Promoted by INOV in collaboration with Instituto Superior Técnico (IST), the FAQtos Award 2026 recognised innovative projects developed by young students, demonstrating how science and technology can contribute to a more sustainable and safer future. The award ceremony took place on 11 July at the IST Congress Centre, celebrating solutions in the areas of environmental monitoring, digital health and smart technologies.
The ceremony recognised three winning teams whose projects demonstrate innovative applications of technology across different fields.
First place was awarded to Guarda-Rios, from Colégio Ribadouro (Porto), for “Projeto Guarda-Rios”, a low-cost and energy-efficient sensor network designed to monitor river water quality in real time and support more effective water resource management.
Second place went to VisionGlass, from Escola Secundária Francisco Franco (Funchal, Madeira), for “RFs na Análise e Monitorização da Saúde da Pele”, an innovative prototype combining radiofrequency technologies, electronic sensors, artificial intelligence, facial recognition and augmented reality to support skin health analysis and monitoring.
Third place was awarded to The Pulse, from DIDÁXIS – Cooperativa de Ensino de Vila Nova de Famalicão (Braga), for “SafeZone – Tecnologia que Cuida”, an intelligent solution based on radiofrequency, GPS and geofencing technologies designed to enhance the safety and independence of people living with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.
The three teams received prizes of €1000, €1500 and €2000. Through the FAQtos project, developed at INOV by Prof. Luís M. Correia, scientific and technological literacy continues to be promoted by sharing knowledge about electromagnetic radiation in mobile communications, electromagnetic waves and exposure limits.