Researchers from the IMDEA Materials Institute and the Technical University of Madrid have developed a mathematical model that corrects the overestimated crack area obtained in computational simulations of phase-field fracture problems. The new mathematical approach, called the Double Gradient

Researchers from the European AM2SoftMag project have developed a new iron-based metallic glass that could lead to 3D-printed components for the manufacture of more efficient electric motors. The new alloy, designed by researchers at Saarland University (UdS) in Germany, is free of critical

For most of us, recycling plastic has become second nature. We separate bottles, food containers and packaging, believing they will be transformed into new products. Yet despite decades of recycling initiatives, only around 9% of the roughly 380 million tons of plastic waste produced globally

An international research team has published a groundbreaking study in Science Advances offering new insights into one of science's most fundamental questions: how the metabolism that gave rise to life on Earth originated. Modern metabolism as we know it depends on enzymes, biological molecules

How can science help prevent natural disasters or reduce their impact when they occur? This question will be at the heart of "Science in the Face of Natural Disasters", a public event bringing together researchers from the IMDEA Institutes, as well as firefighters from the Community of Madrid as

Electric motors are the largely unseen workhorses of modern life. They power everything from washing machines to factory equipment. Individually, many are already highly efficient. But because there are billions of them, even small improvements could translate into significant energy

Published by: Carlos Aguilar Vega. Postdoctoral researcher in Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering The original version of this article can be found in Spanish in Fundación Muy Interesante. Imagine a piece of furniture that assembles itself when taken out of the box, or a space structure

Researchers at IMDEA Materials Institute have developed an advanced computational modelling framework that enables the systematic analysis of potential failure and degradation mechanisms in thermal barrier coatings (TBCs). Such coatings are essential for protecting critical high-temperature

• The Institute has succeeded in lowering building temperatures with a façade coating that improves fire safety.• IMDEA Materials has also developed a polyurethane foam capable of resisting flames, suppressing smoke emissions, and preventing bacterial growth.• These lines of research will also help

The high cost of platinum is one of the main barriers to the wider adoption of hydrogen fuel cells. Now, researchers at IMDEA Materials Institute have developed a catalyst that delivers the same performance while using 75% less of this expensive metal. The study, published in Electrochimica Acta,

Additive manufacturing is transforming the way metal components are produced for industries such as aerospace, automotive and energy. Among the technologies with the greatest potential is binder jetting, a process capable of manufacturing metal parts quickly, accurately and at industrial

A research team from IMDEA Materials, the Technical University of Madrid (UPM) and the Alfonso X el Sabio University (UAX) has published a systematic map in Advanced Engineering Materials that combines the mechanical and acoustic properties of TPMS cellular structures. The study provides a design

Published by: Ángela García de la Camacha Díaz. Predoctoral researcher in IMDEA Materials The original version of this article can be found in Spanish in Fundación Muy Interesante. Today, 3D printing is one of the most revolutionary technologies of the 21st century. Since its emergence in the

IMDEA Materials Institute has developed an acoustic imaging method that overcomes some of the fundamental limitations of technologies such as ultrasound imaging. The system can reconstruct a complete and accurate image using a single fixed sensor that captures one signal at a single instant,

Imagine buying three identical 3D printers. Despite being the same brand, the same model and even having similar serial numbers, each machine may behave slightly differently. Over time, and at scale, these differences can accumulate into significant manufacturing defects. In order to address this

How are the metallic materials that will enable the technologies of the future designed, manufactured and characterised? This was the central question of the AM2C3 Summer School, held this month at IMDEA Materials Institute, which brought together researchers, PhD students and experts from

José Manuel Torralba, IMDEA MATERIALS We may be witnessing one of the most fascinating stories to emerge from the highly productive past few years of research in quantum physics and advanced materials: a tiny rotation, a slight twist, between atom-thick sheets of graphene created what physicists

We are pleased to announce the publication of IMDEA Materials' 2025 Annual Report, providing a comprehensive overview of the Institute's activities, scientific achievements and institutional developments throughout the previous calendar year. The full report is available as an interactive

IMDEA Materials Institute has developed mechanically tunable hydrogel membranes that closely mimic the mechanical environment of human skin while remaining highly biocompatible, representing an improved platform for skin tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. The research, published in the

Published by: Dr. Pedro J. Díaz Payno. PhD in Biomedical Engineering. The original version of this article can be found in Spanish in Fundación Muy Interesante. The goal of tissue engineering is to repair, replace or regenerate damaged tissues or organs, whether as a result of disease or

IMDEA Materials Institute is pleased to announce the successful completion of the selection process for the ATENEA call, marking an important milestone in the implementation of this Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) COFUND programme coordinated by IMDEA Materials Institute. Following a highly

IMDEA Materials Institute and the University of Tennessee have established a partnership to provide research fellowship opportunities for PhD students in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering to complete the research component of their degree program at both locations, effective July

A new European initiative, MaterialsCommons, has launched to bring together shared digital resources, such as data and workflow tools, to form a connected European infrastructure that can be accessed through a single entry point. With its ambitious vision, MaterialsCommons will play a key role in

Petronela Chovancova, IMDEA MATERIALS The next time you open a yoghurt, peel the film off a ready meal, or throw away a disposable coffee cup, take a moment to consider where that item will end up. In most cases, the honest answer is: it will still be here, in one form or another, long after

Researchers at IMDEA Materials Institute have developed an artificial intelligence (AI)-based strategy to predict and assess the fire resistance of epoxy resins, one of the most widely used polymers in industry. The new system, published in Polymer Degradation and Stability, enables the rapid and

IMDEA Materials researchers came together on Tuesday for the first edition of the IMDEA Materials Soft Matter Summer Meeting, an internal initiative designed to encourage scientific exchange. Held as a half-day event, the programme brought together presentations spanning a broad range of topics,

Researchers at IMDEA Materials Institute and the Institute of Polymer Science and Technology (ICTP-CSIC) have developed an innovative biodegradable multilayer film capable of protecting and controlling the release of anthocyanins inside the body. Published in the International Journal of

As electric vehicles become increasingly common on our roads, ensuring the safety of their battery systems has become a critical challenge for manufacturers and regulators alike. A new initiative at IMDEA Materials, EV Shield, aims to address one of the most significant risks associated with

Researchers at IMDEA Materials Institute have developed a new hybrid methodology that combines quantum mechanics and thermodynamic calculations to predict the phase diagram of nickel-cobalt alloys. Published in Acta Materialia, this breakthrough overcomes the limitations of traditional methods,

IMDEA Materials Institute welcomed a delegation from Abioinnova and Salamanca City Council earlier this week to explore potential collaborations in additive manufacturing technologies for the biomedical sector. Abioinnova is a high-tech incubator developed within the framework of the Salamanca

IMDEA Materials Institute has launched a new call for positions within the ‘Programa Investigo 2026’, an initiative aimed at promoting the incorporation of young people into the fields of research and innovation. The programme offers young graduates the opportunity to develop their professional

IMDEA Materials Institute recently brought together leading industrial and research figures in Barcelona for its 8th Industrial Advisory Board (IAB) meeting, focused on shaping future collaboration in advanced materials, AI-driven innovation and technology transfer. The annual gathering featured

Researchers from IMDEA Materials Institute have developed a multifunctional Kevlar-based composite material capable of combining structural performance with integrated strain sensing, electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding and de-icing functionalities. The work, featured in Composites Part

Three of IMDEA Materials Institute’s research group leaders have been recognised among the leading female researchers in Spain. That’s according to the recently released ranking of active female researchers compiled by the Cybermetrics Laboratory of the Spanish National Research Council

Jorge Moral Pombo, IMDEA MATERIALS From the visionary imagination of Isaac Asimov to the pioneering experiments of Stanley Miller, science has spent decades trying to answer one of humanity’s deepest questions: how did life arise? Isaac Asimov and prebiotic chemistry For the author of these

Floatech, the first spin-off company created by IMDEA Materials Institute, has been awarded the Multidisciplinary Innovation Award for a project that combines materials science, process engineering and industrial transfer to accelerate the development of next-generation batteries. The award,

Nearly half a century after beginning his studies, Prof. Javier LLorca was honoured at his Alma Mater, the Technical University of Madrid (UPM) last Friday, as he was added to the university’s School of Engineering (Caminos UPM) Hall of Distinguished People. Prof. LLorca was recognised as a

Published by: Dr. David Tilve Martínez. PhD in Physical Chemistry of Condensed Matter. The original version of this article can be found in Spanish in Fundación Muy Interesante. Can you imagine a T-shirt stronger than steel, more conductive than copper, and as light as silk? This is no longer

Researchers from IMDEA Materials and the Carlos III University of Madrid (UC3M), in collaboration with research institutes in France and Japan, have achieved a significant breakthrough in better understanding the fracture mechanics of additively manufactured metals. The results, outlined in the

Spanish researchers have demonstrated a scalable manufacturing process for carbon nanotube (CNT) fibres with electrical conductivity comparable to that of copper and aluminium. The result, published in Science, is a breakthrough for the future of electrification in aerospace, electric vehicles