BCMaterials participation in the UPV/EHU Science Week

BCMaterials participated prominently in 'Science Week' 2023, organized by the UPV/EHU, which took place from November 8 to 12. During those five days, the center organized a stand ('science corner’) at the Bizkaia Aretoa in Bilbao, which received hundreds of visitors, mainly students and families.
The 'science corner’, under the title 'Another world is (materially) possible', had the objective of showing through practical examples and experiments how materials science contributes to providing solutions for health, energy and the environment, among others fields. Thus, we carried out experiments with metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) capable of detecting polluting substances in the air or capturing them in water. In the second experiment, the MOFs, in addition to extracting contaminants from water, were also capable of separating valuable elements for later use in the industry. These experiments are the result of the work carried out in international projects in which BCMaterials participates, such as Indesmof, Tailing32Green or Solarsenic.
3D printing against cancer
Another of the demonstrators at the stand was closely linked to healthcare solutions; specifically, with the treatment for patients with bone cancer. We showed how 3D printed polymeric materials with nanoparticles are able to replace pieces of bone that are removed from patients with bone tumors. These materials, endowed with piezoelectric properties, will allow bone regeneration without the danger of tumors reproducing in the area.
As for materials for energy, visitors saw in action a capacitor capable of working with carbon paper instead of the polluting metals usually used in these devices. This experiment allowed us to contextualize the different BCMaterials projects on eco-designed batteries. These batteries, tailored to the device they power, are made with materials that are harmless to the environment and are recyclable, compostable or biodegradable.
An interesting workshop on materials from silk
In addition to the science corner, BCMaterials presented the workshop 'Silk: a material to replace them all'. The workshop was held on the afternoon of Friday the 10th in Bilbao and the morning of Saturday the 11th in San Sebastián. Participants in the workshop experienced the different materials that can be obtained from silkworm cocoons, applying several treatments during the process.
Related news
Succesful joint symposium with Instituto Biofisika
On June, 19 we hosted the ‘Processes and Materials for Life’ symposium, organized jointly with Instituto Biofisika. The goal of the symposium was to share the common knowledge of both centers on…‘Materials for Society’. Talk and Discussion with Jorge García del Arco
On June 18th, starting at 11:00 a.m., in the Martina Casiano Auditorium in Leioa, BCMaterials launches a new chapter of ‘Materials for Society’—an initiative that bridges science with art, culture,…Interview with Maibelin Rosales on 'STEMlab Podcast'
Our Marie Curie postdoctoral researcher, Maibelin Rosales, is one of the featured speakers in the 'STEMlab Podcast' series, promoted by Diputación Foral de Bizkaia’s BizkaiaTech. The goal of these…Visit of the BCMaterials Local Advisory Committee
On June 3rd, we received a visit from members of the BCMaterials Local Advisory Committee, one of our center's advisory bodies on scientific matters. The purpose of the meeting was for the Committee…