ICIQ concentrates the brunt of its research in three main area:
1. Catalysis of the Chemical Process
This is the Institute’s most extensive line of inquiry and includes research into all spheres of chemical catalysis: homogeneous, heterogeneous and enantioselective catalysis, the development of new ligands and catalytic processes and the design and simulation of catalytic reactors.
The general aim of this research is to develop processes and products for industrial use that exploit resources more efficiently and minimise waste, that is, that are governed by the principle of sustainability.
2. Supramolecular Chemistry
Work in this area is primarily geared toward designing molecular receptors, self-replicating and self-assembling molecules and molecular aggregates with specific properties (sensors, molecular motors, etc). Research is likewise actively conducted on supramolecular catalysts.
The general aim is to contribute to the development of molecular nanotechnology through a bottom-up approach.
3. Renewable energies
This is the most recent line of research to be included at ICIQ, as well as the fastest-growing. Currently, research is focused on discovering catalysts for the generation of clean energies and developing organic solar cells to serve as an alternative to the silicon cells used today.
Research in this field aims to contribute to the development of renewable energy sources from a chemical standpoint.