Gonçalo Queirós was born in Póvoa de Varzim in 1993. He holds a master degree in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering from the Faculty of Engineering of Porto University. During the course he did Erasmus as a student of Industrial Engineering at the RWTH Aachen. He has also done an internship at Fraunhofer IWS, in Dresden, where he studied the development of thermoelectric coatings by thermal spray.
In 2018, as Process Engineer, he was involved in the built-up of a production line of microelectromechanical systems from scratch. In early 2020, he joined Smart Separations as a Product Manager.
Music is also a part of his life as he started studying classical guitar in 1998, being part of many music projects ever since, until in 2011 he took a sabbatical to finish his music degree and opened a music school. He considers himself a sport enthusiastic, currently practicing skateboarding, viet vo dao and kickboxing.
Get to know Gonçalo
Name a favourite scientist, inventor or researcher and tell us why you like them?
Bill Gates, for being one of the most brilliant minds of this century and for the way he applies his knowledge for the good of society. Here, I must mention Melinda Gates as well, because I really think they complement each other by forming a great team.
What do you think is the most interesting area of research for the future? (Yes, it’s broad).
Fusion Power.
Tell us one of your favourite quotes?
“I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.” Thomas A. Edison.
What gadget or piece of technology are you most excited by?
SSL Smart Air Box, of course!
If you could put SSL’s filter in anything, where would you put it?
Inside cars, as a cabin filter to eliminate VOC’s and prevent hazardous and toxic gases from entering the vehicle.
Which book have you given away the most. Why?
“Into the wild”. Because it's a true story and because at the time I read the book, during my high school, I identified a lot with the character Christopher Johnson McCandless. I was fascinated by his simplicity and his spirit of adventure.
"People care about me as a person and my professional growth. It’s great to feel this real spirit of cooperation and shared goals."
Gonçalo Santos, PhD
Fun Filtration Facts
Juice with or without pulp/bits? (i.e. filtered or unfiltered)
Filtered as much as possible.
Do you filter your coffee? If so how do you take it? (moka pot, espresso machine, french press etc.)
I like to grind my own coffee beans and make a proper espresso. However, in those cold winter days I like to use a moka pot.
Where/what was the best water you ever tasted? (i.e. tap water in Lisbon or Volvic water etc.)
Water from the top of Gerês mountains.
What’s the freshest air you’ve ever experienced? (i.e. on a mountain in the Pyrenees).
The air on the top of Atlas mountains, after spending a few days in the desert.
If you could put SSL’s filter in anything, where would you put itIf you had to get rid of one tiny particle, which would it be? (i.e. cat hair, pollen)
Pollens.
If your air purifier had to emit an odour instead of absorbing them, which smell would you choose?
