Advanced functional materials and surfaces

This research line concerns mainly the implementation through deep fundamental understanding of functional materials for advanced technological needs.  BCMaterials covers the synthesis, development and scale-up of a wide range of materials for fuel cells and batteries (including solid electrolytes, advanced cathode and anode materials and interface engineering for next generation batteries), photovoltaic materials (prvoskyte) or permanent magnets (critical materials free). Further, to provide surfaces with additional functionalities beyond the traditional decorative or protective ones is a key issue in science and technology. Active and multifunctional surfaces are being developed based on active materials, via patterning and/or chemical modification techniques, allowing to obtain specific and tailored magnetic, optical, mechanical or electrical responses. BCMaterials is working on sensing, self-cleaning, self-healing and antibacterial surfaces, following a wide variety of methods, including chemical and physical deposition and printing techniques.