Dr. Xueliang Lyu successfully defended his PhD thesis on "Epitaxial Hf1-xZrxO2 Thin Films: Phase Stability, Polarization Enhancement, and Intrinsic Ferroelectric Response" on Wednesday, 23 September 2026. Congratulations, Xueliang!
Join the ICMAB to work in the challenge of Efficient heat management materials and novel phononic devices
Join the ACNM research group at ICMAB to work in the challenge of Quantum Coherence for Devices
A new paper has been published in Energy Storage Materials
Rödel gave this seminar hosted by Felip Sandiumenge, researcher of ICMAB. You can watch the video in our YouTube channel!
A new paper has been published in The Journal of Physical Chemical Letters
Dr. María Jesús Ortiz successfully defended her PhD thesis on "Organic Transistors Integrated into Lateral-Flow Assays for Point-Of-Care Diagnostics" on Friday, 18 September 2026. Congratulations, María Jesús!
A new paper has been published in Advanced Functional Materials
We kindly invite you to the following Materials for Electronics Seminar, hosted by Florencio Sánchez:
Periodical Lectures & Invited Seminars
On the 12th and 13th of November 2026, the Institute of Materials Science of Barcelona (ICMAB-CSIC), ubicated at the UAB Campus, will host the Workshop on Experimental Methods for Thermal Transport
Periodical Lectures & Invited Seminars
The Government recognises the career of the Director of the ALBA Synchrotron and her contribution to science and to the international visibility of research carried out in Catalonia with its highest distinction.
The PhD researcher Xueliang Lyu from the FOXEM group at ICMAB-CSIC, will defend his PhD thesis on Wednesday, 23 September 2026 at ICMAB.
The PhD researcher Maria Elisabetta Giglio from the eMolMat group at ICMAB-CSIC, will defend her PhD thesis on Friday, 6 November 2026 at ICMAB.
The Seminars and Training Committee kindly invites you to the following ICMAB Seminar, hosted by Núria Aliaga:
Periodical Lectures & Invited Seminars
The Institut de Ciència de Materials de Barcelona (ICMAB-CSIC) is recruiting a highly motivated professional as an International Research Project Manager (pre-award).
Jobs General & Scientific Services
A new paper has been published in Materials Horizons:
The Sustainability Committee kindly invites you to the following ICMAB activity:
Periodical Lectures & Invited Seminars
The Sustainability Committee kindly invites you to the following ICMAB workshop hosted by Ferran Vallès:
Periodical Lectures & Invited Seminars
The vibrations are localized at the interface between two materials and could be involved in the mechanism that allows electricity to flow without losses
A new paper has been published in Small:
Ibañez gave this seminar hosted by Imma Ratera, researcher of ICMAB. You can watch the video in our YouTube channel!
A new paper has been published in the International Journal of Pharmaceutics:
The technology, developed by researchers at the ICMAB, reduces energy losses and improves the performance of zinc-air batteries.
ICMAB is looking for its new Director
2026 marks the 10th edition of the Scientific Meeting of PhD candidates! The registration and abstract submission for the annual doctoral conference are now open
A new paper has been published in Advanced Science:
The PhD researcher María Jesús Ortiz from the eMolMat group at ICMAB-CSIC, will defend her PhD thesis on Friday, 18 September 2026 at ICMAB.
We kindly invite you to the "De la recerca al pacient: nous camins en malalties minoritàries" event, to be held next 8th of October 2026.
Periodical Lectures & Invited Seminars
A new paper has been published in the Journal of Energy Storage:
Molecular solar thermal storage (MOST) systems represent an emerging closed-loop technology with energy storage densities up to 1.6 MJ/kg, more than double that of typical phase change materials. MOST systems store solar energy in the chemical bonds of photoswitchable molecules via photoisomerization, releasing heat on demand during molecular reversion. Despite extensive research, their potential for domestic hot water co-heating remains unexplored. This study investigates the potential integration of MOST systems into a conceptual laboratory-scale co-heating device by combining experimental discharge characterization with numerical thermal simulations. Laboratory experiments evaluated the discharge characteristics of a norbornadiene-quadricyclane MOST system, demonstrating thermal activation for the first time under varying activation temperatures and residence times. A numerical thermal simulation model was developed to assess the performance of two norbornadiene-quadricyclane systems designed for short- and long-term storage. Parametric studies analyzed the impact of molecular properties and device design parameters on discharge and water heating performance. Laboratory results demonstrated 95–100% back conversion of quadricyclane to norbornadiene at a molecular concentration of 1.3 mol/L (290.2 g/L) in toluene. Simulations indicated activation-normalized water-heating ratios of 43–86% for the long-term system and 106–204% for the short-term system, assuming perfect insulation and current molecular and device constraints, representing idealized upper-bound estimates. Among the MOST molecular properties evaluated, thermal enthalpy had the strongest sensitivity effect on discharge and water-heating performance. Additional gains were achieved through increased energy storage capacity, optimized molecule concentration, and adjusted device operational temperatures. Future research should prioritize molecular enhancements, catalytic strategies to accelerate back-conversion, and device design optimization to minimize heat losses and improve scalability.
We are proud to present the brand new ICMAB style guide
Outreach Publications, Breaking News
A new paper has been published in Inorganic Chemistry Frontiers:
In this new recap post, we present the 10 most read news of our website showing the variety of activities and research that took place at ICMAB over the past academic year.
Breaking News, Outreach & Dissemination
Next 10th of November 2026, we will host our first ever Scientific Communication in Materials Science Congress!
Periodical Lectures & Invited Seminars, Meetings Organization
A new paper has been published in Inorganic Chemistry Communications:
In this new recap post, we present a selection of recordings showcasing the variety of activities and seminars that took place at ICMAB over the past academic year.
OUTREACH NEWS/, Outreach & Dissemination
A new paper has been published in ChemistryEurope:
We have selected 10 papers as a recap of some of the research carried out at ICMAB during the previous academic year, perfect for some summer holiday reading.
OUTREACH NEWS/, Outreach & Dissemination
A new paper has been published in the Journal of Materials Chemistry C:
A technique developed by ICMAB-CSIC researchers makes it possible to observe electronic structure with a level of precision that was previously unattainable
Newspapers, Breaking News, timeline
In July, two Baccalaureate students were hosted at ICMAB. Their stay is part of the three-year Joves i Ciència programme, which aims to encourage students to pursue scientific careers.
Courses and Workshops, Breaking News, timeline
