The map of the university chapters (UCs) program of SBPMat presents since late January of the current year two more points in the state of São Paulo.

The University Chapter NanoMaterials (UCNanoM), headquartered at the São Paulo State University (UNESP) – Presidente Prudente campus, starts with five tutors and 45 members, undergraduate and graduate students of the Physics, Chemistry, and Biology departments who develop projects intended to the preparation and characterization of nanomaterials, as well as of electronic and optoelectronic devices.

“In Brazil, the research in Materials has reached relevant progresses. Hence, it is important to invest in networking”, says the UCNanoM president, Tiago Carneiro Gomes. “The University Chapter program is an opportunity to do this and it contributes to an effective academic training”, adds the PhD student in Materials Science and Technology at UNESP.

UCNanoM intends to hold workshops open to the public. Through such events, UC aims to promote networking and the critical and global view of recent scientific and technological progresses, as well as to increase high school students’ interest in acting in science.

The second UC recently created is headquartered at Ilha Solteira campus of UNESP. It counts on two tutors and 27 participants – Material Science graduate students and Physics undergraduate students. According to its president, Lincon Zadorosny, the main motivation of the UC creation was the opportunity of interacting at national and international levels with several research groups and their students. Regarding expectations, Lincon says that his UC may help to exchange experiences with other groups, keep the group update about national and international research, and generate exchange opportunities.