nanomaterials and biomaterials

 

 

Partners

 

 

 Universidade Federal de Vicosa (UFV) is a federal university in the city of Viçosa, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Viçosa is a technical university and offers courses in engineering, agronomy, veterinary medicine, animal husbandry, and other areas related to science. 

 

Universidade Fedral de Minas Gerais (UFMG) offers public education on the two main campus areas and several off-side units, all found in the city of Belo Horizonte. The university offers undergraduate, master and PhD programs. Its programs covers all main education areas: social-, human- and basic sciences, among others.

 

Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto (UFOP) was established in August 21, 1969 from the merger of two century-old higher education institutions: the School Pharmacy of Ouro Preto, founded in 1839, and School of Mines of Ouro Preto founded in 1876, both located in Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais. Today is one of the most important universities of Minas Gerais and also Brazil. The university is taken as a reference throughout the country by the School of Pharmacy and Engineering

 

Topic for internships

 

Research topics for internships vary by period as they are aligned with the ongoing research at that time. Below are some examples of previous internships to get a feel of what's possible within the subject of Biodiesel

 

 

Universidade Fedral de Minas Gerais (UFMG) 

Professor Herman Sander Mansur

 

Look for links between industries. The waste of one company can be a resource for another company. Works mainly with nanomaterials and biomaterials. For instance, for medical purposes and environmental engineering.

  • Quantum dots-sensitized hybrid solar cells
  • Nanomaterials for Energy Conversion and photocatalysis
  • Nanomaterials for Wastewater Treatment 

Universidade Fedral de Minas Gerais (UFMG) 

Professor Rodrigo Lambert Orécife

 

Biobased hydrogels containing biobased derived nanoparticles: these hydrogels can flow under stress due to a supramolecular architecture and physically promoted crosslinks: chitosan, collagen, and cellulose derivatives can be used together with carbon derivatives, cellulose or chitin nanocrystals. Intended applications include cosmetics, sprayable adhesives, and other active molecules.

Preparation of electrospun nanofibers from recycled polymers, such as PET, to yield bactericidal and viricidal materials.

 

 

Universidade Federal de Vicosa (UFV)

Professor Kassio Ferreira Mendes

 

Project 1: The use of herbicides is the main form of weed control in crops, but there have been confirmed cases of resistance of sourgrass biotypes (Digitaria insularis) in at least 10% of Brazilian agricultural areas. Against this background, the aim of this study is to evaluate the status of sourgrass resistance to glyphosate in coffee in the Zona da Mata Mineira.

 

Project 2: Agricultural soils can be contaminated by microplastics depending on the agronomic practices used. Therefore, the aim of this project is to evaluate the contamination of agricultural soils by microplastics and their dynamics with the herbicides hexazinone and S-metolachlor.

 

Project 3: The use of pre-emergence herbicides applied directly to the soil promotes early and efficient weed control with the possibility of residual control. However, herbicides can contaminate the environment and non-target organisms if applied incorrectly. An alternative to reduce the risk of contamination is to use formulations that increase sorption and provide controlled release of the herbicide into the soil solution. Nanomaterials such as double lamellar hydroxides (DLHs) can be used as herbicide storage matrices for controlled release by forming nanohybrids (DLH + herbicide). In this sense, the aim of this study will be to evaluate the sorption and desorption of the herbicide hexazinone intercalated with lamellar double hydroxides (Hex-HDL) in soils

 

Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto (UFOP

Professor Orlando David Henrique dos Santos

 

Development of pharmaceutical and/or cosmetic formulation with products: This project involves the study of natural product composition and/or biological activities and the development of formulations for pharmaceutical or cosmetic applications. Plant extracts will be produced and analysed for antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory activities. After, nanostructured formulations, especially nanoemulsions and nanoparticles will be produced and characterized.

Qualifications

 

Examples of suitable academies

  • Bioprocess engineering
  • Biochemical engineering
  • Chemistry
  • Chemical Engineering
  • Microbiology
  • Industrial microbiology

additional information

 

Possible internship periods 

September 2025 - January 2026

  

Working language

English

(preferably) Portuguese