Our research group is devoted to understand the interplay between general relativity and quantum mechanics. In most situations these two theories do not even need to talk to each other. However, all indicates that a combination of the two is a must in understanding the physics of black holes and that at work in the origin of the universe. We investigate these situations searching for ways of combining the gravitational and the quantum realms. For that we use a wide range of techniques: From numerical simulations in general relativity to group-theoretical and condensed matter techniques.

The scientific goals of our research group fall within the area of Observational Cosmology, i.e. the empirical measurement of the fundamental parameters of the Universe, and the verification of the theories which explain its structure and evolution. The work of our group during the last years has focused on the technical refinement of the observational method known as photometric redshifts and on its practical implementation in Surveys. More precisely, we have played key roles on the birth and scientific development of the projects ALHAMBRA, CLASH and J-PAS.

The Rosaceae Genomics group is composed of four researchers: Amparo Monfort, Werner Howad, María José Aranzana and Pere Arús, working in different aspects of Rosaceae genome organization, variability and evolution that help to elucidate the genetics of important agricultural characters, and apply this information to improve plant breeding efficiency. The species studied include peach and strawberry as major crops and almond, apricot, Japanese plum, cherry, raspberry and blackberry as secondary related crops.

The Organic Geochemistry Lab investigates the elemental composition, optical properties, molecular structure and reactivity of dissolved organic matter in coastal and oceanic marine systems worldwide, in a planet under growing anthropogenic pressure.

The Oxide Nanoelectronics Group studies functional properties and phase transitions of oxides at the nanoscale. The interest in oxides stems from the vast array of functional properties they display; the principal properties that we study are ferroelectricity, piezoelectricity, electronic transport (including metal-insulator transitions and magnetorresistance), magnetoelectricity, elasticity and flexoelectricity. Our group has expertise in and facilities for the fabrication of epitaxial thin films and heterostructures, and for their characterization.

The theoretical and computational Nanoscience group headed by ICREA Research Professor Stephan Roche (total of 7 researchers and regular visitors) investigates quantum transport phenomena in models of structurally and/or chemically modified and disordered graphene and topological insulators. The main targets include the effect of chemical and structural defects (vacancies, dopants, grain boundaries…), as well as electron-phonon coupling and spin-orbit interaction on quantum interferences, localization phenomena and spin relaxation mechanism.

The work of the Inorganic Nanoparticles Group is geared around the preparation, manipulation and applications of engineered inorganic nanoparticles (NPs). Synthesis work is the hard core of our laboratory, having a highly skilled expertise including size control and a high monodispersity. We are experts in Co, Fe, CeO2, Ni, Ag, CuO, Pt, TiO2, and ZnO NPs. Additionally, we study the self-assembly of magnetic NPs, and the formation of hollow structures, metallic alloys, and rod-shaped NPs.

The Group of Atomic Manipulation and Spectroscopy seeks to understand and control the quantum properties of electrons in low-dimensional materials. Reducing the dimensions of a material to the nanoscale leads to the emergence of novel physics, which can be exploited to design devices with enhanced performance or with new functionalities that can enable future technologies.

The Magnetic Nanostructures group, led by Prof. Josep Nogués, investigates different types of magnetic, magnetoelectric and magneto-optical nanostructures with the aim of improving their functional properties for different types of applications.

The Nanobioelectronics and Biosensors group aims to integrate nanotechnology methods, tools and materials into low-cost, user friendly and efficient sensors and biosensors with application in fields such as diagnostics, food analysis, environment monitoring and other industries.