A team from the Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas of the CSIC (CIB-CSIC) has developed an application for the sustainable reuse of components of dead batteries. The scientists have synthesized esters by biocatalysis, using the material obtained from the black mass of batteries and an enzyme, through a selective and clean reaction.

The ICN2 Advanced Electron Nanoscopy Group, centre that has the CSIC among its trustees, strengthen its collaboration with the global network of Microsoft Quantum Labs. The company is focused on developing a scalable quantum computer. The ICN2 laboratories will provide atomic-scale measurements, analysis, and modelling of new materials.

CSIC scientists at the Instituto de Microelectrónica de Barcelona - Centro Nacional de Microelectrónica have developed a novel JFET (Junction Field-Effect Transistor) which is very suitable for high-power devices and radioactive environments, where conventional JFET fail. Due to its particular configuration, the device presents very high radiation hardness.

The Simbiots project, led by the Instituto de Robótica e Informática Industrial (IRI), a joint centre of the CSIC and the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, aims to integrate robotics in workplaces and create collaborative environments with the workers. Scientists seek to improve working conditions and productivity.

Researchers from the CSIC and the UAB university, in the Nanosfun group at the Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2) have developed a straightforward strategy to obtain solid materials which change colour when they are exposed to visible light. These materials might find application in multicolored rewritable devices.

Researchers from the Instituto de Ciencias de Materiales de Madrid (ICMM-CSIC) have developed a photo thermo-electric cell which produces electricity when it is exposed to temperature differences. It could be part of a thermo-electric generator.

WeNet is a multidisciplinary Project funded by the EU’s Horizon 2020 program with the participation of the Instituto de Investigación en Inteligencia Artificial (IIIA-CSIC). An initiative that combines computer science, sociology and engineering. The kick-off meeting was held last January in Trento (Italy).

The European Project “Dissipationless topological channels for information transfer and quantum metrology” (TOCHA) has launched a consortium of 9 leading institutions from 6 European countries. TOCHA proposes radically new technologies taking advantage of the unique properties of topological matter that can prove crucial for information processing, quantum communication and metrology. It is funded with 5 Million Euros for the next five years and is coordinated by the Institut Català de Nanociència i Nanotecnologia (ICN2).