The long-standing relationship between the IMDEA Materials Institute and the International Centre for Numerical Methods in Engineering (CIMNE) has entered a new stage with the signing of a framework collaboration agreement.

This step forward in consolidating an already well-established collaboration aims to strengthen cooperation in research, methodological development, and knowledge transfer in the fields of engineering materials and numerical simulation.

The alliance formalises a connection that dates back to the early years of IMDEA Materials, when former CIMNE Director Prof. Eugenio Oñate was a member of the Institute’s Scientific Council. Since then, both institutions have shared a common vision focused on research in materials, simulation, and technological innovation.

“Until now, however, we had not had the opportunity to take part together in concrete projects,” explains Miguel Ángel Rodiel, Director of Projects and Technology at IMDEA Materials.

“This agreement represents a strong commitment by both institutions to promote joint initiatives in areas such as research project development, the co-supervision of doctoral theses, the shared use of unique scientific infrastructures, and student placements.”

At present, the two institutions are exploring the possibility of launching a jointly supervised PhD programme in the field of metal alloy simulation and are also in contact with an international company to explore the development of a potential collaborative project.

In addition to scientific initiatives, both IMDEA Materials and CIMNE have already held working meetings to exchange good practices in areas such as management, finance, human resources, project management, technology transfer, conference organisation, and information technologies.

In a note published by CIMNE about the agreement, its Director General, Prof. Javier Bonet, highlighted that “this collaboration represents a strategic alliance that connects advanced computational research with innovation in materials science, enabling the development of cutting-edge solutions aligned with European research priorities.”

The complementarity between IMDEA Materials and CIMNE, combining expertise in modelling and numerical simulation of advanced manufacturing processes with research into new materials, strengthens the position of both institutions as benchmarks in the fields of engineering and technological innovation.