The Lisbon Congress Centre hosted the Sciences Meeting 2022 May 16th, 17th and 18th. The date was not chosen at random, since May 16th was marked by the celebration of The National Day of Scientists. 2022 was also the year that the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) celebrated 25 years. Técnico had a strong presence at this annual science, technology and innovation meeting in Portugal.

“Building the Future with Science” was the motto for addressing the main research themes that are the focus of research and development units in Portugal. During three days, the event aimed to foster dialogue and interaction of all participants and stimulate the existence of new interdisciplinary interactions.

The country that actively participated in the meeting was Egypt, as an official guest for this edition, in a series of plenary and thematic sessions, also through online demonstrations. The sessions include topics associated with European Union missions, but also include the main global challenges facing the world today. The participation of internationally recognized speakers in their areas, both from Portugal and Egypt, aims to encourage collaboration between the two countries.

Técnico was present at the event with the following speakers and their research units:

• Biljana Sljukic, Center for Physics and Advanced Materials Engineering (CeFEMA)
• Carmen Bacariza, Center for Structural Chemistry (CQE) – Carbon dioxide research: “From separation to capture and conversion into greener fuels and chemicals”
• Diogo M.F. Santos, CeFEMA
• Guilherme Raposo, Post-Doctorate at GRIT – “GRavitation In Técnico”, part group of the Center for Astrophysics and Gravitation (CENTRA): “Exploring strong gravity with GRIT”
• Helena Moniz, Carnegie Mellon Portugal (CMU Portugal) and Institute of Systems and Computer Engineering – Research and Development (INESC-ID)
• Inês Lynce, CMU Portugal, INESC-ID: Session Moderation
• João Seixas, CeFEMA, associate professor of Departamento de Física (DF): Moderation of the session
• João Sousa, Associate Laboratory in Energy, Transport and Aeronautics (LAETA), Institute of Mechanical Engineering (IDMEC): Link to the session “Analytical Laboratories in Industry 5.0”
• John Mendonça, CMU Portugal Ph.D. affiliate candidate in Language Technologies at Técnico and CMU
• José Saldanha Matos, Técnico
• José Santos-Victor, Institute of Systems and Robotics (ISR) and Laboratory for Robotics and Engineering Systems (LARSyS)
• Leonardo Azevedo, Center for Natural Resources and Environment (CERENA): Link to the session “Spatial data science to assist in the management of the COVID-19 pandemic”
• M. F. Montemor, CQE
• Maria Casimiro, PhD with Double Degree, candidate for Software Engineering at INESC-ID and CMU
• Marta Fajardo, Institute of Plasmas and Nuclear Fusion (IPFN), associate professor of DF: “3D image in X-rays in a single exhibition”
• Patrícia Gonçalves, Laboratory of Instrumentation and Experimental Physics of Particles (LIP), DF at Técnico (in “joint-appointment” with DECN): “From Particle Physics to Health, and even to Space”
• Pedro Lima, ISR and LARSyS: Link to the session “Autonomous Air and Ground Vehicles for Operations in Outdoor Environments”
• Sónia Cunha, Paulo Ferrão, Center for Innovation, Technology and Policy Research (IN+), LARSyS
• Susana Cardoso de Freitas, Institute of Systems and Computer Engineering – Microsystems and Nanotechnologies (INESC-MN), associate professor of DF: “Magnetic sensors to read the invisible: from precision localization to robotics”
• Tiago Domingos, João Santos, Marco Vittorio Ecclesia, Laura Felício, Ricardo Pinto, Tânia Sousa – Marine Environment & Technology Center (MARETEC), LARSyS.

Two Medals of Scientific Merit were gived by hands of Elvira Fortunato, Minister of Science, Technology and Higher Education. Bernardo Herold, retired professor at Técnico and Professor Maria João Bebianno, graduated in Chemical Engineering at Técnico, currently full professor at the University of Algarve were the selected candidates. The medal is intended to reward professionals who have distinguished themselves through a valuable and exceptional contribution to the development of science or scientific culture in Portugal.

Science 2022 included 6 plenary sessions and 66 thematic sessions dedicated to entrepreneurs, researchers, students and the general public and was promoted by FCT in collaboration with the Parliamentary Committee on Education and Science, Living Science and institutional support from the Ministry of Science, Technology and Higher Education.