Partner Institutions

ICMAB is a multidisciplinary research center of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), specializing in functional materials for energy, electronics, and nanomedicine. Located in the UAB campus, ICMAB is a Severo Ochoa Centre of Excellence and hosts over 500 researchers annually. Its mission is to generate and transfer knowledge in materials science through high-impact research and collaboration with industry. The institute offers state-of-the-art facilities, including a cleanroom (Nanoquim Platform), and is active in educational outreach and international projects. PHYNEST fellows at ICMAB will engage in pioneering research on superconducting materials for an efficient energy transition and benefit from a rich scientific ecosystem.

IREC is Catalonia’s reference public research center for energy technologies. Founded in 2008, it focuses on energy production, transformation, distribution, and efficient use, with a strong emphasis on renewable energy and sustainability. IREC operates across two main areas: long-term scientific research and market-oriented technology development. Its seven research groups cover topics such as energy storage, solar energy, hydrogen, smart grids, and climate-resilient buildings. PHYNEST fellows hosted at IREC will benefit from its applied research focus, industry partnerships, and involvement in European innovation platforms like PRIMA and BATTECH.

IMB-CNM is Spain’s largest public research center in micro- and nanoelectronics, part of the CSIC network. Located on the UAB campus, it specializes in semiconductor devices, sensors, power electronics, and nanofabrication. The institute hosts eight research groups and operates a national cleanroom facility (ICTS), supporting advanced microfabrication and integration technologies. IMB-CNM is actively involved in European projects and industrial collaborations, and plays a key role in the development of sustainable electronic systems. PHYNEST fellows will have access to unique infrastructure and expertise in microelectronics applied to energy and environmental challenges.

CVC is a leading non-profit research center in computer vision and artificial intelligence, based on the UAB campus. Founded in 1994, it conducts cutting-edge research in areas such as autonomous driving, medical imaging, robotics, and document analysis. CVC combines fundamental science with technology transfer, collaborating with industry and participating in major European projects like ELLIOT and ELSA. It is also a TECNIO-accredited center and actively promotes diversity, inclusion, and sustainability. PHYNEST fellows at CVC will explore the intersection of AI and sustainability, contributing to innovative solutions for environmental monitoring and energy efficiency.

The ICN2 is a leading research institute in nanoscience and nanotechnology, located on the UAB campus. It focuses on the unique properties of materials at the nanoscale, with applications in energy, health, and information technologies. ICN2 hosts over 200 researchers and has been recognized as a Severo Ochoa Centre of Excellence. Its multidisciplinary research groups work on advanced electron microscopy, 2D materials, nanobiosensors, spintronics, and magnetic nanostructures. ICN2 combines fundamental research with innovation and technology transfer, offering PHYNEST fellows access to cutting-edge facilities and expert mentorship in a dynamic and collaborative environment.