The research activity of the Colloidal Materials Group is focused on the synthesis and surface modification of new colloidal functional materials with controlled characteristics (particle size and shape, crystallinity, composition, specific surface area), their characterization and the evaluation of their properties for application in biomedicine, ceramics and optoelectronics.

The mission of the research group "Nanotechnology on Surfaces" is the development of high level scientific research within the frame of surface engineering and nanotechnology, as well as the transfer of the acquired knowledge to the industry and other social stakeholders.

The Multifunctional Optical Materials Group of the ICMS is devoted to the development of new photonic structures in which several functionalities are combined. Materials design, preparation, and characterization, as well as device integration, are all performed within the group to yield a full approach to the problems addressed and give rise to creative solutions.

The work focuses on the synthesis and preparation of biomaterials and their processing into functional structures for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Working task at the ICMS includes chemical synthesis and materials processing, materials characterization and acellular essays in vitro to study the structure-properties-function relationships of the materials in biological systems. Other important activity of the Group is the multidisciplinary collaboration with other biologist and clinicians to advance in the materials biocompatibility response.

Complete information: http://nanomatmicro.icmse.csic.es/ General Strategy: Development of nanostructured coatings, thin films and nanoparticles by fabrication methods based mainly in the magnetron sputtering methodology and surface treatments by plasmas. Chemical and microstructural characterization at the nano-scale in order to understand the behaviour and final properties. 1. - Development of nanoporous films with gases trapped at high density. The group has been a pioneer in the development of these materials. 2.

Activity focused on the synthesis, processing, mechanical and microestructural chracterization, tayloring and modeling of nanoestructured ceramic materials of high preformance for structural applications at severe environments. Correlation among microestructure/mechanical properties and ionic conductiviy. Modeling of microestructural and transport properties by computer simulation tools.

The group develops catalytic systems for production and purification of hydrogen from renewable sources, addressing all the steps necessary for its complete development. For the synthesis of these, soft chemistry methods are used to control the most relevant parameters in this respect: particle size, compositional homogeneity, surface morphology. On the other hand, systems are characterized using advanced methods with the highest possible resolution at spatial and / or temporal levels, paying particular attention to techniques that allow such characterization under operating conditions.

Study and characterization of redox enzymes and their interfaces with electroactive surfaces. Applications of electrodes modified with biocatalysts.

Our objective is to characterize the molecular bases of human disease, focussing most recently in diseases related to the complement system. Our activities involve gene identification, mutation detection and biochemical, cellular and structural analysis of the proteins encoded by the disease-associated genes. A major objective is generating in vitro and in vivo models to increase our understanding of pathogenic mechanisms, to improve diagnostics and to develop preventive and therapeutic strategies.

Our group is devoted to the analysis of signaling pathways involved in the activation of T lymphocyte function such that they allow novel therapeutic approaches to immune-based diseases including autoimmune diseases or immunodeficiencies. In this regard, we have studied some aspects of the structure and function of the antigen receptor of T lymphocytes (TCR/CD3 complex), or molecules like ICOS or CD28, that are involved in the modulation of TCR/CD3 complex signals in this cell population essential to the development of efficient cellular and humoral immune responses and autoimmunity.