Interview with Javier Sanchez, director of Matgas

Matgas is the first Spanish center dedicated to research, development, technology transfer and education in the field of materials and gases. Nonprofit group, is - as in the following interview says its director, Javier Sánchez - an initiative of the company Metal carbides, the CSIC and the universitat autònoma de Barcelona, which set a new model of cooperation in research between the public and private sectors by integrating the different objectives of the entities that the they make up.

Matgas is a group of economic interest non-profit dedicated to cover the demand for r & d in the field of materials and gases from a broad perspective. The grouping are her three partners: the company metal carbides, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) and the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB). Matgas represents the culmination of the close collaboration already for 20 years between the Research Department of metal carbides, universities and other public r & d centres to carry out activities and promote projects in the area of research and development.

We combine deep knowledge of the market that has a company like metallic carbides with research and teaching capacity of public institutions and universities such as those involved in Matgas, create a number of synergies of enormous value. We had so found it for many years through the various projects developed jointly. However, in the field of materials and gases, in Spain there as such no entity that was specifically promoting these synergies. With Matgas fill this gap and provide an added value which will certainly be very much appreciated by the most diverse sectors.

Matgas assumes four basic objectives. The first is to provide solutions to the technological needs and training in the field of materials and gases. The second, manage the knowledge for the development of technologies that have commercial application. The third, facilitate the processes of technological and industrial innovation. And finally, as it is often said, not least, contribute to the technological development of the campus of the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona.

With respect to the services offered by Matgas, the range is very wide and ranges from training activities to the promotion, research and development of new materials and new applications of gases. At Matgas we develop projects of applied research and technological innovation to meet the needs of the industry both for products and production processes. We also develop projects of technology transfer and demonstration projects, to identify applications of technology and pilot testing according to customer needs. Also can participate in the preparation of specific calls for research projects and technology watch services, i.e., carry out a follow-up of the evolution of the key technologies in the field of materials and gases to analyse and disseminate systematically information enabling the anticipation of technological changes and the creation of opportunities for business.

Matgas represents the culmination of the close collaboration already for 20 years

The building is equipped with five laboratories, an area for pilot plants and preindustrialización projects, classrooms and areas of management. The Matgas laboratories include one devoted to technologies of supercritical fluids where the three partners have consolidated the activities conducted to date separately, a modeling and simulation laboratory equipped with the most modern systems of parallel computinga laboratory of nanotechnologies where projects related to nanoparticles, optical and mechanical properties, a laboratory of energy, with capabilities to develop projects of production and storage of hydrogen and a laboratory of reactivity of gas where it can work fulfilling the most stringent security measures will be addressed, with the most appropriate tools to correct supply and handling of gases.

Staff members who currently works in the Centre is fully multidisciplinary and adapts to the needs of ongoing projects. This allows us to that of the three partners highly qualified staff can work together on projects of high scientific quality.

We provide an added value which will certainly be very much appreciated by the most diverse sectors

Lines of research, the variety is also very notable. We work in the development of the supercritical fluid applications as an alternative to organic solvents on extraction, crystallization, recycling processes, obtaining materials, micro and nanoparticles. On the other hand, we develop new sensors for specific control of impurities in gases and for medical applications.

In the field of nanotechnologies, will work mainly in three areas, the optical characterization of materials to scale nanoscale synthesis and characterization of nanoparticles and nanomecánicos testing. At the same time in the laboratory of modelling and simulation will run projects that help to better understand the foundations of the experienced processes and save time for experimentation. In the energy field, we join in the development of systems of collection and storage of hydrogen, electrochemical technologies to obtain hydrogen at a lower cost, and of materials and systems that enhance the ability of hydrogen storage securely thereby increasing the autonomy of the vehicles. Also have a line of research focused on new applications of CO₂ in the environment, food and chemistry. Sectors that benefit from this research activity can be seen are, in turn, very diverse. Among others, the chemical sector, the materials, the pharmaceutical, food, the biotechnology and textiles.

The building is equipped with five laboratories, an area for pilot plants and preindustrialización projects, classrooms and areas of management

Yes, since it apart from the synergies that have been discussed previously, this project opens a door to better communication between the research carried out by the public and private sector. It is a step forward because it is no longer the relationship as contratante-contratado but the cooperation as partners in joint projects.

Matgas is the first Spanish center dedicated to research, development, transfer of technology and teaching in the field of materials and gases. The different natures of its three partners by both the comprehensive vision of its objectives, sets a new model of cooperation in research between the public and private sectors. The confluence of the science, technology and teaching in the field of materials and gases in a same Center provides an enriching joint vision of these three activities and generates, as previously discussed, numerous synergies. The benefits, will therefore be mutual: the industry would benefit from a series of scientific advances developed in line with their specific needs and the creation of new business opportunities while science will build on the momentum derived from the immediate applicability of these developments.

The sectors that benefit from this research activity can be seen are very diverse: chemist, the materials, the pharmaceutical...

On the other hand, the content of the Centre is intended to have the best teams and professionals and, therefore, provide new elements in the areas of Matgas are an undeniable topical and scientific importance as nanotechnologies or hydrogen-related technologies. The range of possible products of these technologies is very broad, ranging from new catalysts, sensors, new extraction processes environmentally more friendly to new materials for hydrogen storage or new materials with specific properties.