MATERIALS
BIOMATERIALS
Tissue engineering, orthopedics and implants
COMPOSITES
Performance, lightweight and multifunctional
POLYMERIC MATERIALS
Lightweight, energy / thermal management and bio
TEXTILE MATERIALS
Biotechnology, smart textiles and advanced fabrics
ADVANCED MATERIALS
High performance, extreme conditions and construction
FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
Energy production, environment and detection
ADVANCED CHARACTERIZATION AND DESIGN OF MATERIALS AND PROCESSES
MULTISCALE TESTING OF MATERIALS AND STRUCTURES
Analysis of faults and failure mechanisms, experimental testing of structures, multiscale analysis of mechanical properties of materials and coatings, static/dynamic tests at high temperatures.
CHEMICAL AND FUNCTIONAL CHARACTERIZATION
Advanced characterization of polymers, metals, ceramics and composites. Nanoscale analysis of surfaces and reactivity, corrosion and fire resistance studies, toxicology, microbiology, biofilms and biodegradation. In vitro and in vivo studies of implants.
SIMULATION AND MODELLING
Processing simulation and time optimization, product design and prototyping, simulation of structures and construction processes finite element analysis, computational plasticity and nanomechanics.
DEVELOPMENT OF MATERIALS
PROCESSING
Light alloys and material matrix composites: powder metallurgy, casting, forging, forming, extrusion and lamination, polymers injection, extrusion, mixing, foaming, additives and recycling metal-polymer hybrids and advanced joining techniques, functional coatings, textiles and composites materials.
MATERIALS PROTECTION AND SURFACES
Coatings for corrosion, wear and thermal protection, thermal/acoustic insulation, fire-retardant polymers, plasma modification for biocompatible/antibacterial surfaces.
ADVANCED MANUFACTURING
3D printing, stereolithography, selective laser sintering, deposition of micro and nanometric layers, nanostructured materials and nanoparticles. Advanced monitoring processes and quality control (spectral technologies, artificial vision).
APPLICATION SECTORS
BIOTECHNOLOGY
CIRCULAR ECONOMY
CONSTRUCTION
ENERGY PRODUCTION
HEALTHCARE
TRANSPORT
RELATED PROJECTS
- Researchers from the UPC are participating in the Quartz Enrichment Enabling Near-Zero Silicon (QUEEN) project, aimed at reducing the European Union’s dependence on external sources for critical raw materials, particularly metallurgical-grade silicon (MG-Si). To achieve this, the project proposes harnessing an underused resource: quartz sand from European quarries, to produce MG-Si locally, sustainably, and efficiently.
- A multidisciplinary team of researchers from the Research Group in Smart and Sustainable Resources and Industries (RIIS), the Sustainable Mining Research Group (GREMS), and the Construction Materials and Roads (MATCAR) group at the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya – BarcelonaTech (UPC) is leading the VALORFIN project. The aim is to develop a technological solution for the valorisation of the fine fraction of construction and demolition waste (CDW), transforming it into new low-CO₂-emission cementitious materials, while also reducing the presence of hazardous materials in this waste.
- 08/07/2025Project Headerrightno-repeat;left top;;auto20px The research groups River Dynamics and Hydrological Engineering (FLUMEN) and Construction Materials and Roads (MATCAR) at the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya – BarcelonaTech […]
- The Innovation in Materials and Molecular Engineering – Biomaterials for Regenerative Therapies (IMEM-BRT) research group at the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya – BarcelonaTech (UPC), in collaboration with the Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ), has developed polymer resins derived from plant-based materials to reduce the dependence of 3D printing on fossil fuel-based resins.




