Universitat de València’s Research Vice-Principal Carlos Hermenegildo, Science and Research Principal Rafael Sebatián, Rey Jaume I Awards Foundation president Javier Quesada, UV Faculty of Chemistry dean Rafael Ibáñez and Institute of Molecular Science (ICMol) Principal Eugenio Coronado opened the 23^rd Science Conference this morning in the same centre where it has taken place since its first edition in 2000. The event was celebrated in Universitat de València’s Botanical Garden.

The gathering has run an analysis on the research institute Unit of Excellence María de Maeztu’s state and has put the spotlight on dissemination and latest advances on different nanoscience fields. The event consisted on conferences by Wolfgang Parak (Universität Hamburg), Ramón Martínez Máñez (Universitat Politècnica de València) and Marisol Martín-González (CSIC) as well as the roundtable “Disruptive Innovation or Technological Planning? Integrating Science, Economics, and Politics”, the closing act of the conference in Auditorium Cavanilles of the Botanical Garden.

“ICMoL houses science excellence and passion for innovation and creativity” stated the centre Principal Eugenio Coronado when he introduced the yearlky analysis of the institute and its three branches: as a molecular neuroscience excellence centre, chemistry, physics and materials science excellence centre and European higher education centre.

18 research groups, 81 doctoral theses in process, 7 ERC aids active and 316 workers over 35 countries (145 women and 171 men). ICMoL is a leader institute in Physics and the second place of Chemistry according to Nature Idex, reinforcing Universitat de València’s position as the second best Spanish universities for Chemistry. During 2024, the institute had funds worth over 14 million euros (3.1 million for European projects, 6.2 million for national projects and 3.6 million for local projects) for their research lines of advanced functional materials, molecular spintronics, molecular electronics and molecular biomaterials design. There was also a 500.000 euros fund for transfer expenses  according to Coronado during the exhibition. ICMoL Principal stressed the ability of research institutes to promote innovation “something that can be achieved through basic science, as this centre has demonstrated with its research which already has two spin-offs”.

“Science is crucial for decision-making in every aspect, from administration to companies. The Valencian government has a clear mind about emphasizing the knowledge transfer to society and industries” stated Science and Research Principal Rafael Sebastián. Rafael Ibañez, Universitat de València Faculty of Chemistry dean bets on cooperation between the research institute and centres of UV “as a way to grant scientific and professional progress for its graduates”. Rey Jaume I Awards Foundation president Javier Quesada highlighted ICMoL’s science excellence and motivated the researchers to aim for a Jaume I award, with a jury of distinguished personalities (most of them Nobel Prize winners), as the most remarkable science award of Spain.

The act served as tribute for UV full-time university professor Miguel Julve and chemist and businessman Miguel Burdeos, who both passed away in 2024, as well as for Miguel Ángel Alario, Complutense University of Madrid full-time university professor of inorganic chemistry and Rey Jaume I Award winner in 1991, who passed away this August.

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