FUNDACION BCMATERIALS - BASQUE CENTRE FOR MATERIALS, APPLICATIONS AND NANOSTRUCTURES

Their core work

BCMaterials is a Basque Country research centre specializing in advanced functional materials — from magnetic alloys and perovskite solar cells to metal-organic frameworks and solid-state batteries. They design, synthesize, and characterize materials at the nanoscale for energy, electronics, and environmental applications. Their work spans computational materials modelling (density functional theory, micromagnetic simulations) through to experimental synthesis and device integration, making them a full-chain materials research partner. They frequently coordinate international research networks, particularly MSCA mobility programmes that bring global talent into their labs.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In their early H2020 period (2016–2019), BCMaterials focused on fundamental materials science: permanent magnet design through computational and combinatorial methods (NOVAMAG), perovskite photovoltaics (MOLEMAT), magnetic biosensors, and MOF-based water remediation. From 2020 onward, their work shifted toward applied, multi-functional materials — biomedical wearable electrodes (WEARPLEX), multi-material additive manufacturing (MULTI-FUN), CO2-to-fuel conversion (4AirCRAFT), and solid-state batteries (ROCHE). The trajectory is clear: moving from characterizing individual material classes toward engineering materials into working devices and industrial processes.

BCMaterials is pivoting from fundamental materials discovery toward application-driven research in batteries, sustainable fuels, and bioelectronics — signalling readiness for industry-closer partnerships.

How they like to work

BCMaterials strongly favours the coordinator role, leading 9 of their 13 H2020 projects — an unusually high ratio for a centre of this size. Many of these are MSCA networking and fellowship grants, which means they actively build international researcher mobility programmes rather than just contributing to others' consortia. With 73 unique partners across 24 countries, they function as a hub connecting diverse research groups, though their coordinator-heavy profile suggests they prefer setting the agenda rather than plugging into someone else's framework.

BCMaterials has built a broad network of 73 partners spanning 24 countries, reflecting their heavy use of MSCA mobility programmes that by design involve partners from multiple continents. Their network is geographically diverse rather than concentrated in any single European cluster.

What sets them apart

BCMaterials occupies a distinctive niche as a dedicated materials centre (not a university department) with both strong computational modelling and experimental synthesis capabilities under one roof. Their ERC Consolidator Grant on perovskite solar cells (MOLEMAT) signals top-tier principal investigators, while their MSCA coordination track record makes them an ideal anchor for international mobility and training programmes. For consortium builders, they offer a rare combination: deep materials expertise, proven project management as coordinator, and an established global network — all from a focused, agile research centre rather than a large bureaucratic university.

Highlights from their portfolio

• MOLEMAT
  ERC Consolidator Grant (EUR 1.88M) — their largest project and a mark of individual research excellence in perovskite solar cell engineering.
• NOVAMAG
  Addressed the critical raw materials challenge by designing permanent magnets without rare earth elements, combining computational screening with experimental synthesis.
• 4AirCRAFT
  Tackles sustainable aviation fuel by converting CO2 into high-density hydrocarbons — positions BCMaterials in the high-profile green aviation sector.