Curriculum Vitae

Updated 21-07-2010

Unit of Reactors and Nuclear Safety

Photo.

Name: António Manuel da Silva de
Surname: Nazareth Falcão
Birth place and date: Lisbon 06-07-1954
Nationality: Portuguese

Tel: (+351) 21 994 6151
Fax: (+351) 21 994 1039
E-mail: falcao (add @itn.pt) 

Academic degrees

  • 1996 – PhD in Condensed Matter Physics, Classical University of Lisbon. Thesis: Scaling of Structural Parameters in Cross-Linked Polydimethylsiloxane Networks, [classification: "unanimidade com distinção e louvor" (approved unanimously with distinction and laud)].
  • 1981 – Graduation in Solid State Physics, FCT, University of Coimbra, Portugal (classification: 16/20). Degree Thesis: Determination of the Structure of the Vanadium Oxide VO2, classification 18/20.
  • 1972-1976 – Four years Electrical Engineering, I.S.T., Technical University of Lisbon, Portugal (classification: 16/20).

Scientific and/or professional activities

  • Fellowship CEE Brite-Euram, Risø National Laboratory, Denmark (July 1992 – February 1994).
  • Research Officer, Nuclear and Technological Institute (ITN), Lisbon (June 1995 – December 2001).
  • Senior Research Officer, ITN, Lisbon (Since December 2001).
  • Member of the Coordinating Commission of the Scientific Council, ITN (January 2003 – January 2005).
  • President of the Scientific Council, ITN (Since January 2005).
  • Coordinator of the Training Center, ITN, Lisbon (Since January 2005).
  • Member of the Executive Secretariat of the Forum of the Scientific Councils of the State Laboratories (June 2005 – June 2006).
  • President of the Forum of the Scientific Councils of the State Laboratories (June 2006 – June 2007).
  • Invited Coordinator Professor at the Physics Section, E. S. T. S. L. of the Lisbon Polytechnic (Since October 2002).
  • Expert under contract, International Atomic Energy Agency, (June 1995, December 2002, November 2005)

Domain of specializations

  • Irradiation of polymer systems. Study of the structural -irradiation. Microscopiceffects produced in polymer liquids by high energy structural characterization of polymer melts and solutions. Theory of polymer networks and gels. Characterization of deformation processes in elastomers. Microscopic structural characterisation of polymer networks (dry networks, networks swollen in a good solvent, and uniaxially stretched networks).

Area of scientific activity (activity group)

  • Polymer physics. Radiation induced changes in the properties of bybrid (glass-polymer) and polymer systems. Radiation induced synthesis of new polymer based systems for bioapplications. Neutron scattering techniques (small-angle scattering, two-axis diffractometry), instrument development and data analysis. Monte-Carlo computer simulation techniques.

Present research interests

  • Modelling and characterisation of polymeric branched systems in solution. Development and characterisation of new hybrid (glass-polymer systems) and new polymeric systems for bio-applications. Investigation of new approaches for the characterisation of polymeric materials and implementation of innovative techniques.

Other skills/activities

  • Computer simulation techniques, and their application to the solution of optimization problems. Small angle neutron scattering (SANS) technique. SANS data analysis and interpretation. Optimization and design of neutron scattering instrumentation (neutron guides, mechanical velocity selectors, choppers, collimators). Optimization and design of neutron scattering instruments (two-axis, time-of-flight and SANS instruments). Use of irradiation processes to modify mechanical and optical properties of materials (polymeric materials, hybrid glass-polymer systems and natural crystals). Microscopic structural characterization of polymer melts, solutions, networks (dry networks, networks swollen in a good solvent, and uniaxially stretched networks), and hybrids. Theory of polymer networks and gels.

Supervising experience

  • Universidade Nova de Lisboa, co-supervisor of Carlos Marques da Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Degree thesis: Characterization od color centres created by ionic implantation and neutron irradiation of natural Topaz, presented in Novembro de 1999.
  • Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, co-supervisor of Miguel Carrapiço, Degree thesis: Creation and characterization of color centres in natural Topaz crystals.
  • Supervisor of Jorge Luís, FCT fellowship, re-installation of the ITN time-of-flight diffractometer ETV (1995, 1996).
  • Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Supervisor of the PhD thesis of the research assistant Luís Ferreira, 2003-2007.
  • Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Supervisor of the Master thesis of Miguel Carrapiço.
  • Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, supervisor of the Degree thesis of Miguel Carrapiço: Color centres in natural Topaz.
  • Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Master Course in Physical Engineering (Applied Nuclear Physics), supervisor of the final work submitted by Orlando Reis and Miguel Carrapiço: Neutron guide simulation of a neutron guide system for the FRM-II reactor of the Technische Universität München.
  • Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, supervisor of the Degree Thesis of David Silva: Installation of the two-axis diffractometer of ITN, DIDE.

Participation in research projects

  • INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY 11361/R1, (Team member) Study and Design of a new generation of SANS instruments: smaller, modular, with enhanced capabilities and low servicing requirements.
  • INSTITUTO TECNOLÓGICO E NUCLEAR (Team member) Design, construction and installation of neutron scattering spectrometers for the Portuguese Research Reactor, RPI.
  • INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY, IAEA POR/1/008 (Team member) External Input for Development of Local Neutron Beam Work.
  • INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY, IAEA 7284/RB (Team member) Microstructure Investigation by the SANS technique of two-component silicate materials prepared by sol-gel.
  • POCTI/1999/FIS/34449 (Coordinator) Development of a Variable Geometry Neutron Multichannel Collimator (Team Leader).
  • EC Program HCM, ERB CHGECT 920001 (Team member).
  • EU TMR Programme – Access to large scale facilities.
  • PRAXIS/P/CTM/12212/98 (Team member) Microstructure Investigation of Organic-inorganic hybrid materials.
  • CONC-REEQ/996/2001 (Team member) Re-shufling and modernization of the Unidade de Tecnologias de Radiação (UTR).
  • Design and supply of in-pil.e beam extraction assemblies for the Greek Research Reactor, NRC Demokritos, Athens, IAEA Purchase order GRE1040-80877J (Coordinator).
  • Design, supply and installation of Aluminum Irradiation Tubes and Stainless Steel Shielding Structures for the GRR-1, NRC for Scientific Research DEMOKRITOS, Athens. Contract No 015/7/B125/5.2 (Coordinator).
  • POCTI/CTM/44150/2002 (2004-2006) (Team member) Hybrid Materials Prepared by Irradiation.
     

Publications

    Thesis

  • Falcão A. N., Scaling of Structural Parameters in Polydimethylsiloxane Networks, PhD Thesis, U. Lisboa, (1995).

    5 Recent Papers in international scientific periodicals with referees

  • L.M. Ferreira, A.N. Falcão, M.H. Gil, Elemental and topographic characterization of LDPE based copolymeric films obtained by gamma irradiation, Nuclear Instruments and Methods B 265 (2007) 193-197.
  • S.R. Gomes, F.M.A. Margaça, L.M. Ferreira, I.M. Miranda Salvado, A.N. Falcão, “Hybrid PDMS-Silica-Zirconia materials prepared by γ-irradiation”, Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research B 265 (2007) 114-117.
  • S.R. Gomes, F.M.A. Margaça, I.M. Miranda Salvado, J.P. Leal, C. Marques, E. Alves, L.M. Ferreira, A.N. Falcão, “Elemental and RBS analysis of hybrid materials prepared by γ-irradiation”, Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research B 266 (2008) 288-294. Doi:10.1016/j.nimb.2007.11.007.
  • S.R. Gomes, F.M.A. Margaça, D. Faria Silva, L.M. Ferreira and A.N. Falcão, “Novel way to control PDMS cross-linking”, Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research B 266 (2008) 1105-1108. Doi: 10.1016/j.nimb.2008.03.046.
  • S.R. Gomes, F.M.A. Margaça, L.M. Ferreira, I.M. Miranda Salvado, J.P. Leal and A.N. Falcão, Characterization of Silica-Zirconia Hybrid Materials Prepared by Gamma Irradiation – Part I: Thermal Properties, Journal of Sol-Gel Science and Technology (accepted for publication).

    5 Recent papers in national periodicals with referees

  • Falcão A.N., Pedersen J. S., and Mortensen K., A Model for the Microscopic Structure of Equilibrium Swollen PDMS Networks Randomly Cross-Linked. Risø R-660(EN), 115, (1992).
  • Falcão A. N., Pedersen S.J. and Mortensen K., Effect of the Extractable Components in the Microscopic Structure of Swollen PDMS Cross-Linked Networks. Risø R-660(EN), 116, (1992).
  • Falcão A. N., Pedersen S.J. and Mortensen K., Best Geometry to Perform a Given SANS Measurement. A Graphical Approach. Risø R-692(EN), (1993).
  • Falcão A.N., Pedersen S.J. and Mortensen K., New Stretching Cell for Structural Studies of Elastomers and Swollen Gels. Risø R-725(EN), 119, (1993).
  • Falcão A. N., Pedersen S.J. and Mortensen K., Butterfly Effect in Randomly Cross-Linked PDMS Gels. Classical Deformation at Large Scales. Risø R-779(EN), (1994).

    5 recent papers in conference proceedings

  • Falcão, A. N., Margaça, F.M.A., Salgado, J.F. and Carvalho, F.G., A contribution to the development and practical utilisation of the Small Angle Neutron Scattering technique, 1st Research Co- ordination Meeting of the IAEA CPR “Development and Practical Utilisation of Small Angle Neutron Scattering (SANS) Applications, IAEA Headquarters, Vienna, 13-16 November, (2000).
  • C.Oliveira, A.N.Falcão, R.Trindade, M.C.Lopes, M.C. Sousa, P. Rosário, Education and Training in Radiation Protection in Portugal: Present Situation and a Project for the Future, 3rd Int. Conf. on Education and Training in Radiological Protection, ETRAP, Bruxelles, 23-25 Nov 2005.
  • C.Oliveira, A.N.Falcão, R.Trindade, M.C.Lopes, M.C. De Sousa, P. Rosário, Formação e Treino dos Peritos em Protecção Radiológica Situação presente e um projecto para o futuro, I Jornadas Luso Brasileiras de Protecção contra Radiações e XI Jorn. Portuguesas contra Radiações, IST, Nov 2005.
  • I.F. Gonçalves, J. Salgado, A.N. Falcão, F.M.A. Margaça, F.G. Carvalho, MCNP simulation to optimize in-pile and shielding parts of the Portuguese SANS instrument, Rad. Prot. Dosim. 116 (2005) 562-565, doi:10.1093/rpd/nci 159.

    5 Other selected publications

  • Margaça, F. M. A., Falcão, A. N., Salgado, J. F., Sequeira, A.D. e Carvalho,F.G., Contribuição para a Utilização Optimizada de Feixes de Neutrões na Investigação e Desenvolvimento de Materiais. Subm. Prémio Boa Esperança, (1991).
  • Falcão A. N., In-Pile collimator and shutter for the Greek reactor GRR-1, (1995), confidential.
  • Falcão A. N., Relatório para a Instalação do Difractómetro DIDE, (1998).
  • Carvalho, F.G., Margaça, F.M.A., Falcão. A. N., Gonçalves, I.F. and Salgado, J.F., Relatório de segurança para a instalação do Espectrómetro de Pequenos Ângulos EPA no RPI, (2001).
  • Falcão, A. N., DIDE–Relatório da Implementação (~400 pág.), (2001).

Communications

  • 72 communications (8 oral, 1 invited)

Language (Reading, Writing, Conversation)

  • Portuguese: excelent, excelent, excelent.
  • English: excelent, excelent, excelent.
  • French: excelent, good, good.