical Science Art from 1899-1904. Discomedusae, Ernst Haeckel, Art Forms in Nature. #sciart #scicomm #bioart

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ScienceArtHub @sciencearthub.bsky.social · 16/07/2025

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ScienceArtHub @sciencearthub.bsky.social · 11/07/2025

Art and Science in a Grain of Sand. #sciart #Scicomm #Science #outreach nautil.us/art-and-scie...

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ScienceArtHub @sciencearthub.bsky.social · 08/07/2025

The Best Science Images of 2024 - Nature’s Picks www.nature.com/immersive/d4... #sciart #scicomm #bioart #nature Bacterial Blossoms. These crinkly blooms of 0.2 mm wide are groups of bacteriophages - viruses that infect bacteria.

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ScienceArtHub @sciencearthub.bsky.social · 10/07/2025

Old Tree Art: So Mesmerizing Living Monument! #bioart #sciart

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