IMDEA Networks participates in the European Researchers’ Night in Madrid 2025

The IMDEA Institutes team stepped out of the laboratories to bring science closer to the public and showcase its impact on society

29 September 2025

On September 26, our director Albert Banchs took part in the sixteenth edition of the European Researchers’ Night, held at the Residencia de Estudiantes in Madrid, alongside his colleagues from the IMDEA Institutes. This annual event, coordinated by the Fundación para el Conocimiento madri+d, is part of the activities of the European Horizon Europe program.

During the event, the IMDEA research team shared with the public how their work contributes to building a better world. The panel discussion, moderated by José Manuel Torralba, director of IMDEA Materials, and Antonio Fernández Anta, deputy director of IMDEA Software and part-time research professor at IMDEA Networks, offered attendees the opportunity to meet the scientists firsthand and learn what motivates them to dedicate themselves to research.

In his presentation, Albert emphasized that “the greatest challenge for humanity is sustainability.” He explained how IMDEA Networks works to make communication networks increasingly efficient while reducing their energy consumption. He also showcased a device developed by the Pervasive Wireless Systems group, which transmits and receives data without a battery using RF backscatter technology and LiFi, with applications in greenhouses and sustainable agriculture. Additionally, he presented a recent study that aims to improve transport sustainability.

Other IMDEA Institutes also shared advances in their fields: IMDEA Nanoscience explained the importance of measuring intra- and extracellular temperature for medical applications, while IMDEA Nutrition highlighted the relevance of a healthy Mediterranean diet. IMDEA Energy demonstrated how they drive environmental innovation and transform waste into valuable products, and IMDEA Materials discussed the development of bioabsorbable materials through 3D printing for bone and cartilage implants. IMDEA Water focused on hydrological modeling and biodiversity, while IMDEA Software emphasized the role of software in preventing environmental disasters.

During the Q&A session, the audience showed great interest, asking questions ranging from how artificial intelligence will affect daily life to more playful inquiries, such as how vaccines could taste like candy. The researchers agreed that science is essential for improving people’s lives and stressed the need for greater funding and visibility for research in society.