Development and application of analytical methodologies for assessment of the presence, fate and impact of organic contaminants, especially emerging contaminants, in the aquatic and terrestrial environment. KEY resources required in 2019-2021: - 3 Titular Scientists - 2 Laboratory Technicians Positioning within the three global areas (SOCIETY, LIFE, MATTER) in their intersection S-V-M. Interest in new Interdisciplinary Thematic Platforms : PTI15-AG2BIO, PTI22, PTI2-SUSPLAST, PTI5-SOILBIO, PTI14-POLARCSIC. Collaboration in open science initiatives: Science Week, Open Door Days.

Sources, transport, transformation and fate of the organic matter and contaminants in the ocean, continents and atmosphere at global scale. Transport and fate of organic pollutants to the Arctic and Antarctica. Influence of the semi-volatile and anthropogenic organic matter on the biogeochemical cycles of carbon and nutrients driven by primary producers and bacterial communities. Gene expresion responses of bacteria and phytoplankton due to anthropogenic pollutants and nutrients. Interactions of the organic pollutants with other vectors of global change.

Research on physico-chemical atmospheric processes and emissions that govern the formation, composition and concentrations of atmospheric pollutants with environmental and climate implications, such as health impact or the Earth’s radiative balance. International leaderhip on research on air quality, and long-distance transport of natural and anthropogenic pollutants. The team has conducted research in more than 50 sites across Spain and Europe, and has participated in studies of aerosols in mega cities such as Mexico (MILAGRO campaign) and Wuhan (China).

The Computational and Theoretical Chemistry Group explores the behavior and properties of molecules to understand and predict their reactivity, dynamics, and function. We employ a diverse set of multiscale approaches—including quantum chemistry, all-atom molecular dynamics, and coarse-grained simulations—to bridge electronic structure with macroscopic behavior. Complementing these methods, we integrate deep learning to enhance the modeling of complex molecular systems.

The group mainly works in molecular recognition, programmed folding and self-assembling processes, using a wide variety of experimental and theoretical approaches. Our main activities are the design/discovery, preparation and study of new synthetic receptors for molecules and ions of biological interest. We also use supramolecular approaches to synthetic procedures, such as template-assisted synthesis, dynamic combinatorial chemistry or constitutional dynamic chemistry. Another research line (Dr.

The Nanobiotechnology for Diagnostics group (Nb4D) is a consolidated investigation group, recognised by the Catalan government (2014SGR1484), and also a member of CIBER-BBN (Biomedical Research Networking center in Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine). It is made up of four research staff (1 Professor of Investigation, 1 Tenured Scientist, 1 Superior Specialised Technician and 1 CIBER-BBN Investigator), along with a variable number (approx. 10) of postdoctoral and predoctoral investigators.

The Surface Chemistry Group at the Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC) is led by Dr. Jordi Esquena, who also coordinates the Associated Unit of the University of Barcelona (UB) to CSIC, “Grupo de Nanotecnología Farmacéutica,” together with Prof. Maria José Garcia-Celma from UB.

The Research Group on Intelligent Robots and Systems (ROMIN) is a multidisciplinary team dedicated to study and develop all the technologies involved in the design and construction of robots for various applications. So its activities covers aspects ranging from more theoretical fields, such as kinematic or dynamic modeling, advanced control algorithms or perception, to more applied areas such as mechanical design, manufacturing, or predesign sensing industry.

The Field and Service Robotic Group is focused on the design and development of new robotic devices, control systems, learning approaches and resilient components to ensure their autonomy and safe utilization when collaborate and/or interact with humans or other static and dynamic systems.

Increasing the autonomy of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV or drones) by means of on-board sensors and computing capabilities (mainly Vision) is the main objective of the Group. This visual information hs already demonstrated its power in biological systems, and its introduction in the robotics system is our challenge, that is aimed to accomplished with the help of the new Machine Learning techniques.