One more year, IREC has participated in the EspaiCiència in Saló de l’Ensenyament, where we were able to share with students the research we carry out at the institute.

EspaiCiència is an initiative promoted by the Fundació Catalana per a la Recerca i la Innovació (FCRI) held within the framework of the Saló de l’Ensenyament from 26 to 30 March, 2025. With the goal of showcasing the research and innovation taking place at universities, research centers, companies, and professional entities in Catalonia, this edition featured more than 30 workshops that inspired scientific vocations among young people from 15 to 18 years old.

In this year’s edition, Anna Magrasó and Princess Romero from the Corporate Development and Technology Transfer (KTT) department, conducted a workshop on renewable energy and the Gara OpenLAB project, where students had the chance to learn and experiment with how energy from sustainable sources is generated, stored, and distributed. The workshop attracted many students, both interested in scientific disciplines and others from various fields, eager to learn about the latest trends in renewable energy.

Oxybatt, a project coordinated by IREC, was also present in the EspaiCiència. AEInnova, one of the project’s partners, demonstrated how heat can generate sustainable energy through thermoelectric conversion and presented oxybatt’s innovative solution: a portable battery for the Industrial Internet of Things that can operate above 200ºC.

One of the highlights of our participation in EspaiCiència was the visit from the President of the Generalitat, Salvador Illa, together with the director of FCRI, Miquel Gómez Clares, who experienced firsthand the dynamic and inspiring atmosphere of this immersive scientific outreach space. Such initiatives are key to bridging the gap between science and new generations, while fostering scientific vocations.

This involvement reaffirms IREC’s commitment to research in renewable energy and the promotion of scientific vocations among young people, highlighting the importance of scientific research in shaping the future of energy.

Acknowledgements

Oxybattt (GA No. 101158721) is funded by the European Union Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. Gara OpenLAB is funded by Fundación Española para la Ciencia y la Tecnología – Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades.