The potential of the UAB Campus for R&D&I in advanced materials

On 13 and 14 May, the UAB Department of Physics organised a conference to present the research and innovation potential of advanced materials within the UAB ecosystem. Representatives from the European Commission attended the sessions, including Javier Sanfélix and Wide Hongenhout from the Industrial Transformation Unit of the Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, and Nieves González, a member of the Centre for Technological Development and Innovation (CDTI) and the national representative for Cluster 4 (Digital, Industry and Space) of the Horizon Europe programme.

Throughout the conference, the contribution of the university to society through basic research and innovation was highlighted. It was an opportunity to learn about and promote the various research areas and potential of the groups, departments and institutes working in the UAB campus's research and innovation hub, which has a very active and prominent presence in the field of advanced materials.

Lecturers Xavier Álvarez and Eva Pellicer from the Department of Physics presented the work being carried out in the field of advanced materials, as well as the PHYNEST project (PHysics for a Greener World: Fostering the Next Generation of Talented Young Researchers in Novel Materials, Innovative Strategies and Energy Solutions). The project aims to train future leaders in advanced materials and innovative strategies to facilitate the transition to a new energy paradigm and promote environmental sustainability.

Professor Alba Hernández, from the Department of Genetics and Microbiology, explained the PlasticHeal project, which was developed to provide new methodologies and evidence by combining advanced research with reliable methods in order to establish the knowledge bases necessary for adequately assessing the risks posed by nanoplastics and microplastics. Professors Xavier Sala, Félix Busque, Xavier Solans, Jordi Hernando and Carolina Gimbert, on behalf of the Department of Chemistry, presented the department's research lines related to advanced materials.

The conference also included a presentation on the work of the Department of Electronic Engineering in 2D materials, CMOS and devices by professors Montse Nafrià and Xavier Cartoixà. Professor Xavier Navarro, from the Institute of Neurosciences (INc), presented research into the application of graphene and nanomaterials in neuroscience, as well as the challenges involved in achieving the biocompatibility of these materials. Other topics covered included the sustainability of advanced materials, addressed by researcher Laura Talens from the UAB Institute of Environmental Science and Technology (ICTA-UAB), and ethical and legal issues, presented by researcher Anna Capellà from the UAB Institute of Law and Technology (IDT).

Attendees also had the opportunity to visit the facilities of the Institute of High Energy Physics (IFAE), the Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2), the Institute of Materials Science of Barcelona (ICMAB), the Institute of Microelectronics of Barcelona - National Microelectronics Centre (IMB-CNM-CSIC) and the ALBA Synchrotron.

The conference concluded at the UAB Research Park (PRUAB) with a presentation on specific examples of public–private collaboration, entrepreneurship, and territorial strategies developed on the campus.