Outreach News

Xavier Obradors, former ICMAB Director, retires

On the 12th of February friends, ICMABers and colleagues reunited to celebrate his legacy and achievements

The ICMAB-CSIC and colleagues community gathered today 12 of February 2026 at the Saló d’Actes Carles Miravitlles, on the UAB Campus, to celebrate the legacy and achievements of Professor Xavier Obradors. The event brought together colleagues, collaborators and former students and co-workers to recognise his long-standing contribution to materials science and his leadership at the Institute of Materials Science of Barcelona (ICMAB-CSIC). The opening session, led by ICMAB Director David Amabilino, set the tone for a day dedicated to reflecting on both scientific milestones and personal impact.

The morning programme highlighted Professor Obradors’ 14 years as director of ICMAB and his role in advancing research on high-temperature superconductors (HTS). Internationally renowned experts, including Herbert Freyhardt, David Larbalestier and Pascal Tixador, shared perspectives on four decades of HTS materials research and their power applications. Further interventions explored the commercial use of HTS in NMR technologies and institutional collaborations such as the ALBA-ICMAB partnership, underlining the broad scientific and industrial reach of his work.

Beyond research achievements, the celebration also focused on Professor Obradors’ mentorship and leadership within the academic community. Colleagues from neighbouring institutes, long-time collaborators and former students (now established researchers and industry professionals) offered their views and shared their experience working with Prof. Obradors. The event concluded with a communal lunch and an afternoon gathering opened to all friends and colleagues, marking a distinguished career and a lasting legacy within the scientific community.

About Xavier Obradors

Xavier Obradors has dedicated his career to advancing the field of Materials Science, especially through his research in the area of superconducting materials and in management in many roles including the Director of the ICMAB. On the 12th of February, friends and colleagues from all around the world met at ICMAB to celebrate his legacy, achievements and, most importantly, friendship.

His general vision during his 45 year career has been to use deep scientific understanding to achieve exceptional physical properties of materials that are technologically appealing. This approach has been fuelled by a passion for exploring new avenues in Physics, Materials Science and Engineering as a means to drive technological innovation.

He retires as Research Professor and former Director of the Institut de Ciència de Materials de Barcelona - CSIC (2008-2022). He earned his degree in Physics in 1978 and his PhD in Physics in 1982 both at the Universitat de Barcelona, and in Materials Science (1983) at the Université Scientifique et Médicale de Grenoble.

During his tenure as Director of ICMAB-CSIC, he played a vital role in enhancing the institution's international reputation and scientific excellence, leading to its designation as the first Severo Ochoa Centre of Excellence of the CSIC in Catalonia, a recognition that has been renewed twice already. Prior to that, he was Vice Director of the Institute during Carles Miravitlles’ tenure. In that period, Xavier led the renovation and expansion of the Scientific Services of the ICMAB, leading to the world-class facilities presently offered here.

Xavier Obradors speaking with colleagues after his retirement celebration | ICMAB-CSIC

The success in attracting research funds has significantly benefitted ICMAB, leading to a substantial increase in its competitive annual budget during his directorship, primarily through projects like Consolider, Severo Ochoa Excellence award, and various EU initiatives. Promoting scientific and professional vocations was a key focus of his, resulting in a growth of the centre’s personnel from around 200 individuals to 350 within 15 years, facilitating the completion of approximately 20-30 doctoral theses annually. The funding attained also allowed a modernisation of the ICMABs structure, with strategic units in projects, communication and technology transfer being strengthened.

His research focused on materials preparation with controlled micro/nanostructures and the comprehension of the physical mechanisms underlying the superconducting, magnetic, and electronic properties of nanostructured materials, particularly complex oxides and high temperature superconductors. He is member of the Superconducting Materials (SUMAN) group, which he founded in the late 1990s. The group has since gained international recognition and many researchers formerly in the group now lead their own teams at various institutions worldwide or at ICMAB. Since 2008, the group has been under the leadership of Prof. Teresa Puig, allowing Obradors to continue his activity in research throughout his directorship. He has supervised 30 PhD students, who have gone on to pursue professional careers in academia and industry across different countries.

His scientific leadership at both national and international levels can be measured through the numerous European research projects he has directed, some of which involved collaborations with industries (22 projects), including the largest European initiative on superconductivity (EUROTAPES). Additionally, he has held positions such as President of the European Society of Applied Superconductivity and the Spanish Solid State Physics Group (GEFES). He has delivered over 100 plenary or invited lectures in conferences in 15 countries.

At the end of the session, a dedication video by colleagues, familiars, friends and long-standing collaborators was shared | ICMAB-CSIC

He has published more than 640 articles, which have received over 10,000 citations (h-index of 58). His main recent accomplishments have been in the field of high current superconductors, particularly in materials development based on high throughput low cost chemical solution deposition (CSD) methods.

He has received several awards, amongst which are: Member of the Royal Academy of Science and Arts of Barcelona (1998); Medal to the scientific achievements Narcís de Monturiol (1999); Fellow of the Institute of Physics (1999); National Prize Blas Cabrera of Physical Sciences, Materials and Earth studies (2003); Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Palmes Academiques (2005); ENDESA-NOVARE Prize to Energy Efficiency (2007); Leibniz Medal of the Institut of Solid State and Materials Research, Desdren (2016); City of Barcelona Prize to Experimental Science and Technology, Barcelona (2016).

In 2023 and 2024 he was been honoured with two prestigious international awards recognizing his contributions to the field of superconductivity: the "Lifetime Achievement Award" from the International Cryogenic Materials Conference and the "James Wong Award for continuing and significant contributions to applied superconductivity technology" delivered by the global association of Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineering - Council of Superconductivity. These accolades acknowledge individuals who have made noteworthy achievements and exceptional technical contributions in the realm of superconducting materials technology for applications.

What they said about him

Klaus Schenga, (Bruker EST, Germany), Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Bruker Energy & Supercon Technologies, Inc., said: "With his great leadership skills combined with his warm, humorous and winning personality Xavier Obradors managed to unite essentially all European industrial and academic HTS players as a consortium within the EUROTAPES project. His visionary and persistent engagement made a huge impact and formed the European HTS landscape over more than a decade."

Pascal Tixandor, full professor at Grenoble INP, expert in superconducting large scale applications (currently fault current limiter and magnet) from design to model construction, said: “I had the pleasure to share my experience with Xavier Obradors’ group during the last 30 years. Xavier has always been a true colleague and friend, someone with whom it is a pleasure to discuss science and technology. His ability to understand, bring together, and disseminate knowledge has differentiated him and has contributed to the excellence of the European consortia in which he has participated.”

Teresa Puig, Research Professor and head of the Superconducting Materials group, said: “I have worked with Xavier for over 30 years. I have learned enormously by his side, from his critical and constructive vision to his drive to conquer the future. For me, he will always be an inspiring person, a dreamer, and eternally optimistic; key qualities that have enabled him to build scientific excellence”.

Teresa Puig during her participation in Prof. Obradors' honor | ICMAB-CSIC

Pablo Ordejón, Director of ICN2, said: “From the management of ICMAB, Xavier was committed to strengthening and deepening the ties between ICMAB and ICN2, creating an alliance with a shared vision and common commitment that materialized in joint initiatives such as the Joint Electron Microscopy Centre at ALBA (JEMCA).”

Oriol

12 February 2026