The University of Aveiro (UAVR) is among the most dynamic and innovative universities in the country. UAVR seeks to develop and maintain a supportive research environment, where researchers can count with a solid and experienced administrative, financial and legal structure. UAVR has a strong research profile contributing to the progression of science and technology, and a privileged partner to companies and other national and international organizations with which it cooperates in numerous projects, providing important consultancy and services.

SECOP (Surface Engineering and COrrosion Protection) research group holds an extensive experience in the field of multifunctional coatings for metal alloys and has participated in several EU-based projects, such as MUST (https://www.sintef.no/projectweb/must/), LORCENIS (http://www.sintef.no/projectweb/lorcenis/), SMARCOAT (http://smarcoatrise.wixsite.com/smarcoat, Leader) and MULTISURF (https://www.hzg.de/science/eu_projects/h2020/key/057749/index.php.en).

ApplEE (Applied Ecology and Ecotoxicology) R&D group is amongst one of the biggest and dynamic groups on ecotoxicology and nanoecotoxicology fields at national level participating in several EU projects, such as NanoFASE (www.nanofase.eu), NanoFARM (http://research.ce.cmu.edu/nanofarm) or