The Centre for Materials Physics (CFM, CSIC-UPV/EHU) has developed a material that can clean water and other fluids contaminated by heavy metals and organic compounds such as pharmaceuticals. Laboratory tests show that the material can trap pollutants with efficiencies close to 100 % in the case of heavy metals, and over 50 % in the case of some organic compounds.

Knowing how bacteria adapt to their environment opens promising reserach avenues in biotechnology, biomedicine, or the environment. A study from CEAB shows that a nutrient-rich environment favors bacteria that have lost genes involved in processes such as amino acid self-production. Dispensing with genes represents an energy-saving for them and gives them an advantage in those contexts

The European Union aims to become climate neutral by 2050. To achieve this goal, the offshore wind energy must cover the 30% of the electricity demand of the member states, which means that the current marine areas used for the production of this type of energy has to be multiplied by 15.

The CRAG has just embarked on BioLumCity, a singular project that aims to offer an advanced form of real bioluminescence based on bacteria and algae, with applications in architecture and urban design.

The Institut Botànic de Barcelona (IBB) is working on this project to study Cannabis in a comprehensive way. As part of the project, they have created the world's first database of traditional uses of Cannabis. The project is aimed at collecting and analysing traditional uses of the plant, finding new molecules of interest and studying Cannabis morphological, genetic and phytochemical variability.

The INIA-CSIC Forestry Research Centre has developed a method to increase the compressive strength and stiffness of packaging paper. Based on the reuse of ligno-cellulose waste, it gives the paper greater strength with less fibre, keeping its performance intact and generating less waste. The absence of sulphur makes the reinforced paper suitable for all types of uses, including food. They are currently looking for companies interested in developing the technology.

Being able to predict the resilience of trees after a fire is essential for decision-making. A team of scientists has developed a device that makes it possible to determine the survival of living tissue under the bark of trees by measuring the electrical resistance.

R+D CSIC 30 years In the last three decades, scientists have make great progress in the detection of various pollutants in the environment and in living organisms. Pollutant accumulation in humans and animals (fish, dolphins, whales, birds, sea turtles, among others) has been demonstrated, as well as their distribution in the food chain, and scientists study their effects.